Archive · 16 Aug 2026
BJP accuses J&K parties of selective approach over PoK crackdown
Abhijeet Jasrotia is a leader from a big political party in India called the BJP.
He wrote an opinion piece saying some politicians in Jammu and Kashmir care about what happens far away in Gaza, but not about people very close by.
Those people live in a place called PoK, which India says belongs to it, but Pakistan controls it.
The people there have been unhappy since 2023 because wheat, electricity, and other things have become expensive.
In 2025, they made a big list of 38 things they wanted their government to do better.
In June 2026, the government banned a group called the Joint Awami Action Committee, and people started protesting.
Soldiers and police fired at the protesters, and some reports say many people were hurt or died.
Jasrotia says political parties should speak up for these people just like they speak up for people in Palestine.
The United Nations wants a fair investigation, and a group called Amnesty International says the crackdown was too violent.
Jasrotia wants Pakistan to be held responsible for what happened.
BJP spokesperson Abhijeet Jasrotia accused mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir of a 'selective approach' over the crackdown on civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Jasrotia alleged the parties speak passionately about Palestine and Gaza but stay muted when Kashmiris across the Line of Control face bullets.
He said the PoK uprising has 'deep roots': protests since 2023 over wheat and electricity prices, with high power tariffs paid locally despite electricity generated by the Mangla Dam.
After authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee in June 2026, protests erupted in Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli and other areas; security forces opened fire and reported death tolls range from dozens to over a hundred.
India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the 'wanton killings', while the UN demanded impartial investigations and Amnesty International called the crackdown 'violent and sweeping'.
- Who
- BJP spokesperson Abhijeet Jasrotia, in an editorial in 'Rising Kashmir', accused mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir of showing selective concern over the crackdown in PoK.
- What
- The BJP alleged the parties remain muted over the crackdown on civilians across the Line of Control, while Pakistan denies political rights and economic justice in PoK, where protests grew into a 38-point charter and a June 2026 security force crackdown.
- When
- Protests in PoK began in 2023; the movement expanded into a 38-point charter in 2025; the ban of the Joint Awami Action Committee and the crackdown occurred in June 2026.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli and other districts across the Line of Control.
- Why
- Jasrotia argued the parties focus on issues that serve domestic political narratives, like Gaza, while ignoring Kashmiris facing bullets across the Line of Control; India wants Pakistan held accountable for the killings.
BJP and international critics
J&K parties and Pakistan's establishment
Selective concern over human rights
BJP and international critics
BJP alleges that mainstream J&K parties are 'selective': they position themselves as champions of human rights and self-determination and campaign actively over Gaza and Palestine, yet their response to Kashmiris across the Line of Control facing bullets 'remains muted or limited to brief comments'.
J&K parties and Pakistan's establishment
The J&K parties have often positioned themselves as champions of human rights and self-determination, speaking passionately about Palestine and organizing statements, social media campaigns and public expressions of solidarity whenever events unfold in Gaza.
Accountability for the PoK crackdown
BJP and international critics
India's Ministry of External Affairs called out the 'wanton killings' and urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable; the UN demanded impartial investigations and Amnesty International described the crackdown as 'violent and sweeping'.
J&K parties and Pakistan's establishment
The Pakistani establishment continues to label peaceful citizens as 'enemies and terrorists', characterizing the protests and those involved in that framing rather than accepting the critics' account of the crackdown.
- Allegation
- BJP says J&K parties show a 'selective approach' to human rights, highlighting Gaza while staying muted on PoK
- Outlet
- Editorial by Abhijeet Jasrotia in 'Rising Kashmir'
- Protest origins
- 2023, over rising prices of wheat and electricity in PoK
- 2025 movement
- 38-point charter demanding transparent governance, better services and abolition of 12 Assembly seats reserved for refugees
- Crackdown trigger
- June 2026 ban of the Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terror laws
- Reported death toll
- Dozens to over a hundred, according to local groups and independent observers
- Restrictions
- Internet and mobile services restricted; essential supplies cut off in PoK
- International response
- UN demanded impartial investigations; Amnesty International called the crackdown 'violent and sweeping'; India's MEA urged accountability