3 weeks ago
BJP Faces Outrage Over Abusive Slogan on Kashmiri Mothers
Some people who went to a big political meeting in a place called Anantnag shouted mean words about the mothers of a region called Kashmir.
The meeting was held to celebrate a big change in the law that happened seven years ago.
Many people were upset and said the words were rude and hurtful.
The political party that held the meeting, called the BJP, said they did not like the words and that the people who said them did not speak for the party.
One of the party's leaders was seen at the front of the group joining the shouting, and this surprised many people.
That leader later said the words were about another political party and not about mothers.
Other leaders in the area said the words lowered moral standards and insulted the dignity of mothers.
Just a few days before, the country's leader had said he was sorry that some young people used bad words about his own mother.
People believe it is important to always treat mothers with respect.
Now there is a big argument about respect and about politics in Kashmir.
Participants at a BJP Tiranga Rally in Anantnag shouted an abusive slogan aimed at Kashmiri mothers.
The rally marked the seventh anniversary of the scrapping of Article 370.
BJP's Jammu and Kashmir vice-president Sofi Mohammad Yousuf was seen at the front joining the sloganeering, surprising many.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP distanced itself in a Thursday statement, calling the remarks objectionable and not representative of the party.
National Conference and separatist leaders condemned the slogan as a 'disturbing erosion of moral standards' and street-level abuse.
- Who
- Participants at a BJP Tiranga Rally led by senior party figures, including BJP's Jammu and Kashmir vice-president Sofi Mohammad Yousuf; critics included National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani and separatist leader Masroor Abbas Ansari.
- What
- An abusive slogan aimed at Kashmiri mothers was chanted at a BJP rally in Anantnag, sparking widespread outrage and a party statement distancing itself from the remarks.
- Where
- Anantnag Housing Colony in Anantnag, south Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- Wednesday, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Article 370's scrapping; the BJP's distancing statement came on Thursday.
- Why
- The slogan was chanted while celebrating the scrapping of Article 370; critics said it mocked the dignity of Kashmiri mothers and the Valley's culture and indigeneity.
Critics
BJP
Target of the slogan
Critics
Critics said the slogan abused and humiliated Kashmiri mothers, trampling on their dignity and the Valley's culture and indigeneity.
BJP
The BJP distanced itself from the remarks, and Yousuf said the slogan was aimed at the ruling National Conference, not at disrespecting Kashmiri mothers.
Attribution of responsibility
Critics
Critics held the BJP responsible, describing sloganeering led by the party's vice-president as a 'disturbing erosion of moral standards' and 'street-level abuse'.
BJP
The party said the objectionable slogans were raised by 'some individuals' and do not represent its ideology, its leadership, or its official stand.
Meaning of Article 370's scrapping
Critics
Kashmiris widely see the scrapping as a direct attack on the Valley's culture and indigeneity, historically equated by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah with the honour of Kashmiri mothers.
BJP
The BJP held the Tiranga Rally to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the scrapping, with participants chanting 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and 'Azad Hindustan'.
Key facts
- Event
- Tiranga Rally in Anantnag
- Location
- Anantnag Housing Colony, Anantnag, south Kashmir
- Occasion
- Seventh anniversary of the scrapping of Article 370
- Slogan chanted
- "Maklew Azi hund to Fazi hund yazat" (the honour of Azi and Fazi, names symbolising Kashmiri mothers, has ended)
- BJP response
- J&K BJP distanced itself in a statement issued on the directions of general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul
- Yousuf's defence
- Said the slogan was directed at the ruling National Conference and was not meant to disrespect Kashmiri mothers
- Context
- PM Modi recently expressed regret over Jantar Mantar protesters' abuse of his late mother
- Notable figure at rally
- Sofi Mohammad Yousuf, BJP's most prominent Kashmiri Muslim face, seen at the front smiling and joining in
Quotes
BJP spokesperson
Representative of BJP issuing a statement on the rally slogans
“(The) objectionable slogans allegedly raised by some elements during the rally should not be attributed to the BJP as an organisation”
telegraphindia.com
“such remarks neither represent the party’s ideology nor the official stand of its leadership”
telegraphindia.com











