Nine office-bearers of BJP’s Anantnag unit suspended over anti-woman slogans during rally

Srinagar: BJP on Friday removed nine office-bearers and suspended their party membership following allegations of anti-woman slogans during a rally in Jammu and Kashmir 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.Jammu and Kashmir 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.