Fortunate to appear before court in Babri Masjid demolition case: Sakshi Maharaj

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IANS
BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday asserted that no force on earth can stop the construction of the biggest Ram temple in Ayodhya and said he was fortunate to appear in front of a special CBI court in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
“No force on earth can stop the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya,” Sakshi Maharaj said after arriving at the court here.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, I was fortunate to be part of that as it was a pious thing to do,” he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also said that Ayodhya should not be remembered for the mosque but as the birthplace of Lord Ram.
“Don’t be mad, there was no Babri mosque. Babar was a foreigner who had nothing to do with India. You people (media) should not repeatedly call it ‘Babri’. It was, it is and it will remain Ram Janmbhoomi (birthplace),” Sakshi Maharaj said.
Asked if he had any role in demolishing the mosque, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao also said: “There was no structure, but there was a small Ram temple, so we tried to make a new temple.”
Beside Sakshi Maharaj, senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti will appear before the court where charges will be framed against them for their alleged role in the demolition of the mosque in 1992.
Charges would also be framed against Sadhvi Ritambhara, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.
Last week, counsel of the accused had moved a plea in the court to exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharti from personal appearance, but it was turned down.
Charges against six others accused in the matter — Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv Sena’s Satish Pradhan, who were granted bail — will also be framed on Tuesday.
All the accused are facing charges of conspiring to bring down the mosque.
The Central Bureau of Investigation had opposed dropping the charges against these leaders in the Supreme Court after which the apex court directed the special CBI court in Lucknow to hold daily hearings on the 25-year-old matter and wrap it up within two years.

karo kari (Honour Unmasked)

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By :   Majid Wali

Sindh is a region having customs and cultural background with gender based violence on its rise, one of which is “karo kari”,a deep routed norm.

“Karo Kari” is a Sindhi term used for honor killing, specific for Sindh province.Karo means black man and Kari means black women,the term means they have blackened themselves by committing this sin, dishonoring the family. Another term used in Southern Punjab is “Siyah Kari”,a different name but the norm is same.

Often women are murdered in the name of “Karo Kari” which is believed to restore reputation of a family.

A Karo Kari murder incident can occur independently but often it involves the judgment initially which is then followed by directives of “Jirga”, being the only judiciary and administrative forum available in rural areas.

Women in Sindh are considered as an inferior gender with no access to education and religious knowledge which educates them about their fundamental rights, consequently they have accepted this narrow mind set which put them into psychological imprisonment.

In this context, Nafisah Shah with a deep insight, delivered her Intellectuality in the form of “Honour Unmasked “that unveils social and cultural anthropology particularly to Sindh Province which inherent social injustice,”Karo Kari” is the same.

 

 

Dr.Nafisa Shah is an Intellect, writer sand politician. She has done PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oxford.

Nafisah Shah, daughter of former Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, is currently continuing her 2nd tenure as member National Assembly of Pakistan from Khairpur Sindh and she has been nominated as Vice President of Pakistan  People’s Party ( PPP ) Sindh by Chairmen Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari son of former President Asif Ali Zardari.

“Honour Unmasked” which is published in 2016 by Oxford University Press ,is a detailed insight about anthropology of Gender,Politics & Law.On her Intellect, Dr.Nafisah Shah went thoroughly about social injustice which is inherent in Sindh’s culture that leads to honor killings ( Karo Kari ). “ Honour Unmasked” is an effort which is based on her Field & Scholarly work as journalist and researcher about Gender Violence, relevant Laws and Power in Pakistan  that unveils people’s modes of behavior about Honor Killings and gender violence, the lack of laws to protect the discriminative behavior related to women rights and weak implementation of existing laws.

Human Shield Controversy Honour or Shame ?

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News Kashmir Desk

In an controversial move Indian Army’s Major Nitin Leetul Gogi was recently awarded with the Chief of Army Staff’s commendation card for his efforts during law and order situation . Major Gogoi came under limelight for an incident in Budgam, Kashmir  where he is said  to have ordered to tie a Kashmiri man on the hood of a jeep as a shield against stone.

