New Delhi: A video showing a student dancing to a Bollywood song at a “farewell-cum-freshers” event has been doing the rounds on social media, sparking a wide range of responses.
The event took place last month at Government Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, where the student performed on stage while her batchmates supported her with cheers and applause. Despite the festive atmosphere, the student faced backlash from some on social media, who criticised her performance as inappropriate.
One user on X questioned how such an event could occur “in the land of saints and martyrs”. Another stated: “Anyone having no issues with this is sick to the core. This vulgarity needs to be stopped.”
Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, a former faculty member of the college who was a “Sr/Tutor/Demonstrator” in the department of paediatrics , according to the college website, defended the students on social media.
“With the all India quota applied to J&K a few years back, there will be MBBS and PG students from different states and religions studying in all the medical colleges. Something that may be culturally inappropriate to perform for natives, such as girls dancing and making moves, is acceptable for students from other states and religions,” he wrote.
With all India quota applied to J&K few years back, there will be mbbs and PG students from different states and religions studying in all the medical colleges.
Something that may be culturally inappropriate to perform for natives, say girls dancing and making moves is…
— Dr. Ishfaq, MD. (@bachedoctor_) April 28, 2024
Dr Ahmad faced criticism from some social media users who questioned his understanding of his own religion.
A user responded to his post, stating: “This is a huge difference between performing an act of evil on an individual level and promoting the same evil in society (fassad fill araz). Dr tho bangaya mashallah, lakin basic knowledge bhi nahi hai apna mazhab ki (sic).”
Later, Dr Ahmad in another post on X said that whatever he wrote earlier was merely his “personal opinion”.
Meanwhile, other users on X expressed concern about the impact of such events on the college’s reputation and students’ values. A user even shared a montage of visuals from the event and commented: “GMC Anantnag, where are we heading? I repeat, these days, coaching centres and educational institutions are merely drama. Students take away nothing but intimacy from them. Women are losing their values.”
The streaming news channel Kashmir24 faced a flood of irate comments, urging viewers to stop watching the video and instead focus on prayers.
In a critical editorial, the channel wrote: “Kashmir is witnessing a drastic shift from Pir Vaer to Cxur Vaer,” or turning from a ‘Valley of Saints’ to a ‘Valley of Thieves’.
ThePrint found no comments defending or expressing concern about the negative remarks aimed at the girls in the video. Amid numerous anonymous users, only harsh and disrespectful comments were evident, revealing the dark side of social media.
As of now, the college authorities have not issued any public statement regarding the incident. ThePrint’s efforts to reach them were unsuccessful.
Government Medical College, Anantnag, is situated in south Kashmir. Established in 2018, it is affiliated to the University of Kashmir and recognised by the National Medical Commission. The main campus is located in Dialgam, about 7 km from Anantnag district.
It is also connected to Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beg Memorial District Hospital, Jangalat Mandi, Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Sher Bagh, and rural and urban health training centres in the region. GMC Anantnag offers various medical programmes, including MBBS.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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