Srinagar, May 19: In a rare and unusual protest, social activist Ali Mohammad Jan, an elderly man, marched on foot from Kakapora in Pulwama to Srinagar, demanding the operationalisation of the long-pending 50-bed Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in his hometown.
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Jan, an elderly man, left his home on May 18 around 11 a.m. and began the long journey carrying an oversized traditional Kashmiri cap, a garland, and a photograph of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on a small cart.
Unlike conventional protests marked by slogans and confrontation, Jan described his march as a peaceful appeal rooted in respect and hope.
After walking for hours across the highway, the elderly activist reached Srinagar on Tuesday morning.
What caught public attention, however, was not just the demand, but the way it was made. The giant Kashmiri cap carried by the elderly man took nearly a month to prepare. Standing outside the Civil Secretariat, exhausted after the march, he said the cap and garland symbolised the respect and expectations people of Kakapora have from the elected government.
“This is a request from the people. We respect the Chief Minister and hope he listens to our pain,” he said.
The foundation stone of the hospital was laid during former Governor Satya Pal Malik’s tenure in 2018-19. Despite the building being largely complete, he says the hospital has remained non-functional, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment.
The visuals of an elderly man walking into Srinagar carrying a massive traditional cap quickly drew attention from passersby and social media users alike, many calling it one of the most unique and peaceful protests seen in recent times.
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For many, Ali Mohammad Jan’s journey was not just a march; it was a powerful reminder that sometimes the quietest protests speak the loudest.
