Srinagar protests: BJP and NC clash as Mehbooba calls it a fixed match
BJP and National Conference activists staged protests in Srinagar, police cordoned off the secretariat, and Mehbooba Mufti accused authorities of biased handling. PDP labeled the event a fixed match, highlighting a perceived double standard in restrictions.
Key takeaways
- BJP and NC activists held separate protests in Srinagar, prompting police to cordon off key areas.
- Mehbooba Mufti accused police of facilitating both protests, alleging biased treatment.
- PDP described the events as a fixed match, highlighting perceived double standards in policing.
What Happened
In Srinagar, activists from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Conference (NC) staged protests against one another. The BJP organized a march to the civil secretariat, led by party president Sat Sharma and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, with police stopping them at Hari Singh High Street while some protesters reached the secretariat. The NC held a counterprotest at Rajbagh and attempted to march toward the BJP office in Jawahar Nagar, but police blocked them as well, including Health Minister Sakina Itoo and several NC legislators. The two protests prompted a police cordon around the secretariat area. Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti accused the police of letting both protests proceed while disrupting the PDP’s activities, describing what she called a “facilitated” display of protests for both sides. The BJP described the demonstration as a major protest against the NC government’s alleged failures on recruitment and power tariffs, while the NC framed its action as demanding accountability for promises made by central authorities in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. The PDP characterized the events as a “fixed match.”
The protests marked the first public face-off between the NC and the BJP in this political contest, with contrasting portrayals from the parties and sharp criticisms of policing practices.
Why It Matters
The events illustrate a highly charged political environment in the region, with accusations of selective restrictions and police bias from multiple parties. The PDP narrative emphasizes a perceived double standard in how protests are treated, which could affect public perceptions of impartiality in law enforcement during political demonstrations. The confrontation underscores ongoing partisan rivalry at the local level and signals potential implications for governance and public messaging in Jammu and Kashmir.
Background
The protest sequence occurred after the BJP called for a Secretariat Gherao over recruitment and power tariffs, while the NC organized a counterprotest outside the BJP offices in Jammu and Srinagar to press its demands for accountability on central-government promises discussed in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. PDP leaders had previously criticized policing practices in this context, framing the events as a test of how different political actors are treated by authorities.
Key Facts
- BJP activists led by Sat Sharma and Sunil Sharma marched toward the civil secretariat in Srinagar.
- Police stopped the BJP at Hari Singh High Street; some protesters reached the secretariat.
- NC supporters assembled at Rajbagh and attempted to march to the BJP office in Jawahar Nagar; police prevented them, including Health Minister Sakina Itoo and NC legislators.
- Police cordoned off the secretariat area during the day’s protests.
- Mehbooba Mufti accused police of facilitating both protests, calling out what she described as a double standard.
- PDP labeled the events a “fixed match.”
What Happens Next
There is no information in the source about scheduled follow-up actions or official statements beyond the immediate post-protest remarks and descriptions of police actions and party rhetoric.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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