The right to criticise in politics is the strength of a democracy. But when the words of a senior leader show distrust of his own country’s government and trust in Pakistan at the same time, his arguments too need to be scrutinised. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of the National Conference, said in Baramulla that Pakistan was saving the people of Kashmir by raising the Kashmir issue, and questioned Delhi’s intentions. His statement has once again fanned an old debate in Kashmir’s politics. The question is this: can Pakistan, which India has long accused of promoting cross-border terrorism, be a protector of the people of Kashmir? And can a fair assessment of Jammu and Kashmir’s future be made while leaving out the figures on tourism, rail connectivity, industrial investment, employment and the expansion of health facilities?

Advocacy for Pakistan, or concern for Kashmiris’ interests?

Addressing party workers in Baramulla on 24 October 2026, Farooq Abdullah said that their neighbour was raising the Kashmir issue everywhere and was saving them. Questioning the Centre’s intentions, he called on people to struggle for their rights and unite to protect their identity. Two separate strands can be seen in Abdullah’s statement. Speaking about the rights, dignity and identity of Kashmiris is an important part of democratic discourse. Disagreeing with the Centre’s policies is also a democratic right.

The question arises when Pakistan is presented as a helper or protector in support of these concerns. We all know that Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue at international forums for decades. India’s position is clear: Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. When debating Pakistan’s role, one should look not only at its political statements but also at cross-border terrorism, security challenges and the real interests of the people there. Raising an issue at international forums and bringing genuine improvement to the lives of people in that region are two different things.

It is natural to expect an experienced leader such as Farooq Abdullah to make the distinction between these two aspects clear when making his case. Calling Pakistan a protector is not a necessary argument for advocating the rights of the people of Kashmir. This amounts to deceiving the country. It is the height of devious conduct.

What has changed under the Modi government? Look at the figures too

Since the changes to the provisions of Article 370 in August 2019, a number of changes have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative and economic structure. The Centre has presented the expansion of investment, tourism, road and rail connectivity, employment and social schemes as its achievements. These claims should be judged on the basis of government figures and visible results on the ground.

In tourism, the number of visitors to Kashmir has now crossed lakhs. This growth points to opportunities for the hotel trade, local transport, handicrafts, catering and small tourism-related businesses. Similarly, the growing influx of tourists has brought an equal rise in the income of every family.

According to figures presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Rajya Sabha, investment in Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial sector was ₹296.64 crore in 2019-20. By 2023-24 it had risen to ₹2,417.19 crore. Investment of ₹412.74 crore was recorded in 2020-21, ₹376.76 crore in 2021-22 and ₹2,153.45 crore in 2022-23. The industrial policies and investment incentive schemes for the financial years 2021-30 aim to attract new units and create employment opportunities.

A report by the state broadcaster Akashvani in August 2026 mentions investment of around ₹18,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 and the establishment of more than 2,200 industrial units. Alongside these figures, it is also important to know how many units are producing regularly, how many permanent jobs local young people have received, and how far the benefits of investment have reached small businesses in Jammu and Kashmir.

More than 41,000 government jobs, 981,000 self-employment opportunities

An Akashvani report of August 2026, citing government figures, said that more than 41,000 government jobs have been provided in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 and around 981,000 self-employment opportunities created. These figures can be seen as government efforts in the field of employment. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, costing around ₹43,780 crore, is among the important infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Structures such as the Chenab rail bridge and the Anji rail bridge are significant in strengthening rail connectivity in difficult terrain. In June 2025, the Centre inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir.

The importance of rail connectivity is not limited to tourism. It increases the possibilities for improved passenger movement, freight transport, trade and access to remote areas.

Health schemes benefit lakhs of people

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Survey 2024-25, 8.612 million golden cards were issued under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat scheme and about 1.5 million people received treatment. The survey also mentions treatment worth around ₹2,800 crore. This is an important indicator of the expansion of health security. On the other hand, the availability of doctors in hospitals, the condition of rural health centres, the quality of treatment and patients’ actual experiences are today showing that work has been done on a broad, grassroots scale in every sector in Kashmir.

