Farooq Abdullah’s Pakistan remarks draw BJP rebuke

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan’s international advocacy on Kashmir was helping protect people in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting BJP leaders to demand an apology and challenge his account. Abdullah made the remarks Saturday at a workers’ convention in Baramulla, north Kashmir. He said Pakistan repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue abroad and argued that international attention was keeping authorities silent. He also questioned whether residents could expect justice from Delhi and urged them to defend their rights and identity. The remarks were statements by Abdullah; the reports do not establish that Pakistan’s advocacy protects Kashmiris. Abdullah said people in Jammu and Kashmir had not denied being Indian, and referred to India’s founding leaders while criticizing what he described as growing division between Hindus and Muslims. Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma called on Abdullah to apologise publicly. Sharma said Muslims in the region were safe under India’s protection and argued that Abdullah could speak freely in India. He also defended the Centre’s policies and criticized Abdullah’s remarks about Pakistan. Other BJP figures condemned...