Bhat Yasir
Blasphemous sketch of last Messenger of Islam, which was published by JAY CEE Publication Delhi evoked sharp criticism from netizens in Kashmir and elsewhere.
The book ‘History and Civics’ for class 7th of ICSE, edition 2020, published by JAY CEE Publications, faced huge criticism from netizens.
In chapter three – ‘Rise and Spread of Islam’ of the History portion of the book, a blasphemous sketch of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) was published, which hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims.
Responding to the sketch, Moulana Irshad Hyderi- the principal of Idara Tehqiqat e Islami- one of the premier religious institutes in Kashmir valley said that such blasphemous caricatures have to stop for once and all. “Making any depiction of any Prophet of Islam, angels is unacceptable to Muslim Ummah,” Irshad Hyderi told The Kashmiriyat.
He said that such caricatures hurt the sentiments of Muslims in Kashmir and elsewhere. “it should be stopped at once and all. The schools have have taken the boos must return them rightaway,” he said.
Senior Journalist Majid Hyderi took to Twitter and said, “The textbook seems to be mischief. Govt needs to clear the air before things take ugly turn.”
SoS
Worthy Div Com Kashmir PK Pole needs to wake up and issue a statement over allegations of blasphemous textbook viral on social media!
The textbook seems to be mischief.
Govt needs to clear the air before things take ugly turn.@manojsinha_@OfficeOfLGJandK#MJH #Kashmir— Majid Hyderi -Jimmy (@majidhyderi) December 5, 2021
Another Twitter handle tweeted, “These are extreme sensitive issues, need to wake up & check immediately.”
These are extreme sensitive issues, need to wake up & check immediately.
— ۔ احمد ایاز 𝓐𝓱𝓶𝓪𝓭 𝓐𝔂𝓪𝔃 (@Ahmadayaz08) December 5, 2021
The netizens from Kashmir while condemning the blasphemous sketch, which hurt the religious sentiments of muslim community, demanded action against Publication and author.
A Social and Tribal activist Chowdhary Irshad Ahmad Khatana took to Twitter and called it a matter of concern.
#SHOCKING
This is the matter of concern.
Prominent publication house namely (************) has published history and civics book for class 7th (which is in circulation in various Srinagar schools ) in which they have published the cartoon of prophet Mohammad ﷺ.@JmuKmrPolice pic.twitter.com/DNY3MDpZB8— Er. Choudhary Irshad Khatana ارشاد (@Er_Irshad03) December 4, 2021
Another twitter user wrote in a tweet, “This is the matter of concern for all the muslims, The blasphemous content published by Jay Cee Publications must be put to an end! Such content will have serious consequences and shall not be taken lightly.
It is an attack on the belief of Muslims all over.”
This is the matter of concern for all the muslims, The blasphemous content published by Jay Cee Publications must be put to an end! Such content will have serious consequences and shall not be taken lightly.
It is an attack on the belief of Muslims all over.— طالبِ عشق (@Shakeel_8rehman) December 5, 2021
However, JAY CEE Publications Delhi, in a statement going viral on social media apologized by saying, “Most humbly and respectfully, I, J .C. Goyal, Director of JAY CEE PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD., due to lack of knowledge about prohibition of picturisation in the Islam, we made an unintentional mistake in our book “History Civics Books 07, edition 2020 Chapter 02” page no: 033, which has hurt the religious sentiments of our respected brethren.”
“We, as a whole team of Jay Cee Publications Pvt. Ltd., apologize and highly regret for the inconvenience. thus caused to our respected brothers and friends. We also promise and assure to all of our brothers and friends that the mistake will not be repeated in future editions,” the statement reads.
It further reads, “We are very grateful to all of our brothers who have so kindly pointed out the mistake in the book.”
Meanwhile, The Kashmiriyat tried to contact JAY CEE Publications to record the version and confirm the authenticity of statement. However, the said publication didn’t respond to our repeated calls and e-mails.