Farooq Abdullah's Pakistan Comment Draws Sharp BJP Rebuke
Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur has strongly criticised National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah over a reported remark linking the survival of Kashmiris to the raising of the Kashmir issue on international forums. Thakur called the statement anti-national and said it deserved a proper legal inquiry.
The remark was made by Abdullah in Baramulla. Speaking in Srinagar on Saturday, October 24, Thakur said it was regrettable that a senior political figure was questioning India's intentions for the people of Jammu and Kashmir while presenting Pakistan as a force working for their benefit.
Thakur said the statement amounted to treason and urged authorities to register a case. He maintained that anyone who had sworn allegiance to the Constitution of India should not question the intentions of the nation or give political legitimacy to Pakistan's version of events.
Directly addressing Abdullah, Thakur remarked that if the National Conference chief had such strong affection for Pakistan, he should go and live there. He claimed that people in Pakistan-occupied PoJK wanted relief from what he described as Pakistan's flawed governance and wished to be joined with India. He suggested that political leaders should acquaint themselves with the ground situation rather than praise Pakistan from within India.
The BJP leader alleged that Pakistan had damaged Jammu and Kashmir by encouraging terrorism. He said the region had lived through decades of violence, targeted killings and the loss of innocent lives.
In his remarks, Thakur said Pakistan had offered Kashmir only terror, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty. Families lost their dear ones, young people were drawn into violence, and generations endured pain due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. He asked whether Abdullah wanted Kashmiris to forget this painful past and regard Pakistan as their guardian.
Thakur added that Pakistan could not disown its responsibility for the violence in the region by flagging Kashmir on international platforms. He pointed out that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were asking for peace, progress, employment, tourism and a secure future for their children.
He also accused the National Conference leadership of frequently ignoring the sacrifices of security forces and civilians when issuing statements on national security.
Thakur stated that India's democratic and constitutional institutions provided the people of Jammu and Kashmir with full political participation, unlike the widespread discontent he said existed under Pakistani rule in PoJK.
He concluded by calling on political leaders to speak responsibly on national security and urged the concerned authorities to carry out a legal review of Abdullah's alleged statement. Jammu and Kashmir, he said, needed leaders committed to welfare, economic growth and lasting peace rather than remarks that strengthen Pakistan's agenda.