Chinaz District Khokim Admits Initiative Behind 'Shameful' Banners

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Khokim of the Chinaz district in the Tashkent region, Sherzod Salikhov, stated that the idea to place banners reading "Shameful mahalla" was his personal initiative and not an order from higher authorities, he said in an interview with Daryo.

According to Salikhov, the proposal to use such banners was not implemented in practice. One banner was installed, a video was filmed for social networks, and it was subsequently dismantled.

"This was my initiative," the khokim stated, adding that he viewed such an approach as a way to encourage residents to participate more actively in improvement works as part of the "Topical 40 Days" campaign.

Salikhov emphasized that such signs were never permanently displayed on any house or in any mahalla. According to him, the goal was not to shame representatives of the "mahalla seven," but to motivate them to work and unite their efforts.

The khokim admitted that the chosen method might have appeared overly harsh. "Perhaps it turned out a bit rude, I admit that," he said.

According to Salikhov, representatives of district authorities did not exert pressure on residents, but rather conducted explanatory work.

He suggested viewing what happened as one of several methods of campaigning.

The khokim also stated that officials can make mistakes and apologized if he was at fault. At the same time, he noted that he intends to continue working if he considers the chosen approach to be correct.