A video tweeted by former Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has gone viral on social media networking sites in which an official vehicle can be heard making an announcement asking the shopkeepers in Anantnag district to pay 20 rupees for the Admin’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
The District Administration in Anantnag has, however, refuted that there was any official order like such. The officials in the Anantnag admin said that the announcer has made the announcement on his own. “There was no authorization to the campaign,” the official said.
The Divisional commission of Kashmir, PK Pole had on Saturday said that the campaign was not a compulsion. He said the sole aim of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is to instill patriotism among the locals and there was no element of force involved in the flag hoisting on the eve of India’s Independence Day on 15 August.
The manner in which J&K admin is forcing students, shopkeepers & employees to pay for national flag to hoist it is as if Kashmir is an enemy territory that needs to be captured. Patriotism comes naturally & can’t be imposed. pic.twitter.com/FdMDBrouev
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 24, 2022
The video is being shared widely across social media platforms, in which the unseen announcer can be heard asking the shopkeepers to deposit 20 rupees for the campaign. “Because you take the license from us, so you have to deposit rupees 20 for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. You have to deposit the amount before 12 noon on Monday in our office,” the announcer is heard saying in the 1-minute video.
The order has been issued by the District administration of Anantnag, as per the announcer. “You have to deposit the amount in the same office that gives you license for trade,” the man announced to the shopkeepers. It is likely that those who do not pay will face action.”
It is better to avoid any trouble, so visit the office ad deposit the amount, he concluded.
Pertinently, the Chief Education Officer Anantnag had earlier issued an order asking students to deposit 20 rupees for the campaign, however, the order was later withdrawn.
Meanwhile another circular accessed by The Kashmiriyat from district Administration Baramulla has asked teachers, students to voluntarily deposit money for the campaign.
Meanwhile the move has evoked widespread criticism in the Kashmir valley. On Sunday, the former chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti took to twitter to condemn what she called enforced patriotism.
“The manner in which J&K admin is forcing students, shopkeepers & employees to pay for national flag to hoist it is as if Kashmir is an enemy territory that needs to be captured. Patriotism comes naturally & can’t be imposed,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.