BJP, VHP demand Farooq Abdullah apology over Pakistan 'saving Kashmiris' remark
Synopsis
Farooq Abdullah's claim that Pakistan's diplomacy is 'saving' Kashmiris has fractured his own political ecosystem — drawing 'treason' charges from the BJP and VHP, and unusually blunt criticism from Congress allies. With legal action threatened and no NC response yet, the remarks have reignited the sharpest debate over Kashmiri political identity in months.
Key Takeaways
Farooq Abdullah on 24 October 2026 claimed Pakistan's diplomatic efforts are responsible for Kashmiri voices being heard globally.
BJP and VHP labelled the remarks 'treason', demanding a public apology and warning of potential legal action.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina said Abdullah should apologise to the nation or face legal consequences.
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal posted a demand for apology on X , threatening legal action if none is forthcoming.
Congress leaders — including Udit Raj , Choudhary Lal Singh , Husain Dalwai , and MP Imran Masood — all distanced themselves from the statement.
As of Saturday evening , Farooq Abdullah had not issued any clarification or response.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday, 24 October 2026 sharply condemned National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah after he credited Pakistan with 'saving' Kashmiris, with both organisations branding the statement an act of 'treason' and demanding a public apology. The Indian National Congress also distanced itself from the remark, calling it 'wrong', even as it stopped short of matching the BJP's tone.
What Farooq Abdullah Said
Earlier on Saturday, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister remarked that the intentions of the Indian state towards Kashmiris are not 'right', and that it is due to Pakistan's diplomatic effort that Kashmiri voices are being heard globally. The statement drew immediate and widespread condemnation across party lines, making it one of the most politically charged remarks from the NC chief in recent months.
BJP's Sharp Reaction
BJP national spokesperson RP Singh said Abdullah should 'look across the border and see the plight of Kashmiris on the other side', arguing that Kashmir is thriving because Article 370 was abrogated and the region was fully integrated with India — a move the BJP credits with driving a tourism boom and economic development.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina called the remarks 'highly condemnable and irresponsible', saying: 'Farooq Abdullah has committed treason against the nation. The Pakistan that provided weapons — bombs, guns, pistols, bullets, and grenades — to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistan that infiltrated terrorists into Kashmir and killed thousands and lakhs of innocent people here, how can that country be a well-wisher to Kashmiris?' Raina added that Abdullah should 'apologise to the nation or else legal action should be taken against him.'
VHP Calls for Legal Action
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused Abdullah of 'singing praises of Pakistan' while living in India. In a post on social media platform X, Bansal demanded the NC patron apologise for his 'Pakistan-loving, anti-national statement' and warned that legal action would be sought if he failed to do so. Bansal further stated that 'food from India and praise for sinful Pakistan' would 'no longer be tolerated.'
The VHP chief went further, suggesting it should be examined whether Abdullah is 'attempting to mislead Kashmiri youth and is part of an anti-India conspiracy aimed at fulfilling the opposition leaders' dream of regime change' — a charge that significantly escalates the political temperature around the controversy.
Congress Breaks Ranks With Alliance Partner
Notably, the Congress — which has an electoral understanding with the NC in Jammu and Kashmir — declined to defend the remark. Congress leader Udit Raj said: 'This is very wrong. Pakistan, on the contrary, promotes terrorist activities in our country... He should not have said this, it reflects ungratefulness.'
Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh acknowledged Abdullah's political experience but said: 'I do not agree with what he has said. What standing does Pakistan have to 'save' Jammu and Kashmir? If Jammu and Kashmir is secure today, it is because it is an integral part of India.' Congress leader Husain Dalwai echoed similar sentiments, adding: 'Praising Pakistan is absolutely wrong. It was because of the partition of India and Pakistan that Muslims were left facing a complicated situation. We are still bearing the consequences of the mistakes made by Jinnah.'
Congress MP Imran Masood also broke with Abdullah, saying: 'Why Farooq Abdullah made this statement is something I cannot understand. Because Sheikh Abdullah's stance was always aligned with India... we do not condemn or support any external interference in our internal matters.'
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
The cross-party rebuke puts Farooq Abdullah in an unusually isolated position, with even his Congress allies refusing to shield him. This is not the first time Abdullah's remarks on Pakistan and Kashmir's political status have triggered national controversy — a pattern that critics argue reflects the NC's historically complex navigation between New Delhi and Kashmiri sentiment. Whether Abdullah issues a clarification or doubles down will likely determine how far the BJP escalates its demand for legal action. As of Saturday evening, no formal response had been issued by the NC president.
Point of View
But the framing — crediting a state India formally designates as a sponsor of cross-border terrorism — makes it nearly impossible to defend on the national stage. Whether this becomes a legal battle or dissipates will depend on whether the NC chief clarifies or doubles down; historically, the party has oscillated between both.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Farooq Abdullah say about Pakistan and Kashmir?
Farooq Abdullah said the intentions of the Indian state towards Kashmiris are not 'right', and that it is due to Pakistan's diplomatic efforts that Kashmiri voices are being heard globally. The remark drew immediate condemnation from the BJP, VHP, and even Congress leaders.
Why did the BJP call Farooq Abdullah's remark treason?
BJP leader Ravinder Raina said crediting Pakistan — which he accused of arming terrorists and facilitating the killing of thousands in Jammu and Kashmir — with being a well-wisher of Kashmiris amounts to treason. The BJP demanded Abdullah apologise or face legal action.
What did the VHP say about Farooq Abdullah's statement?
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal posted on X demanding Abdullah apologise for his 'Pakistan-loving, anti-national statement' and called for legal action if he does not. The VHP also questioned whether Abdullah is part of an 'anti-India conspiracy' to mislead Kashmiri youth.
Why did Congress criticise its own alliance partner Farooq Abdullah?
Multiple Congress leaders, including Udit Raj, Choudhary Lal Singh, Husain Dalwai, and MP Imran Masood, said Abdullah's remarks were wrong, asserting that Kashmir is secure because it is an integral part of India, not because of Pakistani diplomacy. Congress distanced itself despite its electoral partnership with the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir.
Has Farooq Abdullah responded to the criticism?
As of Saturday evening on 24 October, Farooq Abdullah had not issued any clarification or public response to the condemnation from the BJP, VHP, and Congress. Whether he apologises or defends his position is expected to determine how far the political and legal escalation proceeds.
