Jammu, July 3: Senior BJP leader and former minister Bali Bhagat on Friday launched a blistering attack on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his repeated advocacy for resumption of talks with Pakistan, saying such statements reflect the National Conference’s “obsession with Pakistan” rather than commitment to India’s national interest.
Bali Bhagat said it is deeply disturbing that at a time when Pakistan continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism, infiltrate terrorists and fuel unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah is more concerned about reviving dialogue than demanding accountability from Islamabad. “Instead of standing unequivocally with the families of terror victims and our brave security forces, Omar Abdullah is once again batting for Pakistan. His repeated fascination with talks sends a wrong message and weakens India’s uncompromising stand against terrorism,” he said.
The senior BJP leader asserted that Pakistan has consistently responded to every Indian peace initiative with bullets, bombs and betrayal. “History is a witness that every hand of friendship extended by India has been answered with terrorism. Dialogue cannot be the reward for a country that continues to export terror. Terror and talks cannot go together,” Bhagat said.
Taking a direct swipe at the Chief Minister, Bali Bhagat said Omar Abdullah appears more eager to amplify Pakistan-related narratives than to speak strongly against Pakistan’s terror factories. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have paid the highest price for Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Any attempt to push for engagement without Pakistan dismantling its terror infrastructure is an insult to the sacrifices of thousands of innocent civilians, security personnel and patriots who laid down their lives defending the nation,” he added.
Bhagat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made India’s policy crystal clear that New India will not bow before terrorism or diplomatic blackmail. “The era of confusing peace with weakness is over. India seeks peace, but peace cannot be built on the graves of innocent citizens while Pakistan continues to nurture terrorism as state policy.”
He urged Omar Abdullah to stop advocating positions that “appear sympathetic to Pakistan’s interests” and instead devote his energy to governance, development and strengthening national unity. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir stand firmly with India. They reject every narrative that attempts to legitimise engagement with a terror-exporting nation without credible action against terrorism,” Bali Bhagat said.
