People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has decided to cancel her election campaign for Sunday, September 29, 2024, in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Gaza following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
In a social media post, Ms. Mufti announced, 'Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance.' This move comes after Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
Protests in Jammu and Kashmir
The killing of Nasrallah sparked widespread protests in Jammu and Kashmir. Large numbers of people, including children, took to the streets in various areas such as Hassanabad, Rainawari, Saidakadal, Meer Behri, and Ashaibagh, carrying black flags and chanting anti-Israel and anti-U.S. slogans. The protests remained peaceful, with police ensuring that the demonstrations did not turn violent.
The protests resulted in significant traffic jams, particularly along the Khanyar-Hazratbal axis, where most of the protests took place. Lok Sabha member from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah also suspended his campaign in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Gaza.
Hezbollah's Response and Regional Reactions
Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death and vowed to continue the 'holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.' The group stated that Nasrallah 'has joined his fellow martyrs.' In Tehran, posters of Nasrallah were put up with the slogan 'Hezbollah is alive,' reflecting the ongoing support for the militant group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killing of Nasrallah as a 'turning point' for Israel, while some Israelis celebrated the news. However, in Lebanon, Nasrallah's supporters were in a state of anguished mourning. The incident has fueled fears of increased violence in the Middle East, particularly after nearly a year of conflict in Gaza.
Political Backlash in India
Mehbooba Mufti's decision to cancel her poll campaign has been sharply criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leaders accused her of engaging in 'votebank politics' and being 'pro-militant.' BJP national spokesperson R P Singh said, 'By cancelling her campaigning, she has shown she is shedding tears over the death of terrorists. It is her habit to call terrorists martyrs.'
Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta also condemned her move, questioning her sympathy for Nasrallah and comparing it to the silence over the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma also criticized Mufti, highlighting the contrast between her solidarity with Nasrallah and the lack of sympathy shown when Hindu soldiers are killed.
