Kashmir's fate would've been something else, had it been known Muslims' rights would be unprotected: Omar

Srinagar: Had it been known then that every religion would not be treated equally, Jammu and Kashmir would have not been acceded to India, said National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said referring to divisive politics being played on religion.

If the religious rights of Muslims were known to be unprotected in India, Kashmir's decision would have been something else, Omar Abdullah said.

It was not known then that one religion would get preferential treatment and others would be suppressed when the valley decided to go with India, he said.

The National Conference leader cited a number of issues the Muslims face in matters like the azaan or prayers, Hijab in class and Halal meet in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Muslims in the country are being targeted, intimated and subjugated for their religious belief and their way of living based on it, he added.

The Hindu-Muslim clashes last week in connection with Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti and subsequent government action targeting a particular community created a sense of mistrust in the air.

"You tell us don't sell halal meat. Why? Our religion asks us to eat halal meat. Why you are stopping it? We are not forcing you to eat Halal. Has any Muslim forced you to eat halal? You eat the way you like to eat, and we do the way we like," Mr Abdullah said.

Muslims, said the former chief minister, never objected to loudspeakers at temples or other religious places.