Assembly Erupts Over Allegations of BJP’s Illegal Land Occupation in Kathua (IIOJK)

Are political offices built on rightful land—or are they encroaching on public property? A fierce debate unfolded in the Assembly over this very question.

A fiery debate broke out in the Assembly today after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Meraj Malik accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of constructing its office on encroached state land in Kathua, a district in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

While speaking during the session on grants for Public Works, Mining, and Industries, Malik alleged that the BJP was illegally occupying government land for its party office. His claims sparked immediate outrage from BJP legislators, who vocally protested and demanded that Malik provide solid proof to back his serious accusations.

BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma strongly countered Malik’s statements, challenging him to present clear evidence. Sharma insisted that Malik should either substantiate his allegations or issue an unconditional public apology for what he termed as baseless claims.

Adding to the defense, BJP legislator Rajiv Jasrotia dismissed the allegations outright. Jasrotia clarified that the BJP’s office in Kathua had been established over ten years ago, asserting that no illegal occupation of state land was involved.

As tempers flared and the verbal exchange intensified, Assembly Chairperson Mubarak Gul was compelled to step in. Urging calm, Gul reminded the members to exercise caution when making serious claims without proper verification. “Members must ensure that accusations are made responsibly and supported by evidence,” he advised, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

The incident has stirred significant political tension, bringing to light broader concerns regarding land ownership, transparency, and accountability within IIOJK’s political landscape.

Observers note that such heated exchanges highlight the fragile nature of political discourse in the region, where accusations related to land encroachment and misuse of resources often become flashpoints between rival parties.

This latest controversy also underscores growing scrutiny over political parties’ activities in Kathua and other parts of IIOJK, raising public interest in how political entities acquire and utilize land.

As of now, no formal inquiry has been initiated, but political analysts suggest that the matter may gain further traction, potentially prompting calls for independent investigations to verify the claims made in the Assembly.