Bollywood too pitches in, writes to Sonia

‘‘Yes, we have written to Sonia asking her to intervene in the matter and ensure that action is taken against the influential people allegedly involved,’’ producer Ashok Pandit told The Indian Express today over phone from Mumbai.

‘‘Although the letter is signed by the three of us, we enjoy the support of everybody in the industry against this crime,’’ said the filmmaker.

Seeking Sonia’s help has a specific reason, he said. ‘‘We could have written to the Prime Minister but since Soniaji is a woman, she would understand how grave a crime it is,’’ Pandit said. ‘‘Also, J-K is ruled by a Congress-led government and so she has an additional responsibility.’’

The filmmakers said that such scams have rocked other parts of country too but only in Kashmir has the anger spilled onto the streets. ‘‘MMS controversies rocked several parts of India but there has never been such protests. We congratulate the Kashmiris for showing their resentment against such incidents,’’ Pandit said.

At the same time, Pandit said, they had doubts on the outcome of the probe.

‘‘We have the instances of Jessica Lal and Priyadarshini Mattoo cases before us,’’ he said.

‘‘If J-K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has the will and courage, he can see to it that justice is done.’’

In J-K, the scandal has blurred the division between Hindu and Muslim right wing parties.

While all the Muslim right wing groups have denounced the alleged official patronage to the sex scandal, the BJP has also condemned it.

‘‘For so many years, police have been trying to hush up such cases. In Jammu, when the Anara Gupta case surfaced, the role of the police had come under the scanner and the same story is being repeated in Srinagar,’’ BJP state president Dr Nirmal Singh said.

He even praised the campaign launched by women’s separatist group Dukhtaran-e-Milat president Asiya Andrabi against the racket.

muzaffar.raina@expressindia.com