Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today assured police probe into the on-line threats of the first all-girl rock band of Kashmir and hoped that the band will put a brave face and won’t be silenced by such threats.
Chief Minister wrote in Twitter that it was a matter of shame that those who demand freedom of speech on social media networks use it to threaten the girls, who are Class X students.
Omar said: “Shame on those who claim freedom of speech via social media and then use that freedom to threaten girls who have the right to choose to sing.”
“I hope these talented young girls will not let a handful of morons silence them”, said Omar. While assuring Police probe into the threats, he said: “The police will examine the threats issued and whether any provision of the law can be used to book those making the threats.”
The Pragash – the Light – rock band formed by the teenage girls of Kashmir last year came to limelight after their performance in Battle of the Bands competition last December. They came to limelight after they bagged best performance award.
The girls received online threats and absurd comments, leaving their parents worried.
Adnan Matoo, owner of the Band Inn, a musical academy where these girls are getting training said: “There has been a vicious campaign against the girls ever since they made their maiden appearance in public last year.” He said that some people are not happy with their performance. “Whenever there is new thing in society like music and fashion such opposition takes place”, he added.
The girls – vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and Guitarist Aneeka Khalid, all tenth standard students – formed their rock band last year.
Criticism like this is nothing new to Kashmiri women singers who entered the male bastion. Renowned Kashmiri singer, Raj Begum won the national award in the field of music.
At one had there was online campaign against them, while on the other hand some activists and artistes supported their initiative. “It is completely shameful. Why is police silent against these cyber criminals? Police chief should have initiated action against them and it should be done under the law of the land. Enough is enough,” filmmaker and activist Shaykhh Mukhtar said.
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