Daijiworld Media Network
Ahmedabad, Jan 19: "What difference does it make if there is no internet in Kashmir? Apart from watching obscene movies, what else is internet for in the valley?" argued Niti Aayog member and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) chancellor V K Saraswat.
Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad on Saturday after attending the convocation of the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Sawaswat said that internet ban in Kashmir has not significantly affected economy.
Claming that internet was used by politicians in Kashmir to fuel protests using social media, Saraswat justified the prolonged internet ban in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The Kashmiri politicians want to recreate the protests that are happening on the roads in Delhi," he said.
Jammu and Kashmir has no internet connectivity since August 5, 2019. After the abrogation of Article 370, the state was bifurcated into two union territories. The administration imposed a curfew, detained political leaders and banned all communication services.
"The internet suspension aimed to prevent certain elements from misusing information," Saraswat justified.
Saraswat also said that JNU has turned into a ‘political battleground’ and called half its teachers as ‘hardcore leftists’.
"It is protests like those against Citizenship Amendment Act and JNU affect the economy. Government teachers are getting dues despite strike. There is no output but yet we are giving them money. Doesn’t this affect economy?" he questioned.
Saraswat apologizes, says 'quoted out of context'
After receiving severe backlash on his comment that people in Kashmir use internet only to watch obscene films, Niti Aayog member and JNU chancellor V K Saraswat apologized for his remarks.
“I have been quoted out of context. I apologize if this misquote has hurt the feelings of people of Kashmir. I am not against the rights of Kashmiris on having internet access. I don’t want them to have an impression that I am against their rights,” he told media.