Srinagar, Aug 7 (JKNS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Anantnag district unit has suspended the primary membership of nine party functionaries and removed them from their organisational posts following an alleged unauthorized Tiranga rally held at Housing Colony Khanabal on August 5.
In an office order issued by BJP Anantnag District President Rakesh Koul as per news agency JKNS, the district unit said the rally was neither organised nor authorised by the party and had not obtained the requisite permission from the district administration.
The party also took serious exception to what it described as “objectionable and derogatory” remarks allegedly made against women during the rally, stating that such conduct was contrary to the values, discipline and principles of the BJP.
The order said the decision to initiate disciplinary action was taken after discussions with BJP J&K State General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, State General Secretary Anwar Khan, State Spokesperson and Anantnag Prabhari Altaf Thakur, and members of the BJP District Core Committee.
The nine functionaries removed from their posts and suspended from primary membership pending further inquiry are Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Khursheed Ahmad Sofi, Aabida Rafiq, Irshad Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Maqbool Ganie, Waheed Ahmad Itoo, Nisar Ahmad Hakeem, Feroz Ahmad Hajam and Sabrooza Akhter, according to the order.
The BJP Anantnag unit further clarified that Alveer Ahmad Dar of Batengoo and Fancy Akhter of Hangulgund, Kokernag, are not associated with the BJP District Unit Anantnag in any capacity and do not hold any organisational post or responsibility, the order stated.
The disciplinary action comes days after the rally at Housing Colony Khanabal triggered controversy over alleged objectionable slogans.
The BJP had earlier distanced itself from such remarks and reiterated that derogatory comments against women do not represent the party’s official position. (JKNS)