Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah sparked widespread outrage on Saturday, after he made remarks supporting Pakistan and urging Kashmiris to confront the Centre.
He claimed that Pakistan is protecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir by raising the issue at international forums.
"Our neighbour is constantly after them. He (Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif) goes everywhere saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. He is protecting us; otherwise, their (Centre's) intentions are not good," Abdullah said while addressing a rally in Baramulla district.
The NC president also urged Kashmiris to have courage so that they can confront Delhi.
"If you don't keep it, you will be erased. Even our trace and identity will disappear. Nothing will be left. 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," he said.
He said the people of J&K never denied being Indian. "We never said that we are not Indians. Time and time again, we affirmed that we acceded to India - to the India of Mahatma Gandhi, the India of Jawaharlal Nehru, the India of (Maulana Abul Kalam) Azad," he said.
He alleged that Muslims and Hindus are being pitted against each other. "India's fabric was destroyed; we never imagined this would happen. But this too shall end, God willing; its time will come," he said.
Abdullah's remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP, with its J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanding police action against Abdullah.
BJP's J&K president Sat Sharma demanding an apology from the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. "Farooq Abdullah's pro-Pakistan statement is seditious and anti-national, and he should be booked for making such remarks," he said.
He suggested that Abdullah should go to Pakistan, if he loves the neighbouring country so much. "The people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are desperate for freedom from Pakistan's misrule and want to join India. He should understand the ground reality instead of glorifying Pakistan from here," he added.
Sat Sharma, the BJP chief of J&K, sought a public apology from Abdullah, suggesting he should move to Pakistan if he continues making such remarks. "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 told ANI.
