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

BJP Legislator Vikram Randhawa on Friday (February 13, 2026) claimed that Kashmir-origin people were “illegally occupying land” in Jammu city and evoked sharp reactions from several parties, including the ruling National Conference (NC).

Speaking during the Question Hour, Mr. Randhawa said residents of Kashmir valley have encroached upon the land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in the city.

“The J&K government should probe and take action. There are over 16,000 kanals (1999.9998 acres) of JDA land under encroachment in Jammu and 90% by Kashmiris,” Mr. Randhawa told the Assembly.

He said the government was not taking steps to clear this land. “It’s a sinister move to change the demography of Jammu,” he added.

Ruling NC and the Opposition parties, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and J&K Peoples Conference, took exception to the statement of the BJP legislator. 

J&K Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo said the issue of encroachment “should not be viewed through a regional lens”. “J&K should not be divided on such grounds,” Ms. Itoo said. Altaf Kaloo, another NC legislator, said, “People from Kashmir are well off and have the purchasing capability to buy land in Jammu. People have bought land in Jammu”.

PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra accused the BJP of “spreading politics of hate”. “Unfortunate statement. It’s aimed at stoking the politics of hate. The BJP earlier closed a medical college, sought separate Statehood for Jammu and thrashed shawl sellers outside. People of J&K have the right to live wherever they want in J&K. The PDP had been seeking regularisation of land irrespective of faith in J&K. No one should be made homeless,” Mr. Parra said.