Protest over social media posts in Kashmir, students demand strict action
Protests against an allegedly blasphemous publication by a local student extended to two important universities of Kashmir on Friday, with hundreds of students taking to the streets and demanding actions against the author.
The protests at the Universidad de Cachemira and the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) were produced despite the authorities warning of serious actions against anyone who would try to alter the peace.
The protests continued peacefully in both universities, although the participants shouted various controversial messages.
The police said they had knowledge of six people allegedly involved in “spreading false information, inciting content that incites discontent and antisocial propaganda on social networks platforms”.
A police spokesman said: “They have initiated legal actions in virtue of the relevant sections of the law”.
The police had asked people to desist from sharing the content.
Official sources said that the four-day demonstrations marked the first major protests by students in Kashmir since the removal of the special status in 2019.
The government ordered Thursday the closing of all the valley’s universities and said classes would be held in line from December 1 to December 31, or until the beginning of winter vacations.
NIT Srinagar, where the alleged blasphemy originated, has prematurely declared winter holidays. The local NIT student who allegedly shared a video critical of Prophet Muhammad has been booked for promoting hatred. He is returning to his natal state.
The march at the University of Cachemira, in Srinagar, was celebrated after Friday’s prayers. The protesters were not allowed to leave the campus. Later they dispersed peacefully.
Nasir Khuehami, coordinator of the Association of Students of Jammu and Kashmir, said that it was likely that the government would close universities during the winter holidays to avoid more protests. “In fact, he asked a senior official to also close the universities for offline classes, so that the students would save the FIRs and the arrests (that could follow)”, he said. “Believe that these are the most intense protests that Kashmir has seen in years”.
