Jammu, March 21 BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal alleged on Saturday that he was physically assaulted by a leader of the National Conference during Eid prayers in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the incident took place inside the Kishtwar Jamia Masjid while he was participating in the religious gathering, prompting him to approach the police for action.
"I was surprised to see the sudden attack on me. This is an old tactic of the National Conference to exploit religious places for their political gains.
"Making religious affairs a battleground for political rivalry is perhaps the lowest form of politics. This incident is not the first of its kind; it is in the nature of the NC to resort to such dirty tactics," Sirwal alleged.
He said that religious places are sacred and should never be used for political purposes.
"Such attacks by National Conference goons cannot deter or stop us from speaking against the NC's anti-people politics. I remain fully committed to raising my voice against the NC's failed governance and their flawed policies at all levels," he said.
Sources said a leader of the National Conference objected to Sirwal's presence and allegedly physically assaulted him while he was participating in a religious ceremony on the stage of the mosque along with religious and other political leaders.
The situation was brought under control following intervention by community elders and religious leaders, an eyewitness said.