Srinagar : Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid obeisance at Mata Khirbhawani temple and Hazratbal shrine in the central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Srinagar.
At the shrine of Hazrat Peer Hyder Baba at Ganderbal, Mr Gandhi was accompanied by former leader of the opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Mr Gandhi, who arrived here on Monday afternoon on a two-day visit to Kashmir valley, attended marriage ceremony of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and leaders of different political parties were also present.
This morning as per schedule, former Congress president Rahul arrived at Khirbhawani temple, Tulmulla, one of the holiest shrine of Kashmiri pundits in the valley, at around 0830 hours under heavy security arrangement from Srinagar.
He joined the special puja in the shrine, where it is said that spring changes colours as per situation in the valley.
The Gandhi scion remained in the temple for some time before leaving for the shrine of Hazrat Peer Hyder Baba on foot. It was tough time for the security personnel as large number of locals also joined Congress leaders on the way.
Locals said whenever the Congress leader visits Mata Khirbhawani temple, he also prays at the shrine.
Later, the Wayanad MP accompanied by Mr Azad paid obeisance at Aasar-e-Sharief shrine at Hazratbal on the bank of Dal Lake. The Hazratbal shrine houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad.
However, he did not speak to media persons who were waiting outside at Ganderbal and Hazratbal shrine.
This was the first visit of Mr Gandhi after August 5, 2019 when the Centre abrogated Article 370 of Indian constitution and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UT).
However, he and other opposition party leaders, who had flown to J&K, were sent back to Delhi from Srinagar International Airport.
Talking to reporters, Mr Azad said it was after two year he was visiting Kashmir valley. ‘I could not leave because of COVID-19,’ Mr Azad said.
In reply to a question senior Congress leader said, ‘We want statehood first and later elections, he said.
‘We also demand safeguard of our land and employment,’ he added
UNIÂ
