Srinagar, Aug. 6: Advocate Usman Gani, a political and social activist, has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Kashmir unit, particularly its Anantnag cadre, alleging that remarks made by some party workers mocking a historical Kashmir slogan have deeply hurt public sentiments, especially those of women.
In a statement issued, Advocate Usman Gani described the remarks as “deeply disturbing,” arguing that the slogan “Fazi hund izzat, treh hath satath (370)” is historically associated with the names and honour of Kashmiri mothers, sisters and daughters. He maintained that reducing such a slogan to ridicule amounted to an affront to the dignity of Kashmiri society.
Referring to the names “Aez” and “Faez,” Gani said they are not merely personal names but symbols of the respect, affection and dignity traditionally accorded to women in Kashmir. He asserted that the slogan represents the resilience of Kashmiri women who, according to him, have stood for decades in defence of Kashmir’s identity and dignity.
“Some insults are not directed at individuals; they are directed at an entire society,” Gani said, adding that political discourse should respect historical and cultural sensitivities rather than ridicule them.
He said, the BJP leadership has crossed the limits by not only ridiculing women of Kashmir, but have also shown utmost disrespect towards stalwart leaders, who had been raising such slogans to maintain dignity and identity of Kashmir and Kashmiris, irrespective of religion.
“Historians and political commentators generally identify the slogan Fazi hund izzat, treh hath satath (370) 1977’s campaign messaging of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (Sher-e-Kashmir). During that campaign, Article 370 was projected as the constitutional safeguard of Jammu and Kashmir’s distinct identity and legal protections, including provisions relating to permanent resident rights,” he said and added that P. L. Handoo and Mirza Afzal Beg (Faqr-e-Kashmir) have also been widely credited with raising these slogans.
Gani further said that a society’s self-respect is central to its identity and urged political workers across party lines to exercise restraint and uphold civility in public discourse. He also suggested BJP cadre to tender an apology to the Kashmiri society.
