The authorities on Thursday halted classes at two colleges, including the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar, in the wake of growing protests over a social media post of an “objectional video” by a student of the NIT. In an order, NIT-Srinagar decided to declare winter vacation from November 30, and directed all hostel boarders “to vacate the hostels with immediate effect”.
The college has also decided to stop the mess service to students from Saturday, in an apparent bid to encourage students living in the hostels to leave the campus as soon as possible. Around 3,000 students from different parts of the country study at NIT-Srinagar.
In an order issued late in the evening, the J&K administration decided to stop on-campus classes for all colleges in Kashmir, and begin online classes from December 1 to December 30, 2023.
The NIT campus has witnessed tensions over a face-off between students for the past three days. A video posted by an engineering student, already booked by the J&K Police, for “hurting religious sentiments”, triggered a major row on the campus.
Students held demonstrations for and against the accused, who has been suspended by the varsity.
The protests spread to other campuses on Thursday, including the Amar Singh College and the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. Students were seen raising pro-Islam slogans and demanding strict action against the student.
In a notice on Thursday, authorities at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce said it had suspended all academic activities for the day. “The normal activities at both institutes will resume on December 1, 2023,” a varsity spokesperson said.
Police appeal
Meanwhile, the J&K Police appealed to people “not to fall prey to the nefarious designs of miscreants, out to gain mileage from it [the unrest]”.
“It’s the duty of the J&K Police to ensure no miscreant hurts any sentiments. The police will fulfill its duty and take the case to its logical conclusion. There should be no doubt about it,” J&K Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain said.
“The Prophet’s (Muhammad) dignity and reputation is dear to us as much as the dignity and reputation of the country. No one will be allowed to hurt it,” Mr. Swain said.
However, he warned against miscreants with vested interest and “under a conspiracy”. “Communal harmony and brotherhood are the pride of Kashmiri society. All citizens should remain alert about miscreants’ designs. Don’t allow miscreants to enter into it or become their puppets,” he said.
Mr. Swain also said a law under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) would be brought, under which positing of content of any kind (message, audio, video) that had the potential to trigger communal frenzy, and promote terrorism and separatism, would be a legal offence.
“The person who posts this would be brought within the purview of law, and forwarding or sharing such content will also be a legal offence,” the DGP said.
