The recent incident in Waripora Kunzar Tangmarg, Baramulla, where a psychologically unwell man attempted to construct a replica of the Kaaba and invited people to perform Umrah there, sparked widespread outrage across Kashmir. In addition to making false religious claims, he also likened himself to the revered Kashmiri saint Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA). The public backlash prompted authorities to demolish the structure and arrest the individual.
This episode raises several critical concerns. It highlights the issue of religious gullibility, the media’s role in sensationalizing sensitive matters for social media traction, and the shifting perception of Hajj and Umrah—from deeply spiritual acts to symbols of affluence and status. These aspects warrant thoughtful reflection and discourse.
Religious Gullibility
Kashmir has a rich history of spiritual reverence, with countless people devoted to saints and Sufis who played a major role in shaping the region’s religious consciousness. However, this deep-rooted faith sometimes borders on gullibility, allowing fraudulent individuals to exploit religious sentiments. The Waripora Kunzar incident is a prime example of how quickly some people can start following an mentally distressed individual without questioning his legitimacy.
In recent years, self-anointed “peers” have proliferated across Kashmir, claiming esoteric knowledge and divine ordination, amassing significant wealth, influence, and followership by preying on religious sentiments. The unsettling ease with which many Kashmiris deify such individuals—blindly accepting them as Wali-A-Khuda (friends of God)—reflects a disconcerting trend.
Even in this instance, despite the man’s overt mental disorders and the absurdity of his claim to establish an alternative Umrah, a faction of people still entertained his narrative. While the broader community denounced and repudiated his actions, the very occurrence of such an episode signals a systemic issue. Islam enjoins rationality and vigilance in recognizing religious authority, yet many continue to fall victim to pseudo-spiritual figures who exploit faith for personal gain.
The Waripora Kunzar Incident underscores the need for critical thinking in matters of faith. Blind reverence without discernment allows fraudulent individuals to manipulate religious sentiments for personal gain. The lesson here is to question, verify, and not follow blindly. Faith should be rooted in knowledge, not superstition. People must educate themselves to distinguish genuine spirituality from deceit, ensuring that devotion does not become a tool for manipulation in the hands of opportunists.
Yellow Journalism
Another alarming aspect of this incident is the role of journalism. The increasing trend of sensationalizing sensitive events for social media engagement is deeply concerning. Instead of immediately reporting the issue to religious scholars or police, many journalists and social media pages took to filming and uploading videos. They prioritizes likes, shares, and views over ethical responsibility. They turned the situation into an entertainment spectacle. The footage of an unsound man making absurd claims became viral content, drawing reactions ranging from mockery to outrage.
Just yesterday, on my way from the university to the hostel, I saw several schoolchildren mocking the man in question, with many imitating his tone of recitation. This troubling scene highlighted the unintended consequences of media sensationalism. Had journalists acted responsibly, the negative impact of such incidents on children and society at large could have been mitigated. These kids, unaware of the gravity of their actions, were not just mocking a man but unknowingly disrespecting the Quran.
The press and digital media have an obligation to inform and educate rather than exploit such incidents for engagement. This event should have been handled with sensitivity, ensuring that a person with mental health issues was not made a subject of ridicule or hysteria. True journalistic responsibility would have entailed immediately alerting police and refraining from amplifying baseless religious assertions.
The fundamental question remains: if the man was of unsound mind, why were his claims afforded a public platform? The Waripora Kunzar case serves as a stark indictment of social media-driven journalism, which often prioritizes sensationalism over ethical reporting.
The Changing Nature of Hajj
Perhaps the most ironic dimension of this controversy lies in the pseudo-peer’s justification—offering an alternative Umrah for those unable to afford travel to Mecca. While his proposition was patently fraudulent, it inadvertently exposes an uncomfortable reality: has Hajj and Umrah devolved into rituals of social elitism rather than acts of piety?
The proliferation of repeat pilgrimages, often undertaken as indulgent retreats rather than transformative spiritual journeys, inadvertently reinforces the notion that access to this sacred rite is contingent upon financial privilege, thereby diluting its intrinsic sanctity and relegating it to a mere token of opulence.
The Waripora Kunzar Incident indirectly raises the question: If pilgrimage were not increasingly associated with financial capability, would people even entertain the idea of an alternative Umrah?
Would it not be more virtuous to allocate these funds toward alleviating poverty rather than indulging in multiple pilgrimages? Should not resources be directed towards enabling financially disadvantaged believers to fulfill their Hajj obligations rather than being spent on redundant trips by the affluent? These pressing ethical questions merit introspection.
Conclusion
The Waripora Kunzar incident is symptomatic of deeper societal issues that demand urgent redress. As a community, Kashmiris must cultivate discernment in matters of faith, ensuring that religious devotion does not devolve into blind subservience. Equally imperative is the call for journalistic accountability—demanding reportage that upholds integrity rather than perpetuates sensationalism. The truth is this incident was not merely an isolated act of religious deception; it was a mirror reflecting the broader vulnerabilities of society.
- Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
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