started · updated
Srinagar sees rival NC and BJP protests amid statehood demands
Srinagar experienced intense political unrest on Wednesday as the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held rival, parallel protests. The NC conducted demonstrations in Rajbagh and Jammu, demanding the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees from the central government.
Simultaneously, the BJP organized marches in Lal Chowk to protest against the Omar Abdullah-led government. BJP leaders cited grievances including unemployment, corruption, job outsourcing, and rising electricity tariffs. Police intervened in both instances, using barricades and force to prevent the opposing groups from reaching their intended destinations, leading to clashes and several detentions.
Other political figures weighed in on the chaos. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti accused authorities of applying double standards by facilitating the rival protests while restricting her party's ability to demonstrate. Meanwhile, PDF president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen criticized both major parties for using the statehood issue as political rhetoric instead of addressing urgent economic concerns like employment and healthcare.
Entities
Bharatiya Janata Party · Farooq Abdullah · Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly · National Conference · Omar Abdullah · Srinagar · Sunil Sharma · Tanvir Sadiq
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The PDF president criticized both the NC and BJP for using the issue of statehood as a political tool rather than focusing on employment. risingkashmir.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly accused the NC government of failing to address water, roads, and employment issues. newsvibesofindia.com · thekashmirimages.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] NC workers held a protest in Jammu at the BJP headquarters to demand the immediate restoration of statehood. www.greaterkashmir.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The National Conference is demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and constitutional guarantees. thenews21.com · www.greaterkashmir.com · hindi.news18.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti accused authorities of applying double standards by allowing rival protests while restricting her party. kashmirlife.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police intercepted and halted protest marches from both the BJP and the National Conference in Srinagar. newsvibesofindia.com · munsifdaily.com · www.ibtimes.co.in
- [● 2 SOURCES] The BJP held protests against the Omar Abdullah-led government regarding unemployment, corruption, and rising electricity tariffs. navbharatlive.com · thekashmirimages.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The BJP denied that a man filmed molesting a woman during their rally was affiliated with the party. www.deccanchronicle.com