News Kashmir Magazine

News Kashmir Exclusive

The  prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University students protest against  the 2013 hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru has turned into a big row and  generated outrage after it was publicised in the mainstream media. The students, allegedly seen shouting slogans supporting Afzal Guru and Kashmiri separatism triggered the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP’s student wing, who wrote to the Vice Chancellor that such marches should not be held on campus.

This prompted fierce protests from students and teachers in the university. JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday on charges of sedition. The university also barred eight students — whom they didn’t name — from academic activities pending an inquiry into the events.

The violence on journalists and students by some lawyers has give rise to another controversy .

Voices are expressing their angst over the issue. Bilal Bhat, a Delhi based kashmiri journalist and activist. He is the chairman of JK youth civil society. While talking to News Kashmir he states -“To disrupt the the democratic atmosphere of JNU which is known for freedom of speech and expression . in last three years there was a significant rise of involvement  of kashmiri students who by and large feel alienated in their own country.JNU gave them a soothing shoulder to raise their voice . Many kashmiri students were seen active in terms of running the campus union raising various issues concerning the country. Agencies became apprehensive and hatched a conspiracy to malign the union .”

Reflecting on the issue eminent journalist of India Seema Mustafa wrote -“Have you ever bothered to ask why a particular kind of love for the motherland, professed for instance, by the lawyers as they beat up students and journalists at the Patiala court, is always expressed through vitriol and violence? And why suddenly India is no bigger than Pakistan in her democracy and her vibrancy, and how suddenly debate and dissent—even by young students—becomes a threat to the nation.”

On the otherhand, while leading  AIP’s solidarity march with JNU students MLA Langate Engineer Rashid stated that India has lost moral ground to abuse Pakistan.  Er Rasheed said that people of J&K are thankful to all those saner voices especially the youth who are raising voice in favor of Kashmiris at JNU, Calcutta and other places. Er Rasheed stated, “Congress and BJP are trying to score the political points with regard to this uprising in the educated class of India but need to understand that the uprising is not for Congress or against BJP but the Indian youth has started feeling pain of Kashmiris. The sedition charges on Mr. S.A.R Geelani are unacceptable and illogical and just an attempt to please a very small section of rightest forces and a section of biased media.” Er Rasheed added that GoI has not been able to curb the voice of Kashmiris despite using all shameless measures and sooner or later it will have to resolve Kashmir. He said, “The protests being carried out in prestigious universities are being attended by students and scholars of all most of all states without caring for caste, creed and religion. As such New Delhi has lost the argument of blaming Pakistan in interfering into internal affairs of India. Er Rasheed said that despite the fact that national media has always been biased and harsh towards Kashmiris, every Kashmiri deems it his duty to condemn the assault by ultra-nationalist lawyers on senior journalists in Delhi and added that world community should know if these so called protectors of law, can mishandle and abuse those who have similar views as of them about Kashmir, what would they do with those who differ with them in their ideology and views.

Undoubtedly, JNU for the moment is generating heated politics over the issue.

News Kashmir Exclusive
People in the pain and conflict hit state of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting desperately for elected government to takeover so as to end the governor rule in the state. Overwhelming majority of masses believe that their problems could receive a due attention only when there is elected setup in place.
Worryingly enough, the already politically sensitive and countless problem hit state of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed many long sells of governor rule which has weakened the democratic paradigm and dashed hopes . Masses have felt the hard brunt of these long spells of governor rule as developmental picture has been hurt.
Gulzar Ahmad,a commoner states -“We have been waiting for the government now since many weeks. These often long spells of Governor rule does not augur good for us as we want solution of our grave problems and only elected government has an effective answer to our grievances.
A mechanism should be decided so that we do not have to wait for long intervals of time for the elected setup. We already know that we are far behind in the developmental spectrum and often spells of Governor rule have not proved much effective .We are hopeful that soon the government would be formed in our state and our miseries and sufferings would be thus receive heed.”
Experts have clearly pointed that often governor rule weakens democratic setup and already fragile mainstream of state. The recent moves by Pakistan to make Gilgit Baltistan (part of erstwhile J&K) it’s 5th state is an eye opener in this regard. While Kashmiri pro freedom groups openly challenged it and wrote rebellious letters to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharief, no mainstream party could speak about it because it is believed that they have lost that moral high ground to speak for the undivided state of Jammu and Kashmir that existed before the tribal invasion of October 1947 and the subsequent landing of the Indian Army in Kashmir.
Faizan Bhat, Eminent columnist states – “It is an open secret that Kashmir is facing worst problems on every front since decades. The issue of poor governance has been one major issue. Whenever the Governor rule is imposed the crisis related to governance further sinks. People depend upon elected representative for their genuine problems. We have seen lot of mess being created on account of long spells of Governor Rule. The concerned parties should brainstorm and form an effective government that focuses on governance and does not harp on raising communal temperatures. Masses on ground are facing thousand problems for which an effective government should soon come into action.”
The J&K has remained to be ruled like this Governor rule from March 1977, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2008, and for 51 days in the present coalition from 9 January 2015 and again this time.

