And so it begins in Indian media: the cacophonous Islamophobic motif of internecine divisions within Islam, theological & political differences between Sunni & Shia & other denominations that makes it impossible for them to unite, that puts them at each other’s jugulars. Propagandists of the ‘war on terror’ have used this crap to such pernicious advantage elsewhere that they are now going to start using it against Kashmiris.
In response to this article, Indian activist Satyadeep Satya wrote: “This article must be pulled down. Such nonsense should never be published. What a disgrace to journalism! I’m sure a truthful response is on the way as well as pressure to take down the article. All of this person’s writing on Kashmir published by ‘The Print’ is unadulterated Indian State propaganda against Kashmiri people.”
Kashmiri Ashaq Hussain Parray wrote: “Appalling & disgusting, to say the least about this reporter. They don’t dare report human rights violations in Kashmir & all they can do is orchestrate these damned-out-of-reality narratives to further their propaganda. We are a politically conscious lot & don’t need people like you to represent us. You can’t divide us on this line. Let me tell whoever wrote this article that I am a proud Kashmiri Shia, & I oppose & reject any assault on our collective heritage as any other Kashmiri does. When it comes to fighting against oppression, there is no Shia, Sunni, Sikh or Dogra. Sorry, this trick won’t work. We are unanimously against all your moves. This is one more example of your pathetically engineered schemes to tell the world that only a handful of people are protesting against the scrapping of Kashmir’s autonomy. We are all united against any assault on Kashmir & its people irrespective of religion, class & creed.”