'PoK belongs to Pakistan remark': Delhi HC to begin hearing plea against Farooq Abdullah

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had asserted that entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India.

'PoK belongs to Pakistan remark': Delhi HC to begin hearing plea against Farooq Abdullah

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear a plea filed against National Conference president Farooq Abdullah seeking action for his reported controversial remarks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) including that it belonged to the neighbouring country.

"Ours is a landlocked state between three nuclear countries including India, Pakistan and China. I, therefore, believe Azadi is not possible nor workable. The part of the state under Pakistan belongs to them as our part belongs to India," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister had said in Srinagar.

Abdullah had, on Saturday, said talks of an independent Kashmir were "wrong" as the landlocked valley was surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.

He had also claimed that PoK belonged to Pakistan and that "this will not change", no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fought against each other.

The remarks had kicked up storm with the BJP and its NDA allies reacting sharply against it.

The PIL was filed by Delhi-based social activist Maulana Ansar Raza on November 17. He has sought "immediate investigation" and "arrest" of the Srinagar MP alleging that he favoured Pakistan and insulted India.

The plea alleged that Abdullah "always makes such controversial remarks and statements by which the nation and its people feel ashamed of such persons being Indian citizens".

A Bihar court on November 13 had ordered filing of an FIR against the National Conference supremo on charges of treason for his comments on PoK.

Abdullah's remarks had kicked up storm with the BJP and its NDA allies reacting sharply against it.

His statement had come days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.