Ban on girl-band rocks Kashmir, triggers debate over fatwa

A day after the fatwa (decree) issued by Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Bashiruddin Ahmad, against the girl-band, the associated with the rock-band have decided to call it quits.

Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad on Sunday had issued a decree terming singing as 'un-Islamic' and 'obscene'.

The band named 'Pragaash' (morning light) comprises Huma, the lead vocalist and guitarist, Aneeka who plays base and Farah, who is the drummer.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has backed the girls and said that it is a shame on those who claim freedom of speech via social media and then misuse it to threaten girls who have the right to choose to sing.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Balbir Punj said the silence of those people who do not back the Kashmiri girl's band exhibited the double standards of the people who claim to be liberal.

"I salute Omar Abdullah for standing up for urbanisation of the valley and standing in favour of these young girls who are just taking resort to music to entertain themselves and others and it is the right which the constitution of India gives. But the people who claim to be liberal, particularly left liberals by their sheer silence, they are exposing themselves and the double standard which they have even they come to light," said Punj.

The band had last performed at the Kashmir music festival in December previous year and got a standing ovation from the young crowd.