Tanveer Hussain
Srinagar, July 28: Members of the ‘All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association’ held a peaceful protest at Press Colony in Srinagar on Monday, denouncing what they described as false, disrespectful, and inflammatory reporting by several national news channels against Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Led by prominent clerics and community members, the demonstrators expressed deep anguish over recent content that they alleged misrepresented the Supreme Leader in a manner that has hurt the religious sentiments of Shia Muslims across the world.
Speaking to the press, one of the leading clerics remarked, “The national media’s portrayal of our Supreme Leader is not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to provoke and hurt religious feelings. Such journalism is irresponsible and unacceptable.”
The Association announced its intention to serve a legal notice to the media outlets involved, citing defamation and the deliberate spread of misinformation. The Association also demanded a formal apology and the immediate removal of the objectionable content from all platforms.
The protesters emphasized the importance of ethical journalism and called on media institutions to avoid sensationalism that could deepen sectarian rifts. They warned that continued insensitivity in coverage related to religious figures could lead to unrest and further alienate communities.
Chanting slogans in defense of their religious leadership, the participants urged regulatory authorities to take note of the growing trend of provocative coverage by national media and enforce stricter accountability measures. [KNT]
