Thursday, September 8, 2011

Peer escalates Kashmir LitFest row


Celebrated Kashmir writer Basharat Peer has escalated the debate over the canceled Kashmir literary festival with this piece Wednesday in The Hindu.

Celebrated Kashmir writer Basharat Peer has escalated the debate over the canceled Kashmir literary festival with his editorial piece. The festival’s organizers canned the festival last month after Mr. Peer and other writers, journalists and academics wrote an open letter opposing it.

Mr. Peer in his piece in The Hindu elaborated on his reasons for taking such a stance against the festival.

In a way, Mr. Peer’s objections show the intractable nature of the Kashmir problem.

In their open letter, those opposing the festival said it would have helped New Delhi create a fake sense of normalcy in Kashmir, where Indian troops continue to commit human rights abuses and free speech for separatists is curtailed. The signatories said they were worried the government was behind the festival but gave no evidence.

Full report here WSJ blogs

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