NIT Prophet Row: BJP Leader Warns Against Misinformation, Stresses On ‘Fact-Check’

By Aakash Srivastava: A social media post by an NIT Srinagar student featuring Prophet Muhammad has ignited widespread anger among students in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protests have forced the administration to take precautionary measures, including suspending offline classes, announcing an early winter vacation at NIT Srinagar, and deploying police to restore normalcy.

The Jammu and Kashmir police have also registered an FIR against the student for allegedly sharing the controversial post.

Insights from Senior BJP Leader Sajid Yousuf Shah

To understand the situation better, we spoke with Sajid Yousuf Shah, a senior BJP leader in Jammu and Kashmir. Here’s his perspective on the recent events:

Q1: Given the recent incident involving a student from NIT posting content featuring Prophet Muhammad, there has been significant outrage in the valley. How do you assess the current situation?

While the social media post has sparked outrage, it’s important to note that the protests were relatively small and involved a limited number of students. This suggests that the incident doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall sentiment in Kashmir.

Q2: The series of protests in Jammu and Kashmir has prompted the administration to take a defensive stance, leading to the suspension of offline classes and the announcement of winter vacation at NIT Srinagar. Do you believe such a change of plan will have an impact on the education of the students?

The suspension of offline classes and the early winter vacation at NIT Srinagar have undoubtedly disrupted the education of students. However, the authorities’ decision was likely driven by the need to ensure safety amidst the heightened tensions and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and severe winter weather in Kashmir.

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Q3: The J&K DGP has urged locals to remain vigilant and avoid being influenced by false propaganda. What is your perspective on this advisory?

The J&K DGP’s advisory urging locals to remain vigilant against false propaganda is crucial in today’s digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly and have a detrimental impact on public opinion. It’s important to rely on credible sources of information and avoid engaging with inflammatory or unsubstantiated claims.

Q4: As the BJP holds a major political presence in the valley, how does the party intend to educate the youth and discourage them from engaging in activities like posting content that may hurt religious sentiments, as seen in the recent incident?

As a major political party in Kashmir, the BJP has a responsibility to foster tolerance and understanding among diverse communities. This can be achieved by educating the youth about respecting religious sensibilities and collaborating with school authorities to develop guidelines for responsible social media usage. Such measures can help prevent the spread of harmful content and promote a more harmonious society in Kashmir.

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