The Dark Side: Extremism and Propaganda masked as Journalism

Aasif Sultan, a Kashmiri journalist, faced arrest on August 30, 2018, on charges of harbouring terrorists in Batmaloo. Despite widespread Western media defence immediately following the arrest, this report aims to shed light on an alternative perspective, providing insights into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

What were the accusations?

Asif Sultan was booked under UAPA and various other sections of the RPC and IPC by the then govt in 2018. The charges against Sultan, who worked as an assistant editor at a local news magazine include criminal conspiracy, harbouring Terrorists, and aiding and participating in terrorism-related activities. A charge sheet against Asif Sultan was filed by J&K Police for sheltering a terrorist who killed a Police constable in a shootout in August 2018 at Batamaloo in Srinagar.

During the investigation, the police seized 17 sheets with the letterhead of the Hizbul Mujahideen (Terrorist Outfit) from Sultan’s home at the time of his arrest.

The Police dossier said that Asif Sultan came in contact with cadres of Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind, a terror outfit, who motivated him to work for the outfit as OGW to provide logistic support. Asif was also involved in aiding the new “terrorist outfit namely TRF and JeM”, which are a potent threat to the maintenance security of J&K.

His Writings

He has written multiple articles for Kashmir Narrator, where he has glorified the terrorists and militant groups of Kashmir.

On the occasion of the death anniversary of the popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, Sultan decided to publish two stories in the week leading up to it: a profile of Wani and a detailed account of the encounter in which he was killed.

In the profile titled “The Rise of Burhan,” Sultan traced how his martyrdom had become a symbol of protests against the Indian Government and why the mujahideen commander proved to be “more dangerous” for India “in his grave than in his living room.”

Sultan interviewed former Over Ground Workers (OGW – a term used to describe non-combatant members of militant groups) who had handled logistical tasks for Wani but cut ties with Hizbul Mujahideen after his death. 

Another article was written glorifying Afzal Guru, by Kahmir’s Narrator.

International Attention and Advocacy

Social Media Campaigns

In the aftermath of Aasif Sultan’s arrest, two distinct online platforms emerged advocating for his release. One of these platforms materialized on Facebook, while the other manifested on X (formerly Twitter). Operating under the banner “Free Aasif Sultan,” these pages were initiated to galvanize support for the detained journalist.

The Facebook page, notably, operated from France. The geographical location of the page signalled a coordinated effort beyond the borders of Kashmir, suggesting a global appeal for attention to Sultan’s case.

It’s crucial to note that this account attracted backing from entities with questionable affiliations, notably the National Sikh Youth Federation. This organization is known for its promotion of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, and its association with movements advocating for secession from India.

Clooney Foundation for Justice Involvement

The Clooney Foundation for Justice, co-founded by renowned lawyer Amal Clooney and actor George Clooney, decided to monitor the ongoing trial of Aasif Sultan, adding a questionable layer of influence.

Not only this, a call for his release was made & several renowned journalists signed it, ignoring the serious charges.

On 10 August, 2018, India’s Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology informed X of violations by the Kashmir Narrator handle. Jammu & Kashmir  Police clarified on X that the journalist faced charges not for his journalistic work but for alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy.

Conclusion

Exploiting journalism as a shield, Aasif Sultan’s actions involve promoting and glorifying extremism and terrorism in the valley. His work fosters disharmony in society, cultivating an anti-India narrative among Kashmiris, strategically playing the victimhood card in the West.