'Our neighbour protecting us': Farooq makes shocking remark on J&K; BJP hits back

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah made a controversial statement on Saturday, attributing the survival of Kashmiri people to their "neighbour" - Pakistan. Speaking at a party workers' convention in Baramulla, Abdullah argued that without Pakistan's efforts to discuss Kashmir's issues, India's intentions towards the region were not genuine. He further claimed that the Central government was "silent" on Jammu and Kashmir due to international pressure.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded fiercely to Abdullah's remarks, highlighting the improved conditions in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. BJP spokesperson RP Singh credited the Modi government's decision with the "full integration" of the region with India. Singh urged Abdullah to consider the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and recognize the advantages Kashmiris enjoy now that Article 370 has been abolished.

Article 370 granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, but its abrogation led to the state's reorganization into two Union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Despite Abdullah's claims, Islamabad has repeatedly raised the Article 370 issue at international stages like the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) without achieving any success.