A large protest march unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, just a day after the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah at the hands of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). This disturbing event saw protesters taking to the streets in a rare show of open support for Nasrallah, a man long considered the architect of terror in the Middle East. Despite Hezbollah’s deep-seated association with violence and extremism, demonstrators in Kashmir chose to rally behind his name!
A Troubling Show of Solidarity for a Terrorist Leader
#WATCH | A protest march was held in Jammu & Kashmir's Budgam against the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF). pic.twitter.com/EhTYAMFKRd
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024
In scenes that sparked concern, hundreds of protesters filled the streets, clutching images of the slain Hezbollah leader and chanting slogans that condemned Israel’s military actions. The sheer volume of people speaking in favour of Nasrallah underscored an unsettling reality. The glorification of a terrorist figure in the guise of martyrdom. This outpouring of support for a leader whose name is synonymous with bloodshed and terror is deeply troubling. It casts a shadow over the broader message being communicated in these protests.
Mehbooba Mufti Cancels Campaign, Aligns with Hezbollah in ‘Solidarity’
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti made headlines by announcing the cancellation of her political campaign scheduled for Sunday. In a decision that raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, Mufti tweeted the following.
Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 28, 2024
Mufti’s public alignment with a terrorist figure known for his extremist actions has added fuel to the fire, drawing both surprise and condemnation. By framing Nasrallah as a martyr and invoking solidarity with him, she has positioned herself in direct opposition to the global community’s stance against Hezbollah’s role in fueling violence.
Israel Confirms Death of Hezbollah Chief: ‘Nasrallah Will No Longer Terrorise the World’ Hassan Nasrallah
Israeli Defence Forces confirmed Nasrallah’s death in a precise airstrike that targeted Hezbollah’s command center in Beirut. The operation not only eliminated Nasrallah but also killed several senior commanders, including Ali Karki, Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front. The airstrike shook Lebanon’s capital, blanketing the city in smoke and deepening the crisis already gripping the region.
The IDF, in a terse statement, tweeted, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.” The operation marked the end of Nasrallah’s decades-long reign as the head of Hezbollah, a group responsible for spreading chaos and conflict across Lebanon and beyond.
A Disheartening Endorsement of Extremism?
While protests in Kashmir have occasionally mirrored global political sentiments, this particular show of support for Nasrallah is alarming. Hezbollah is a recognized terrorist organization, and its leader was a man who built his legacy on death, destruction, and extremism. To see any segment of the population publicly mourning his death—and worse, celebrating him as a martyr—raises significant concerns about the propagation of dangerous ideologies.
This is not just about local grievances, but the global implications of such protests. Aligning with Hezbollah undercuts the message of peace and tolerance that so many strive to promote in the region.
A Dangerous Path: Supporting Terror in the Name of Resistance
The protest in Jammu and Kashmir, along with Mufti’s stance, serves as a disheartening reminder of how easily violent ideologies can take root. Hezbollah’s long history of violence, including attacks that have claimed countless innocent lives, stands in stark contrast to the notion of legitimate resistance.
By elevating Nasrallah to the status of a martyr, protesters risk normalizing terrorism, cloaking it in the language of resistance. Such public displays of support for a terrorist leader send a dangerous message. There is little to celebrate in the death of a man whose actions were pure terror.