Farooq Abdullah's Kashmir remarks trigger BJP backlash, calls for sedition case

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised National Conference president Farooq Abdullah over his remarks on Kashmir, accusing the veteran politician of making “seditious” and “pro-Pakistan” statements. Some BJP leaders have also demanded that a sedition case be registered against him.

Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, had questioned the Indian government's intentions towards Kashmiris and credited Pakistan's diplomatic efforts with keeping the Kashmir issue alive on international platforms.

The BJP described his comments as unfortunate and accused him of siding with Pakistan.

The Congress, which supports the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, said Abdullah might have been expressing a personal opinion. It also stressed that India would not tolerate interference in its internal affairs.

India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and indivisible part of the country and has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and attempting to destabilise the Union territory.

What Farooq Abdullah said

Speaking at a party workers' convention in Baramulla earlier in the day, Abdullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir continued to retain their identity because Pakistan was raising the Kashmir issue at international forums.

“They (the Indian state) are silent today due to pressure from the world. Our neighbour (Pakistan) goes everywhere and says that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. They are protecting us. Otherwise, their (India's) intentions are not right,” the veteran leader said in Hindi.

His remarks triggered a political row, with BJP leaders accusing him of supporting Pakistan's position on Kashmir.

Abdullah's son, Omar Abdullah, who has been serving as Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister since 2024, is yet to respond publicly to his father's comments.