Kashmiri netizens have today shown their anger over a social media news report in which a Jammu based reporter interviews a family whose father died inside a vehicle near Dalgate Srinagar and was allegedly refused a room for sleeping. The report has sparked outrage among Kashmiris, who have taken to social media to express their outrage and disbelief at the alleged incident.
On the other side, however, some Kashmiris have refuted this allegation and claimed that the driver had a room available to him but still chose to stay inside his vehicle. They argue that the report is biased and does not present the full story, and that the media is trying to paint a negative picture of the situation in Kashmir.
What is the actual controversy?
A driver was found dead inside a Tempo vehicle in the Dalgate area of Srinagar on December 23 this year, according to The Despatch.
The driver, identified as Aswani Gupta, a resident of Jammu, was found unconscious in a tempo vehicle bearing no. PB 01A 9734 by locals in the Khonkan area of Dalgate, who subsequently informed the local police. After which Gupta was taken to SMHS Hospital, where doctors declared him “brought dead,” the report added.
On December 27, a Jammu-based reporter interviewed the family of the Aswani. According to The Chenab Times investigation, the video starts with a question from the reporter in Urdu: “Apko Lagta Tha Kashmir Ke Loog Aisa Karenge Apky Papa Ke Saath?” The minor boy replies, “Mujhy to Nafrat Hogyi Kashmir Se.” The reporter again asks, “Nafrat Hogyi?” and the minor boy replies, “Yes,” and then the reporter faces towards the camera and says, “Nafrat Hogyi, Kashmir Ke Logu Zaleel Kiya Hai, Mujhy Iss Parivar Ke Ander.. Zaleel Kiya Hai!“
The video report has a duration of 14:15 seconds, and it actually concludes by asking for help for the deceased’s family. But the beginning of the video sparks outrage on social media for alleged defamation of Kashmiris.
The other side of the story
A Kashmir-based reporter angrily visited the spot near Dalgate area where the dead body was found and showed that there were some empty bottles of alcohol near tempos, and he was probably trying to say that tempo drivers generally stay inside their vehicles for drinking alcohol, but he had not said it clearly. In the same video, the reporter interviews a man who works near the Dalgate and was aware of the incident. Their discussion reveals that the allegation of refusing a hotel room to the driver is false.
Despite the conflicting reports, it is clear that the death of this man has deeply affected the Kashmiri community, and that they are deeply concerned about the alleged lack of care and compassion shown towards him. Many have called for an investigation into the incident, and for justice to be served for the family of the deceased.
As Kashmiri netizens continue to express their anger and frustration over the incident, it is important that the truth is uncovered and that those responsible are held accountable. Whether or not the driver had a room available to him, the fact remains that a man lost his life under tragic circumstances, and the Kashmiri community is rightly demanding answers and justice.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
