Farooq Abdullah's remarks on Pakistan, Kashmiris spark row; BJP demands apology

The former Jammu and Kashmir CM made the remarks at a party event in Baramulla district of Kashmir Valley.

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Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah set off a political row with his alleged pro-Pakistan remarks made at a rally in Baramulla district of Kashmir Valley on Saturday. The J&K unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought an apology from Abdullah, who is also the chief of J&K National Conference party.

“They are going everywhere to take up the issue of Kashmir. Our neighbour is protecting us. Otherwise their intentions were not right,” Abdullah said at the event. A clip of his speech has been making rounds on social media.

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“What can you expect from Delhi? Do you expect them to deliver justice for you? Have the courage to fight, or you will be wiped out, and your identity will disappear. They are silent today because of the pressure from the world,” he said.

BJP seeks apology

The remarks kicked up a row with BJP's J&K president Sat Sharma demanding an apology from the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.

“Farooq Abdullah needs to understand that he has the freedom to say whatever he wishes in this country. It is precisely because of this freedom that he is able to make such statements. Had you made these remarks in Pakistan, you might not have been spared,” Sharma said, adding that Article 370 was imposed on the state.

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“The rights of women were taken away. Today, Muslims across the country, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, understand the situation. Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir know that they are safe in the hands of India...The Bharatiya Janata Party will not tolerate such conduct. He should publicly apologise to the people of India. Otherwise, I would say that Pakistan would be a better place for him, and he should go and settle there,” he added.

Former union minister Arjun Munda also condemned Abdullah's remarks, saying that such a statement, if made by a chief minister, was unfortunate and reflected his view of the country.

“If this is true, then it is unfortunate. For someone who is the Chief Minister of a part of this country and has been working consistently, if such a statement has come from him, then it becomes self-evident how he views this country. Today, that is clearly reflected in his statements. I did not expect his statements to take such a form, but since they have, it is not just saddening; it is condemnable,” Munda was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

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