Srinagar, Aug 21: Multiple protest demonstrations were held across Kashmir Valley against Blasphemy remarks by an extremist in Reasi district of Jammu region on Friday.
Authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in Southern Anantnag district where barricades were erected and the movement of people were completely restricted much to the inconvenience of people. Though district administration related restrictions to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, however, internal sources told KNT that curfew like restrictions were enforced to stop after Friday protests against blasphemy remarks.
“We suffered a lot due to these restrictions. After a long lock down, shopkeepers were allowed to resume their business, but yet again we were forced to close down our shops,” said a shopkeeper of the Anantnag town.
In Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, police used force to disperse peaceful protesters and even fired tear-smoke shells to disperse them. Eyewitnesses said that a handful of people were carrying a banner seeking stern punishment for extremist elements were walking along the road, when suddenly police intercepted them and fired tear-smoke shells and charged them with canes. “It is really unfortunate that force was used to disperse us without any reason, given the fact we were protesting in a peaceful way,” said a protester.
In response to protest call given by Grand Mufti Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, shops in Maharj Ganj area of Srinagar city remained closed as a mark of protest.
Some workers of All Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek Sout-yk-Awliya (TSA) headed by Muhammad Arfat Shafi staged a protest in Press Enclave Srinagar. The protesters were carrying placards seeking capital punishment for the culprits. The protesters raised slogans against those who uttered disrespectful remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and demanded that the government should take stern action against those who are frequently hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslims.
People in Fathe Kadal area of Srinagar city also stage protest against blasphemy remarks. They were also carrying placards seeking action against culprits. “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for our beloved Prophet (PBUH). He is our pride and honour and if somebody will disrespect him, we won’t hesitate in beheading him,” said a youth. One of the posters read, ‘Gustakh-e-Rasool Ka Sar Tan Say Judha’ (behead those who insult Prophet (PBUH).
In South Kashmir’s Pulwama district voices against blasphemy remarks were raised almost in all masjids. Slogans were raised in favor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islam. In Markazi Jamia Masjid Pulwama, Auqaf Committee Chairman Bashir Ahmad Shah, raised slogans in favour of Islam and Prophet (PBUH) and said Reasi like incidents won’t be tolerated and demanded strict action against culprits. “Our protest will go on until the government punishes the culprits. They don’t deserve freedom at all and if they will be released, it will add insult to the injuries of Muslims,” he said.
A procession was also carried out from Jamia Masjid Chatapora Pulwama that dispersed peacefully at main chowk. Similar kinds of processions were also taken out from Rohmu, Kakapora, Karimabad, Dangarpora, Newa and other villages of Pulwama district.
Religious preacher Dr Arshid-ul-Haq led the protest in Dangarpora Pulwama and said nobody has right to hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
Police have already arrested three culprits, Bharat Raksha Manch president Satpal, Deepak and Rohit and a formal case against them stands registered against them at a Jammu police station. Fanatic Satpal had made incendiary remarks against the Prophet (PBUH) in a video that had gone viral.
A peaceful protest was also held in Frestabal Pampore area of Pulwama district.The protesters raised slogans against fanatic Satpal and his associates for his disrespectful remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
People staged forceful protest demonstrations in different parts of North Kashmir against the blasphemous act. Reports said that the protest rallies were taken from several mosques including Markaz-e-Jamia Masjid Chandigam, Sogam, Krusan, Auqaaf-i-Islamia Markazi Jamia Masjid Lalpora in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. In Kralgund area of Handwara people also staged protest under Imam Jamia Qadeem of Kralgund, Mufti Waseem Ahmad. He said culprits should be booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Protest also erupted In Tilagam area of North Kashmir’s Pattan.
Reports said that protest against blasphemy remarks were staged almost in the every district of Kashmir including Srinagar, Badgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
