BJP Demands Arrest of Farooq Abdullah Over ‘Pakistan Protects Kashmiris’ Remark

Protests erupted in Jammu after National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah made controversial remarks about Pakistan and Kashmir, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several organisations. Protesters demanded his arrest and strict legal action against him.

Speaking at a rally in Baramulla last Saturday, Abdullah suggested that Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute was helping protect the interests of Kashmiris. Following his remarks, several organisations, including the Hindutva groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Dogra Front and the National Anti-Terrorism Front (NATF), staged protests in Jammu. Demonstrators raised slogans against the NC chief and burned his effigy.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma described Abdullah’s remarks as “completely unacceptable” and demanded an apology to the entire nation. He also said Abdullah should consider moving to Pakistan if he refused to apologise.

BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa called the remarks “anti-national”, accusing Abdullah of defending a country that has consistently supported cross-border terrorism on Indian soil.

Former Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina also strongly condemned the comments, questioning how Pakistan could be considered a well-wisher of Kashmiris. He demanded an immediate apology from Abdullah.

BJP leader Shakti Raj Parihar called for a first information report (FIR) against Abdullah on charges of sedition and demanded his arrest. At a protest organised under the leadership of NATF national chairman Vishal Chopra, demonstrators also called on Abdullah to apologise. Chopra said a former chief minister should speak responsibly and remain mindful of the significance of his position.

Vivek Bali, Jammu and Kashmir chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, called for an investigation, saying legal action should be taken if Abdullah’s remarks violated the law. He added that public representatives must exercise greater responsibility when speaking about national security and sovereignty.

Two organisations, Panun Kashmir and the Jammu State Peoples Movement, filed a criminal complaint against Abdullah at Jammu’s Channi police station. The complaint was submitted by Panun Kashmir chairman Tito Ganjoo and Jammu State Peoples Movement chairman Colonel Ajay Raina.

Questioning Abdullah’s remarks, Ganjoo asked, “Whom is Pakistan protecting, and from what?”

The Jammu State Peoples Movement convened an emergency meeting in Upper Roop Nagar. Its leaders urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to order an impartial, independent and time-bound investigation into the matter.

The organisation also urged authorities to examine whether Abdullah could be detained under the National Security Act (NSA). It called on the Election Commission to consider the matter under applicable election laws.

Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir had been, and would remain, an integral part of India. Referring to the Simla Agreement, he said the two countries had an established framework for resolving disputes through bilateral talks and that Pakistan had no right to raise the Kashmir issue.

However, Mr. Sharma also acknowledged Mr. Abdullah’s concerns about minority rights and shortcomings in the region’s justice system. He said the Congress continued to press for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, in line with discussions in the Rajya Sabha and assurances given by the government.

What Did Farooq Abdullah Say in Baramulla?

Addressing the rally in Baramulla, Mr. Abdullah warned that Kashmiris would disappear if they failed to preserve their identity. Referring to the unresolved Kashmir dispute, he said Pakistan’s continued involvement in the issue had prevented plans or intentions contrary to Kashmiris’ interests from being carried out.

“If you do not hold on to your existence, you will be erased. No trace or identity of ours will remain,” he said.

He further clarified that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had never denied being Indian. He said they had remained connected to India since the time of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

“We have never said that we are not Indian. We have repeatedly affirmed that we acceded to India,” Abdullah said.

He alleged that Hindus and Muslims were being pitted against each other for political power. However, he expressed confidence that the situation would eventually change.