Rage and anger has been witnessed in many a voices against the awarding of the said Army official, especially in the turbulent valley of Kashmir. The election day had seen lot of violence with scores of killings, injuries and arrests with poor turnout.  It is this image of human shield which brought the real storm.

Although some right wing and ultra nationalists have praised the award to Major Gogoi many a sane voices have criticized the Army for awarding Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi with the Army Chief’s Commendation Card.

Kashmiri eminent voices are openly expressing their aghast .Mir Imran, Human Rights Defender stated – “Taking human shield is first of all brazen violations of all international treaties and conventions, now rubbing immense salt to wounds the award of such army official who resorted  to taking Human shield is slap on all democratic norms .This will further create alienation in Kashmir and make Kashmiris feel an enemy nation, this is just unpleasant move. Those Who violate rights of Kashmiris are awarded by Indian state is message going to common Kashmiri on ground. This is humiliation of entire masses at the cost of a very self negative action taken by the said army officer With this move the anger against Indian state will touch sky heights in Kashmir .”

As a matter of fact, the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt Gen (Rtd) Harcharanjit Singh Panag expressed disappointment over Army’s decision to award Major Gogoi. “IA traditions, ethos, rules & regs swept away by the “mood of the nation”! I stand by my views even if I am the last man standing!,” the  retired army commander wrote on the micro-blogging site twitter soon after news about awarding Gogoi broke.

On the otherhand, diplomat and strategic affairs expert, Krishnan Chander Singh seconded Panag and assured him that he is not alone. “You ain’t alone. Good folks remain silent. Human shields can’t be used by army of a civilized nation,” Singh tweeted.

Eminent journalist and Associate Editor CatchNews, Adiyta Menon, termed the decision of awarding the Major as losing of moral rights.  “With Army honouring Major Gogoi who used Kashmiri voter as human shield, we’ve lost moral right to criticize boycotts or lament low turnout,” he tweeted.

Undoubtedly this human shield controversy will dominate the discourse on Kashmir for years to come.

No school bus has met with accident in Poonch, Rajouri: Admin

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The administration in twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch on Thursday termed as baseless all the rumours suggesting that a bus carrying students has met with an accident.

Legislator from Poonch Shah Mohammad Tantray told KNS that the rumours and news being circulated about a school bus having met with an accident is fake.

Pentagon confirms US air strike in Mosul killed at least 105 civilians

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A Pentagon investigation has found that more than 100 civilians were killed after the US dropped a bomb on a building in Mosul, Iraq, in March.

The probe found that the US bomb triggered secondary explosions from devices clandestinely planted there by Isis fighters. And the military says the secondary blasts caused the concrete building to collapse.

It was likely the largest single incident of civilian deaths since the U.S. air campaign against Isis began in 2014.

The lead investigator is Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Isler. Brig. Gen. Isler says 101 civilians in the building were killed, and another four died in a nearby building. He says 36 civilians remain unaccounted for.

The deaths represent about a quarter of all civilian deaths since the U.S. air campaign began.

Critics have claimed the attack shows the US has been too aggressive in bombing congested areas like Mosul. The major Iraqi city – and last Isis city stronghold – has a population of more than 660,000.

The incident generated an international backlash strong enough to halt the Iraqi government forces’ six-month advance into Mosul.

“It’s a time for weighing new offensive plans and tactics. No combat operations are to go on,” a Federal Police spokesman said at the time

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But the newly released Pentagon report casts blame for the casualties on Isis, saying the fighters placed secondary explosives in the building. According to the report, the 500-pound GBU-38 bomb dropped by US forces was intended to destroy only the top floor of the building.

Analysis of the building debris reportedly found materials common to Isis-made bombs, but not found in the GBU-38.

A spokesperson for the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve defended the US’s tactics in March.

