Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia on Saturday demanded an unconditional public apology from National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah over remarks he made at a party workers’ convention in Baramulla, saying the statements undermine national unity and misrepresent the historical and political realities of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Jasrotia also objected to Abdullah’s reported description of the media as “sold out”, calling it an unacceptable generalisation that damages the credibility of journalists and media institutions. He urged media organisations to collectively defend the dignity, independence and professional integrity of the press.
Taking exception to Abdullah’s reported assertion that Pakistan was “saving” Kashmiris by raising the Kashmir issue internationally, Dr Jasrotia said: “Farooq Abdullah’s latest remarks in Baramulla are deeply unfortunate and politically irresponsible. His assertion raises serious questions about his political priorities and his understanding of Pakistan’s role in the region.” He alleged that Pakistan had repeatedly sponsored terrorism and violence that cost innocent lives in the Union Territory, and said a responsible leader should highlight that suffering rather than lend credibility to Islamabad’s narrative.
“Freedom of speech protects robust criticism of the government, but political leaders must also recognise their responsibility to avoid statements that may legitimise the narrative of a neighbouring country accused of supporting terrorism. The Laxman Rekha of responsible political discourse must not be crossed,” he said.
On the media remark, Dr Jasrotia said a leader was entitled to disagree with a particular report or outlet and to furnish evidence, but that dismissing the entire press as compromised was neither fair nor responsible. He appealed to media organisations to reject what he called sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations and to consider a united response, including declining to provide platforms for political attacks that undermine journalism. “Accountability must apply to political leaders as well as to the media,” he said.
Invoking history, the BJP spokesperson said Abdullah must remember the contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh, whose support for the education of Sheikh Abdullah he described as an important part of the historical record. He argued that history should be approached with dignity and honesty and not invoked selectively for political convenience. He also said the National Conference should explain how its own policies had contributed to the challenges facing the region, instead of cultivating a politics of grievance and victimhood.
Dr Jasrotia pointed to what he termed the Modi government’s emphasis on development, infrastructure, tourism, investment and democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir, and said the BJP would continue to challenge statements it considers divisive.
“We demand that Farooq Abdullah withdraw his controversial remarks and issue an unconditional public apology to the people of India,” he said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that its future must be shaped by the aspirations of its people, not by narratives promoted from across the border.
The remarks attributed to Abdullah have added to an already charged political exchange in the Union Territory, where statements on Pakistan, the Kashmir question and the role of the press regularly draw sharp responses across party lines. The BJP’s demand is its own political position, and the National Conference has traditionally defended its leaders’ right to criticise policy within the constitutional framework.
