MAINSTREAM HYPOCRISY;Aap Shambu ‘desecrator’ evokes sympathy; ‘hurt’ protestors invite criticism

JAMMU: After shielding ‘infamous’ stone pelters, offering them government jobs, holding special recruitment drives and plethora of welfare schemes, politicians in Kashmir valley have hit another low by way of rallying behind an accused involved in vandalisation of famous Aap Shambu temple in Roopnagar area of Jammu and hurting the sentiments of minority community.
At the same time, the same set of politicians are desperately trying to provoke a strong reaction in Jammu by demanding strict punishment for 22 youth who were detained by the police after Jammu witnessed sporadic incidents of violence on June 14, hours after the desecration of temple premises and video of the accused went viral on the social networking sites.
The delay on the part of the district police and civil administration to control the law and order situation had triggered violent protests, especially after one of the police officers on duty slapped a local priest and made an abortive bid to shield the accused. Some Valley based mainstream politicians are even sorry for placing the Sub Inspector under suspension.
Though one of the senior BJP Cabinet minister Bali Bhagat worked hard and brokered a peace deal and ensured release of 22 youth, a section of politicians have been waiting for an opportunity to strike back to incite passions and disturb peace in the region.
The trigger moment came on Thursday when the issue of revoking PSA slapped on Yasir Alfaz by the District Administration,Jammu was raised by the ruling party MLA’s even on the floor of the house without knowing the status of mental fitness of the accused.
Ironically, even after the passage of nine long days, the State Administration has so far failed to hold medical examination of the accused to determine whether he is suffering from some psychiatric problem and is deranged.
According to Simrandeep Singh,Deputy Commissioner Jammu,” PSA was slapped on Yasir Alfaz after he received a requisition for the same”.
As per the procedure, the State Home Department, under the charge of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, must have send a requisition to the District Magistrate to slap PSA on the accused youth after which the order was issued by the DC,Jammu on Wednesday.
On Thursday DC Simrandeep Singh also claimed he is not in a position to confirm whether any expert panel has examined him (Yasir Alfaz) to determine his mental fitness or not. Commenting on a query made by a reporter on official Whatsapp group administered by the office of DC,Jammu Simrandeep Singh explained, “the accused is in the custody of police; it will be appropriate if you ask them about the issue.”
Meanwhile, after the house witnessed ruckus over the emotive issue one of the BJP MLA from Ramnagar RS Pathania countered the statement of PDP MLA”s by demanding strict punishment for the accused as he attempted to incite passions by vitiating the atmosphere in Jammu.
Intervening in the matter Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari said that Government will look into the matter of slapping of Public Safety Act (PSA) on a youth in Jammu and if it is proved that he suffers from any kind of psychiatric problems we will revoke it.
Interestingly, the statement made by the Revenue Minister also establishes the fact that the state govt was not having any conclusive evidence in their kitty to prove that the accused was suffering from any form of mental ailment till date. No one really knows why the state govt has failed to constitute a medical board to carry out the medical examination even after Health Minister had promised to constitute the same to ascertain the status of mental health of the accused in the case.
The PDP MLA’s were supported by independent legislator Abdul Rashid in the house as he also demanded revocation of PSA slapped on the accused Yasir Alfaz claiming he is a lunatic patient.
It may be mentioned on Wednesday the District Administration, Jammu had issued detention order of Yasir Alfaz, son of Kher Din Rio Village Shiva, Tehsil Bhaderwah, District Doda under Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, in connection with his involvement in the sacrilegious act at Aap Shamboo Temple in Janipur on June 14.
Minister of Rural Development Department Abdul Haq had also made a statement in the House on June 15 saying the preliminary investigations suggest that the accused person who entered the temple is a lunatic patient.”