Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Rakesh Sinha today castigated former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah for batting for resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue and said the latter is hinting sympathy towards Islamabad with such an irresponsible assertion.
Sinha said Abdullah's statement may have an adverse affect on India's diplomatic efforts initiated to teach Pakistan a lesson.
"Farooq Abdullah has made an irresponsible statement. Dialogue is not the lone responsibility of India. Pakistan is not initiating talks. Instead of talks, it has chosen the path of violence, terrorism. By making such comments, Farooq Abdullah is showing sympathy towards Pakistan and such kind of sympathy in current times cannot be expected out of any Indian," said Sinha.
"The whole country has united against Pakistan and is vouching for methods which compel Islamabad to quit terrorism. Such irresponsible statements have a negative impact on India's diplomacy," he added.
The National Conference patron, who yesterday visited the Zero Line along the Line of Control and interacted with border dwellers, called for resuming dialogue with Pakistan.
Making a fervent appeal to the leadership of the two hostile Asian neighbours to resume dialogue and end all hostilities, Abdullah said, "Wars haven't and won't resolve inherent political issues between India and Pakistan."
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Abdullah also strongly criticized the alleged politicization of India's surgical strikes, saying the blood of Indian jawans was being traded for electoral victories.
"Today, we want to sell our soldiers' blood for electoral victories? The condition is such that we want to trade their blood...but a soldier doesn't belong to any party, he belongs to the entire country," he said.
The comments came after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar gave credit to the RSS teachings for the strikes targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Responding to the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Farooq said, "The situation is very grim right now. Poor people at both sides of the border are suffering. I would like to appeal to both nations that enough is enough; more bloods have been sacrificed from our end and at Pakistan's end. Loss was reordered at both sides. For God's sake stop shelling."
He urged Pakistan to approach India with helping hands and stop shelling near the border.
Earlier today, Pakistan forces fired around 25 rounds of small weapons and two small mortars in Hiranagar sector.
One BSF jawan was injured as the Indian troops retaliated to the firing from the other side of the border.