LEH, Ladakh — Police in Ladakh have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a senior National Conference (NC) leader for allegedly making derogatory and provocative remarks against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a press conference in Drass district. The action followed a complaint filed by the BJP district president of Drass, who cited video evidence of the alleged statements.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the FIR was registered on August 22 at Police Station Drass. The complaint, lodged by BJP district president Fayaz Ahmed Qari, accused NC territorial vice president Ghulam Rasool Nagvi of referring to the BJP as a “religion” and its workers as “Yazidi qaum” during a press event on August 21. According to the complainant, these remarks were intended to incite communal tension and disturb public peace and law and order in the region.
The term “Yazidi” carries significant historical and religious connotations, referring to Yazid ibn Muawiya, a figure associated with the historical oppression and the killing of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala. The use of such terminology in a political context was cited by the complainant as being highly inflammatory.
Video clips of the press conference were submitted to the police as supporting evidence alongside the complaint. The complainant urged for a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action against the NC leader. Officials confirmed that the case has been taken up for investigation by the police.
The FIR has been registered under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections pertaining to hate speech, public provocation, and malicious insults to religion. The invoked sections are 196, 352, 353, and 299 of the BNS, which address offenses related to provoking speeches and actions intended to incite hatred or create disharmony.
The incident highlights the charged political atmosphere in Ladakh, particularly concerning inter-party rhetoric. While the National Conference has a significant presence in the region, the BJP is also an active political force. The registration of an FIR underscores the sensitivity of political discourse and the legal ramifications of statements perceived as inflammatory or communal by opposing political factions.
The Drass police are currently investigating the allegations, examining the submitted evidence and gathering further details related to the press conference where the alleged remarks were made. The outcome of the investigation will determine the subsequent legal proceedings against the accused NC leader. This development comes amidst ongoing political activities and discussions within Ladakh concerning local governance and representation.
The Chenab Times News Desk