The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit on Wednesday held protests in Srinagar, Anantnag and other districts against remarks by National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq, which the party described as an insult to Kashmiri women.
BJP General Secretary Anwar Khan led the charge, terming Sadiq’s comments “shameful, disgraceful and an insult to every Kashmiri mother and sister.” He said the honour of Kashmiri women was not a favour any political party could claim or distribute.
“Kashmiri mothers and sisters do not owe their dignity, honour or identity to the National Conference. Their dignity is not a political favour that any party can claim credit for,” Khan said.
Addressing protesters and later speaking to reporters, he said Kashmiri women have a proud history of courage, resilience and sacrifice. Using their honour to glorify a political party, he added, reflected arrogance and contempt for the people of Kashmir.
“When you have no achievements to show, don’t rewrite history by insulting Kashmiri women,” Khan said. “Our mothers and sisters have faced decades of hardships with courage and dignity. To portray their dignity as something handed out by a political party is morally disgraceful and deeply insulting.”
The BJP leader demanded that Sadiq immediately withdraw the remarks and tender an unconditional public apology to the women and people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Party workers raised slogans against what they called political condescension and carried placards asserting that the dignity of Kashmiri women could not be turned into a tool of propaganda. Protests were organised in Srinagar and Anantnag, with the party saying similar demonstrations would continue in other districts.
“The anger among the people is genuine and justified. We will raise our voice in every district against this insult to our mothers and sisters. Tanvir Sadiq must apologise publicly and withdraw his statement without excuses,” Khan said.
He added that political debate was legitimate, but the honour of mothers and sisters could not be dragged into it. “Do politics, but do not drag the honour of our mothers and sisters into your political propaganda. Kashmiri women deserve respect, not political condescension.”
The BJP said the protests would continue until an unconditional apology was issued.
