National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has triggered a political controversy after claiming that Pakistan’s continued efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums have helped protect the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a party convention in Baramulla on October 24, 2026, the former chief minister questioned New Delhi’s intentions towards the region, prompting sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The remarks have reignited debate over Pakistan’s role in the Kashmir dispute, the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, and the political relationship between the Union Territory and the central government. Abdullah argued that Pakistan’s continued international advocacy had prevented the Kashmir issue from disappearing from global discussions, adding that the Centre’s intentions could not be trusted.
Addressing party workers, Farooq Abdullah questioned whether the people of Jammu and Kashmir could expect justice from New Delhi. He urged them to remain courageous and stand up for their rights, warning that their identity could be at risk if they failed to do so.
Referring to Pakistan’s efforts to raise the dispute internationally, Abdullah said the neighbouring country continued to argue that Kashmir’s future remained unresolved. According to his remarks, this international attention was helping protect the region from what he described as unfavourable intentions on the part of the Centre.
However, Abdullah also reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had never denied their Indian identity. He invoked the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad while affirming the region’s accession to India. His comments therefore combined criticism of the central government with an assertion of Jammu and Kashmir’s place within the Indian Union.
The BJP responded strongly, accusing Farooq Abdullah of lending legitimacy to Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur described the remarks as anti-national and demanded that the authorities consider legal action. He argued that a political leader who had taken an oath under the Indian Constitution should not portray Pakistan as a protector of Kashmiris without accounting for its role in the region’s history of violence and terrorism.
The controversy also raises questions about the distinction between Pakistan’s diplomatic campaign and its broader security relationship with Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad has consistently attempted to raise the dispute at international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. India, meanwhile, maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and rejects external interference in its internal affairs.
Another dimension of the controversy concerns Pakistan’s claim to represent the interests of Kashmiris. Indian officials have repeatedly accused Islamabad of using the dispute to exert diplomatic pressure on New Delhi while failing to address political grievances within territories under Pakistani administration. The treatment of residents in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains an important part of this debate, particularly when local protests raise questions about representation, governance and economic hardship.
Pakistan’s repeated references to Kashmir at international forums have not produced a settlement acceptable to India. New Delhi has consistently rejected attempts to internationalise the matter, maintaining that outstanding issues must be addressed bilaterally and that cross-border terrorism remains a major obstacle to normal relations. The dispute has continued for decades, despite numerous diplomatic initiatives and repeated appeals from both countries.
For critics of Farooq Abdullah, the latest remarks are particularly contentious because they appear to credit Pakistan with protecting Kashmiris while overlooking the consequences of its long-running confrontation with India. They argue that any assessment of Islamabad’s role must consider both its diplomatic statements and the security challenges that have affected Jammu and Kashmir. Supporters of Abdullah, however, may view his comments as an expression of frustration with the Centre over political rights and the delay in restoring statehood.
The statehood question remains a significant political issue in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory was created following the reorganisation of the former state in 2019, when the Centre also revoked its special constitutional status under Article 370. The government has maintained that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, while regional parties have continued to demand a clear timeline.
Abdullah’s statement is likely to intensify this debate because it links the region’s political future to Pakistan’s international campaign. Whether intended as a warning about New Delhi or an observation about the continuing diplomatic dispute, the remarks have provided opponents with an opportunity to question his political judgment. For Farooq Abdullah, the challenge will be to explain how his criticism of the Centre fits with his simultaneous affirmation of Jammu and Kashmir’s Indian identity.
The wider political consequences remain uncertain. The controversy could deepen disagreements between the National Conference and the BJP, particularly over constitutional arrangements, statehood and the role of Pakistan in the Kashmir dispute. It also underscores the difficulty of discussing the region’s future without confronting the competing narratives advanced by political parties in India and by Islamabad.
Ultimately, Farooq Abdullah has placed himself at the centre of a fresh political storm with a statement that has drawn sharply different interpretations. His supporters may see it as a warning against neglecting regional aspirations, while his critics consider it an unnecessary endorsement of Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative. The debate now turns on whether political leaders can address legitimate questions about governance and statehood without allowing rhetoric over Pakistan to overshadow the concerns and aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents.
