SRINIGAR, INDIA, October 7, 2002: The Kashmir valley observed a total shutdown on Monday following angry protests by mobs protesting remarks reportedly made by a Presbyterian minister in the US against the Prophet Mohammed. A derogatory reference to the Prophet reportedly made by Rev. Jerry Falwell during a 60-minute interview on CBS television was published in the local daily Al-Safa News on Monday, angering a large number of Kashmiris. The daily published the entire interview, adding to the anger among the people. The local traders’ federation joined the protests by calling for a shutdown of markets across the Valley. The public response was so spontaneous that markets, traffic, educational institutions and banks closed much ahead of the traders’ appeal. Youths came out on roads and started throwing stones in downtown Srinagar, bringing life to a virtual halt in this densely populated area of the state summer capital.
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