“Our goal has always been for zero civilian casualties, but the coalition will not abandon our commitment to our Iraqi partners because of Isis’ inhuman tactics terrorising civilians, using human shields, and fighting from protected sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Isler says American-led forces dropped the bomb under request from Iraqi Counter-terrorism Services, who were fighting their way into Mosul.

The counter-terrorism forces were reportedly facing gunfire from two Isis snipers. The US has increasingly turned to air strikes to access snipers in the densely populated area.

Families in the western district of al-Jadida sheltered in their homes as the air strike started on 17 March. Afterward, journalists reported children and at least one pregnant woman among the dead.

Courtesy: The Independent

Sargoshiya Movie : First Bollywood film to premiere in Srinagar

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News Kashmir Desk

Sargoshiyan has achieved the unique distinction of being  first Bollywood film to be premiered in Srinagar and claims to have captured the soul and culture of Kashmir.

Pertinently, Imran started shooting Sargoshiyan in 2015 with the full support of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank and the Department of Tourism. The movie, which has been extensively shot in Kashmir, drew huge crowds and applause during its premiere.

Eminent personalities dawned the occasion. Member Parliament and Patron National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister for Education Altaf Bukhari, Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Asiya Naqash, J&K Bank Chairman & CEO Parvez Ahmad and top management  of the bank attended the jampacked, impressive  screening of the film in the jam-packed auditorium besides huge gathering of people from all walks of life including arts and media. It was the first Bollywood film to have got premiered in Kashmir.

Dr Farooq Abdullah spoke briefly after the screening of the film, wherein he talked about strong social values that existed in the State and hoped to regain those values as was screened in ‘Sargoshiyan’. He appreciated the film maker and the J&K Bank for producing such a wonderful film showcasing rich cultural values.

Commenting on the bank’s association in the film, Chairman Parvez Ahmad said, “J&K Bank got associated with ‘Sargoshiyan’ in the backdrop of being a responsible corporate citizen of the J&K.”

“It all happened when the film maker, Imran Khan approached us with the concept of the film which highlighted State’s ethos and Kashmiriyat. Besides, it presented an opportunity for the bank’s brand promotion and also bring fresh scenic places on the valley’s tourist map,” he added.

“Despite all odds ‘Sargoshiyan’ has successfully captured the unexplored beauty of the valley, for which I appreciate the will and commitment of the team. I hope that the movie does help in unburdening of the hugely skewed perception about this place in the country,” he further said.

“We are committed to support such projects which highlight, promote or add value to and at the same time strengthen our socio-economic and cultural fabric”, he added.

He thanked the ‘Sargoshiyan’ team especially to its Director-Producer Imran Khan, who, he said, is not only very good film maker but also a nice human being.

“I hope the film attracts and encourages nature lovers and tourists across the country to visit these new and safe destinations thereby boosting the tourism industry of Kashmir”, he added. He hoped that the film would encourage other film makers to shoot their projects in the scenic lap of Kashmir.

J&K Tourism department hosted the dinner for the premiere participants at Royal Springs Golf Course.

Pertinently, The film also features Sara Khan as a European photographer – who is in search of solace and visits the valley to delve deeper into its history. As Sara said, the film will be different from all other projects that have been released on Kashmir so far. “This film is going to be different. We are tapping the sensitivity and emotions. We are showing the story of Kasmir and not terrorism of Kashmir.”

Tom too referred to Sargoshian as a beautiful film and not a propaganda.

The film will be released on May 19 and be screened in around 500 theatres across India. The wait for the movie is much in Kashmir as well.

 

GST Is Beneficial For Consuming States : Zenith M.Sangma

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Taxation, Housing, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Meghalaya Zenith M. Sangma, who is also an GST expert and attended the Srinagar GST meet held recently talked to News Kashmir  in an exclusive interview  with Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz.

How beneficial will be GST for a place like Kashmir?

GST  will be definitely fruitful for a place like Kashmir and entire Jammu and Kashmir state as it is beneficial to Meghalaya like state, as  we both are consuming states and it is quiet productive for consuming states since it is a destination based tax.

What were the main decisions taken in GST Srinagar Meet ?