In fact, the purpose of these figures here is not to claim that every problem in Jammu and Kashmir has been solved. The purpose is to understand that the development efforts and outcomes that deserve public discussion should not be left behind a single political statement.

BJP and VHP also raise questions

This is also why BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla described Farooq Abdullah’s remarks as irresponsible and accused him of sympathy towards Pakistan. Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Vinod Bansal also asked whether Kashmir’s security is due to Pakistan or to India’s strategic strength.

Vinod Bansal was right to say that Farooq Abdullah should apologise for his pro-Pakistan, anti-national statement. The statement made today in favour of Pakistan by the veteran Jammu and Kashmir leader Farooq Abdullah is extremely unfortunate and deeply condemnable. “Eating India’s food and singing the praises of sinful Pakistan: this will no longer be tolerated.” This statement is plainly a betrayal of India. It is no secret how Pakistan has continued to attack India, how it has constantly promoted terrorism and how it has tried to disturb the peace of Jammu and Kashmir.

By calling such a Pakistan a well-wisher of Kashmiris, what kind of mindset is he displaying? Has Farooq Abdullah forgotten how, after Articles 370 and 35A were removed in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorist infiltration stopped and a wave of development swept across the entire state? It is as a result of the Centre’s tough policy towards Pakistan that an atmosphere of peace, prosperity and development has strengthened in Jammu and Kashmir. At such a time, praising Pakistan and presenting its role as that of protector of Kashmiris is highly objectionable and the height of treason.

Farooq Abdullah should immediately apologise to the country for this statement. If he does not, action should be taken against him under the law on sedition or other applicable laws. There can be no compromise on India’s unity, integrity and sovereignty. The state’s Chief Minister, too, should clarify his position on whether he stands with his “Abbujaan” out of love for Pakistan, or with the country. It should also be examined whether, through such statements, Farooq Abdullah is misleading Kashmiri youth and hatching an anti-India conspiracy to realise the opposition leaders’ pipe dream of regime change.

Nor is it right to treat the BJP leaders’ reaction merely as part of political opposition. A statement calling Pakistan the protector of Kashmir raises the question: on what facts is that country’s role being assessed? There are many such questions now, and Farooq Abdullah should provide the answers.

Past statements form a political continuity

Farooq Abdullah has advocated India-Pakistan talks before. In October 2021, he said that it would be difficult to establish lasting peace in Kashmir without involving Pakistan in the talks. He repeated the same point in July 2022 and August 2023.

In May 2024, referring to Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, he used similarly negative language. In May 2025, he made a similar remark in connection with India’s decision on the Indus Waters Treaty.

Supporting India-Pakistan dialogue is not controversial in itself. Arguments can be made for or against engagement with any neighbouring country. But there is a difference between advocating talks and calling Pakistan the protector of Kashmiris. In the first case, the aim may be to reduce conflict; in the second, a political conclusion emerges in favour of Pakistan’s role, which requires solid evidence and broader context.

Kashmir’s future will be decided by results, not slogans

It would not be right to view Kashmir’s politics as divided into two extremes. On the one hand, it is necessary to mention the Centre’s achievements; on the other, answers are also needed to questions about employment, security, political representation and civil rights. Development figures are an important basis for judging any government’s work, and no one can deny this today.

Farooq Abdullah should be asked today what the basis is for calling Pakistan a helper, and what tangible benefit the people of Kashmir have received from this supposed help. He should also clarify how promoting Pakistan’s role to protect Kashmir’s identity offers a practical solution. The truth is that the people of Kashmir need security, dignity, employment and political rights alike. These needs should be met through facts, accountability and democratic dialogue. However much Pakistan’s being called a protector is criticised today, it would still be too little for Farooq Abdullah!

Hindusthan Samachar / Mayank Chaturvedi