Srinagar, Oct 24 (NVI) President of Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has kicked up a controversy by showering praise in Pakistan and targeting New Delhi.
Addressing a convention of his party, Abdullah said the Indian government’s intentions towards Kashmiris are not right and that their voice was being heard because of the efforts of Pakistan at international fora.
“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 octogenarian leader said in a mix of Kashmiri and Urdu.
Farooq Abdullah’s son, Omar Abdullah is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir since 2024.
The BJP, which is in opposition in Jammu and Kashmir, slammed him for his remarks.
The Congress, an ally backing his party’s government in J&K, said Abdullah could have expressed his personal view and that India would not tolerate any interference into its internal affairs.
Kapil Singh, chief of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, said that Farooq Abdullah’s statement could be his personal stand and also maintained that Pakistan has no right to interfere in India’s internal affairs.
“India’s unity and integrity are not dependent on Pakistan or any other foreign country because we don’t tolerate any interference in our internal matters,” he said.
The Congress leader added that the people of J&K have been angry over the statehood issue and requested the government to grant statehood to the Union territory.
Abdullah has served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir four times. (NVI)
