Abdullah challenges BJP narrative on infiltration, citizenship in U.P.

Farooq Abdullah took aim at the BJP-RSS political narrative during an INDIA bloc gathering at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, contending that the party has made a practice of questioning the patriotism of India's Muslim citizens. The National Conference leader suggested that if concerns about infiltrators warrant scrutiny, then similar questions should be raised about the reported deletion of voters from electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh, implying that those removed from the voter registry could similarly be labeled with the same terminology used against border-crossing allegations. Abdullah's remarks underscored growing tensions within India's political discourse over issues of citizenship, belonging, and national loyalty. The opposition leader emphasized that Muslims have made substantial sacrifices for the nation and should not be subject to persistent doubts about their commitment to India. The comments reflect broader debates within the INDIA coalition over polarizing rhetoric that opposition parties contend has become increasingly prevalent in electoral campaigns and political discourse across the country.