Farooq Abdullah's Pakistan remark on Kashmir issue sparks row, BJP calls it 'seditious'

Farooq Abdullah also accused the BJP-led governments in some states of targeting Muslims, alleging that mosques, homes and shops belonging to members of the community were being demolished.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday triggered a political controversy after saying Pakistan had saved Kashmiris by keeping the Kashmir issue alive at international forums. The BJP strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as "seditious and anti-national", and demanded police action against the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.

"What hope will you (people of J-K) have from them (Delhi)? Will you expect that they will do justice for you?" Abdullah asked.

Urging Kashmiris to have courage, Abdullah said, "If you don't keep it, you will be erased. Even our trace and identity will disappear. Nothing will be left. They are silent today because there is noise in the world, and our neighbour is constantly behind this. Everywhere they say, 'the decision regarding Kashmir has not been made'. That is what is saving us. Otherwise, their intentions are not good."

Abdullah also accused the BJP-led governments in some states of targeting Muslims, alleging that mosques, homes and shops belonging to members of the community were being demolished.

The NC president also reiterated his party's position on Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India, saying the people of the region had never denied their Indian identity. He invoked the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, while expressing concern over what he described as growing divisions between Hindus and Muslims for political gains.

Abdullah said he had never imagined that a time would come when the two communities would be pitted against each other for power. He expressed hope that the prevailing situation would eventually change.

'Anti-national', says BJP; seeks police action

The BJP hit back at Abdullah over his comments on Pakistan, with Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanding that a case be registered against the NC president.

Thakur accused Abdullah of lending legitimacy to Pakistan's position on Kashmir and questioned his criticism of the Centre, arguing that a leader who had taken an oath under the Constitution should not portray the country as acting against the interests of its own people.

The BJP spokesperson also challenged Abdullah to consider the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that people there wanted freedom from Pakistan's rule and sought to join India.

Thakur further accused Pakistan of contributing to decades of violence in Jammu and Kashmir through its alleged sponsorship of terrorism. He said the country's role in the region's history of bloodshed, targeted killings and insecurity could not be overlooked while assessing its attempts to raise the Kashmir issue internationally.

Questioning Abdullah's remarks, Thakur asked whether Pakistan could be described as a protector of Kashmiris despite the suffering that the BJP alleges its policies have caused in the region.

He also accused the National Conference leadership of failing to adequately recognise the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism.

The BJP spokesperson maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted peace and development, rather than political statements that, in his view, could strengthen Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir.