News Kashmir Magazine

News Kashmir Exclusive

These are unprecedented  times  in the electoral history of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to take control of, at least, seven municipal committees in Kashmir Valley unopposed in the elections.

Pertinently, This surprising and out of box development comes after the two main regional parties — National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party — decided to boycott the urban local body polls in protest against the Centre’s plan to scrap the special status of the state especially fiddling with the article 35 a.

All this has made election process look an affair of selection rather than election and heavily dented its credibility . It is worth noting that at least 60 candidates of the BJP have won their seats unopposed, and a majority of them fall in the volatile region of south Kashmir where, out of 20 municipalities in five districts, only four are likely to go to polls. The municipalities which are likely to be headed by BJP candidates are Devsar, Qazigund, Pahalgam, and Ashmuqam in south Kashmir, and Shopian and Sopore towns of north Kashmir.

“We have 350 candidates contesting in 600 municipal wards spread across 10 districts of the Valley. Our 60 candidates have won without fighting the elections. Out of them, six are Kashmiri Pandits,” Altaf Thakur, the BJP’s spokesperson in Srinagar, said on Tuesday at his office.

“After the first phase of nominations for elections was over, the rush of the candidates increased. We had to select among dozens of candidates. People have reposed faith in democracy and we will live up to their expectations,” Thakur said.

As a matter of fact, the 624 wards in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to go for the four-phase polls from 8 to 16 October. With elections lacking participation the main popular party touch experts and commoners are voicing concerns.

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, A PROMINENT political analyst stated : “ Local bodies elections are essential for a vibrant democracy. But in Kashmir the process has always been disrupted. With the intervention of the BJP  led center in J&K the space for regional parties has been curtailed. BJP joined the coalition government only to deceive and marginalise the regional parties. Now when both National conference and people’s democratic party have boycotted the elections BJP is adamant to go ahead with the process in which most seats would be won unopposed. Some of its members particularly the pandits in Jammu have filed nominations for Kashmir who in no way are representative of the wards or constituencies. The BJP  again is trying to choke the space and marginalise the regional parties, that will have disastrous ramifications for the future. This election in most cases has no representative character.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

Youth is the season of hope and optimism  but   in Kashmir over the past three decades of never ending bloodshed , violence and unresolved issues Youth have bore the worst brunt of  all the bleak situations. Killings, protests, agitations , curfews, blinding, uncertainties, strikes have made youth of Kashmir to be always feel at  receiving end.

Everyday young educated minds getting killed in gunbattles and encounters is causing much worry to voices of sanity in Kashmir.

Democracy is the pulse  for our political system and Youth are its integral dimension . The  gross human rights violations faced by the youth of Kashmir coupled with absence of concrete political space in Kashmir is stated by many experts to be among the prominent reasons of youth being pushed to wall as youth neither find any respectable jobs nor any good  space in mainstream nor separatist polity.

Youth of Kashmir continue to remain disgruntled and get thus easily motivated by the violent path and have worryingly enough developed love towards death and hate towards life.

Young people are not given opportunities to prove themselves claiming that they are not equipped with experience to participate actively in the governance of the state.

Dynasty politics and its upper hand in mainstream polity of the state is a matter of great concern and a contributing factor in pushing youth to wall, according to ground zero voices.

Lateef ahmed , a youthful voice states “ We are aware about the importance of the young people in nation building  but we are losing our youth to never ending bloodshed and mayhem. Lack of political space is making matters worse for our youth. No doubt political parties in the mainstream and separatist polity need to show more generous approach while inducting youth into the polity and party fold but on the other hand youth too need to come forward and be patient while choosing politics as it demands lot of strength of mind. We also as society elders need to teach the youth of the Kashmir value of life .”

On the otherhand of the spectrum, steadily ban on student politics should be lifted in the state.

Many great minds are product of the student politics and have learnt lot through t and experts are of  firm belief that time has come to lift ban on the student politics in our part of the world. With time we should lift ban at student politics in top universities and regulate it in an effective way so that youth anger gets less. Jobs too need to be provided to youth at good pace to kill their alienation and also given more freedom from fear.

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

Over the past few weeks few media reports are doing round that  the government of India is seriously thinking  to divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir into three parts i.e Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This demand has been more vocal in Ladakh region and also among some quarters in Jammu region with Kashmir opposing it.

