‘No intention to hurt sentiments of Kashmiris’

LUCKNOW: Author of two controversial books- Kashmir Storm and Born in La Martiniere- and founding member of the All India Muslim Forum Ajit Chak has refuted allegations leveled by Kashmiri separatist leader Nayeem Khan, saying his intention was not to hurt the sentiments of any Kashmiri. However, Chak also asked Khan to take a closer look at the Public Prostitutes Rules and Registration Act, 1921 and demanded that it be scrapped as it not just insulted the Kashmiri women but was also un-Islamic.

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Front (JKNF) Nayeem Khan had recently taken umbrage against the controversial books written by Ajit Chak and issued a press note demanding a ban on both the novels, claiming that his books were a ploy to malign the image of Kashmir and an attempt to rewrite history.

However, in a letter to Khan, Chak has clarified that his intention was not to hurt the sentiments of any Kashmiri. He stated that his novels were pure action thrillers and works of fiction and it should be treated as such. Chak informed Khan that his fictional novel ‘Kashmir Storm’ did not justify prostitution nor did it mention that it was a Kashmiri way of life. Through his book ‘Kashmir Storm’ he wanted to highlight the real issue of the loophole in the existing law in front of Kashmiri people in general and women in particular.

Similarly, the idea to write ‘Born in La Martiniere’ was a tribute to the courage demonstrated by its students in the past when they held their guard against the onslaught by army of Nawab of Lucknow in 1857, Chak said.