Jammu: The J&K Congress has distanced itself from National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s remarks that Pakistan is helping Kashmiris by keeping the Kashmir issue alive at international fora, even as some Kashmiri Pandit groups lodged a police complaint seeking an FIR against the ex-chief minister for his comments.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has distanced itself from the statement of NC president Farooq Abdullah and asserted that Pakistan has no right to talk about or interfere in our internal affairs as J&K is an integral part of India,” J&K Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in a post on X.
However, speaking to reporters, Sharma said Abdullah’s remarks appeared to express the frustration over the Centre’s failure to fulfil its promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Pakistan has consistently waged a proxy war against India and caused the deaths of innocent people in J&K by sponsoring terrorism. Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism must be condemned, and strict action should continue against it,” Sharma said, stressing that the Congress is firmly opposed to any interference by Pakistan in India’s internal affairs.
Referring to the National Conference (NC) chief’s remarks, Sharma said Abdullah should clarify the exact intent behind the statement, reiterating that opposition to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the demand for restoration of statehood were separate but equally important issues.
Addressing a party event in Baramulla on Saturday, Abdullah said, “What hope will you (people of J&K) have from them (Delhi)? Will you expect that they will do justice for you?”
Urging Kashmiris to have courage so that they can confront Delhi, he said, “If not, you will be erased. Even our trace and identity will disappear. They are silent today because there is noise in the world, and our neighbour is constantly behind this. Everywhere they say, ‘the decision regarding Kashmir has not been made’. That is what is saving us. Otherwise, their intentions are not good.”
Sharma said Abdullah’s remarks appeared to be directed at the alleged discrimination against minorities across the country and the policies pursued by BJP governments in various states.
“The remarks reflected resentment against a pattern of oppression and discrimination,” the Congress leader said.
He also said that J&K continues to face resentment over the non-restoration of statehood despite repeated assurances by the Centre before the Supreme Court, Parliament and the public.
Kashmiri Pandit groups Panun Kashmir and the Jammu State People’s Movement (JSPM) have lodged a complaint at the Channi police station in Jammu, seeking the registration of an FIR against Abdullah.
The complaint submitted by Panun Kashmir chairman Tito Ganju and JKPM chairman Col Ajay Raina (retd) sought a police investigation into the statements attributed to Abdullah, the constitutional status of J&K, and alleged religious polarisation.
The complaint also cited Abdulla’s reported remarks questioning the prospects of justice from the Union government and warning that the people of J&K risked losing their identity if they failed to confront the prevailing political circumstances.
The complainants drew attention to remarks attributed to Abdullah on the demolition of mosques, homes and shops, as well as his assertion that Hindus and Muslims were being pitted against each other.
They urged the police to examine the statements in their entirety, taking into account the context, the audience addressed and the potential implications of the speeches.
The complaint sought an FIR under sections 152, 196 and 197 of the BNS, besides any other offences that may be disclosed during the course of investigation.
The provisions invoked concern acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, promoting enmity between groups, and certain imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration, a spokesperson for Panun Kashmir said.
BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal also criticised Abdullah, accusing him of perpetuating a politics of double standards by invoking Pakistan to question India’s intentions while overlooking the grave realities and sufferings of people across the Line of Control.
“It was deeply unfortunate that a leader who has dominated J&K’s political landscape for decades continues to rely on the Pakistan narrative rather than account for the consequences of his own politics.
“Farooq Sahib has spent decades building a political narrative around Pakistan, but has he ever honestly answered what this politics has delivered to the people of J&K?
“His party does not have to seek votes in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, but that cannot be an excuse to remain silent on the atrocities and sufferings of the people living there. Human rights cannot be selective, and political morality cannot change with electoral convenience,” Sirwal said.
The NC leadership must stop treating Pakistan as a convenient political instrument to invoke whenever it suits its narrative, he added.
NC Prez’s statement Incorrect, says Azad
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s statement regarding Pakistani claims on Kashmir was incorrect.
He was reacting to Abdullah’s statement at a party event in the Budgam district on Saturday, in which the NC president claimed that Pakistan raking up the Kashmir issue at international fora had kept the region safe.
“Look at the situation in PoK, where people are protesting for their rights. Since 1947, successive central governments, from Nehru to Modi, have contributed to J&K’s development irrespective of political affiliations,” Azad added.
“I respect Farooq sahab, but his statement is completely incorrect. If anyone is an enemy of India and the people of J&K, it is Pakistan,” Azad posted on his X handle.
Shia leader and former minister Imran Ansari, while castigating the NC president, urged people not to emulate Abdullah.
“Just a humble and brotherly request to my fellow Kashmiris. Please do not emulate Farooq sahab. He and some select band are free to say anything,” Ansari posted on his X handle.
Ansari labelled the NC leadership as “rebels on rent”.
“Their so-called rebellion is a rented rebellion. This space is allowed only for a select few. Whatever they say is allowed. If a common Kashmiri speaks in a similar tone, the government will in seconds put that person in detention under PSA or UAPA,” he added.
The BJP on Saturday demanded police action against Abdullah.
“Farooq Abdullah’s pro-Pakistan statement is seditious and anti-national, and he 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,” BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said.
He said Pakistan “inflicted immense suffering on Jammu and Kashmir” through its sponsorship of terrorism, sending the region into decades of violence and targeted killings.
“Pakistan has given Kashmir nothing but terrorism, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty. Does Farooq Abdullah expect the people of Kashmir to forget this painful history and believe that Pakistan is their saviour?” the BJP leader asked.
