Threats and fatwa against all-girl rock band

15 February, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has now intervened in the issue of the fatwa and threats against the three girl members of rock band Pragaash in Jammu and Kashmir. The commission has issued a notice to Chief Secretary and Police DG of the state to respond within four weeks.

After the complaint was filed, the commission took cognizance in this issue. Following online threats and hate messages, the members of the girl band are still facing criticism from the Grand Mufti of Kashmir. On February 3 Bashir-ud-din Farooqi had communicated a fatwa against the three Kashmiri girls for being part of a rock music band. The fatwa went on to say that women should stop playing music, and encouraged to be more moral. Syed Ali Shah Geelani's hardliner faction of Hurriyat is also opposed to the girl band performing in the state.

Pragaash, the music band in question, first came into popular media attention in late December 2012 after their popular performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition held in Srinagar. After the fatwa was issued, the girls have done away with any plans to sing or participate in any musical production.

In the petition, it has been alleged that the police and the state Government is not doing much to protect the rights of the girls even as their lives are still at risk.