Farooq Abdullah reacts to Rajnath Singh's remark on PoK, says 'Pakistan is not wearing bangles...'

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Sunday (May 5) lashed out at India's Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over his remarks that "PoK will be merged with India", stating that "Pakistan is not wearing bangles".

"If the defence minister is saying it, then go ahead. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us," he said.

Last month, Singh asserted that taking into consideration the progress India is making, soon the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will express their willingness to be with India.

"Don't worry. PoK was, is and will remain ours," Singh said, addressing a rally at West Bengal's Darjeeling, where the BJP had nominated sitting MP Raju Bista.

"India's power is increasing. India's prestige is increasing around the world, and our economy is fast progressing. Now our brothers and sisters in PoK will themselves demand to come with India," Singh further said.

Meanwhile, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Sunday, said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a part of India and that there is a resolution of the Indian Parliament which calls PoK a part of the country.

He underlined that earlier the people were made to forget about PoK, but now the citizens of the country are very much aware of this part of the world.

On being asked about India's plans for PoK during a session in Cuttack, Jaishankar said, "PoK has never been out of this country. It is part of this country. There is a resolution of the Indian Parliament that PoK is very much a part of India. Now, how did PoK, how did other people get control? You know, when you have someone who is not a responsible custodian of a house, someone steals from outside. Now, here you have allowed another country."

(With inputs from agencies)