The emailed statement shot by Defense spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel N.N.Joshi to different media organizations in Kashmir reads that Journalist who wanted to attending the press briefing followed by lunch should send a scanned copy of their identity card besides the contact number.
“You are all aware of the security requirements however, it is reiterated that you may refrain from wearing pheran,” the email reads.
Expressing resentment for directing journalists not to wear pheran, journalist fraternity strongly objected the view of Army and said that they fail to understand what pheran has to do with the security.
Renowned journalist Yousuf Jameel on behalf of journalist fraternity in his emailed statement to Defense spokesperson stated that, “you (Army) have asked the journalists, intending to cover the press conference, to refrain from wearing Pheran as a security requirement. We fail to understand how can the traditional dress of the people of Kashmir which has also been an integral part of their unique identity pose a security threat to anyone!”
The journalist fraternity asked Army to withdraw these directions and issue a fresh invitation for covering the event. “If the matter stays as it is now, we are constrained in attending the press conference,” Jameel said. Meanwhile, Defense Spokesperson Lt Colonel N.N.Joshi told CNS that the error was inadvertant while the Army had no intention to hurt anybody’s sentiments. “We cancelled the first mail after realizing that by mistake a direction about pheran was penned down. We request the journalist faternity to ignore the previous mail and we have delivered the email afresh,” he said. (CNS)