‘Pakistan protecting Kashmiris’: Farooq Abdullah sparks row, BJP tells him to apologise

New Delhi: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah drew criticism from the BJP on Saturday after he claimed Pakistan helped protect the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue internationally.

Speaking at a party workers’ convention in Baramulla, the former chief minister referred to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statements on Kashmir and questioned the Centre’s intentions.

Abdullah questions the Centre

“Our neighbour is constantly after them. He (Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif) goes everywhere saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. He is protecting us; otherwise, their (India’s) intentions are not good,” Abdullah said.

He urged people to defend their rights and identity, while questioning whether they could expect justice from Delhi.

“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,” he claimed.

BJP slams Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Sat Sharma condemned Abdullah’s comments and said India’s freedoms allowed him to make such statements. “The BJP will not tolerate such conduct. He should publicly apologise to the people of India. Otherwise, I would say that Pakistan would be a better place for him, and he should go and settle there,” Sharma told ANI.

Sharma also said Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir were safe in India. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vinod Bansal criticised Abdullah and asserted that Kashmir remained an integral part of India. He said India’s strength ensured the region’s security. The Centre abrogated Article 370 in August 2019 and reorganised the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

BJP spokesperson RP Singh asked Farooq Abdullah to look across the border at the plight of Kashmiris. Speaking to IANS, he said Kashmir was prospering after Article 370 was scrapped, citing tourism and economic growth. BJP national council member Yamini Sharma accused Abdullah of repeating Pakistan’s narrative and insulting the Constitution and patriotic Kashmiris. She said cross-border terrorism had killed thousands and called the National Conference Pakistan’s mouthpiece. BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi described Abdullah’s remarks as anti-India and pro-Pakistan. He demanded an apology and a sedition case, saying Pakistan was responsible for spreading terrorism and bloodshed across Jammu and Kashmir.

Demolitions and media criticised

At the same convention, Abdullah called on Muslims across India to unite against the BJP over demolitions in states governed by the party. He alleged that authorities disproportionately targeted Muslim homes, shops and places of worship. BJP-led governments have maintained that such drives target illegal encroachments and unauthorised buildings, regardless of religion.

Abdullah also accused sections of the mainstream media of acting as “paid mouthpieces” of the government. He alleged that money and political pressure had weakened editorial independence, while journalists critical of the government faced police summons and intimidation.