Be it from the perspective of providing effective governance to masses so as to solve their burning issues or to strengthening the democratic fabric the people are eagerly awaiting for Mehbooba Mufti to make a move and form a strong government that can lead the state to some sought of hope. With even the flood hit masses yet to be rehabilitated the wait is ever so desperate .

News Kashmir Exclusive
In the unfortunate land of Kashmir, tragedies and traumas have defined life in Kashmir over the past three decades of violent political conflict.
Pertinently, February is the month of particular pain in Kashmir when two humans from this misfortune hit land were hanged.

More than Thirty years ago on 11 February 1984 one of the stalwart of Kashmir’s pro-freedom movement Muhammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged in the Tihar jail and after 29 years in 2013 the history had repeated itself again when Afzal Guru the main accused in the 13 December, 2001 Indian Parliament Attack Case was sent to gallows in Tihar Jail on 9th February 2013 in utmost secrecy and concealed manner by the Indian State, for a crime in which there was circumstantial evidence against him. It is also a depressing reality that hanging of Afzal Guru lead to outbreak of massive protests in Kashmir which lead to death of several youth. The mature opinion on ground is that issues of political nature should be solved amicably in a civilized manner and mortal remains of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat should be handed back to people of Kashmir .
What is ironical to note according to many sane voices is that some 430 years back Yousuf Shah Chak the last independent ruler of Kashmir was allegedly is buried in Biswak prison near Nalanda in Bihar after captured by Akbar regime in deceitful manner and according to many historians he was poisoned to death.

With the executions of Maqbool Bhat and Afzal many believe and openly state that Kashmiris have every time got a new hero and a new martyr to look after as icons, who have kept the feeling of alienation continuous.
NASIR khuehami, a journalist states -“Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat hangings have cast a painful memory on the browbeaten nation of Kashmir. The entire process surrounding these hangings has been put to great questions and thus controversy raised on overall trials. Hanging Afzal Guru out of turn was a great blow to hopes of people of Kashmir. These hangings at a larger level have also defined the injustice against nation of Kashmir. India as a democracy should leave rigidity and act as mature democracy to heal the wounds of Kashmiri people.9 and 11 February have become undoubtedly the pain evoking days for people of Kashmir.”
RAMEEZ Bhat, A scholar while talking to News Kashmir states -” The hanging of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat are a blot on the democratic credentials of India. Even keeping their mortal remains imprisoned is a matter of grave concern. Even the humane voices within India have protested the process of these hangings .Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat are without doubt being viewed as heroes among the masses .As soon as 9 February and 11 February Date arrives the bitter memories are reviewed and anger is generated. Indian State should show democratic maturity and rectify the mistake and handover the mortal remains of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat to people of Kashmir.”
Many human rights defenders have also opined more often than not that when most countries of the globe are against the implementation of the capital punishment why Indian State is carrying them out and what message it wants to give? .Many had written and answered this development that they believe that The judiciary is becoming a hand maiden of the political executive and is fast losing its independent character with the result that Justice is becoming a casualty. Whether be it the execution of Afzal Guru or Life sentences awarded to Kashmiri convicts the judiciary is being used as a tool against the political opponents and dissidents is a strong opinion held by many.
Undoubtedly, in Kashmir the pulse is that Maqbool and Afzal are hanged heroes.
.

 

(News Kashmir Exclusive Interview by Rameez Makhdoomi)

 

 

 

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan (born 1953) was elected the 22nd president of Pakistan Administered  Kashmir  on 25 August 2011.Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan was born in 1953 in a village “Ali Sojal” (Rawalakot), and brother of renowned figure in political and social scenario of Kashmir Sardar Haji Muhammad Zaman Khan (Late). He graduated from Karachi University and started his political career with an ethnic political party Punjabi Pakhtoon Itehad in Karachi. He joined a Kashmiri political party Tehreek Amel and was elected as Senior Vice President of this party later on. By Safeer Ahmed rind

 

President Pakistan Administered Kashmir President Sardar Yaqoob has also been a seasoned politician. In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir, Sardar Yaqoob talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

 

 

Rameez Makhdoomi: How  do you see Kashmir issue shaping up in 2016?