Some important decisions were made. Mostly we decided what tax rate will be imposed on different commodities and also on services .We have also advocated that in our states for products like raw areca nut ,Dryfiz  no tax should be imposed but for sin goods heavy tax should be imposed.

With states having right to have own GST law, wont it create chaos by one central law and many state based GST Laws. Your take?

There is conflict in certain issues, but through debate, threadbare discussion  we will resolve the issues facing GST .

Many critics state GST is import preferential and thus it will hit make in India initiatives?

It is a good question and in this regard I want to state that the rates would be fixed in a such a way that import commodities do not get the undue advantage .

A state like Jharkhand, Bihar have different financial structures as compared to Assam, Meghalaya .How will GST Cater to this facet?

Yes it is true and especially the manufacturing states would be initially losing for few years due to GST and in this regard amendment has been made and constitutional provision is made that for five years Government of India will compensate such states.

Will GST be a different from VAT experience ?

When we work out the overall features it looks GST would be a good experience . In a state like Meghalaya we would be gaining in most of sectors.

Have you recommended any reforms in GST ?

Yes we have recommended reforms- for example in Handloom sector as we have lot of weavers working in handloom sectors and for statistics vise North East accounts for  more than 50 percent of handloom and weavers in India so in this regard products made by weavers themselves will have zero tax .

How do you find the position of Congress in Meghalaya amid rise of BJP allover India ?

The ideology of Congress is very strong  and grass rooted in Meghalaya and it is slated to do well again in upcoming general elections .

What has been impact of rising Cow politics on State like Meghalaya?

The rise of right wing politics has been felt in Northeast India , but we do not like this beef ban and nobody can dictate us what to eat. Without beef our people cannot servive.

Your Message to Youth ?

Youth are the future of nation and if we do not pay attention, focus to youth issues we will face lot of problems and we have to teach youth how to be more productive. We in Meghalaya are embarking on many programmes to help youth in grooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Marriages

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In other parts of world  child marriage has all along been a grave issue, as a matter of fact a universal issue , but here in the Valley of Kashmir, given the unstable  nature of situation, the dilemma is that the marriage of boys and girls is getting delayed and late marriages is thus a serious issue . Late marriages have in fact become a strange norm here .According to a  study conducted few years  by senior sociologists at University of Kashmir, the average age of marriage of the females has shot up from 20.7 to 27.83 years. As far as the males, the age of marriage has risen to 31.53 years from 23.63 years in normal times.

Experts state manner in which the Kashmir society has shaped its social fabric and the violent circumstances prevailing are said to be among the main reasons behind this upsetting phenomenon..

Pertinently, the main causes are – political turmoil, practice of dowry, accomplishment of modern education and unemployment are the main reasons resulting into a trend of late marriages.
But there are some voices that clearly describe the prevailing turmoil being the chief reason behind late marriages. Thousands of Kashmiri youth have been killed during 28 years of militancy. Secondly, due to turmoil in the Valley, a large number of Kashmiri boys go outside the state to pursue further studies where they marry their class or college mates.

The need of the hour is to initiate a revolutionary movement to curb this unpleasant tendency of late marriages in our society.

 

Looming Governor Rule!

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Kashmir and political uncertainty have always been linked especially since the past three decades as Kashmir conflict has taken a deadly turn .Governor rules have often been imposed in Kashmir by the Central Government to ease out the situation . Currently, with the PDP BJP Government looking an unholy alliance due to contradictory ideologies the option of Governor Rule does not look farfetched .Plus the ever worsening ground situation in shape of increased protests, killings, arrests, student agitations have made matters worse.

 

The pulse on ground from masses to analytical paradigm is that Governor rule is  in offing .

 

While talking to News Kashmir , political analyst Muhammad Tauseef , commenting on prospects of Governor rule states-”

The Government in Kashmir seems to be heading nowhere ,situation is getting bad to worse every day and turning gloomy every passing moment .No confidence building measures taken , suppression against the youth coupled with massive fear being installed in masses makes the ground very difficult for the Government .It looks now clear that if the situation further goes out of control ,governor rule looks all the more imminent. The PDP BJP alliance from day one looked unholy and with time it has proven more disastrous .”

