GoI cancels J&K’s ‘Asikni’ festival, following row over invitation poster

Jammu: The Union government on Monday has cancelled ‘Asikni’ festival-a grand celebration of the ancient heritage and syncretic culture of Jammu and Kashmir, following a massive outrage erupted over the invitation poster, which was allegedly hurting the religious sentiments.
As per reports, Ministry of Culture, headed by Meenakshi Lekhi plans to host a grand Asikni festival from August 3 to August 5 at Sovereign, Le Meridian in the national capital. As per the invite, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi invites everyone to “Asikni”
“Ministry of Culture invites you to ‘Asikni’, the grand celebration of the ancient heritage and synergetic culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” the invitation card reads. The other leaf of the card carries a picture of Adi Shankaracharya, the Indian Vedic scholar and Hindu spiritual teacher and word Wazwan- a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine that mostly consists of meat-based dishes.
The alleged collaboration of Adi Shankaracharya and Wazwan evoked a massive row on social media.
The social media storm expressed their anguish and sought correction of the poster, which portrays Jammu and Kashmir’s true history and culture.
Rashtriya Bajrang Dal also staged a massive protest in Jammu and burnt effigy of BJP Leader and union minister Meenakshi Lekhi.
Moreover, the social media users continued with a virtual crusade and compelled the ministry to rethink the event.
“Ma’am @MLekhiOffice, @MinOfCultureGoI: It is factually wrong to club Adi Shankaracharya with Wazwan. Adi Shankara had nothing to do with Wazwan. Wazwan is amongst the newer cuisines. Kashmir is many centuries older than Wazwan. Let’s celebrate Adi Shankara’s Kashmir,” said twitter user Sunanda Vashisht.
“Asikani Devi is the ancient name of the river Chenab (Jammu Province). Wazwan is a Kashmiri dish made from beef, lamb and chicken. Shankaracharya: Advaita is the pinnacle of Vedanta (Sanatan). What kind of amalgamation is this? There is no conspiracy to hurt Hindu sentiments,” tweets former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta .
Another user, Manu Khajuria writes, “Falsehoods & forced homogenisations of JK’s Sanatani cultures into one Kashmiri identity reflects the bad policy on JK. Asikni, Rig Vedic name for Chenab, is the civilisational cradle of #Jammu region. Kashmiri Wazwan & Asikni is jarring & a dangerous narrative. The separatists in JK have nurtured the “Greater Kashmir” plan wherein they eat away into the Jammu region, by cultural misappropriation & communalism. This seems to be an extension of the same. Also Adi Shankracharya and a meat based meal like Wazwaan is inconceivable.”
“Ministry of culture under 56 is organising Kashmiri food festival with Wazwan (red meat) with picture of Adi Shankracharya on it..?? Speechless!
Even anti Hindu congress did not have audacity to insult Hindus like this. Is this acceptable to u O Hindus? Wazwan is a multi course meal in Kashmiri cuisine. Almost all dishes are made from beef, lamb and chicken. Since when it's associated with Adi Shankaracharya ji? Idea is to insult, mock and hurt traditional Hindus as namajis do. Shameful,” writes a user Ritu Rathaur, a Hindu Rights activist.
Following the outrage, Ministry of Culture cancelled the forthcoming event.
“Important update: Asikni, the festival to celebrate the heritage and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, which was to be held from 3rd to 5th August has been cancelled,” the official handle of the Ministry of Culture informed. Earlier, the ministry deleted the invitation poster from its twitter account.
Meanwhile people lauds appreciated the decision.

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