BJP disowns offensive slogans at Anantnag rally, vows action against individuals
Seven years after the abrogation of Article 370, a celebratory rally in south Kashmir's Anantnag on August 5, 2025, took an acrimonious turn when some participants raised slogans that reportedly disparaged the honour of Kashmiri women. The incident triggered public criticism and prompted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to formally distance itself from the remarks.
The slogans, raised during a procession led by senior BJP leader Sofi Yousuf, included the phrase "Moukloy Aazi hund te Faazi hund izzat," which translates as "the honour of Aazi and Fazi has ended." Aazi and Fazi are common female names in Kashmir, and the remarks were widely perceived as mocking the dignity of women in the region.
On Thursday, August 6, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur issued a statement clarifying that the slogans were the actions of certain individuals and did not reflect the party's position. "The slogans allegedly raised by some individuals should not be attributed to the BJP as an organisation. The party does not endorse any defamatory or derogatory remarks against anyone. The party will take action against such individuals," Thakur said.
Thakur added that the BJP has consistently upheld the dignity and honour of women, citing the 33% reservation for women in legislatures as evidence of its commitment to women's empowerment. He reiterated that the party remains dedicated to political decorum, issue-based politics, and strengthening women's participation in public life. "The party's policies and public conduct are guided by the principles of respect, democracy and constitutional values," he said.
The ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir condemned the BJP's response as insufficient. NC leader and legislator Tanvir Sadiq said, "Aazi and Fazi are not just names; they are our mothers, our sisters, our identity. Mocking them was an insult to every Kashmiri and to our culture." Sadiq demanded that Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, a BJP leader, tender a public apology, arguing that the insults were directed not at individuals but at the entire society.
The incident comes amid heightened political sensitivities around the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories. While supporters of the decision view it as a step toward integration and development, critics have raised concerns about democratic rights and local sentiments.
The BJP's swift disavowal of the slogans indicates an effort to contain the political fallout. However, the NC's insistence on a direct apology from a senior leader underscores how such remarks can resonate beyond the immediate context, touching upon questions of culture, identity, and respect in a region already marked by complex political dynamics.
As the debate continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for restraint and sensitivity in public discourse, particularly in regions with deep social and cultural ties.
