Farooq Abdullah claims Pakistan is ‘protecting’ Kashmiris; BJP accuses NC chief of treason

He also questioned the Centre's intentions, alleging that people in the region could not expect justice from Delhi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister over his remarks, demanding a public apology and accusing him of making statements against India's interests.

Some BJP leaders went further, suggesting that Abdullah should move to Pakistan if he continued to express such views.

Abdullah made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a party workers' convention in Baramulla in north Kashmir.

Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's repeated statements on Kashmir, he argued that Islamabad's continued focus on the dispute was helping protect the region's people.

“Our neighbour (Pakistan) 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 (Centre's) intentions are not good,” Abdullah said.

He also urged people in Jammu and Kashmir to stand up for their rights and identity, questioning whether they could expect justice from the central government.

“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 said.

BJP demands public apology

Abdullah's comments drew a sharp response from the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief, Sat Sharma, who demanded that the NC president apologise publicly to the people of India.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sharma argued that Abdullah's ability to make such remarks reflected the freedom available to him in India.

He contrasted this with what he suggested would have been the consequences had Abdullah made similar statements in Pakistan.

“Farooq Abdullah needs to understand that he has the freedom to say whatever he wishes in this country. It is precisely because of this freedom that he is able to make such statements. Had you made these remarks in Pakistan, you might not have been spared,” Sharma said.

The BJP leader also maintained that Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir were safe in India and accused Abdullah of ignoring the implications of the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 in August 2019.

“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 said.

The remarks added to the political confrontation between the BJP and the National Conference, with the former accusing Abdullah of undermining India's position on Kashmir.

Ravinder Raina accuses NC chief of treason

Former Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina also condemned Abdullah's comments, describing them as “highly condemnable and unfortunate”.

He accused the NC president of committing an “act of treason”.

Raina alleged that Pakistan had contributed to decades of violence in Jammu and Kashmir and rejected Abdullah's suggestion that Islamabad was protecting the region's residents.

“Pakistan is the killer of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Over the last 35 years, Pakistan has sought to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a graveyard and a cremation ground,” Raina said.

He also accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism in the region by providing training, weapons, ammunition and explosives to militants.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vinod Bansal joined the criticism, asserting that Kashmir had been, and would remain, an integral part of India.

He questioned Abdullah's claim that Pakistan was protecting Kashmiris and argued that the region's security depended on India's ability to counter threats from across the border.

“Even when traitors of the country come to power, they do not give up their treason. They live in India and sing praises of Pakistan. Is Kashmir safe because of Pakistan or is Kashmir safe by showing India's strength to Pakistan?” Bansal told ANI.

The BJP and VHP leaders' responses intensified the row over Abdullah's remarks, with critics portraying his comments as an endorsement of Pakistan's position on Kashmir.

Article 370 remains point of contention

Pakistan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Its objections have included the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

In August 2019, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 and reorganised the erstwhile state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The decision has remained a major point of political disagreement, with the National Conference among the parties opposing the Centre's move and the BJP defending it.

Abdullah's latest comments brought the competing positions back into focus, prompting BJP leaders to accuse him of echoing Pakistan's arguments while questioning the central government's approach to Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah calls for Muslim unity over demolitions

At the Baramulla convention, Abdullah also called on Muslims across India to unite against the BJP over demolition drives in states governed by the party.

He alleged that properties belonging to members of the Muslim community were being disproportionately targeted.

The NC president questioned how Muslims could support a political establishment under whose rule, he alleged, their homes, shops and places of worship were being demolished.

He urged the community to take collective action to protect its rights.

The BJP and governments in states ruled by the party have maintained that demolition drives target illegal encroachments and unauthorised constructions, regardless of the religious identity of property owners.

Opposition parties and other critics, however, have accused authorities in some cases of selectively targeting properties belonging to Muslims.

Abdullah also criticised sections of the mainstream media, accusing them of acting as “paid mouthpieces” for the ruling establishment.

He alleged that financial incentives and pressure from those in power had compromised editorial independence.

He further claimed that journalists who criticised the government faced police summons and intimidation.