According to these very media reports, PM Modi wants to solve the issue of Kashmir before 2019 general elections and it is also possible that PM Modi may himself in a month or so announce trifurcation of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

As a matter of fact, he demand for separate state has been very high in Ladakh region. All Religious Joint Action Committee (ARJAC) leaders passed a resolution demanding union territory status for Ladakh. In a memorandum to Prime Minister, ARJAC leaders had said, “Ladakh is fundamentally different from Kashmir in all respects — culturally, ethnically and linguistically. Over the years the successive governments of the state have adopted a policy of discrimination and subversion towards the region with the sole objective of stifling its people and marginalizing its historical, religious and cultural identity.” The ARJAC leaders further said, “In modern times, when the whole subcontinent has passed through the process of decolonisation to enjoy the fruits of national Independence, we, the people of Ladakh, and our land still continue to suffer under the old concept of colonial administrative structure, which suited the imperial interests and feudal rulers under the name of the pseudo-state of Jammu & Kashmir.”

The ARJAC memo further stated, “Our humble submission is that we are neither the problem nor part of any problem involving the state. Rather we are the solution. We firmly believe that all of us live only if India lives. Our commitment to patriotism is firm and unequivocal. Our people and soldiers have never hesitated to make supreme sacrifices in the discharge of their duties towards the country. We shall never fail the nation.”

Many a sane voices see the plans to divide Jammu and Kashmir state into three parts as a ploy to divide and rule.

Mir Imran, Human rights defender stated “ Trifurcation of the Jammu and Kashmir into three regions I. e Jammu, Ladakh, Kashmir is news that has been doing rounds since long, but it will not help in anyway settling the political issue of Kashmir as whole state under UN charter is disputed. Trifurcation of the state will lead to such deep communal polarization that communal riots will become order of day. Plus all the sane sections of the state will with full tooth and nail oppose the division of the state into three parts as this goes against the ethos and identity of the state. Divisions won’t carry us anywhere but will add to our problems and create other issues as well. If government of India goes ahead with its idea of dividing the state it would be disaster met with heavy resistance from people of the Jammu and Kashmir state.”

News Kashmir Exclusive

In dramatic developments for the mainstream polity in the trouble torn state of Jammu and Kashmir the prominent mainstream parties national conference and Peoples Democratic Party have decided to boycott the upcoming local body and panchayat polls. Two days after the profreedom camp  in Kashmir called for boycott of the municipal and panchayat elections, mainstream National Conference also decided to stay away from the polls.

The National Conference on Wednesday announced its boycott of the upcoming elections announced by the Governor’s Administration to be held around October-December this year. Pertinently, The party sought clarification from the Central Government about the protection of Article 35A in and outside the courts.

National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah after chairing the party’s core group meeting at its party headquarters at “Nawa-i-Subh” Complex in Srinagar, told reporters that his party won’t contest the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections as the situation was not conducive for the elections. Just before , the NC core group meeting had a detailed discussion about the prevailing situation in the State with particular reference to Article 35A of the Constitution. The meeting felt that any tinkering with Article 35A  has disastrous consequences not only for the State but for the entire country.

The core group said that the role of the Central Government and the Governor’s Administration vis-a-vis Article 35A in the Supreme Court clearly goes against the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State.

The party alleged that announcement of municipal and panchayat polls by Governor’s Administration was taken hastily without taking into consideration the prevailing situation created in view of unnecessary attempts to fiddle with Article 35 A. NC vice-president Omar Abdullah in a tweet said, “It is now for the Central government to clarify whether it stands with regard to Art 35A. It is not enough to use panchayat & municipal elections simply to delay proceedings in the court”.

 

On the otherhand, Jammu and Kashmir’s People’s Democratic Party has also indicated it has reservations about local bodies’ poll in the state a day after its bitter political rival National Conference said it would boycott the elections. The PDP, which ruled the state till recently with the BJP, said the centre’s decision to seek deferment of Supreme Court hearing on Article 35A till after the panchayat elections, smacks of conspiracy.

Speaking to NDTV, former chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that people are expecting mischief after the centre sought that the hearing on Article 35A in the Supreme Court be deferred.”It is difficult to ignore the public sentiment. There is apprehension that Article 35A may be fiddled with once these elections are over,” said Ms Mufti.

Ms Mufti, who also headed the PDP-BJP government in the state till the BJP pulled off support in June, said the decision of National Conference to boycott elections has made these polls meaningless. “National Conference is the main regional party. What is the credibility of these elections when there is no contest?” she said.

The analysis is that with this decision the mainstream polity seems to be going into a big mess .

