Srinagar: The opposition BJP said on Sunday that it has postponed its proposed July 20 protest in Jammu and Kashmir due to the flash floods that caused heavy loss of life and property in the Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Sunil Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, said the party decided to defer tomorrow’s protest. The protest, scheduled to begin at Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk, and culminate at the Civil Secretariat, was postponed because the current situation demands humanitarian support rather than political activity, he said.
The BJP leader said this was not the time for political confrontation and that all political parties should unite to help the affected people. “Politics can wait. At this moment, humanity should come first, and every political party should stand with the victims. Holding a protest at this stage will also hamper the administration’s rescue operations,” he said.
Sharma said the BJP’s central and J&K leadership, along with party workers, were saddened by the tragedy.
He said the party will announce a fresh date for the protest after the situation normalises.
Sharma said BJP teams would immediately leave for Poonch and Rajouri to assist victims and extend all possible support to families affected by the disaster.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were closely monitoring the situation and had spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the ground situation.
He said party leaders had also been directed to visit the affected areas, assess the situation and convey the ground realities to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
