SRINAGAR: A BJP rally in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, organised to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, has turned into a political controversy after party workers raised a slogan invoking the traditional Kashmiri women’s names “Azi” and “Fazi,” which was allegedly intended to mock and demean Kashmiri women collectively.
The slogan triggered widespread outrage in Kashmir and forced the BJP to suspend nine workers. The party has also distanced itself from the slogan, describing the rally as unauthorised. However, the action has raised questions about the role of former BJP MLC Sofi Mohammad Yousuf, who led the rally and was present when the slogans were raised, but has not faced any disciplinary action.
The controversy centres on a slogan that appeared to turn an old National Conference political chant on Article 370 upside down. The NC had used the slogan, Aazi hund izzat, Fazi hund izzat, 370, 370, to link the constitutional provision with the honour and dignity of Kashmiri women. The slogan dates back to the political campaign around the 1977 Assembly elections and became part of the NC’s argument that Article 370 was closely linked to Kashmir’s identity and political autonomy.
On August 5, BJP workers participating in a Tiranga rally at Housing Colony in Khanabal, Anantnag, used the same names in a sharply different slogan. They chanted words to the effect that the honour of Aazi and Fazi had ended with the abrogation of Article 370.
A video of the rally subsequently went viral on social media. It showed participants raising the slogan and making aggressive gestures. Yousuf, who led the gathering, was also seen among the participants. The episode quickly became a major political controversy, with opponents accusing the BJP workers of insulting Kashmiri women.
Aazi and Fazi were common women’s names in Kashmir in the past. They have also acquired a symbolic meaning in Kashmiri political language. The names have been used to represent mothers and sisters and, in the old NC slogan, were invoked to connect Article 370 with the dignity of Kashmiri society.
The backlash was immediate. J&K Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo condemned the slogan and demanded action, including an FIR. NC leader Tanvir Sadiq said Aazi and Fazi were not merely names but represented Kashmiri mothers, sisters and the cultural identity of the region. The PDP, AAP and several civil society groups also condemned the remarks.
The BJP moved to distance itself from the controversy. Spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the remarks did not represent the party’s position. He said the BJP did not endorse defamatory or derogatory remarks against anyone and remained committed to the dignity of women and women’s empowerment.
The Anantnag district unit then said the rally had not been organised or authorised by it. District president Rakesh Koul said the organisers had not obtained the required permission from the district administration. The party said it had taken serious note of the objectionable remarks and would initiate disciplinary action against those responsible.
On August 7, the BJP suspended nine workers and removed them from their organisational positions. They included district general secretary Nisar Ahmad Bhat, district secretary Khursheed Ahmad Sofi, district secretary Aabida Rafiq, Shangus constituency president Irshad Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Maqbool Ganie, Pahalgam constituency president Waheed Ahmad Itoo, district secretary Nisar Ahmad Hakeem, Kisan Morcha secretary Feroz Ahmad Hajam and Mahila Morcha secretary Sabrooza Akhter.
Two other names that had circulated on social media, Alveer Ahmad Dar and Fancy Akhter, were later clarified by the party as having no formal ties with the Anantnag district unit.
The action, however, left one obvious question unanswered. Why was Yousuf not suspended?
Yousuf was not simply a participant. He had led the rally and was present when the controversial slogans were raised. Yet the BJP took action against nine workers and did not announce any disciplinary measure against him.
Yousuf later said on social media that the slogan was directed at the National Conference and was not intended to disrespect Kashmiri mothers. The BJP has not publicly explained why the senior leader was not included in the disciplinary action.
The controversy then took another turn when some of the suspended workers began making allegations against party leaders. The workers apologised for the slogan but alleged that their suspension was linked to issues beyond the incident at the rally.
BJP worker Afdal Waheed alleged that district general secretary Abid Hussain Nengroo had demanded money from him in connection with opportunities such as SPO positions and work associated with the MY Bharat programme. Waheed put the alleged amount at around Rs 8.25 lakh.
He also alleged that the amount included payments connected with Amarnath Yatra permissions and accommodation. He said he had also personally guaranteed money for furniture for the BJP office. Waheed said he had approached the SSP in Anantnag and sought an inquiry into the matter.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Koul rejected the suggestion that BJP office-bearers could issue permissions for the Amarnath Yatra. He said such permissions were issued by the Deputy Commissioner. He also apologised for the slogan on behalf of his team and said the party leadership had sought an apology from those involved.
There is no public evidence establishing a connection between the suspensions and the financial allegations raised by the workers. There is also no independent evidence so far to establish the allegations against the BJP functionaries named by Waheed.
The controversy has nevertheless left the Anantnag BJP unit dealing with two separate issues. The first is the slogan that was raised during the August 5 rally. The second is the allegations made by suspended workers against party functionaries.
The BJP has sought to contain the first controversy by calling the rally unauthorised and suspending nine workers. But the absence of action against Yousuf has kept questions about responsibility alive.
The episode has also produced an unusual political reversal. For decades, the NC used Aazi and Fazi to argue that Article 370 was tied to the dignity and honour of Kashmir’s women. Seven years after the provision was abrogated, BJP workers invoked the same names to celebrate its removal.
What was intended as a political counter to the old NC slogan has instead opened a controversy over language, women’s dignity and political conduct. The subsequent allegations by suspended workers have added another layer to an episode that began as a celebration of August 5 but has left the BJP facing questions within its own Anantnag unit.
