Once Fiercely Nationalist, Shiv Sena Now Urges People To See ‘Context’ In Mumbai’s Free Kashmir Poster

A big controversy erupted in Mumbai recently when a “Free Kashmir” poster was prominently displayed during a protest against JNU violence.

While this resulted in widespread condemnation from various corners of social media, the ruling Shiv Sena which in the past used to take nationalistic positions on such issues, urged people to see context in the poster.

After the backlash, the poster’s maker a certain Mehak Mirza Prabhu apologised by claiming that she was seeking lifting of communication curbs in the valley.

While many refused to be convinced by the same, due to the poster’s secessionist connotations, senior Shiv Sena leaders like Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackeray began using it to quell the controversy.

Earlier in the day Sanjay Raut was quoted as saying that, “I read in newspaper that those who held 'free Kashmir' banner clarified that they want to be free of restrictions on internet services,mobile services and other issues. Also, if anyone talks of freedom of Kashmir from India then it will not be tolerated”.

Aditya Thackeray too similarly urged people to see the real context behind the poster by stating, “Apart from that incident look at larger picture, yes we need to see her intent, was it to remove internet blockade, if it was freeing Kashmir from India then it is wrong..”.

Just yesterday (6 January), Uddhav Thackeray had courted controversy by comparing the JNU clashes with the dastardly 26/11 terror attack.