3 weeks ago
BJP Suspends Nine Activists Over Derogatory Slogans Against Kashmiri Women
The BJP is a very big political group in India.
In a town called Anantnag in Kashmir, some party members held a special rally where people carried the Indian flag.
The rally was not allowed — the group did not get permission to hold it.
During the rally, someone shouted a saying that hurt many people's feelings.
The saying used two names, Fazi and Azi, which are names people in Kashmir use with love when talking about their mothers and women.
The saying made it sound like the honour of Kashmiri women was gone, so a lot of people were very angry.
The BJP said sorry to the women of Kashmir for the hurtful words.
The group also removed nine of its own members who helped with the rally.
But people noticed that one senior leader who was there was not punished.
The group said the mean words came from a few people and do not show what the group believes.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suspended nine office bearers from its Anantnag district unit for organising an 'unauthorised' Tiranga rally at Housing Colony, Khanabal, on August 5.
A slogan raised at the event — 'The honour of Fazi and Azi has vanished' — was widely condemned as derogatory to Kashmiri women, as Fazi and Azi are traditional names symbolising Kashmiri women.
District president Rakesh Koul said the rally was neither organised, approved, nor authorised by the district unit, and no permission was obtained from the District Administration.
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit apologised to Kashmiri women, saying the slogan was raised by 'some individuals' and does not reflect the party's ideology.
No action was taken against senior leader Muhammad Yusuf Sofi, who was present when the slogan was raised, while suspended members alleged local leaders conspired to expel them.
- Who
- Nine office bearers of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Anantnag district unit, suspended on the orders of District President Rakesh Koul after a rally led by the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir vice-president Sofi Mohammad Yousuf (also named Muhammad Yusuf Sofi).
- What
- The BJP suspended nine office bearers and apologised after slogans widely condemned as derogatory to Kashmiri women were raised at an unauthorised Tiranga rally.
- Where
- Housing Colony, Khanabal, in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- The rally was held on August 5; the suspensions and apology came amid public outrage, with disciplinary action announced on a Friday.
- Why
- The slogan 'The honour of Fazi and Azi has vanished' reversed a revered phrase tied to Kashmiri women's dignity and was widely perceived as an outright affront to Kashmiri women.
BJP leadership
Critics and public
Responsibility for the slogan
BJP leadership
The slogan was raised by 'some individuals' at an event neither organised nor authorised by the district unit, and it does not reflect the party's ideology or values.
Critics and public
The rally was led by the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir vice-president and attended by senior party members, so the party bears responsibility despite its denial.
Adequacy of the response
BJP leadership
Swift suspension and removal from posts of nine members plus a formal apology show zero tolerance for demeaning behaviour and respect for women's dignity.
Critics and public
No action was taken against senior leader Muhammad Yusuf Sofi despite his presence when the slogan was raised, raising questions about the completeness of the response.
Motive behind the suspensions
BJP leadership
Disciplinary action was taken for highly objectionable and derogatory remarks that are wholly unacceptable and violate the party's values and discipline.
Critics and public
Suspended office bearers apologised for the slogans but accused some local BJP leaders of conspiring to get them expelled after they raised a corruption alarm against them.
Key facts
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Office bearers suspended
- 9
- Rally location
- Housing Colony, Khanabal, Anantnag district
- Rally date
- August 5
- Rally status
- Unauthorised — not approved by district unit or District Administration
- Controversial slogan
- "The honour of Fazi and Azi has vanished"
- Apology issued by
- BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit
- Senior leader not suspended
- Muhammad Yusuf Sofi (Sofi Mohammad Yousuf)
Quotes
Altaf Thakur
BJP spokesperson
“The district unit has also taken serious note of the highly objectionable and derogatory remarks, ‘Maklow Azi Hund Te FAZI Hund Azat’, allegedly made during the rally against our mothers and sisters. Such language and conduct are completely unacceptable and have no place in the Bharatiya Janata Party.”
telegraphindia.com
“"The rally, held on August 5 at Housing Colony Khanabal, took place without permission from either the district unit or the local administration."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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