'Free Kashmir' poster at Mumbai protest sparks controversy

Hundreds of protesters who gathered at Mumbai's Gateway of India since Sunday night to protest against the mob attack in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were forced out by the police this morning and moved to Azad Maidan, 2 km away, following which the protest was called off. During the demonstration, a picture and a video of a woman holding up a poster with words 'Free Kashmir' have gone viral on social media.

Targeting Maharashtra CM and his former colleague Uddhav Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis wrote on Twitter, "Protest is for what exactly? Why slogans of "Free Kashmir"? How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai? 'Free Kashmir' slogans by Azadi gang at 2km from CMO? Uddhav ji are you going to tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti India campaign right under your nose???"

Protest is for what exactly?
Why slogans of “Free Kashmir”?
How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai?
‘Free Kashmir’ slogans by Azadi gang at 2km from CMO?
Uddhav ji are you going to tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti India campaign right under your nose???@OfficeofUThttps://t.co/zkWRjxuTqA

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 6, 2020

At the same time, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "I have read in the newspapers that those who held the banner of 'Free Kashmir' have made it clear that they want freedom from restrictions on internet services, mobile services ... Also If anyone speaks of Kashmir's independence from India, it will not be tolerated."