The BJP said the procession was held at Housing Colony Khanabal on August 5 without authorisation from the Anantnag district unit or requisite permission from the district administration. The suspended functionaries include District General Secretary Nisar Ahmad Bhat, District Secretary Khursheed Ahmad Sofi, District Secretary Aabida Rafiq, Shangus constituency president Irshad Ahmad Malik, former district vice-president Mohd Maqbool Ganie and Pahalgam constituency president Waheed Ahmad Itoo. District Secretary Nisar Ahmad Hakeem, Kisan Morcha District Secretary Feroz Ahmad Hajam and Mahila Morcha District Secretary Sabrooza Akhter were also removed from their respective organisational posts and responsibilities. The BJP said all nine had been removed from their organisational responsibilities with immediate effect and their primary membership of the party suspended until further orders. Leaders of the ruling National Conference condemned the slogans, accused the BJP of insulting Kashmiri women and demanded action against those responsible.