 

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan : With the grace of Almighty Allah each and every corner of world that matters in global polity is awakened about the Kashmir dispute. Information counts in this world and we have been able to convey the desired information and  message with reference to Kashmir dispute to the world community.

Rameez Makhdoomi: Palestine is now recognized nation state by many and Kashmir issue has not seen much diplomatic breakthrough. What are your views?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :Palestine and Kashmir issue are not much different. We both the nations are same  when it comes to the disputed status nature although it is true that many countries have accepted  Palestine as country. We hope we will also achieve in near future more diplomatic breakthroughs with reference to Kashmir dispute.

Rameez Makhdoomi: The feel is that Gilgit- Baltistan has problem with administration of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Your take?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :We definitely recognize the issues of Gilgit- Baltistan and we need to sit with the people and representatives of Gilgit Baltistan to solve their issues. People of Gilgit Baltistan are very patriotic and sensitive. The temporary setup created via Karachi agreement also needs to be taken into consideration. We need considerate and focused view on issues faced by people of Gilgit Baltistan.

Rameez Makhdoomi: How do you look at the moves by Pakistan Government to make Giligit Baltistan as its fifth province?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :We believe that the leadership of Kashmir will be taken into consideration by the leadership of Pakistan before final decision is taken on this issue. I belong to Pakistan People’s Party and martyr Bhutto had kept Kashmir dispute and Kashmir cause as core of Pakistan policy and it is very close to our heart.

Rameez Makhdoomi: So you are trying to indicate you are not in favour of GB becoming fifth province of Pakistan?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :Yes inshallah we are hopeful that it will not be done.

Rameez Makhdoomi: Some Critics say Indian Administered Part of Kashmir has progressed much than Pakistan Administered Kashmir .How true you think are these claims are?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :It is an Indian propaganda machinery at work that gives impression that Azad Kashmir has not progressed much. We need to bear in mind that parts of Kashmir held by India especially Srinagar and Jammu have 2000 year old history of development. While we are very new and had to start from the scratch. Still our education, road connectivity ,Power availability is far better than Indian held Kashmir.

Rameez Makhdoomi: But don’t you feel you still have poor network of universities on your side of Kashmir?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan : We have come up with a number of universities after earthquake and also a network of medical and engineering colleges. After earthquake we were completely devastated but Pakistan Government and world community backed us fully to be back on tracks with a bang.

Yes I agree there is always scope for improvement with reference to improving health and education sector.

Rameez Makhdoomi: Why has agriculture in your part not progressed much?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :Agriculture stagnation has been key area of concern for us. We have in Azad Kashmir millions of people who are working abroad especially in entire middle east and United kingdom and they send solid foreign remittances and on account of this fact too people here are not much focused towards agriculture .

Rameez Makhdoomi: Pakistan Administered Kashmir  does not have much online and other forms of media outlets. What is the reason?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :There is definitely a need at government level to increase the information flow and dynamics of e- governance and also media is slowly and steadily coming up to disseminate information to entire world about happenings there.

 

Rameez Makhdoomi: You have yourself indicated India has a strong media as opposed to Pakistan .Why is it so?

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :One cannot rub off the fact that India has a centuries old history and we are a country since few decades plus when our arm in form of Bangladesh was cut in 1971 it was a great blow but still Pakistan has progressed leaps and bounds and we people of Azad Kashmir are grateful to Pakistan for providing us opportunities to shine on global radar.

 

Rameez Makhdoomi: Many critics believe that Allama Iqbal and Mohammad Ali Jinnah hoped to have Pakistan which is secure and prosperous for women and minorities but you have failed on these two counts. Your take?

 

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan :On women front I agree we need to take many steps to improve the overall condition of our women. But minorities of Pakistan be it Hindus, Christians or Sikhs are proud Pakistanis and it is a baseless propaganda that minorities are unsafe in Pakistan. Look at the condition of minorities in India as opposed to that we are far far better.

News Kashmir Exclusive
Political uncertainty and Kashmir valley or at larger spectrum State of Jammu and Kashmir have unfortunately enough assumed the status of being synonymous to one another. Frequent
Governor rules, Unsure alliances, awkward combinations have become the fate of commoners of the state as a result the overall spectrum especially with reference to development has suffered a lot . The stateof Jammu and Kashmir  is currently under Governor’s rule following the death of the Mehbooba’s father and then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7.

 

 

 

“If they cannot make the government, then they should make it clear so that we can take the next stand, whatever it is.

