The serial abuse scandal that Kashmir must confront

By: Ziraat Times Editorial Board

The harrowing verses penned by a survivor of Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, a serial child abuser masquerading as a religious teacher in Sopore, Kashmir, lay bare a chilling reality: monsters often lurk in the most trusted spaces. For over 25 years, Sheikh has  exploited his position of reverence to prey on children as young as eight, committing unspeakable acts under the guise of faith. His recent conviction and 14-year sentence, following a grueling nine-year trial (Case: UT through P/S Bomai Vs. Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh), offer a sliver of justice. Yet, his victims’ anguish—echoed in lines like “He silenced me with shame and fear, whispering threats of ghosts near” — demands societal reckoning in Kashmir.

This case is not an anomaly but a symptom of a general societal deficiency. Lately, multiple such cases have been reported. Many more go unreported. Predators like Sheikh thrive on the blind trust communities place in such religious figures, whether “faith healers,” or madrassa teachers. Their veneer of piety disarms parents, while their access to vulnerable children enables cycles of abuse. The survivor’s courage to “break the silence” after 15 years of torment highlights how fear and societal stigma perpetuate these crimes. Worse, as the poem notes, “Nine long years, he has been free, shattering the lives of children like me” — a stark indictment of delayed justice.

The Sopore case compels urgent action. First, parents must abandon complacency. Trust should not equate to naivety. Vigilance is critical: vet educators, question isolation practices, and encourage open dialogues with children. Second, institutions must dismantle cultures of secrecy. Religious centers and schools must implement safeguards—background checks, surveillance, and mandatory reporting of abuse. Third, the justice system must prioritize survivors. Expedited trials, trauma-informed protocols, and harsh penalties for abusers are non-negotiable.

Sheikh’s victims, now adults, carry lifelong scars. Their resilience, however, lights a path forward. As one survivor implores: “Let’s end this horror which no child should endure.” Protecting our children requires collective courage—to question authority, to listen to whispers of pain, and to act before more innocence is stolen.

Faith should nurture, not destroy. Let this verdict remind us: no title, no robe, no scripture absolves evil. Trust, but verify.