Author: Luv Puri
Publication: The Hindu
Date: June 12, 2003
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/06/12/stories/2003061204451200.htm
After issuing diktats on a "dress
code" and imposing a number of socio-economic curbs on women, militants
have now "banned" the singing of the national anthem in educational institutions.
Fearing ``punishment'' from militants,
Government and private institutions in some remote militancy-affected areas
of the State, particularly Jammu region, have stopped singing the anthem.
Educational institutions in the
remote areas have often been a target of militants. Several teachers have
been killed over the years. Lately, militants through posters and directly,
have asked government and private schools in Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and
some parts of Udhampur districts to dispense with the use of the national
anthem.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba had given the
"ban order" in Poonch district, while in Doda, the Hizb-ul Mujahideen had
forbidden the same sometime back. In the interior areas of Rajouri district
such as Dharhal, where the `burqa' controversy started, a ban was imposed
on the singing by the Jaish-e-Mohammad. Educational institutions in the
upper areas of Udhampur such as Mahore, Gool and Arnas were also afraid
to sing the national anthem after the morning prayers, due to the militant
threats.
The only schools still singing the
anthem every morning are those belonging to the Army and paramilitary forces
in Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Udhampur districts.
