December 07, 2007	Friday	Ziqa'ad 26, 1428

SRINAGAR, Dec 6: An Indian official tasked with reviving cultural activities in schools in occupied Kashmir has been pulled from the post after Muslim hardliners said his shows were “promoting obscenity”.

A group of firebrand women activists, the Daughters of Faith, had said cultural official Aziz Hajni would be accused of “exploiting our daughters” - unless he was moved.

Officials confirmed on Thursday he had been shifted.

The cultural activities being introduced to schools in held Kashmir include debates and art competitions.

But schoolchildren have also been dancing to Bollywood numbers in front of politicians and visiting dignitaries.

Asiya Andrabi, leader of the Daughters of Faith, said such activities were “promoting obscenity” among the youth.

The Daughters of Faith said they were now trying to stop all cultural events, including those brought to the region by officials from New Delhi.

“We will soon start agitation and seek the closure of this cultural wing, which has become a ground for exploitation of our daughters,” said Andrabi, whose hardline group has already been involved in raiding restaurants and Internet cafes to prevent young people from dating. “Our daughters are forced to dance before strangers,” said Andrabi, who has spent time behind bars in the past for links to militants. “This is also a strategy to wean students away from Islam.”—AFP