‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ poster features Asiya Andrabi, Govt embarrassed

A picture of jailed separatist and a pro-Pakistan leader Asiya Andrabi has appeared along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some other personalities in a poster on ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign.

A picture of jailed separatist and a pro-Pakistan leader Asiya Andrabi has appeared along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some other personalities in a poster on ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign.

The development has come as a major embarrassment for the state government.

The poster, aimed at highlighting the women achievers of the country, was hosted at a function held to promote girl education in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area.

Andrabi, the pro-Pakistan chief of ‘Dukhtaran-e-Millat’ (daughters of the nation) organisation, also shares space with Mother Teresa, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, tennis star Sania Mirza and Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi among others.

Andrabi is currently in jail under Public Safety Act for her separatist activities. She was arrested at least twice this year, and is said to incite women in Kashmir to pelt security forces with stones.

She has several cases registered against her including some for hoisting Pakistani flag on August 14 and March 23 — the Independence Day and National Day of Pakistan, respectively.

‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ or ‘Save and educate the girl child’ is one of the prominent campaigns of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It was launched to tackle the decline in CSR (child sex ratio) in 100 gender-critical districts.

Meanwhile, BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi has called for an inquiry into the matter and demanded that officials involved be suspended.