National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan was "protecting" the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue at international forums, while alleging that the Centre's intentions towards the region were not good, ANI reported. He was addressing a workers' convention in Baramulla in north Kashmir.
Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer
"What can you expect from Delhi? You must have the courage to stand up to them and fight. If you do not, you will be wiped out. Your name and identity will disappear, and no one will even remember you. Our neighbour is constantly after them. It goes everywhere, saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. It is protecting us; otherwise, their intentions are not good. They say one thing but do something entirely different," Abdullah said, according to ANI. IANS, in a separate report, quoted him as saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir are surviving because Pakistan is raising the Kashmiris' issue at various international forums. These are Abdullah's claims and political allegations.
Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer
Abdullah also asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir never denied being Indian, the Kashmir Honour News reported. "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 are being oppressed in BJP-led states, pointing to demolitions of mosques, homes and shops — an allegation the BJP and its governments reject, maintaining that demolition drives target illegal encroachments regardless of religion.
Source: Kashmir Honour News
BJP leaders demand action, accuse Abdullah of treason
Abdullah's remarks drew strong criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who accused him of echoing Pakistan's narrative, ANI reported. Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanded police action against Abdullah, calling the remarks "seditious and anti-national" in the BJP's characterisation, the Kashmir Honour News reported.
Source: Kashmir Honour News
Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna accused Abdullah of exploiting Kashmiris throughout his political career and said the region's integration into the national mainstream under the Modi government was in the best interests of its people, ANI reported. The BJP leaders' accusations are allegations; no police action against Abdullah was reported in the reports cited.
Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer
Sources: ANI via Indian Economic Observer, IANS via hi INDiA and Kashmir Honour News, all on October 24, 2026, reporting Abdullah's Baramulla address and the BJP's response.
Source: IANS via hi INDiA