National Seminar on “Digital Danger: Exploring Gender-Based Cyber Violence in J&K” concludes at GDC Anantnag

ANANTNAG, September 19: Taking on a topic of urgent societal importance, the two-day national seminar on “Digital Danger: Exploring Gender-Based Cyber Violence in Jammu & Kashmir” was successfully conducted at Shaheed Himayun Muzammil Memorial Government Degree College Anantnag on 17th & 18th of September 2025.

An official spokesperson said the seminar was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.

The college, a premier institution in South Kashmir, is hosting the event in collaboration with its Department of Sociology. The seminar’s program began with an introduction by Dr. Heena Qadir (Head, Department of Sociology, GDC Anantnag) and a welcome address from Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Malik (Principal, Host College). The keynote address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Kiranmayi Bushi (Professor of Sociology, IGNOU, New Delhi). Director colleges UT of J&K, Prof (Dr) Sheikh Aijaz Bashir was the Chief guest and Patron of the seminar.

In his special address, Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Aijaz Bashir emphasized the urgent need for enforcement agencies to take stringent action against fake social media pages that are used as tools of harassment and misinformation. The need for digital literacy was also strongly pointed out as a vital safeguard for students and society.

Shri Kartik Shrotryia (IPS), Additional SP Anantnag, deliberated upon the topic and highlighted key issues concerning cyber safety and preventive measures for students and institutions.

The program was also graced by the presence of Prof(Dr.) Peerzada Amin (Professor of Sociology, IUST). Dr. Umer Jan Sofi, Assistant Professor of Sociology proposed the vote of thanks to all the eminants guests and participants. The seminar aimed to highlight the issue of gender-based cyber violence within the specific socio-political context of Jammu & Kashmir. Participants from various institutions across the country has presented Papers on different themes releated to the pressing issues of Cyber Violence were presented in the seminar. The presented papers will be considered for publication in an edited volume with an ISBN by a reputed national publisher.

The two-day program was structured around four technical sessions covering themes such as cybercrime laws, the role of police and cyber cells, digital literacy, mental health, and the accountability of social media platforms. Prof (Dr.) Deba K. Singha Roy, an eminant sociologist  and Senior Fellow, Centre for Contemporary Studies, Prime Ministers Museum and Library New Delhi was chief guest at the valedictory session the Seminar.

The seminar provided a platform to the participants to share their knowledge and strategies related to the gender based cyber violence and enhance cyber security  awareness among the  student community in particular and the society at large.