Anantnag, August 06:: Senior National Conference (NC) leader and Vice President Anantnag, Imran Amin Shah, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of insulting the dignity and honour of the women of Jammu and Kashmir through the use of the slogans “Azi” and “Fazi” by one of its senior leaders and a legislator. Shah addressed a workers meeting at Housing Colony Khanabal, today.
Describing the remarks as a shameful and deliberate attempt to humiliate the women of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said the incident has once again exposed what he termed the BJP’s anti-Kashmir mindset and its complete disregard for the culture, history and sentiments of the people of the region.
Shah said the slogan was originally coined by veteran leader Shri Pyare Lal Handoo Ji in the presence of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1927 to symbolize the aspirations, identity and political consciousness of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that twisting its historical significance into a derogatory slogan is an insult to the collective dignity of the people and reflects the BJP’s politics of hatred and division.
“The BJP owes an unconditional public apology to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly its women, for this disgraceful conduct. Mere expressions of regret will not suffice. The party must hold those responsible accountable,” Shah said.
Reaffirming the National Conference’s unwavering commitment to protecting the dignity, identity and constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said the NC will continue to resist every attempt to undermine the region’s honour and democratic rights. He reiterated that the party remains firmly committed to the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional guarantees through democratic and constitutional means and will continue its struggle until justice is achieved.
Shah said the BJP may attempt to distort history and hurt the sentiments of the people for political gains, but such tactics will never succeed. “The politically conscious people of Jammu and Kashmir will give a befitting democratic reply to the BJP’s arrogance and divisive politics at the appropriate time,” he added.
