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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Union Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath Monday criticised the 'fatwa' against the all-girl rock band in Kashmir, asserting that women's progress was linked to nation's progress. "Stopping women from progressing means stopping the country from progressing," Tirath told reporters here. "The fatwa against the girl band is uncalled for," she added. The 'fatwa' was issued by Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-din-Ahmed, the head of the Muslim clergy in Kashmir, late Sunday evening. He also criticised the government for "trying to encourage a shameless act". Separatist leaders also disapproved of the all-girls band and said: "This (band) was against moral values and they (the girls) should refrain from singing. There is no place for such acts in Islam." The band Pragaash (morning light) comprising three Class 10 girls, gave their first live performance at Srinagar's music festival, "Battle of the Bands", in December last year. After their performance, there were praises and abuses for them on social networking websites along with threats to disband Pragaash. Sources close to the band said they would not be performing for some time.
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