NEW DELHI: National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah sparked a row on Saturday by crediting the “neighbour” – a reference to Pakistan – with “saving” the lives of the people of Kashmir.“The neighbour (Pakistan) is going to many places and talking about Kashmiris. That is why the people of Jammu and Kashmir are being saved. Otherwise, India’s intentions towards Kashmiris are not right,” Abdullah remarked while addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla.Also Read | ‘Hope no Operation Sindoor ever again’: Farooq Abdullah on India-Pakistan; suggests improving tiesHe also claimed that the Centre was “silent” on Jammu and Kashmir due to “global pressure.”“What can you expect from Delhi? Do you expect them to deliver justice for you? Have the courage to fight, or you will be wiped out, and your identity will disappear. They (government of India) are silent today because of the pressure from the world. Our neighbour goes everywhere saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved,” the former chief minister added.The BJP hit back at Abdullah, contrasting development in Jammu and Kashmir with the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

BJP spokesperson RP Singh credited the Modi government’s revocation of Article 370 with the “full integration” of Jammu and Kashmir with India.“Farooq Abdullah should also look across the border and see the plight of Kashmiris on the other side. Kashmir is doing well here because Article 370 was abrogated and Kashmir was fully integrated with India,” Singh said.Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated in August 2019. Two months later, the government reorganised the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.Islamabad has repeatedly raised the Article 370 issue at international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but has failed to secure any breakthrough on the issue.