Cases Filed in Dhirkot and Pallandri: Allegations of Flag Desecration and Damage to Memorials Stir Controversy

Two separate cases have been registered in Dhirkot and Pallandri police stations against unidentified individuals accused of removing the Pakistani flag and damaging the memorials of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan at Kohla the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. These incidents, which occurred on December 5 during a protest organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), have sparked mixed reactions.

The protest aimed to block entry points to Azad Kashmir as a means to press their demands. During the demonstrations, some unidentified individuals reportedly removed the Pakistani flag and defaced the memorials of Jinnah and Abdul Qayyum Khan.

Public Reaction and Debate

While certain political groups, including the Muslim Conference, condemned the act and announced a strike across Azad Kashmir to express their outrage, others have raised critical questions. Some voices argue that leaders like Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan are not universally accepted as national heroes of Kashmir and claim their image as leaders was enforced rather than emerging from genuine public sentiment.

Political Divide

Critics of these leaders argue that the association of their legacy with Kashmir’s aspirations does not reflect the diverse perspectives within the region. They believe that presenting them as national figures of Kashmir sidelines the voices of those who hold different political and historical viewpoints.

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Amid the controversy, the police have initiated investigations to identify those responsible for the acts of alleged desecration. However, the incident has brought to light a deeper divide regarding the representation of Kashmir’s leadership and the region’s complex historical identity.