News Kashmir Exclusive

In a major development, Veteran politician, Shri Satya Pal Malik was recently sworn-in as the 13th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir .J&K High Court Chief Justice, Justice Gita Mittal administered the oath of office to Shri Malik at a simple but impressive function at bedecked sprawling lawns of Raj Bhavan here.The warrant of appointment of Shri Malik was read out by the Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam. A poet and author, Shri Malik was previously the Governor of Bihar and Odisha and was appointed J&K Governor by the President of India on 21 August 2018.

 

Born on 24 July 1946 to a family of agriculturists in village, Hisawada, Baghpat (district Meerut) in Uttar Pradesh, Shri Malik after graduating in science, pursued law degree at Meerut University before joining politics. He also holds a diploma in Parliamentary Affairs from the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies run by Parliament of India.

 

He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 1974-77. He was also the member of the 9th Lok Sabha and represented Aligarh Constituency from 1989 to 1991. He was member of Rajya sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two terms of 1980-86 and 1986-1992.

 

Shri Malik served as Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism from 21 April 1990 to 10 November 1990.

 

 

 

Former Chief Ministers, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti; Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Dr Nirmal Singh; MPs; Legislators; Heads of Constitutional Bodies; Governor’s Advisors, B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai; serving and former Judges of the J&K High Court; Director General of Police, Dr S P Vaid; Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir & Jammu; senior civil, police CRPF, BSF and Army officers, political and civil society representatives were among the modest gathering of 400 dignitaries who attended the oath ceremony.

 

Bilal Bashir Bhat, a young journalist commenting on the development stated “Shri Malik has replaced a heavyweight like NN Vohra . We know he has been member of several Parliamentary Committees including Panel of Chairman, General Purposes Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Chairman, Joint Sub Committee on Telecasting of Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, Chairman, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and Parliamentary Consultative Committee.He is also a poet and author and has written two books on poetry and a Political Commentary. We are hopeful that he uses his political acumen to fullest to guide the trouble torn state in right direction especially in these tough times .”

On the otherhand of the spectrum, Having special interest in history and archaeology, Shri Malik is also known for his social activities including establishing day-care centres for the children of poor labourers.

He has also organised several farmers’ and youth movements during his more than six decades long political career.

The pulse is filled with optimism that may his appointment change the fortunes opf state to better times .

 

 

News Kashmir

Effective policing helps in making a civilized society and it is only by relentless efforts of police that we see peace in societies and crimes getting thwarted or decreasing. In Jammu and Kashmir state due to burning political conflict the Police Department has had to play multiple roles and have given exemplary sacrifices while rendering their duties.

For some time the feel that Kashmiri based police officers at top positions is dwindling and also the ratio of Kashmiris in JK Police is dwindling is getting much vocal . Worryingly enough the presence of police officers from Kashmir at key district-level positions in the state, especially in the Valley, is witnessing decline with every fresh transfer order.

On the otherhand, The transfers effected by the state Home department on Monday have triggered fears among the local officers that they would be dumped to insignificant positions in coming days. “Are not we competent enough to handle crucial assignments? How can officers with four to five years of experience handle crucial and sensitive districts in Kashmir? It is sheer injustice with us,” a group of police officers told leading English daily of Kashmir Greater Kashmir.

Pertinently, With this latest reshuffle, the number of officers from Kashmir holding the positions of district police chiefs has reduced to five. Of them four are holding such positions in Kashmir and one in Jammu province.In Kashmir Valley’s 13 police districts, only four district police chiefs – Imtiyaz Hussain Mir (SSP Baramulla), Harmeet Singh Mehta (SP Kulgam), Altaf Ahmad Khan (SSP Anantnag), Imtiaz Ismail Parray (SSP Srinagar) – are from the region.

Also on the otherside of the spectrum, several netizens of Kashmir had expressed dissatisfaction over what they claimed less number of Kashmiris featuring in the latest selected Sub Inspector list. A total of 2,181 candidates have been shortlisted for vivo voce and personality assessment test for the post of sub- inspector and of these, 1,525 candidates hail from Jammu province and 656 candidates are from Kashmir province.

 

Although the police on Wednesday refuted the allegation of discrimination, spread through social networking sites, in the selection of shortlisted candidates for the post of sub-inspector (SI).

“Baseless comments and queries are reportedly circulating among the public through social networking sites about the alleged discrimination to the candidates of Kashmir province which is an intentional move to defame the credibility of the entire recruitment process,” a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said the post of sub-inspector was a state cadre post and a common statewide merit was to be drawn for it.

