President Kundan Kashmiri urges media restraint, warns against communalising individual allegations
JAMMU, Oct 3: The Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC), led by its President Kundan Kashmiri, has demanded an immediate, independent and time-bound Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case involving Rakesh Handoo, who has reportedly been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with allegations concerning threatening letters purportedly issued on militant letterhead to PM Package employees.
In a statement, Kundan Kashmiri expressed concern over what he described as the irresponsible and prejudicial coverage of the case by certain media platforms, YouTube channels and social media commentators. He urged media organisations to refrain from circulating unverified allegations and creating communal narratives while the investigation remains underway.
He emphasised that an arrest does not amount to conviction and that the allegations against an individual must be established through evidence and due judicial process. He maintained that no person should be declared guilty through media trials and that an individual case should not be used to malign an entire community.
The KPC President also referred to the reported complaint lodged by a PM Package employee at Police Station Baramulla and said that all aspects of the matter, including alleged personal differences between the individuals concerned, should be examined impartially during the investigation.
Highlighting the historical suffering of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, he said that the community has endured decades of terrorism, targeted killings, intimidation and forced displacement. He expressed concern that attempts to give an individual case a wider communal colour could lead to unnecessary humiliation and collective suspicion.
Kundan Kashmiri clarified that the organisation does not seek to shield anyone found guilty of a criminal offence, adding that the law must take its course without fear or favour. However, he stressed that no community should be held collectively responsible for allegations against an individual.
Demanding a comprehensive CBI investigation, the KPC called for examination of the circumstances surrounding the alleged threatening letters, the complaint, possible motives and any evidence of personal rivalry or false implication. It urged the concerned authorities to facilitate an independent investigation through the applicable legal procedure.
The organisation also appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K Police Administration and other concerned authorities to ensure a fair investigation while protecting the dignity and constitutional rights of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Urging media houses and social media platforms to exercise restraint, KPC stressed that freedom of expression must be accompanied by responsibility, factual reporting and professional ethics.
“An allegation is not proof, and an arrest is not a conviction. Let the investigation establish the truth and the court decide the guilt,” Kundan Kashmiri stated, reiterating the organisation’s demand for justice, accountability and an end to what it termed the media trial and communalisation of an individual case.