JAMMU, Aug 3: Senior BJP leader and former Minister Bali Bhagat strongly condemned National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah’s attempt to connect the recent Kulgam terror attack with the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, terming the remarks “reckless, irresponsible and deeply damaging to the national interest.”
Two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh—Deepak Ratray and Bopinder—were killed after terrorists opened fire at a brick kiln in Kulgam’s Kelam area. Following the attack, Farooq Abdullah questioned why such incidents occur whenever the National Conference raises the demand for statehood and sought an impartial investigation into the killings.
Reacting sharply, Bali Bhagat said, “The blood of innocent workers cannot be reduced to an instrument of political speculation. Statehood is a constitutional and democratic matter that will be decided by the Parliament of India, while terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is part of Pakistan’s decades-old proxy war. Drawing a connection between the two is not merely illogical—it indirectly diverts attention from Pakistan and the terrorists responsible for these barbaric killings.”
Bhagat said that instead of unequivocally identifying and condemning Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Farooq Abdullah had raised insinuations capable of creating confusion and mistrust among the people.
“Who benefits when a senior leader questions the timing of a terror attack without presenting any evidence? Certainly not the grieving families, the security forces or the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Such speculative politics only benefits Pakistan’s propaganda machinery and those seeking to disturb peace in the Union Territory,” he said.
The former Minister also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for attempting to defend Farooq Abdullah as a “responsible person” instead of categorically distancing himself and his government from the controversial insinuation.
Bhagat, however, noted that Omar Abdullah had publicly condemned the Kulgam killings and cautioned against politicising terrorism. “If the Chief Minister genuinely believes that terrorists are terrorists and terrorism should not be politicised, he must apply the same standard within his own party. He should clearly reject any attempt to connect these murders with the statehood campaign,” Bhagat asserted.
He said the Chief Minister heads an elected government and, therefore, carries a greater responsibility to maintain public confidence, support counter-terrorism efforts and avoid political ambiguity on matters concerning national security.
“Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah cannot speak in two different voices—one raising suspicions around the attack and the other asking people not to politicise terrorism. The National Conference must clarify its official position: does it hold Pakistan-sponsored terrorists responsible, or does it wish to use every tragedy to advance its political narrative?” Bhagat asked.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Bhagat said the victims had travelled to Kashmir only to earn an honest livelihood but were murdered in a cowardly attack. He urged the government to ensure adequate compensation, sustained assistance to their dependants and the strongest possible action against the terrorists and their support network.
“The security forces must be given complete operational freedom to identify and eliminate the perpetrators and dismantle the entire terror ecosystem—including overground workers, logistical supporters, financiers and propagandists,” he added.
Bhagat reaffirmed that the BJP remains committed to lasting peace, development and the constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that statehood cannot be used as a shield for political rhetoric surrounding acts of terrorism.
“National unity is our strongest weapon against terrorism. This is a moment to stand with the victims and our security forces—not to manufacture conspiracy theories or provide political cover to Pakistan’s murderous designs,” Bali Bhagat concluded.