NIT Srinagar Students Unite in Protest Against Alleged Blasphemous Remarks

Students of the NIT Srinagar took to the streets to protest against an allegedly blasphemous social media post against prophet Muhammad by a student of the institute. The accused student was subsequently rusticated by the NIT authorities. 

NIT Srinagar Students Unite in Protest Against Alleged Blasphemous Remarks

Many students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar unite in protest pertaining to an alleged blasphemous social media post against a particular religion shared by a student from the institute. The protest intensified as Amar Singh Degree College students also joined, chanting pro-islamic alogans and urging stringent measures against the alleged student.

The college authorities suspended the classes and sent the students home early to prevent escalation of the protests. The administration have deployed heavy security outside the college. An FIR was registered following hundreds of students streaming on to the NIT campus in Srinagar against the non-local engineering student for allegedly posting the “blasphemous video”. 

As per media reports, the police has filed a case under Section 295A (malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings), 153 and 153A (vilification of the founders and prophets of a religion) of the Indian Penal Code. Kashmir zone IG VK Birdi said the video wasn’t posted by the accused student but by some vlogger on the social media platform. “Investigation into the matter is ongoing." 

Facing growing protests over the sharing of the objectionable video, the J&K Police appealed to locals “to desist from spreading rumours or false information”. They further added “They shouldn’t fall prey to false propaganda of anti-social elements. Legal action shall be taken against those who are found to be involved in provocative acts or instigation.” 

Historically, there were conflicts between local and non-local students. In 2016, the campus shut down for several days following a confrontation sparked by an India-Pakistan cricket match. 

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