BJP Legislator says ‘residents of Kashmir occupying land illegally in Jammu’, evokes sharp reactions – Imperial Wire

BJP Legislator Vikram Randhawa on Friday (February 13, 2026) claimed that Kashmir-origin individuals have been “illegally occupying land” in Jammu metropolis and evoked sharp reactions from a number of events, together with the ruling Nationwide Convention (NC).

Talking throughout the Query Hour, Mr. Randhawa mentioned residents of Kashmir valley have encroached upon the land belonging to the Jammu Growth Authority (JDA) within the metropolis.

“The J&Ok authorities ought to probe and take motion. There are over 16,000 kanals (1999.9998 acres) of JDA land underneath encroachment in Jammu and 90% by Kashmiris,” Mr. Randhawa informed the Meeting.

He mentioned the federal government was not taking steps to clear this land. “It’s a sinister transfer to vary the demography of Jammu,” he added.

Ruling NC and the Opposition events, together with Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) and J&Ok Peoples Convention, took exception to the assertion of the BJP legislator. 

J&Ok Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo mentioned the difficulty of encroachment “shouldn’t be considered by means of a regional lens”. “J&Ok shouldn’t be divided on such grounds,” Ms. Itoo mentioned. Altaf Kaloo, one other NC legislator, mentioned, “Folks from Kashmir are properly off and have the buying functionality to purchase land in Jammu. Folks have purchased land in Jammu”.

PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra accused the BJP of “spreading politics of hate”. “Unlucky assertion. It’s aimed toward stoking the politics of hate. The BJP earlier closed a medical faculty, sought separate Statehood for Jammu and thrashed scarf sellers exterior. Folks of J&Ok have the proper to dwell wherever they need in J&Ok. The PDP had been in search of regularisation of land irrespective of religion in J&Ok. Nobody ought to be made homeless,” Mr. Parra mentioned.