SRINAGAR: Budgam MLA Aga Muntazir on Saturday called for collective and coordinated action against hate speech and hate crimes, stressing the need to safeguard communal harmony and preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s long tradition of coexistence.
Speaking at an intellectual round table organised by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Delhi, Aga Muntazir said governments, civil society, religious leaders, educational institutions, media organisations and young people must work together to counter divisive rhetoric and prevent hate-driven violence.
Addressing scholars, religious leaders, civil society members, media representatives and other participants, the MLA said Kashmir’s history was rooted in syncretic traditions and the values of Kashmiriyat, reflected in shared cultural practices and coexistence among different communities.
Referring to Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, popularly known as Nund Rishi, he said Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural traditions had historically promoted tolerance, compassion and communal harmony.
“If there is communal harmony, peace and compassion in Kashmir, it is because of the sacrifices and contributions of our religious leadership, especially the MMU leadership, including Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam and Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq and many more who have always carried forward the banner of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” Aga Muntazir said.
He also referred to historical accounts of religious coexistence in Kashmir and recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s description of the region as a “ray of hope” during the communal violence surrounding Partition.
Aga Muntazir said hate speech had emerged as a serious contemporary challenge, particularly because of its rapid spread through social media and other digital platforms.
“Inflammatory statements, misinformation and provocative online content can damage trust between communities and potentially contribute to violence,” he said.
He said hate crimes often followed sustained attempts to dehumanise communities and called for timely intervention through legal action, public awareness and responsible communication.
Speaking about Jammu and Kashmir’s experience, Aga Muntazir said decades of conflict had demonstrated the consequences of a breakdown in trust and underlined the importance of rebuilding relationships among communities.
“Communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir is reflected in the everyday lives of people from different faiths who share public spaces, institutions and common aspirations,” he said.
The MLA called for strict and impartial enforcement of laws against hate speech and incitement, irrespective of the identity or affiliation of those involved.
He also sought improved coordination among police, district administrations and community leaders to identify early warning signs, including rumours and provocative content, before they escalate into violence.
Aga Muntazir emphasised the need to strengthen education about Kashmir’s shared history and promote digital literacy among young people to help them identify misinformation and online manipulation.
He further called for greater accountability from digital platforms, saying online spaces had increasingly become channels for the spread and amplification of divisive content.
Scholars, academics and researchers, he said, should counter propaganda through knowledge and documentation of the region’s shared history, while religious leaders should continue promoting compassion and peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the role of the media, Aga Muntazir urged journalists to exercise responsibility while reporting sensitive issues, with emphasis on verification and avoiding the amplification of provocative content.
He also appealed to young people to verify information before sharing it and reject prejudice and suspicion.
The round table concluded with a call for sustained efforts to challenge hate speech, ensure accountability for hate crimes and protect the traditions of communal harmony and coexistence in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country.
