Since the last assembly election in 2014, Kashmir Valley has witnessed a total overhaul. Developments are sprouting on one side while coffers getting filled with tourists burgeoning every season. Albeit little concerns over the recent terrorists’ infiltration, Kashmir is near to matching the encomium, ‘heaven on earth’.
Despite the promising environment, the recent few videos from journalist Archana Tiwari of Rajdharma YouTube channel evoke trepidation. Archana is known for her ground coverage and for seeking opinions from locals on all issues.
The spirit of election has seeped into Jammu and Kashmir yet again and Archana is busy these days taking opinions from locals on their take on the elections and their demand for a better Kashmir. However, the Kashmir affair left Archana in the cold. The revelations were horrific and it seems the ghost of the violent Kashmir of the 90s has not left in full.
देखिए क्या मिसाल दे रहे हैं सेक्युलर भारत की मुश्ताक मिया..
— Archana Tiwari (@ArchanaRajdharm) September 22, 2024
बीजेपी के घोषणा पत्र में 100 मंदिरों का जीर्णोद्धार लिखा है पर क्या ये लोग मंदिरों का उद्धार होने देंगे ?#Kashmir #kashmirelection pic.twitter.com/mYB6tZl9j0
“I can’t accept the fact of a temple being built in our village. We will surely bring it down. I can’t accept it since I’m a mussalman and it's difficult for me to live among infidels. BJP will not win here since they started building temples in front of mosques. They also started liquor shops which is against the tenets of our religion” This was the response from one such local. Even the journalist intervened to change his comments but the local stood adamant on his response.
Many locals expressed similar comments that have now triggered a debate.
Meanwhile, some others turned against Archana and accused her of selectively taking interviews of narrow-minded people and uploading them in a way to tarnish Kashmir. Some others blamed her ‘skewed mindset’ to turn Kashmir against India. They even called Archana’s work a 'sinister mission'.
Amidst the conundrum, it is rumoured that Archana has received death threats from unknowns. Many have now come in support of the journalist while the Kashmir interview continues to shock and generate a big response from the public.
National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi took a jibe at Archana and said that the viral response from the locals was inspired by Babri demolition.