Addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla on Saturday, Abdullah claimed that Pakistan’s efforts to keep the Kashmir dispute alive internationally had prevented New Delhi from pursuing policies detrimental to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The remarks drew condemnation from BJP leaders, who accused Abdullah of legitimising Pakistan’s position on Kashmir while questioning the intentions of the central government.
Abdullah argued that international attention generated by Pakistan had restrained New Delhi, which he accused of failing to deliver justice to the region.
“What hope will you have from them? Will you expect that they will do justice for you?” Abdullah asked, referring to the central government.
He urged party workers to remain courageous and defend their political identity, warning that failure to resist policies they considered harmful could undermine their rights.
Referring to Pakistan without initially naming it, Abdullah said international discussion of Kashmir had compelled the authorities to exercise restraint.
“They are silent today because there is noise in the world, and our neighbour is constantly behind this,” he said.
Abdullah maintained that Pakistan repeatedly raised the unresolved Kashmir question internationally and suggested that this diplomatic activity had helped safeguard the region’s interests.
His assertion that the neighbouring country was protecting Kashmiris became the central point of contention, particularly because Pakistan has faced longstanding accusations from New Delhi of supporting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur described Abdullah’s statement as “seditious and anti-national” and demanded police action against him.
Thakur argued that a political leader who had sworn allegiance to the Constitution should not question the country’s intentions towards its citizens while appearing to endorse Pakistan’s position.
He accused Pakistan of contributing to decades of terrorism, violence and instability in Kashmir, rejecting Abdullah’s suggestion that Islamabad could be regarded as a protector of the region’s population.
The BJP spokesperson also challenged Abdullah to explain how Pakistan’s involvement had benefited Kashmiris, maintaining that its policies had instead caused widespread suffering.
Another BJP spokesperson, Abhijeet Jasrotia, demanded an unconditional public apology, describing Abdullah’s comments as politically irresponsible and damaging to national unity.
Jasrotia said political criticism of government policies was legitimate but argued that public representatives should avoid statements that could strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative.
He defended the central government’s record on infrastructure, investment, tourism and democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir, rejecting Abdullah’s portrayal of New Delhi’s intentions.
The controversy also brought attention to Abdullah’s broader criticism of the political treatment of Muslims across the country.
During his Baramulla address, Abdullah alleged that Muslims were facing discrimination in BJP-governed states, citing demolition drives involving mosques, residential properties and commercial establishments.
He questioned whether the destruction of homes and shops reflected equal treatment under the law. The allegations formed part of his wider criticism of the government’s approach towards religious minorities.
Abdullah nevertheless emphasised that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had never rejected their constitutional relationship with India.
“We never said that we are not Indians,” he declared, recalling the region’s accession and invoking the political ideals associated with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
He said the commitment to a secular and inclusive political order had shaped Kashmir’s historical relationship with the country.
Abdullah also accused political forces of encouraging divisions between Hindus and Muslims for electoral advantage, expressing concern about the consequences for communal relations.
His remarks reflected the National Conference’s continuing disagreement with the BJP over constitutional protections, regional autonomy and the political rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s population.
The party has consistently sought restoration of statehood and challenged the consequences of the 2019 constitutional changes that removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Jasrotia separately criticised Abdullah over his reported description of the media as compromised, arguing that sweeping allegations against journalists undermined press independence.
He said political leaders were entitled to dispute individual news accounts but should substantiate accusations rather than question the integrity of the entire profession.
The BJP spokesperson urged media organisations to defend their professional independence against what he characterised as unsupported political attacks.
