Srinagar, A gathering was organized in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk where the Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, was performed. The event has stirred considerable attention, particularly in the context of ongoing political tensions related to Jammu and Kashmir’s status and identity.

According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, a significant number of Hindus were brought from other parts of India for the event. Social media users have been circulating a video that claims to depict the singing of the Hanuman Chalisa in Lal Chowk. The video features many individuals congregating by a temple in Lal Chowk, engaging in worship while the Hanuman Aarti plays. The presence of security personnel is also evident in the video, which is gaining traction on the micro-blogging platform X.

Concerns are being raised about what some perceive as efforts by the Narendra Modi-led government to promote the Hindutva ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the region. Critics argue that such events, coupled with policy decisions like allowing non-resident Indian citizens in Jammu and Kashmir to vote, represent attempts to alter the demographic and cultural identity of the region. They claim these actions contradict international laws and UN resolutions regarding Kashmir, viewing them as an infringement on the rights and identity of the Kashmiri people.