New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari Tuesday noted that "one good thing" to emerge from Jammu and Kashmir's all-girl band quitting over threats and a 'fatwa' was that political parties have unitedly supported the girls.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Tewari said: "In the entire episode, one good thing that has emerged is that all the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have come forward to support the girls and the band, and boosted their morale."
The minister noted that in a democracy, it was necessary that "all the people who are part of the public discourse should be able to come forward and air their views and also listen to the views of others with patience".
Kashmir's first all-girl rock band - Pragaash - decided to quit following online threats and a fatwa.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed hope on Twitter that the three talented girls who formed the rock band would not give up under threats from "a handful of morons".
Abdullah also said he would have the threats against the girls investigated.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also opposed the decree of Bashir-ud-din Ahmed, head of the Muslim clergy in Kashmir, against the all-girl band.
The hardline Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani also criticised the Grand Mufti.
Three Class 10 students -- vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid -- formed the band Pragaash and performed at the "Battle of the Bands" in December last year.
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