J&K's first girl band stops shows after online threats, CM orders probe

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday ordered a probe into threats allegedly received by the first all-girls band in the state. The band, Pragaash, is made up of three Class 10 students. The band members said that they had to call it quits after they received online threats from conservatives. In fact, on their Facebook page, one of the band members wrote that their worried parents were putting pressure on them to shun music once and for all.

The girls hit headlines when they first performed at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in December 2012 and won the best performance award. The three girls have also been barred by their parents from speaking to the media. Venting his anger, CM Omar tweeted, "I hope these talented young girls will not let a handful of morons silence them."

Meanwhile, the owner of the music academy where the girls have been undergoing training, said, "There has been a wicked campaign against the girls ever since they made their maiden appearance in public on December 26."

The band members, three Class 10 students, said that they had to call it quits after they received online threats from conservatives.

He said some people who were not happy over the progress of the youth in the valley were behind such campaign. "Whenever a new thing happens in a society especially related to music and fashion, such things happen," he said.

With additional information from PTI

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