Overview
- Abdullah, speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Friday, accused the Union government of routinely blaming a vague 'foreign hand' whenever it faces crises and dared it to name the country it claims is interfering.
- He said the practice shifts attention from domestic grievances and policy failures and demanded that any allegation of external meddling be backed by specific evidence.
- Responding to questions about the Middle East war, Abdullah criticised U.S. policy under President Trump and said Iran has a right to protect itself while urging an end to the conflict to prevent further harm.
- Abdullah warned that the continuing war is contributing to global inflation and will deepen hardship for poor and vulnerable people by raising prices and economic strain.
- Coverage across major outlets reports his remarks on October 23 without a published, on-record response from the Centre, and the comments revive debate over a long-standing political trope of blaming external actors for internal unrest.