DPAP and BJP flay Farooq Abdullah’s remarks on Pakistan as ‘Kashmir’s saviour’

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) president Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (October 25, 2026) flayed the remarks by National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, who allegedly referred to “Pakistan and its saviour role in Kashmir”.  

Terming Mr. Abdullah’s remarks as “seditious and anti-national”, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanded that the authorities “examine it and take appropriate legal action”.

“It was deeply unfortunate that a senior political leader was questioning India’s intentions towards the people of J&K while projecting Pakistan as a force working in their interest. Mr. Abdullah should be booked for making such remarks. A leader who has taken an oath under the Indian Constitution cannot be allowed to question the country’s intentions towards its own people while giving political legitimacy to Pakistan’s narrative,” Mr. Thakur said.

Pakistan was responsible for terrorism, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty in Kashmir, he said. “Families have lost their loved ones, young people have been pushed towards violence, and generations have suffered because of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Does Farooq Abdullah expect the people of Kashmir to forget this painful history and believe that Pakistan is their saviour?” he said.

He sought clarification from Mr. Abdullah on “why he was so keen to credit Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue but has little to say about the suffering caused by terrorism”. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are Indians, and their future is linked to peace, progress and the democratic framework of this country,” Mr. Thakur said.

Mr. Azad also criticised Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s comments. “Since 1947, successive Central governments, from [Jawaharlal] Nehru ji to [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi ji, have contributed to J&K’s development, irrespective of political affiliations. I am shocked by Farooq Abdullah saheb’s statement. Given his long public career as J&K Chief Minister and a Union Minister, I never expected this. Pakistan is our destroyer, not our saviour,” Mr. Azad said.

“Pakistan always destabilised J&K. Hundreds of people were killed and women widowed by Pakistani militants. Pandits in lakhs left Kashmir because militants chased them. Look at POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir), where people are protesting against Pakistan and demanding their rights. Pakistan was and still is an enemy of the people of J&K. Pakistan has never been our protector. It remains a threat to the people of J&K,” Mr. Azad said.

Mr. Abdullah, during a speech at the party workers’ meeting in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, on Saturday (October 25, 2026) was quoted as saying that the people of J&K should not “expect justice from Delhi”.

“You (the people) must have the courage to stand up to them (the Centre) and fight. If you do not, you will be wiped out. Your name and identity will disappear and no one will even remember you. Our neighbour (apparently referring to Pakistan) is constantly after them. They (Pakistan) go everywhere saying the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. They (Pakistan) are protecting us. Otherwise, their (Pakistan’s) intentions are not good,” Dr. Farooq Abdullah said. 

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also launched an attack on Farooq Abdullah over his allegation that the Centre’s intentions towards Jammu and Kashmir were “not good”.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Singh said: “Farooq Abdullah and his father are enemies of India; they are the results of Congress’s sins. People like Farooq Abdullah are there because of the sins committed by Nehru. After the abrogation of Article 370, the situation in Kashmir has changed. People there are getting employment; tourists are visiting...”