Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Police booked a non-local student enrolled at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, on November 29 for allegedly “insulting Islam” and “outraging the religious feelings”. The incident has led to widespread protests in Srinagar.
Protests continued to escalate on November 29, with students from Srinagar’s Amar Singh Degree College taking to the streets, raising pro-Islam slogans, and demanding strict action against the accused student.
Responding to the growing unrest, the J&K Police urged locals "to desist from spreading rumours or false information" and cautioned against falling prey to false propaganda.
In a joint statement, over 30 social and religious bodies, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu and Kashmir, strongly condemned the incident, referring to it as "blasphemous remarks" against the Holy Prophet of Islam.
The incident comes a day after seven students from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) were booked under UAPA for allegedly cheering against the Indian team during the ICC Cricket World Cup final on November 19 that the local political parties termed as excessive punishment against the students. Many have since drawn comparisons with the two incidents including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s media advisor, Iltija Mufti.
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