Srinagar: Notwithstanding the widespread condemnation from the people of all shades of life over the controversial advert published by a local daily Greater Kashmir on its 29 August issue, the dismayed netizens suspected a ‘scandal’ and termed it as the tip of the iceberg.
Pertinently, the daily Greater Kashmir, on its 29th August issue’s page four published a controversial advertisement under the title ‘hiring’ where an individual is looking “Young Kashmiri Girls, Housewives and Widows” for a “leading SPA job” in Delhi.
The advertisement came into the limelight following a Kashmir-based Islamic Organization “Islamic Fraternity (IF)” working for Dawah, Education, Social, welfare etc post it on Twitter. The tweet was widely shared by the netizens along with their condemnation messages.
Shame on #Greaterkashmir who r trying to sell the daughters of #Kashmir by giving space to these kind of adds on their newspaper, people & administration must have a serious look on it.@OmarAbdullah @GowharGeelani @jameelyusuf @MirwaizKashmir @MehboobaMufti @KhurramParvez pic.twitter.com/KBC9Nens8z
— Muhammad Aamirكشميري (@aamiralkashmiri) August 29, 2021
Response of Greater Kashmir
Following the widespread condemnation, the Greater Kashmir Monday evening claims to have sacked two staffers after an internal investigation and blacklisted the Walnut advertising agency which had placed the advertisement.
Apology from Advertising Agency
We accept full responsibility for the mistake, we assure to prevent it in future, the advertising agency posted on their Facebook page.
Suspected Scandal and Public Reaction
The netizens, despite the apology from the advertising agency and instant action by the Newspaper, demanded an impartial probe into the matter.
“Maybe it may turn to be tip of an iceberg spread on continents. Also to investigate the advertising agency which forwarded it. Do they want to exploit the economic deprivation of Kashmir which has evolved since decades because of various reasons,” reads a social media status of a renowned satirical writer Shahnawaz Taing.
What kind of an advertisement is this?
This is today's @GreaterKashmir page 4 pic.twitter.com/jNhtUypFPN— Azaan Javaid (@AzaanJavaid) August 29, 2021
I don't understand why many Kashmiris especially journalists are silent about Greater Kashmir's base advertisement. It shouldn't be treated as simple journalistic goof-up. It has serious imprints of human trafficking and prostitution.
— metacolonial (@metacolonial) August 30, 2021
A senior lawyer talking to Onlykashmir[dot]in said a notice will be served to Lt. Governor administration by the hon’ble court to probe into the matter which has triggered massive anger among the people of Kashmir.
President Jammu and Kashmir Young Journalist Association Ajaz Ahmad War has asked the owners and editors of the newspapers to blacklist the said advertising agency until there is not some clearance from the concerned authorities.
A netizen expressing surprise over the publishing of this advertisement by a local newspaper stated “the personal email and personal mobile number makes it more suspicious.”
