Farooq Abdullah's Kashmir remark draws 'treason' charge from Muslim clerics
Synopsis
Farooq Abdullah's alleged pro-Pakistan remarks at a Baramulla rally have spiralled into a rare cross-ideological storm — with the AIIA president calling it outright treason and prominent Muslim clerics demanding an apology. That the backlash now extends beyond the BJP into Islamic scholarly circles marks an unusually broad consensus against the NC chief's comments.
Key Takeaways
Farooq Abdullah sparked controversy at a rally in Baramulla district on Saturday, 24 October 2026 , with alleged pro-Pakistan remarks.
AIIA president Maulana Sajid Rashidi called the statement an act of treason, saying Abdullah had spoken in favour of a country that 'continuously carried out terrorist attacks in India.' Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali and Maulana Saif Abbas also condemned the remarks and said it was wrong to 'rely on any other country' for Jammu and Kashmir's security.
Maulana Firangi Mahali demanded a detailed explanation and public apology from the National Conference chief.
The BJP had already demanded an apology from Abdullah before the clerics joined the chorus of condemnation.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah faced a fresh wave of condemnation on Sunday, 25 October 2026, as prominent Muslim clerics joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in denouncing his controversial remarks about Pakistan's role in Kashmir. The National Conference (NC) chief had sparked a political firestorm a day earlier at a rally in Baramulla district of the Kashmir Valley, where he allegedly credited Pakistan's diplomatic efforts for amplifying Kashmiri voices globally and questioned the Centre's intentions towards the region.
Cleric Calls Remarks 'Treason'
All India Imam Association (AIIA) president Maulana Sajid Rashidi issued a sharp condemnation, calling the statement a clear act of treason. 'I state clearly that this statement by Farooq Abdullah falls under treason. This man is a traitor, a treasonous person. Because he has spoken about Pakistan, a Pakistan that, from the beginning until now, has continuously carried out terrorist attacks in India,' Maulana Rashidi said.
The cleric also invoked the Pahalgam massacre, in which more than two dozen people were reportedly targeted and killed on the basis of their religion, as well as the Pulwama attack and the Kargil War. 'Under the guise of Jihad, Pakistan has always engaged in terrorism against India,' he said.
What Farooq Abdullah Said
At the Baramulla rally, Abdullah — who leads the ruling NC party in Jammu and Kashmir — reportedly said that the Central government's intentions towards Kashmiris were not right. He purportedly claimed that Pakistan was 'protecting' Kashmir and credited Islamabad's diplomatic outreach for ensuring that Kashmiri voices reached a global audience. The remarks were made at a public gathering and were attributed to him by multiple accounts, though Abdullah had not issued a formal clarification as of Sunday.
Other Religious Leaders Demand Apology
Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali and Maulana Saif Abbas also expressed strong displeasure. Both clerics stated that it was inappropriate for the NC leader to 'rely on any other country' regarding the security of Jammu and Kashmir. Maulana Firangi Mahali went further, demanding a detailed explanation and a public apology from Abdullah, describing his comments as 'completely unacceptable, highly objectionable and condemnable.'
BJP Had Already Demanded an Apology
The BJP had moved swiftly on Saturday after the Baramulla rally, with several senior party leaders calling out Abdullah and demanding a retraction. The condemnation from Muslim scholars — a community central to the political base of the NC — deepens the political damage and marks an unusual moment of cross-ideological consensus against the veteran leader's remarks.
What Comes Next
Notably, this is not the first time Abdullah's statements on Pakistan have drawn criticism, but the involvement of the AIIA and other prominent Islamic clerics represents a significant escalation in the backlash. As pressure mounts from both the BJP and religious figures, the NC leadership faces a test of whether Abdullah will issue an apology or double down on his position. The controversy also lands at a sensitive moment for the Centre's engagement with Jammu and Kashmir's newly elected government.
Point of View
The signal is unusually loud. Farooq Abdullah has long navigated the Kashmir question with studied ambiguity, but crediting Pakistan's diplomacy — at a public rally, in Baramulla — crosses a line that even his traditional constituency finds difficult to defend. The AIIA's 'treason' framing is maximalist, but its political logic is clear: clerics are drawing a sharp distance between mainstream Muslim opinion in India and any suggestion of solidarity with Islamabad. For the NC, the real risk is not the BJP's predictable outrage but the erosion of credibility among the very community that forms its electoral bedrock.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Farooq Abdullah say that caused the controversy?
At a rally in Baramulla district of Kashmir Valley on Saturday, Farooq Abdullah allegedly questioned the Centre's intentions towards Kashmiris and reportedly claimed that Pakistan was 'protecting' Kashmir, crediting Islamabad's diplomatic efforts for amplifying Kashmiri voices globally. The remarks triggered immediate backlash from the BJP and, a day later, from prominent Muslim clerics.
Why did Muslim clerics condemn Farooq Abdullah's remarks?
AIIA president Maulana Sajid Rashidi said the statement amounted to treason because Abdullah had spoken in favour of Pakistan, a country that Rashidi argued had consistently carried out terrorist attacks in India, including the Pahalgam massacre, the Pulwama attack, and the Kargil War. Other clerics said it was wrong for a leader to rely on a foreign country for Jammu and Kashmir's security.
Who are the religious leaders who condemned the remarks?
Three prominent clerics have condemned the remarks: Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association; Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali; and Maulana Saif Abbas. Maulana Firangi Mahali specifically demanded a detailed explanation and public apology from Abdullah.
Has Farooq Abdullah responded to the backlash?
As of Sunday, 25 October 2026, Farooq Abdullah had not issued a formal clarification or apology in response to the mounting criticism from the BJP and Muslim clerics. The National Conference had also not released an official statement addressing the controversy.
What is the political significance of this controversy for the National Conference?
The National Conference, led by Farooq Abdullah, is the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir, making the backlash politically sensitive. The unusual alignment of the BJP and Muslim clerics against Abdullah's remarks intensifies the pressure on the NC and raises questions about whether the party's leadership will distance itself from the comments or defend them.
