Have we failed Kashmir? Twitter reacts to photo of boy aiming slingshot at police

When journalist Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted a picture of a Kashmiri boy aiming his slingshot at the police, little did he realise the controversial discussions that would take place on social, specifically Twitter.

A boy plays with security jawans during curfew, in the downtown area of Srinagar on Saturday. (PTI Photo by S Irfan) pic.twitter.com/kjfRTJdL3n

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 31, 2016

The journalist described the picture as a ‘playful’ gesture by the kid to the jawans. Instead, it received a negative response from several users.

Including former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who painted a completely different picture of the aforementioned tweet.

When such a young kid aims his slingshot at a policeman, we must realize that we have comprehensively failed Kashmir pic.twitter.com/U10fHcjBbs

— Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) July 31, 2016

Bhatt, in his tweet, accused that something was terribly wrong in Kashmir, which Delhi had never tried to address. He too, received flak for his view.

Twitterati went against Kaul’s tweet and blamed him for not realising that this was a sign of danger and a wake up call to realise that even kids are picking up from the scars left behind by separatists.

This is what he has learned from stone pelting adults

— ujjwal.sandeep🇮🇳 (@SandeepUjjwal01) July 31, 2016

An Idea has already been sown in his mind. An Idea that would define, who he would eventually become.

— #P (@OwlCity029) July 31, 2016

While Kaul was accused of being blind towards the actual message behind the picture, Bhatt, on the other hand, was once again accused of making statements against the Narendra Modi government.

Bhatt was previously in the news for making allegations about Modi’s involvement in the Gujarat riots of 2002, in which more than 1,000 people were killed. According to The Hindu , Bhatt was suspended by the Gujarat government, after he filed an affidavit accusing Modi of complicity in the 2002 riots.

This time around, the former IPS officer was criticised for not taking the picture in a light manner and targeting the government.

what a shame that you once wore a uniform. Did you check about the photo from former colleagues? The cops were playing with kid

— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) August 1, 2016

Journalist Smita Prakash’s reaction on Bhatt’s tweets received huge support.

@sardanarohit ||@sanjivbhatt he can commit any crime to defame Modi. Such a shameless guy.

— राजेश (@marwari_heart) August 1, 2016

. @Rajesh_Laddha This is not about the PM. It is about a minor. @sardanarohit @sanjivbhatt

— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) August 1, 2016

Smita ji some prove their vile point by using all nihilistic means Sanjiv Bhatt is the same. He won't have any shame.

— पार्वती (@shivanginipatha) August 1, 2016

Many others accused Bhatt of spreading hatred and fuelling anti-national sentiments, and several questions were raised regarding his fiasco with the Supreme Court.

One day he will be the one who will fight for freedom. #kashmir will be free. You can't concur the heart after brutally.

— Dr. Nasir Khan (@drnkhan786) July 31, 2016

You have been Branded a liar & crook by SC.Dismissed from service Yet you use this pic & the Position?
Were you worth th force?

— Nationalist (@Bullish19) August 1, 2016

There were a few on Facebook, who spoke about the hatred that Kashmiri kids are exposed to and the apparent condition in the state.