 

Why keep people waiting in a situation where terrorism is all over,” NC patron and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah told reporters recently .

 

“As far as I am concerned the point here is that the two (PDP and BJP) have the mandate. BJP here (in Jammu) and PDP there (in Kashmir). I would request them, for God’s sake get on with their job,” he added.

 

While targeting the two parties over the uncertainty, Abdullah said, “People want a government, so that their difficulties could be removed. That is very important.” His comments came as the suspense continued for the 13th day over government formation with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti keeping her plans secret.

 

While talking to News Kashmir Magazine Amir Suhail , a research scholar states – ” Political uncertainty over the decades has loomed large over the state of Jammu and Kashmir since last many decades and has had adverse impacts on the polity and governance paradigms of Jammu and Kashmir .Political parties have played with sentiments of masses of state and have never been able to provide any serious governance as evident from frequent political stalemate in the state. Kashmir with already a burning dispute added by this governance chaos the realities get blurred.”

Opposition National Conference has already raised lambasting tone while criticised PDP and BJP for maintaining uncertainty over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the coalition partners to come clear on the issue without keeping the people waiting.

 

 

On the otherhand, President of state unit of BJP Sat Sharma said the government will be in place very soon.

 

PDP has said Mehbooba is in the process of reviewing the implementation of the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ during the 10-month-rule of PDP-BJP government headed by her father and a decision would be taken in due course.

 

PDP has said it was “highly unlikely” that it would form the next government with BJP till “we receive concrete assurances on key issues flagged by our party leader Naeem Akhtar last week.

 

Commoners too are upset with this uncertainty.

Shabir Ahmad, a commoner states – “ The common  men of Jammu and Kashmir have always craved for effective governance but what we have achieved so far is quiet appalling as all political parties have not concentrated on the governance front and a stable government since many years especially due to era of coalitions has just been restored to a mere dream.”

Uncertainty and era of unsure alliances and frequent governor rules have certainly on ground zero added to frustration of masses.

News Kashmir special

With the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on 7 th January 2016 marks an end of political era for the Jammu and Kashmir state. He left a noted impression on the political spectrum of the state via his political skills and knowledge. Pertinently  on 24th December, the 79 year-old leader was airlifted to AIIMS in the national capital from Srinagar after he complained of exhaustion.

 

 

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was born in Baba Mohallah at Bijbehara in January 12, 1936. Having graduated from S.P. College in Srinagar, he went on to obtain a degree in law, and a post-graduate degree in Arab History from Aligarh Muslim University. He started a law practice in Anantnag / Islamabad.

 

Pertinently  since childhood days   Mufti Sayeed was interested in the world of politics as he in 1950s, had joined the Democratic National Conference (DNC) led by G.M.Sadiq. He was appointed district convener of the new organisation, the first formal post he held.

 

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was elected to the Assembly from Bijbehara in 1962, and retained the seat in 1967.

 

As a result, he was appointed a Deputy Minister by G.M. Sadiq. In 1972, he became a Cabinet Minster and also Congress party’s leader in the Legislative Council.

 

In 1975 he was made the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and president of Pradesh Congress. In 1986, he was appointed as the Union Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He quit as tourism minister in 1987, left the Congress and co-founded Jan Morcha with V.P. Singh. In1989, he won the Lok Sabha election from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh as a Janata Dal candidate and became the Union Home Minister in Prime Minister V.P. Singh’s cabinet. He achieved the distinction of being the First Muslim Home Minister of the country . However, saw his image dented to an extent when the  government headed by V P Singh accepted the demand by a militant group that five of their men be set free in exchange for release of kidnapped Rubaiya, one of his three daughters.

 

After national stint Mufti Sayeed focused on local politics once again. In 1998, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed won the Anantnag / Islamabad Lok Sabha seat, but soon resigned from both his position and the Congress party to launch his own party Peoples Democratic Party in the state. He was unanimously elected the first president of the party.

 

PDP participated in 2002 assembly election and went on to form a coalition government with Indian National Congress.

 

In 2002, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for a term of three year and in 2015 surprising all he formed alliance with BJP.

Political Highlight

During his more than 5 decade long political career, Politically, the highlight of Mufti Sayeed’s career is that he stood firm against the Abdullah family’s and the NC Party exclusive dominance over the Jammu and Kashmir’s politics. He had opposed the Rajiv-Farooq accord through which the Congress forced an NC-Congress alliance in 1986 – with catastrophic consequences, including the ham-handed rigging of the 1987 elections. Without a hint of ambiguity he would  have obtained a senior ministerial position for himself in the state if he had fallen in line. But he took the much tougher decision at that juncture of the history and it was to leave the party with which he had been associated since his youth.

