Srinagar: Authorities at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar have announced an early winter vacation amid escalating tensions following blasphemous remarks made by a non-local student against Prophet Muhammad PBUH on Tuesday.
The incident has triggered widespread protests across various colleges in Srinagar, with thousands of students demanding decisive action against the accused.
Initially, students sought resolution through peaceful protests, but the situation took a turn for the worse on social media, as ‘hateful and provocative’ posts were exchanged among different religious communities.
A student from NIT Srinagar told The Himalayan Post that the hateful content on social media, especially targeting non-local students, prompted officials to declare an early vacation.
“Authorities fear that the campus situation may worsen, leading to the suspension of academic activities,” he said.
Despite the desire to avoid escalating tensions, students voiced their worries about the impact on their academic progress due to the unexpected vacation.
“Our exams are underway, I hope things settle soon,” he added.
The Dean of Academic Affairs at NIT Srinagar refrained from commenting on the issue.
When approached for comment on the nature of the incident and potential punishments, Islamic jurist Mufti Ulfat Rizvi declined to provide insights.
However, according to Islamic Sharia, if a Muslim is accused of blasphemy, the punishment is death, while non-Muslims may face 'severe punishment.'
As tensions persist, J&K police have issued repeated warnings to social media users, urging them to refrain from posting provocative content that could incite hatred and disrupt law and order across the state.