Examiner Bureau | Baramulla:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a sharp attack on National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah over his remarks on Pakistan’s efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums, with the party demanding legal action against the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur described Abdullah’s comments as “seditious and anti-national” and urged the authorities to examine them under the law.
Abdullah made the remarks while addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla, where he referred to Pakistan’s international campaign on Kashmir and questioned India’s intentions towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“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 said.
His statement drew a strong reaction from the BJP, which accused the NC chief of lending credence to Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and questioning the intentions of the Indian government towards its own citizens.
“Farooq Abdullah’s pro-Pakistan statement is seditious and anti-national, and he should be booked for making such remarks,” Thakur said.
The BJP spokesperson argued that a senior political leader who had taken an oath under the Constitution should exercise caution while making statements on issues concerning national security. He also challenged Abdullah’s apparent reliance on Pakistan’s international advocacy, saying the neighbouring country could not be portrayed as a protector of Kashmiris while its alleged role in terrorism was overlooked.
Thakur further said that if Abdullah had such faith in Pakistan, he should consider going there. He also claimed that people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were dissatisfied with Pakistan’s administration and wanted to join India.
Accusing Pakistan of contributing to decades of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP leader said the region had suffered from terrorism, targeted killings and the loss of innocent lives.
“Pakistan has given Kashmir nothing but terrorism, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty,” Thakur said.
He maintained that Pakistan’s attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue could not, in the BJP’s view, absolve it of responsibility for the suffering caused by terrorism. Thakur said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were primarily concerned with peace, development, employment, tourism and a secure future for their children.
The BJP spokesperson also criticised the National Conference’s position on sensitive national issues, alleging that its leaders failed to adequately acknowledge the sacrifices of civilians and security personnel during years of conflict and counter-terrorism operations.
Thakur said India’s democratic and constitutional framework provided people in Jammu and Kashmir with avenues to raise their concerns. He contrasted this with Pakistan’s administration of PoJK, which he claimed had generated widespread discontent.
Calling for responsible political discourse, Thakur urged the authorities to examine Abdullah’s remarks and take appropriate action if warranted under the law.
The controversy has brought the political differences between the BJP and the National Conference over Pakistan and Kashmir back into focus, with the BJP maintaining that public statements on the issue must take account of the region’s history of violence and security concerns.
