Srinagar, May 19 (JKNS): In a remarkable and peaceful expression of public grievance, an elderly social activist from Pulwama undertook a foot march to Srinagar carrying an oversized traditional Kashmiri cap, demanding the immediate operationalisation of the long-pending Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kakapora.
The protester as per news agency JKNS, identified as Ali Mohammad Jan, started his journey from Kakapora on May 18 at around 11 a.m. and walked continuously for several hours to reach Srinagar on Tuesday morning. His march, according to him, was a symbolic appeal aimed at drawing attention towards what he described as the “unfulfilled healthcare promise” for the people of the area.
Unlike conventional protests, the elderly man adopted a unique and peaceful method, carrying with him a giant handcrafted Kashmiri cap, a garland, and a photograph of the Chief Minister placed on a small handcart. He said the items symbolised respect, cultural identity, and the expectations of the people from the elected government.
Upon reaching Srinagar, the elderly activist proceeded towards the Civil Secretariat where he attempted to highlight the issue of the non-functional hospital. Exhausted after the long journey, he reiterated that his protest was not political in nature but a humanitarian appeal focused on healthcare access for residents of Kakapora and nearby areas.
He stated that the 50-bed SDH Kakapora, whose foundation was laid during the 2018–19 period, remains largely incomplete or non-operational despite physical infrastructure being in place. Locals, he said, continue to face severe hardship as patients are forced to travel long distances to Pulwama or Srinagar for even basic medical treatment.
“The people of Kakapora have been waiting for years. We respect the government, but we also want our basic healthcare facility to be made functional without further delay,” he said while speaking at Srinagar.
What drew widespread public attention was the symbolic giant Kashmiri cap carried throughout the march. According to Jan, the cap took nearly a month to prepare and represented dignity, cultural pride, and the collective voice of the people he was representing.
He added that the garland and photograph of the Chief Minister symbolised hope and trust in the government to resolve long-pending public issues.
As images and videos of the elderly man walking into Srinagar with the oversized cap surfaced, the visuals quickly went viral on social media, with many users describing it as one of the most unique and non-confrontational forms of protest seen in recent times.
Several passersby and onlookers interacted with him during the march, offering water and support, while also expressing sympathy for the demand raised by him.
The protest has once again brought attention to the long-pending demand for full operationalisation of SDH Kakapora, with locals urging authorities to intervene and ensure that healthcare services are made accessible at the earliest. (JKNS)
