Police action in Kashmir: Pro-Palestine demonstrators booked for Law, order violation

A case was registered on Friday against the participants and organisers of a procession in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district for allegedly disturbing law and order by raising objectionable slogans The incident involved the organisers and participants of a Youm-e-Quds rally in Sonpah village, Beerwah, in the central region of Kashmir, said a police spokesman.

Legal Trouble for Pro-Palestine Protesters

Youm-e-Quds, or Quds Day, or International Quds Day, is a yearly event celebrated on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. The day is commemorated by pro-Palestine protests to show solidarity with the Palestinian cause. As per the police spokesperson, under the guidance of the organisers, a huge mob gathered during the procession in the Sonpah village and indulged in objectionable slogans, which raised suspicions about law and order.Organisers, while indulging in sloganeering, allegedly sought to generate a law-and-order situation and chocked the Sonpah-Beerwah road, inconveniencing the public, the spokesperson added. The case involves the organisers and participants of a Youm-e-Quds procession in Sonpah village, Beerwah, in central Kashmir, a police spokesperson said.

Protest Turns Controversial

Youm-e-Quds, Quds Day or International Quds Day, is an annual ceremony that falls on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. It is observed with pro-Palestine protests to support the Palestinian struggle. As per the police spokesperson, during the procession at Sonpah village, a huge gathering was formed under the guidance of the organisers and shouted objectionable slogans, which raised fears about law and order. Organisers, via their sloganeering, had reportedly tried to instigate a law-and-order situation and blocked the Sonpah-Beerwah road, disrupting public, the spokesperson further said. He said the police immediately took cognisance of the occurrence and filed a case under sections 126(2) and 189(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Beerwah police station. The case is still under investigation, and appropriate legal action will be initiated against them, the spokesperson added.

Law and Order Violation

The police have also called on citizens to keep the peace and keep away from activities that would disrupt public order. In September 2024, hundreds of demonstrators had protested in Kashmir, condemning the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, with senior politicians halting their campaigning for the assembly elections. Demonstrators marched in the streets, waved posters of the Lebanese leader, and shouted slogans such as, "Oh martyrs of Palestine, we are with you!" They waved placards and banners accusing Israel and the United States. Former Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party president and erstwhile chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had suspended her campaigning for the last phase of voting in protest. She is a key opposition leader.