Srinagar: Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah sparked a major controversy on Saturday after claiming that Pakistan was protecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue at international forums, while the Indian government was silent due to their grievances.
“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,” said the National Conference (NC) president in his address at a party workers’ convention in Baramulla.
Abdullah also expressed doubts whether people of Jammu and Kashmir could expect justice from the Centre.
“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,” the 89-year-old Abdullah said.
The BJP came down heavily on Abdullah, suggesting he should go to Pakistan and asserted that he had committed treason.
The saffron party’s Jammu & Kashmir party unit chief Sat Sharma demanded a public apology from the former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister.
“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 told ANI.
He also said Muslims in Jammu & Kashmir are safe in India and accused Abdullah of overlooking the consequences of the scrapping of Article 370.
“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.
Ravinder Raina, former BJP chief of J&K, called Abdullah’s remarks “highly condemnable and unfortunate”, accusing him of committing an “act of treason”.
“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 stated.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vinod Bansal questioned Abdullah’s suggestion that Pakistan was responsible for the safety of Kashmiris, arguing that it was India’s strength that ensured the region’s security.
He asserted that Kashmir was, is and will always remain an integral part of India. “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?” he told ANI.
Pakistan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue, including scrapping of Article 370, at international forums like the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but its efforts for global intervention into the matter have proved futile.