Viral Molestation Video at BJP’s Srinagar Rally Triggers Intense Political Uproar

SRINAGAR: A viral video showing a woman protester being molested by a male participant during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in Srinagar’s Hari Singh High Street on Wednesday has ignited a sharp political storm, with critics accusing the party of harbouring “molesters” in its ranks. The BJP, facing mounting outrage, has firmly distanced itself from the incident, asserting that the man seen in the clip is not affiliated with the party.

Srinagar witnessed an intense day of political confrontation as the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition BJP held parallel demonstrations, each accusing the other of failures in governance, erosion of democratic rights, and the prolonged delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Both rallies were halted by police before they could proceed to their planned destinations. Amid the chaos of officers trying to restrain BJP protesters, the viral video captured a male participant touching a woman inappropriately, triggering widespread condemnation.

The footage spread rapidly across social media, prompting demands for strict legal action against the perpetrator. Critics seized the moment to question the BJP’s internal discipline and its commitment to women’s safety. Opposition parties amplified the criticism, arguing that the incident exposed a deeper moral failure within the BJP’s leadership.

NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq posted a scathing response on ‘X’, recalling his earlier description of BJP workers as “ruffians and hooligans” and adding that the latest incident revealed “something even more shameful.” He challenged J&K BJP president Sat Sharma and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, saying that if they cannot ensure the safety of their own women protesters, they have “absolutely no right” to push other women into volatile political gatherings. Tanvir urged authorities to identify the man and arrest him, stressing that the dignity and safety of women must never be compromised.

NC’s additional spokesperson Sara Hayat Shah also shared the video, calling the behaviour “shameless” and questioning the BJP’s ability to protect its own workers. She demanded a response from Sunil Sharma, saying that if the party cannot safeguard its own members, “what should others expect?”

In response, the BJP issued a formal statement clarifying that, after verifying the matter through multiple sources, the individual in the video is not a party member. The party argued that large public gatherings often attract unaffiliated individuals, and their presence should not be attributed to the organisers. The statement added that efforts are underway to identify both the man involved and the media portals that revealed the woman’s face. Once identified, the BJP said, the matter should proceed according to law.

The party condemned the incident unequivocally and urged the public to avoid circulating unverified claims or linking the actions of one individual to the BJP as a whole.