Even the mainstream polity of the state seem to be batting for the imposition of Governor rule in the state .Just few days back National Conference President DR. Farooq Abdullah  said that Governor’s rule should be imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that it is “unavoidable and imperative” to restore peace in the state. His statement came soon after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day.

There has been much speculation recently that the alliance between Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party is breaking down. Reports had even suggested that Mufti might be replaced by a BJP leader. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that replacing her would not help the alliance, PTI reported.

On the otherhand many a voices are stating that Governor rule could be round the corner .

 

 

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, writer and activist states – ” Since the past three decades  on account of violent political turmoil Jammu and Kashmir state has often seen Governor Rule being imposed , nowadays the situation is looking more heading towards the Governor Rule .From day one this Government of PDP BJP has been dismal to say the least .Masses are highly dissatisfied with present Government like anything and it seems out of this deep mess the Governor rule might be the only option available .The history of Governor rules at critical junctures makes it look highly possible that governor rule might be imposed.”

Next few weeks look all the more interesting in the turmoil hit state of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Escalating Violence

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The strife-torn region of Kashmir had witnessed a period of relative calm for few years, but a recent spate of increased violence  since 2016 post killing of militant commander Burhan Wani which have resulted in number of civilian, police, army, militant fatalities is a grim reminder of the ever escalating tensions in Kashmir, which has been at the heart of enmity between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan since 1947 .

From every analytical paradigm of ground situation the things looks to be heading from bad to worse. Be it recent killings of policeman, Bank Guards at Kulgam or bloodbath at Meer Bazar, killing of kashmiri Army officer in India army after abduction like events have gloomed environ.

At this juncture of time, in the Valley of Kashmir, the urge for achieving honorable peace is even greater than it was ever before. The sane voices and commoners aptly suggest that peace is important because we need a better world for our next generations. Every wise voice suggests that peace is important for our survival and growth and because we can enjoy the benefits of the latest technological and scientific advancements only in times of peace.

Mushtaq ul Haq Sikander, eminent writer and analyst states – “ At present the situation seems to be heading to very pessimistic outlook with growing violence and upheavals. Since the birth of contemporary Kashmir conflict in 1947 the human tragedy has been exceptionally huge, be it in form of refugees, migrants, political dissidents or prisoners. The human tragedy has multiplied and reached to demonic proportions since the initiation of mass armed struggle in early 1990s. The violence of both sides has consumed thousands, destroyed property worth billions, maimed hundreds, orphaned and widowed thousands. The disappeared, incarcerated, half widows have added to the already escalating miseries.

 

The tragedy of armed forces and police goes unnoticed. They too get consumed without gaining any empathy or sympathy from the masses as they are being witnessed as collaborators, occupation forces and perpetrators of atrocities. None mourns about their loss as human tragedy. The distinction between Who is right and who is wrong gets blurred in the conflict, and the vicious cycle of violence continues in which innocent humans and State’s forces get consumed as cannon fodder, while the politicians, capitalists and elites with vested interests achieve their nefarious designs by keeping the pot of the conflict boiling. It is high time Kashmir issue is settled in democratic manner.”

Even commoners are worried about the worsening situation in Kashmir.

 

Gulzar Ahmad, a commoner said,” The present situation in Kashmir is terribly bad with every passing day fear and violence are growing. On larger level too, Peaceful relations among peoples and nations are threatened in the contemporary world by alienation, misconceptions, and above all by unsolved burning conflicts like Kashmir and Palestine. The only way out to root out extremist phenomenon’s and to ensure a peaceful world is to solve these burning conflicts through the medium of dialogue. “

But, ground pulse is that  all the stake holders have to take into account the aspirations of masses in to consideration while addressing the current grim situation of Kashmir .

The need of time being stressed out is that institution of dialogue needs to be revived.