SRINAGAR: Ruling National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has triggered a political controversy by claiming that Pakistan’s repeated raising of the Kashmir issue at international forums was helping protect the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the Centre’s intentions towards Kashmiris were not good.
The remarks, made while addressing a party workers’ convention in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday, drew a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed them “seditious and anti-national” and demanded legal action against the veteran leader.
Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also criticised Abdullah’s assessment, saying Pakistan was an enemy of India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “I respect Farooq sahab, but his statement is completely incorrect,” Azad said in a post on X on Sunday.
The controversy has centred on Abdullah’s assertion that Pakistan’s efforts to keep the Kashmir alive internationally were restraining New Delhi from acting against the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks came amid his renewed criticism of the Centre over the restoration of statehood, the abrogation of Article 370 and what he described as the erosion of the region’s political and constitutional rights.
What Farooq Abdullah said
Addressing party workers in Baramulla, Abdullah questioned whether the people of Jammu and Kashmir could expect justice from the Centre and urged them to stand up for their rights and identity.
“What can you expect from Delhi? Do you expect them to deliver justice for you? Have the courage to fight, or you will be wiped out, and your identity will disappear,” Farooq said.
Referring to Pakistan without naming it initially, Abdullah argued that the neighbouring country’s diplomatic campaign had kept the Kashmir alive on the international stage.
“Our neighbour is constantly after them. They are going everywhere to take up the issue of Kashmir. Our neighbour is protecting us. Otherwise, their intentions were not right,” he said.
In another part of his address, Abdullah said New Delhi was silent because of international pressure and because Pakistan continued to assert that the Kashmir remained unresolved.
He also maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had never rejected their Indian identity, reiterating that the region had acceded to the India of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
“We never said we are not Indians, but we keep on reiterating that we have joined Gandhi’s India, Nehru’s India,” he said.
Abdullah alleged that the country’s secular fabric was being weakened by attempts to pit Hindus against Muslims for political gain. He also expressed concern over the demolition of homes, shops and mosques belonging to Muslims in several parts of the country, particularly in BJP-governed states.
The NC president said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had endured difficult periods under Afghan, Sikh, Mughal and Dogra rule and would eventually overcome the present circumstances as well.
Article 370, statehood
Abdullah’s remarks formed part of a wider attack on the Centre over Jammu and Kashmir’s political status and governance.
He reiterated the National Conference’s commitment to the restoration of Article 370 and statehood, asserting that the people would regain their constitutional rights through unity and a sustained democratic struggle.
“We will fight for it. One day we will get it back,” he said, referring to Article 370, which was abrogated in August 2019.
He also accused the Centre of failing to honour its commitment to restore statehood after delimitation and Assembly elections, saying two years had passed without the promise being fulfilled.
The NC president criticised the delimitation exercise, alleging that it had favoured the BJP. He pointed out that six Assembly seats had been added in Jammu against one in Kashmir and questioned the inclusion of Rajouri and Poonch in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency.
He also accused the Peoples Democratic Party of contributing to the loss of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status through its alliance with the BJP.
Calling for greater political unity, Abdullah warned that divisions among people and the proliferation of political parties were weakening the collective voice of Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP demands action
The BJP launched a strong attack on Abdullah, with its Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson describing the remarks as “seditious and anti-national” and demanding that a case be registered against him.
“Farooq Abdullah’s pro-Pakistan statement is seditious and anti-national, and he should be booked for making such remarks. A leader who has taken an oath under the Indian Constitution cannot be allowed to question the country’s intentions towards its own people while giving political legitimacy to Pakistan’s narrative,” the spokesman said.
He challenged Abdullah to consider the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that people there were dissatisfied with Pakistan’s rule and wanted to join India.
BJP also accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism and contributing to decades of violence, targeted killings and insecurity in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Pakistan has given Kashmir nothing but terrorism, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty,” he said, questioning how the country could be portrayed as a protector of Kashmiris.
Other BJP leaders also demanded an apology from Abdullah. The party’s senior leaders G L Raina and Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia criticised the remarks, while BJP leaders questioned the NC president’s assessment of Pakistan’s role in the region.
BJP national spokesperson R P Singh asked Abdullah to look at the condition of people across the Line of Control, arguing that Jammu and Kashmir was doing better after the abrogation of Article 370.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad also joined the criticism, with its national spokesperson Vinod Bansal demanding an apology and questioning Abdullah’s portrayal of Pakistan as a protector of Kashmiris.
Azad calls remark incorrect
Azad, who heads the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, also rejected Abdullah’s claim, while prefacing his criticism by saying he respected the NC president.
“I respect Farooq sahab, but his statement is completely incorrect. If anyone is an enemy of India and the people of J&K, it is Pakistan,” Azad posted on X.
Pointing to protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said people there were fighting for their rights. He also credited successive governments at the Centre with contributing to Jammu and Kashmir’s development since Independence.
“Since 1947, successive Central governments, from Nehru to Modi, have contributed to J&K’s development, irrespective of political affiliations,” he added.
Azad’s intervention was significant because it brought criticism from another former chief minister, beyond the BJP’s condemnation of Abdullah’s remarks.
