Srinagar: BJP on Friday removed nine office-bearers and suspended their party membership following allegations of anti-woman slogans during a rally in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“It has come to the notice of the District Unit, BJP Anantnag, that an unauthorised Tiranga Rally was held at Housing Colony Khanabal, Anantnag on August 5, 2026. The said rally was neither organised nor authorised by the BJP District Unit Anantnag, nor had it obtained the requisite permission from the District Administration,” BJP’s Anatnag district president Rakesh Koul said in an order.
He said the district unit has taken serious note of “objectionable and derogatory remarks” allegedly made against women during the rally.
“Such conduct is wholly unacceptable and is against the values, discipline, dignity, and principles of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said.
Koul said the party has decided to initiate strict disciplinary action against those found responsible for organising and participating in the unauthorised rally.
“In view of the above and pending further inquiry, the following office bearers are hereby removed from all their party posts and responsibilities with immediate effect and their primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party is suspended until further orders,” he said.
The action has been taken against Nisar Ahmad Bhat, district general secretary; Khursheed Ahmad Sofi, district secretary; Aabida Rafiq, district secretary; Irshad Ahmad Malik, constituency president, Shangus (Anantnag East); Mohammad Maqbool Ganie, former district vice president; Waheed Ahmad Itoo, constituency president, Pahalgam; Nisar Ahmad Hakeem, district secretary; Feroz Ahmad Hajam, district secretary, Kisan Morcha, and Sabrooza Akhter, district secretary, Mahila Morcha.
Koul also said Alveer Ahmad Dar and Fancy Akhter are not associated with the Anantnag district unit in any capacity and do not hold any organisational post or responsibility.
Political parties in the Valley had lashed out at the BJP after purported videos of the said rally went viral on social media.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Thursday said slogans raised during the BJP rally were “derogatory” and an “insult” to mothers and sisters in the Valley. She demanded registration of an FIR against those responsible.
BJP leader Altaf Thakur apologised for the slogans raised at the rally taken out to celebrate the abrogation of Article 370.
“Azzi hund te Fazzi hund Izzat (common names of women in Kashmir a few decades ago) – the irresponsible and derogatory slogans raised by the BJP Anantnag unit are an insult not only to political discourse but to the dignity of our Kashmiri mothers and sisters,” Itoo said in a post on X.
“This only exposes their double standards. On one hand, they preach ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’; on the other, they shamelessly demean the honour of the women of Kashmir for political mileage. Such language has no place in a civilised democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” Itoo said.
The National Conference leader demanded an FIR against the slogan raisers, and challenged the BJP to go beyond symbolic statements.
“An FIR should be registered against those responsible, and appropriate legal and disciplinary action must be taken. Accountability cannot be selective, and respect for the dignity of women must be upheld through action, not merely words,” she said.
Thakur said the BJP firmly believes in respecting the dignity of women and remains committed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women empowerment.
BJP J&K asks media to use only authorised party spokespersons
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday issued an advisory asking print, electronic and digital media organisations to seek comments and official statements only from representatives authorised by the party leadership.
In a media circular issued by State Co-Media Incharge Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah, the party said it had observed that comments and reactions were being sought from individuals not authorised to speak on its behalf. According to the BJP, such practices could create confusion and misrepresent the party’s official position.
The advisory said only designated State spokespersons, State media incharges and other representatives specifically authorised by the party leadership are empowered to issue official statements or comments on behalf of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.
The party urged editors, bureau chiefs and correspondents to verify the credentials of party representatives through the BJP J&K Media Department or designated State spokespersons before publishing or broadcasting statements claimed to represent the party.
According to the advisory, the verification process would help ensure accuracy, promote responsible journalism and prevent the dissemination of unauthorised views.
The BJP also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with the media and expressed hope for continued cooperation in ensuring the publication and broadcast of its verified official position.
