'How can anybody do such heinous act against a living form of Mata': J&K CM on Kathua incident

Addressing the sixth convocation at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University here , the chief minister said the heinous act of the perpetrators "has shocked us as a society" and showed that the value system was facing a crisis.

She batted for inclusion of value education in curriculum, saying "our material growth becomes meaningless, if we are not able to become a good human beings".

"The entire set of rituals are practised in this part of the state (Jammu) as Kanya Puja, where minor girls have been worshipped as incarnation of Goddess Durga. How could anybody do such a heinous act against one such living form of 'Mata' in her own land", the chief minister said referring to the Kathua rape victim.

She said that Trikuta hills are known as the abode of Goddess Mata Vaishno Devi and are the best testimony of this society and how they are treating the females.

"When we talk of value system, I feel it is under crisis. The recent happening against a weaker underprivileged individual, especially a girl child, was alarming and has shocked us as a society," she said, adding " there is something seriously wrong in our changing life system".

"Our material growth becomes meaningless, if we are not able to become a good human being with compassion and humanity, inclusive sense and set of values which can distinguish us as a civilized society," she added.

An eight-year-old girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was found on January 17 in the Kathua district. During investigation, the state police's crime branch alleged she was drugged and repeatedly raped before being killed. Eight persons, including a juvenile, were arrested in connection with the crime and their trial began yesterday in a court, where they pleaded not guilty. The incident has sparked outrage in the country.

Mufti said apart from imparting scientific and technological knowledge, a university has to inculcate a value system among students.