On November 28, a Hindu student at the Srinagar National Institute of Technology (NIT) was booked for alleged blasphemy after sharing a controversial video on Instagram. The video featured Mosab Hassan Yousef, the disowned son of a senior Hamas leader, criticising Prophet Muhammad. The accused student, Prathmesh, is now facing serious repercussions, including being barred from semester exams and rusticated from the college.
Blasphemy Allegations Lead to Legal Consequences
The controversy unfolded on Tuesday (November 28) when Prathmesh shared a video on his Instagram story that had already gone viral. The video showcased Mosab Hassan Yousef making critical comments about Islam and the Prophet Muhammad during a debate event held in Los Angeles in 2012. While Prathmesh neither created nor appeared in the video, Muslim students at NIT Srinagar demanded his arrest, accusing him of blasphemy.
From calls for the genocide of all Hindus to morphed photos of the girl, the NIT victim boy was in a relationship with, to calls for beheadings and hanging of the couple
– broad daylight terrorism that is getting a free pass in a Hindu majority nation.
A thread – https://t.co/7Sa5dj8XtU pic.twitter.com/6yPH4Sw31t
— Treeni (@_treeni) November 29, 2023
In response to the uproar, an FIR was registered against Prathmesh, and a massive protest ensued on the NIT campus. The police took action after receiving a written letter from the NIT campus registrar seeking legal measures. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir VK Birdi stated, “After an initial investigation, it came to the fore that a student had posted some video on social media. It was not his own post but he had taken it from YouTube.”
Historical Video Resurfaces: Mosab’s Critique on Islam
Despite the video being 11 years old, it resurfaced on social media, reigniting tensions. Mosab Hassan Yousef’s comments in the video include criticising Prophet Muhammad’s actions and questioning tolerance in Islam. He asserted that Islam is not a tolerant religion, citing historical events.
In the widely circulated video, Mosab Hassan Yousef, the estranged son of senior Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, made controversial statements about Prophet Muhammad during a conference. He questioned aspects of the Prophet’s life, including actions such as killing people, marrying a nine-year-old, and the events surrounding the Jewish community of Khyber.
It’s important to note that this video, although recently reappeared on social media, is 11 years old and originates from a debate event held on March 15, 2012, at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Mosab participated in a panel alongside Imam Jihad Turk, Reverend Canon Brian Cox, and Rabbi Mark Diamond.
In response to a question about Sharia law’s treatment of non-Muslims, Mosab expressed a critical perspective on Islam, stating that the religion is not inherently tolerant. He argued that what Middle Eastern people need to know is the “real nature” of Islam, dismissing the notion of Islam as a tolerant religion and attributing tolerant verses to political reasons.
Mosab delved into specific actions of Prophet Muhammad, asserting that Islam lacks true tolerance and describing the religion as inherently evil based on his understanding. He emphasised the need to reveal the truth about Islam, expressing a desire for a transformative movement in the Middle East similar to the Arab Spring but directed against the control of religion, Islam, and Allah over people’s lives.
His statements reflect a controversial and critical perspective on Islam, emphasising the importance of transparency and truth-telling in shaping the narrative around the religion.
Islamist Backlash on Social Media
Controversially, social media users claimed that Prathmesh is in a relationship with a local Muslim girl, leading to accusations of him luring her into a “Bhagwa love trap.” This conspiracy theory, propagated by some Muslim organisations, alleges that Hindu men trap Muslim women. Islamists on social media not only disclosed personal details about Prathmesh and the alleged girlfriend but also issued threats and abusive language.
The hashtag #HangblasphmerPrathmeshNIT trended on social media, with Islamists calling for Prathmesh’s execution for sharing the controversial video. Such calls have raised concerns about his and his family’s safety, particularly in the tense environment prevailing in Kashmir.
Significantly, numerous social media users have asserted that the implicated student is romantically involved with a local Muslim girl. A faction of individuals with Islamist ideologies on social media has accused the Hindu student of enticing the girl into what they term a “Bhagwa love trap.” It’s important to note that the Bhagwa love trap is a conspiracy theory propagated by certain Muslim organisations and individuals subscribing to Islamist views. This theory alleges that Hindu men intentionally ensnare Muslim women. Disturbingly, there have been documented cases where groups of Islamists have pursued Hindu men travelling with their Muslim female friends, subjecting them to assault.
Several users with Islamist inclinations on platform X have disclosed personal details, including pictures, of the accused Hindu student and the girl he is reportedly dating. These X users have also shared information about their names and other personal details.
A hindu student from NIT Srinagar is accused of allegedly disrespecting Muhammad which has angered muslims.
But the real reason seems to be incel seethe, as the guy’s girlfriend is a Kashmiri Muslim.
They are accusing him of Bhagwa Love Trap, lol pic.twitter.com/pUPFBPwQFN
— Muslims Posting Their L’s (@SullamLs) November 29, 2023
Additionally, these individuals with Islamist perspectives are verbally attacking the Hindu student based on his regional background, labelling him as a “Bihari” and an “outsider.” Furthermore, they are directing their abuse towards his purported girlfriend. One post on platform X explicitly stated, “Nobody should defend that girl who was in a relationship with that Bihari, as she is also responsible for disrespecting our Prophet Muhammad SAW.”
In an alarming escalation, another individual with Islamist views went so far as to express violent intentions, stating that if the girl were his sister, he would have “chopped her into a thousand pieces and thrown [her] to dogs.” This person also called for her to be “exposed” and “humiliated.”
لبيك يا رسول اللهﷺ
Gustakh-e Nabi (saw) ki ek saza sar tan se juda sar tan se juda
ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
☝️#OurProphetOurHonour #Kashmir #NITSrinagar #HangHim
— س (@kashir_koor_) November 28, 2023
Illustrating a deep-seated animosity towards non-Muslims, one individual with Islamist beliefs derogatorily referred to Prathamesh as a “Pajeet,” a racial slur directed at Indians. This individual went on to express strong disapproval of a Kashmiri girl being involved with a “Pajeet,” deeming it the “most disgusting” thing she could do.
Escalation of Hate: Islamists Targetting Individuals
These developments on social media highlight the toxic blend of religious, regional, and racial prejudices that can manifest in online spaces, contributing to an environment of hostility and potential harm to individuals involved in the controversy.
This incident draws parallels with past controversies involving alleged blasphemy. Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson, faced violent reactions after making remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The situation escalated to the point where individuals, including a Hindu tailor in Rajasthan, were brutally attacked for supporting Sharma.
As tensions rise, concerns about the safety of non-locals in Kashmir have been voiced. The disclosure of personal information, threats, and the demand for execution underscore the need for a measured and lawful resolution to the situation.
The incident highlights the complexities surrounding freedom of expression, religious sensitivities, and the potential risks individuals face in an increasingly connected and polarised world. The authorities are now tasked with balancing the right to express opinions with maintaining communal harmony and ensuring the safety of the individuals involved.
