പാകിസ്താനെ പുകഴ്ത്തി ഫറൂഖ് അബ്ദുള്ള; പ്രസ്താവന രാജ്യദ്രോഹപരമെന്ന് ബിജെപി, കടുത്ത വിമർശനവുമായി നേതാക്കൾ

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah sparked a controversy on Saturday by crediting the "neighbour" - a reference to Pakistan - with "saving" the lives of the people of Kashmir. "The neighbour (Pakistan) is going to many places and talking about Kashmiris. That is why the people of Jammu and Kashmir are being saved. Otherwise, India's intentions towards Kashmiris are not right," Abdullah remarked while addressing a party workers' convention in Baramulla Abdullah questioned whether the people of Jammu and Kashmir could expect justice from the Centre, urging them not to rely solely on New Delhi to address their political concerns. Warning against what he described as the consequences of inaction, the senior leader said the people risked losing their political identity if they failed to stand up for their rights."Be brave; we shall confront them. If you do not find the courage, you will be finished. They will erase your very name and identity," he said. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Abdullah, contrasting development in Jammu and Kashmir with the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). BJP spokesperson RP Singh credited the Modi government's revocation of Article 370 with the "full integration" of Jammu and Kashmir with India."Farooq Abdullah should also look across the border and see the plight of Kashmiris on the other side. Kashmir is doing well here because Article 370 was abrogated and Kashmir was fully integrated with India," Singh said. The BJP's national council member Yamini Sharma accused Abdullah of echoing Pakistan's narrative. "Farooq Abdullah's statement on Jammu and Kashmir deeply insults the Indian Constitution and the patriotic people of Jammu and Kashmir. Everyone knows that thousands of people lost their lives in the valley due to cross-border terrorism. The National Conference has become a mouthpiece for Pakistan," she said. Condemning Abdullah's remark as anti-India and pro-Pakistan, BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi said it amounts to sedition. "Those speaking against the nation must face the sedition case. The world knows that Pakistan is behind the spread of terrorism and bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, such remarks made in favour of Pakistan are condemnable. Farooq Abdullah must apologise for it," he added.