New Delhi: A call for collective action to safeguard communal harmony and counter hate speech and hate crimes was made at an intellectual round table in an event organised by PUCL People’s Union for Civil Liberties Delhi, with emphasis laid on Kashmir’s long tradition of coexistence and the need for coordinated efforts by the government, civil society, religious leaders, educational institutions, media, and youth.
Addressing the gathering of scholars, religious leaders, civil society members, media representatives, and participants, MLA Budgam said Kashmir’s history was rooted in syncretic traditions and the values associated with Kashmiriyat, marked by shared cultural practices and coexistence among communities.
Referring to the teachings of Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, popularly known as Nund Rishi, he said Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural heritage had historically promoted human values, tolerance, and communal harmony.
“If there is communal harmony, peace and compassion in Kashmir, it is because of the sacrifices and contributions of our religious leadership, especially the MMU leadership, including Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam and Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq and many more who have always carried forward the banner of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” said Aga Muntazir.
The address also referred to historical accounts of Kashmir as a land where different religious communities lived together and recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s remarks about Kashmir being a “ray of hope” during the communal violence surrounding Partition.
“Hate speech had emerged as a serious contemporary challenge, particularly because of its rapid spread through social media and other digital platforms.
Inflammatory statements, misinformation, and provocative online content, it was said, could damage trust between communities and potentially contribute to violence,” said Aga Muntazir.
Hate crimes, Muntazir said, often followed prolonged attempts to dehumanise communities and therefore required timely intervention through legal action, public awareness, and responsible communication.
Speaking in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the region’s experience of conflict had demonstrated the consequences of the breakdown of trust and the importance of rebuilding relationships between communities.
“Communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir was reflected in the everyday lives of people from different faiths who shared public spaces, institutions and common aspirations,” he said.
Calling for strict and impartial enforcement of laws against hate speech and incitement, the speaker said action should be taken irrespective of the identity or affiliation of those responsible.
The address also called for better coordination between police, district administrations and community leaders to identify and address early warning signs, including rumours and provocative content, before they escalate into violence.
Emphasis was laid on strengthening education about Kashmir’s shared history and promoting digital literacy among young people to help them identify misinformation and online manipulation.
He also called for greater accountability from digital platforms, saying online spaces had increasingly become vehicles for the spread and amplification of divisive content.
“Scholars, academics and researchers were urged to counter propaganda through knowledge and documentation of the region’s shared history, while religious leaders were asked to continue promoting the values of compassion and peaceful coexistence associated with their respective faiths,” he said.
Talking about media and its role, he urged the media persons to exercise responsibility while reporting sensitive issues, with emphasis on verification and avoiding the amplification of provocative content.
Addressing young people, he called upon them to verify information before sharing it and to reject prejudice and suspicion.
The round table concluded with a call for sustained efforts to challenge hate speech, ensure accountability for hate crimes and preserve the traditions of communal harmony and coexistence in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country.