17/07/2025
Historic Move by BJP: Anwar Khan Appointed General Secretary, First Kashmiri Muslim to Hold Post
July 17, 2025 – Srinagar:
In a significant and historic development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appointed Anwar Khan, a prominent Kashmiri Muslim leader, as the General Secretary of the party. This marks the first time a Kashmiri Muslim has been elevated to such a senior organizational position within the BJP, signaling what party insiders are calling a “step towards greater inclusivity and regional representation.”
The announcement was made following a high-level meeting of BJP's central leadership in New Delhi, chaired by party president J.P. Nadda and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders.
Anwar Khan, who has been associated with the BJP for over a decade, is known for his grassroots work in Kashmir, particularly in areas of youth engagement, social development, and counter-radicalization. His appointment is being seen as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in the Kashmir Valley, where the BJP has traditionally struggled to find significant electoral ground.
Speaking to reporters after his appointment, Khan expressed gratitude to the party leadership and said,
> “This is not just a personal honor but a moment of pride for every Kashmiri who believes in democratic integration and inclusive politics. I will work tirelessly to bridge the gap between the Valley and the rest of the country.”
The move has drawn praise from several quarters, including moderate political observers who see it as an effort to project political outreach in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 and subsequent changes in the Union Territory’s political dynamics.
However, some opposition parties have called it a “symbolic appointment,” questioning whether it will translate into real policy changes for the people of Kashmir.
Still, within BJP circles, the elevation of Anwar Khan is being hailed as a message of unity and national integration, with party spokespersons calling it a “new chapter in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Further reactions are expected as the news continues to stir political and public discourse across the region.
