Perzada Arshad Hamid

Srinagar

The poster-boy of Kashmiri fury and resistance who became an Internet phenomenon has rejected the options to sue the agency who has copyrighted his image and are selling the products like T-shirts, beer mugs, mouse pads, Valentine cards, thongs etc., having emblazoned on them his photos in a variety of bloodthirsty and furious poses.

Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, 31, an ordinary political activist from Srinagar this year grabbed international attention when images of his angry postures at street protests were circulated by press photo agencies and subsequently picked by bloggers for the gossip. His nickname scores more than a million results in Google search toolbar.

Bhat  says that  he has no plans to sue the people who earn by selling his image. "I am a humble political worker seeking international attention towards Kashmir problem, I can accept money against my earnest service to my nation," Bhat said.

Bhat's constant presence in the street protests of Kashmir earned him the name "Islamic Rage Boy" and made him the darling of a bunch of rightwing American bloggers, who resort to parodies and spoof-image making after Bhat's photos began to occupy the front pages in various newspapers and magazines across world.

Bhat is usually seen protesting on Srinagar roads against the human rights violations in Kashmir and elsewhere in Muslim world and, against scathing attacks aimed at Islam. He says that he considers raising voice against the 'oppressor' his duty and if he accepts money in return, his services will go in vain.

"I hope that Allah will reward me for my service at the time of judgment and I don't get lured to money, if it is offered to me in whatever form," said Bhat.

Since Bhat is ignorant of the hullabaloo over his photos that inspired cartoons and even merchandise, Bhat says he is not bothered how people perceive him. "Whatever I do, I do it in the name of Allah, the almighty. I am more considered with the world hereafter," says Bhat.

Bhat's prominent postures have been captured during protests over the sexual exploitation of Kashmiri girls by mainstream politicians and Army personnel, unearthing of fake encounters, the row over Danish cartoons of Prophet Mohammed and   granting of knighthood to writer Salman Rushdie.

Although Bhat says many people mostly lawyers approached him with the suggestion but he had never lens his ears to the issue.

"Some friends told me that we can sue the people who sell your image but I showed reluctance," said Bhat, who is very much dependent on his brothers for pocket money.

Since most of the blog posts about Bhat are in same unchanging, deameaning, hostile tone, Bhat says that he is yet to take decision about suing the persons who constantly resort to damaging his image.

Legal experts believe that the American websites that have reproduced Shakeel's image may be breaching his image rights under US intellectual property law and for that Bhat   has a strong case against them.

"I am personally hurt with the people who had distorted my image by some times presenting me as a pig and sometimes a naked blonde. I am thinking in terms of dealing with them as per law," said Bhat.