Despite fear-mongering and negative campaigning by media and individuals with vested interests, the festival of Eid is being peacefully celebrated all throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir police DGP Dilbag Singh has stated to the media that the festival is being celebrated peacefully and with full fervor. He has stated that in all areas of Kashmir valley, people have been flocking to their local mosques, security norms have been relaxed and there are no restrictions on people gathering in Mosques.
#EXCLUSIVE – DGP, J&K Dilbagh Singh speaks to CNN-News18; says Eid celebrations are peaceful in J&K. In Jammu, all mosques are open. In Kashmir also, prayers are going on & people are enjoying the festival. There is nothing like high alert but we are taking security precautions. pic.twitter.com/mV3Dce2DpD
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 12, 2019
Dilbag Singh also asserted that there have been no incidents of violence or stone-pelting in the valley. As per reports, over 10,000 people have offered Eid prayers peacefully in Baramulla alone.
In Rajouri, Eid prayers have been offered in Mosques where Muslims have gathered in large numbers. Police have stated that restrictions were relaxed two days prior so that people could shop and make arrangements to celebrate Eid.
Media reports also show visuals from Mosques in Kashmir where Eid prayers and gathering of Muslims have been going on without any violent incidents.
Eid prayers today at a mosque in J&K. Video shared by J&K Police pic.twitter.com/577saFNLQy
— Bharti Jain (@bhartijainTOI) August 12, 2019
In Srinagar, people have gathered in Mosques in large numbers and Eid prayers have been conducted peacefully.
#Eid celebrated peacefully this morning in Srinagar pic.twitter.com/faf5zFHqUk
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) August 12, 2019
Journalist Aditya Kaul posted a video with a view of the city from a top vantage point. He shared that no violence or any untoward incident has been reported so far from the city and Eid prayers have been conducted peacefully.
Large number of people congregated for Eid-ul-Adha prayers in thousands of mosques all across Kashmir valley. Peaceful all around. pic.twitter.com/kc78jrwtRA
— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) August 12, 2019
Eid being celebrated across Kashmir valley peacefully without any protest or violence. If someone tells you, police or state did not allow prayers, show them this video showing top vantage shot of entire Srinagar city. Loudspeakers audible with prayers. Prayers for peace! ?? pic.twitter.com/B7jWwOzXDs
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 12, 2019
Many people, including political leaders, media portals and individuals with vested interests have been indulging in blatant fear-mongering and spreading of misinformation regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. EX-IAS officer and neo-politician Shah Faesal had threatened India of violence and revenge for stripping Article 370. He had tweeted that no Eid will be celebrated till the ‘insult is avenged’.
Freelance protestor and JNU’s leftist fearmonger Shehla Rashid has also been trying very hard to spread negativity about the Kashmir issue claiming that she is unable to speak to her mother.
Despite rampant attempts by many to spread fear and negativity, people in Kashmir seem to be celebrating Eid with positivity and hope. It is indeed a sad spectacle that a section of people who live and earn their livelihoods in India, calling themselves Indian citizens, have been mirroring the propaganda peddled by Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.