After being out of sight for nearly three months, Kashmir Reader reappeared on the stands on wednesday. The four-year-old daily newspaper had been under a ban since October 2, when the Srinagar district magistrate ordered it to stop publication since its content “can incite violence”. Amnesty International and journalist bodies called the ban a violation of freedom of expression.
The ban order came in the wake of the Kashmir Reader’s coverage on the death and aftermath of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s killing by the security forces. The newspaper had played up the outpouring of sympathy and support Wani got, following his death, and said that it was something the "Indian state" did not expect. The paper was vocal in its support of Wani, especially in a tribute titled 'The legend of Burhan Wani'. “He was a teenage Kashmiri’s hero, an idol, an icon for youngsters who adore the likes of Che Guevara and Omar Mukhtar, who feel the pain of every injustice committed anywhere in the world they come to know of, ” the newspaper said in the article.
Wani was killed in an encounter with the security forces on July 8. His death triggered massive protests and violence in Kashmir, in which more than 80 people were killed and thousands of civilians and security personnel injured. The Kashmir Reader had, at that time, reported on alleged crimes committed by the soldiers. Its reports on CRPF personnel molesting and harassing women are believed to be the main reason behind the ban.
Kashmir Editors Guild, which was formed recently, met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at her residence on Tuesday, and the chief minister herself informed them about the lifting of the ban. There have been several initiatives to form editors forums in the past, but they failed because of lack of support from the major newspapers. The suppression of press freedom seems to have galvanised the editors to unite under a common umbrella.
