Srinagar, July 2 (UNI) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended the call for improved India-Pakistan relations made by several political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, saying “no one should object” to efforts aimed at restoring peace between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking to reporters in Shopian, Omar said tensions between India and Pakistan have persisted for decades and worsened after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
“This tension has been going on for the past 30-40 years. And last year, after the Pahalgam, there was an increase in this. Now, through a letter, the Prime Minister is being requested to somehow improve the relations between the two countries. No one should object to this,” Omar Abdullah said.
Referring to recent remarks by the senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale, Omar said there should not be different standards when discussing better ties between the two countries.
“In the past few days, if my knowledge is correct, the biggest leader of the RSS said that India and Pakistan should form a relationship of friendship. Now, if the RSS says this, no one will object. But when the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir talk about this, then there is a ruckus,” he said.
Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Omar said, “We just say this, just like Atal Bihari Vajpayee sahib used to say, friends can be changed, neighbours cannot be changed. We want better relations between neighbours.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of a joint appeal signed by nearly 60 eminent personalities from across India urging renewed dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Among the signatories were former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, along with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Saifuddin Soz, Bilal Lone, Aga Muntazir Mehdi and Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami.
The appeal, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which questioned the timing and intent of the demand for renewed engagement with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, J&K Congress president Tariq Karra accused the BJP of adopting “double standards” over calls for dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying the party was targeting political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir while ignoring similar statements made by leaders associated with the RSS.
Reacting to the BJP’s criticism of the joint appeal seeking renewed India-Pakistan dialogue, Karra said the BJP should first clarify its stand on remarks made by RSS leaders advocating engagement with Pakistan.
“Look, if we go towards this, the BJP is now objecting to those people. I am talking above the political line. The General Secretary of the RSS, Ram Madhav, and Hosabale have clearly said that there should be talks with Pakistan. So what will they say about Hosabale? The RSS chief has also given a statement. What will they say about him?” Karra told reporters.
He alleged that the BJP’s criticism was politically motivated.
“This is just for the sake of criticism. However, if they have an objection that talks are being held with Pakistan, then Hosabale, Ram Madhav and the statements of the RSS chief should clear their position first,” he said.
