An Indian official tasked with reviving cultural activities in schools in revolt-hit Kashmir has been pulled from the post after Muslim hardliners said his shows were “promoting obscenity”.A group of firebrand Muslim women activists, the Daughters of Faith, had said cultural official Aziz Hajni would be accused of “exploiting our daughters” unless he was moved. Officials confirmed he had been shifted.
The cultural activities being introduced to schools in Kashmir include debates and art competitions. But school children have also been dancing to Bollywood numbers in front of politicians and visiting federal dignitories.
Asiya Andarbi, leader of the Daughters of Faith, said such activities were “promoting obscenity” among Muslim Kashmir’s youth. “We will soon start agitation and seek the closure of this cultural wing, which has become a ground for exploitation of our daughters,” said Andarbi. “Our daughters are forced to dance before strangers,” said Andarbi, who has spent time behind bars in the past for links to militants. “This is also a strategy to wean students away from Islam.”