Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Thursday condemned attacks on Muslims across the country. The former chief minister said that while India belongs to people of “every religion” efforts are being made to change the scenario.

“Communalism is increasing…Today, Muslims are being killed in the rest of country in a manner that I cannot describe…These people have become rabid dogs,” The Indian Express quoted Abdullah as saying. “This is not the India we believe in,” he said in Kupwara at the house of his party member Mir Saifullah. Abdullah visited Saifullah’s family to condole the death of his brother.

Abdullah said there was a need for people to unite and strengthen the country. He said Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians have an equal right to live in India and “they will have to work together for the country.”

“There are attempts being made to change secular character of India,” Greater Kashmir quoted Abdullah as saying. “We should be cautious and unite to defeat such forces,” he said, adding that such forces do not want peace and friendship between India and Pakistan. “When the two countries are at loggerheads, the people in Jammu and Kashmir are the most affected. We are going through a tough phase and we are becoming the victims of the hostilities.”

Abdullah also condemned the murder of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari on June 14. Abduallah said Bukhari was like his brother and claimed that Bukhari tried his best to forge a friendship between India and Pakistan.