“Sedition”: BJP Denounces Farooq Abdullah’s Comments Regarding Pakistan and Kashmiris

Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah has come under fire from the BJP, which called the former chief minister’s divisive statement on Kashmiris “seditious” and “pro-Pakistan.”

Abdullah, the leader of Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference (NC) party, claimed that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had made Kashmiris’ voices heard around the world and that the Indian government’s intentions toward them were wrong. The BJP retaliated swiftly, calling his comments inappropriate and favourable to Pakistan. Some politicians even insisted that Abdullah be charged with sedition.

India claims that Jammu and Kashmir is an essential and indivisible component of the nation and charges Pakistan with attempting to instigate instability and terrorism within the Union territory.

Speaking earlier in the day at a workers’ convention in Baramullah, Farooq Abdullah asserted that while Pakistan is bringing up the Kashmiris’ issue in a number of international forums, the people of Jammu and Kashmir still have an identity.

“They (the Indian state) are silent today due to pressure from the world. Our neighbour 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 octogenarian said. Omar Abdullah, the son of Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir’s chief minister since 2024, has not yet responded to his father’s statement.

RP Singh, the national spokesperson for the BJP, criticised Abdullah, saying the seasoned Kashmiri leader needed to “look over the border” and consider the situation of Kashmiris on the other side.

“Kashmir is doing well here because Article 370 was abrogated and Kashmir was fully integrated with India. That’s why two crore tourists visit Kashmir (every year). That’s why Kashmir is doing economically well,” Singh told news agency IANS.

The BJP’s national council member Yamini Sharma also accused Abdullah of echoing Pakistan’s narrative. “Farooq Abdullah’s statement on Jammu and Kashmir deeply insults the Indian Constitution and the patriotic people of Jammu and Kashmir. Everyone knows that thousands of people lost their lives in the valley due to cross-border terrorism. The National Conference has become a mouthpiece for Pakistan,” she said.

Condemning Abdullah’s remark as anti-India and pro-Pakistan, BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi said it amounts to sedition. “Those speaking against the nation must face the sedition case. The world knows that Pakistan is behind the spread of terrorism and bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, such remarks made in favour of Pakistan are condemnable. Farooq Abdullah must apologise for it,” he added.