“The written examination for the post was a competitive examination conducted on an OMR-type answer sheet. The J&K Police has completely switched over to the transparent recruitment process. The current recruitment process is a technologically driven one with minimum human intervention,” the spokesman said.

He described the allegations of discrimination as “baseless, fake, concocted and ill-intentioned”.

 

But analysts state that without an iota of doubt the situation calls on looking into these burning facts and ensure remedial measures.

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

Article 35A of the Indian Constitution is an article that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents. It was added to the Constitution through a Presidential Order, i.e., The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 – issued by the President of India on 14 May 1954 in accordance with the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and with the concurrence of the Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a way , Article 35A defines the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and bars outsiders from settling in the state, and prevents them from buying properties and take part in elections.

The article has been challenged in the apex court by a NGO on the contention that the article has been inserted in the Constitution by a mere Presidential Order and should be struck down.

 

 

Now with clamor growing for its abrogation the unease and resentment especially in the Kashmir valley is growing .

 

Top Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq  directed his cadre and supporters to get ready for an agitation in case the Article 35A of the Constitution is tinkered with by the Supreme Court.

From Civil society members to profreedom leadership and mainstream politicians alike have come together to offer suggestions on what can be done if there is any tinkering with the law.

 

 

Keeping up the heat over the issue the MLA Javed Rana, a senior National Conference leader, lashed out at the BJP and warned them against the scrapping of Article 370 that will give an autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. There has been pressure from the BJP in the past as well since it has been in debate for a very long time.

Addressing a huge crowd, the Mendhar MLA is stated to have said that the Indian tricolor will have no presence in the militancy-hit valley if the government tries to do away with Article 35A and Article 370. He further said that these Articles make a bridge between the country and the state. He also warned that any attempt to break this bridge will have ‘disastrous’ consequences, as per a report by Financial Express (FE).

On the otherhand, The CPI(M)’s Jammu and Kashmir unit has also  moved the Supreme Court in support of the Constitution’s Article 35A that empowers the state assembly to define ‘permanent residents’ for bestowing special rights and privileges to them.

The Left party sought an approval to intervene in a pending writ petition through its state committee member and Kulgam MLA Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami.

While on the other hand of the spectrum, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday said Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution are temporary laws which can be removed without a vote in the Parliament. Swamy’s statement came after National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah stated that any attempts made to thwart Jammu and Kashmir’s special status would not be allowed to succeed.

Nevertheless a heated debate is on over article 35 A in entire state and has given rise to uneasy situation.

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

A historic turn  has taken place in the politics of Pakistan after nearly 30 years. Neither the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) nor the Pakistan Muslim League (N) will form the government in Islamabad this time. It will be the new party  the centrist PTI on the block — the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.

After more than two decades of hard work in politics it looks finally hardwork and charisma of Imran khan has paid dividends. In his victory speech  from his house in Bani Gala in the capital Islamabad’s suburbs, Khan shared his ambitious plans for the country and vowed to safeguard the interests of the ordinary people. “I will live humbly because I belong to the masses and come from you,” he said in a televised video message.

As a matter of fact , Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (Urdu: پاکستان تحريک انصاف‎, “Pakistan Movement for Justice”) is a political party in Pakistan founded in 1996 by former national cricket captain Imran Khan. PTI is the most rapidly growing political party of Pakistan, and has created a tri-party system, in which it opposes both the leftist People’s Party and the conservative PML-N.

The biggest curiously is how the cricketer turned politician will take steps to better the worsen ties with India and also what will be his policy on Kashmir issue .

Mani Shankar Aiyar, prominent Indian politician and writer in his column wrote : “

For us in India, the near-universal rejection of Pakistan’s religion-based parties is perhaps the most significant outcome of this election – for it demonstrates (once again) that far from being partisans of fanatical Islamic terrorists, Pakistanis, by and large, reject religious extremism and terror politics. The mainstream of Pakistan’s public opinion is remarkably like India’s: deeply religious but very wary of basing politics on religion,. and wedded to the ballot rather than the bullet.”

While talking to the News Kashmir Nasir Khuehami,  a young journalist states :” Imran Khan offers a change that many will find at least a new and dynamic change. We are yet not much aware about how he will go in the governance matters or foreign policy issues but I feel that less burden of any horrible past will make him take some good decisions hopefully .One hopes he takes steps in establishing peaceful relations with India and seeking solution to the vexed issue of the Kashmir. On relationship with India or on Kashmir issue I feel something new is offing as the previous government in Pakistan had become too predictable and traditional in approach.”

The coming weeks and months will be very interesting to note as to how the new PTI Government functions.