Video Editor: Deepthi Ramdas
After the 14 February Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred, news of harassment and violence against Kashmiri students made headlines. In The Quint’s My Report, citizens from Patna, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bikaner expressed concern about the idea of blaming an entire community for a targeted attack, as well as the use of social media to further these conversations.
“We cannot punish an entire community for an individual’s fault,” Sumit Chaudhary from Faridabad said. Devashish Gaur too said that there shouldn’t be a hate campaign launched against innocent people.
Citizen journalists told The Quint that the country should stay united at such a trying time, and channel our anger towards eliminating terrorism.
“While the anger of the people is absolutely fair and normal, at the same time, it is not fair to lash out a the Kashmiris, at fellow countrymen. I am angry too, but that does not mean I will start beating up my own countrymen.”Numan Ahmad
Raheel Khan from Delhi too spoke against the targeted attacks on Kashmiri youth.
“Kashmiris are being targeted, Kashmiri students are being harassed, which is not right. In this time of grief, we should stand united against the enemies of our country rather than fighting with each other.”
Prakshi Saha from Kolkata said it was high time Kashmir and Kashmiris are made to feel they are a part of the nation.
“The amount of violence that Kashmiris are being subjected to all across the country is horrific. If the entire conflict at hand is about Kashmir and we really believe it is an integral part of India, then it’s high time we make them feel the same.”
Evils of Social Media
Citizens were of the view that there should be a responsible use of social media, and the platform must not be used to call out for ‘revenge’ or ‘war’. Krishnanath, a student from Hyderabad said,
“I really condemn the hate that is spreading against Kashmiri citizens, and social media should never be the platform for this. Calling out for war or seeking revenge is never an adequate step.”
Shabana Laskar from Guwahati too echoed the sentiment.
“It is a time when we should stay focused and united, and should not let anything create a divide between us.”
As Prakshi aptly puts it,
“People must not hide behind their mobile or TV screens and spread messages of revenge on Facebook, Twitter or TV while sitting comfortably on their couches or AC newsrooms. My message to these people is – don’t conceal your outcry of revenge under the garb of nationalism. We have no right to make decisions, the consequences of which we do not have to bear.”
TR Madhavan from Hyderabad raised concern for the lack of regulation on social media platforms.
“After Twitter increased characters and started allowing video content, misinformation is being spread. If it is against standards laid, immediately that post should removed, if repeated the platform should block the account. The management of social media sites should be blamed as well. We should rethink the purpose of social media given the prevailing situation in the country.”
(All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses, nor is responsible for the same.)
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