 

Noted Obituaries

As the news of death reached the online world as well as the real world got filled with tributes and even rivals cutting across political divide paid tribute.

“Mufti Sahab’s demise leaves a huge void in the nation & in J&K, where his exemplary leadership had a major impact on people’s lives. RIP. What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum. Mufti Sahab provided a healing touch to J&K through his leadership. He will be missed by all of us. Condolences to his family & supporters.”

Narendra Modi (Prime Minister)

 

Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

Pranab Mukherjee (President)

 

Deeply pained to learn of J&K CM’s demise.He was known for his love for common people, specially the underprivileged.

Rajnath Singh (Home Minister)

 

Deeply saddened by the demise of Mufti Sahab, he was a rare politician. My condolences to his family & supporters in this hour of grief.

Amit Shah (BJP President)

Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Dr Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq has also condoled the demise of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

“Condolences on the demise of Mufti Mohammad Syed, express my sympathy with the bereaved family,” Mirwaiz said in a tweet.

On the otherhand, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani condoled the demise of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

In a statement issued  the octogenarian leader expressed sympathy with the family of Sayeed, who passed away early morning today at AIIMS in New Delhi.

“Death is an ultimate truth. Whether one is a king or a commoner, everyone has to die,” Geelani was quoted as saying in the statement. “Every death is a lesson for a wise human being and a reminder that his name should be remembered for good even after his death.”

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed his shock and sympathy at the demise.“Just heard the terrible terrible news of Mufti Sahib’s passing away. I’m shocked & deeply saddened. May he rest in peace,” tweeted Abdullah.

“My heartfelt sympathies to Mrs Syed, Mehbooba & the entire family in this most difficult of times. My & my family’s prayers are with them,” he added.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Under the  visionary leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed  PDP has now emerged as a dominant force in Jammu & Kashmir politics and is considered a strong political force and contributions of Mufti Sayeed in this regard stand out.

Be it political, negotiating, diplomatic, building grassroots, bold decisions and above all maturity Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had all of them and logically the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir will miss him . From an simple  lawyer to becoming the only Muslim Home Minister New Delhi has seen so far was an achievement in itself . Mufti Mohammad Sayeed carved a unique position for himself in national and Jammu and Kashmir politics. This demise definitely marks an End of an Era.

 

News Kashmir Exclusive

Health sector, which is one of the main indicators of the development of any concerned nation, society or region has always presented bleak picture in Kashmir. Ventilators are key component of any concerned health sector. A medical ventilator (or simply ventilator in context) is a machine designed to mechanically move breathable air into and out of the lungs, to provide the mechanism of breathing for a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.

 

While modern ventilators are computerized machines, patients can be ventilated with a bag valve mask,

 

a simple hand-operated bag-valve mask. Ventilators are chiefly used in intensive care medicine, home care, and emergency medicine (as standalone units) and in anesthesia (as a component of an anesthesia

machine).

 

When one takes a look at availability of ventilators in the Kashmir hospitals it provides dismal picture. Even the prime public hospitals in Kashmir are failing to have the desired number of ventilators. The lone pediatric hospital of Valley, GB Pant, too faces the shortage of ventilators. There are only 18 functional ventilators. Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, Srinagar has only 12 functional ventilators

Dr Nasir –ul- Hassan , Doctors Association Kashmir President , while talking to News Kashmir stated -” Ventilators are key to every health sector in the world. Ventilators have a key role in saving human lives everywhere but be it tertiary or peripheral hospitals ventilators are in very short supply in Kashmir .SKIMS with just more than two dozen ventilators and SMHS has just a dozen odd ventilators and rural hospitals are having no concept of ventilators at all. Our patients are dying for the want of ventilators as basically all critical patients need ventilator support .We are building big hospitals which I prefer to call recreational centres as they are not able to save patients and are just feeding employees. Ventilator related paradigms need a big overhaul if we want to achieve desired excellence in the health sector.”

A look at emergency of the most of the rural hospitals is enough to prove the sick nature of hospitals. Ironically, the crucial department like emergency is marred by widespread chaos and huge flow of patients. Virtually, the all important ventilators are nonexistent in our rural hospitals . Worryingly enough, there is no concept of ventilators in rural healthcare of Kashmir.

On the condition of anonymity, a senior Doctor at Bandipora District Hospital stated – ” Lack of ventilators is direly marring the health sector of Kashmir and it is the patients who are at the receiving end of all this .We have just one ventilator at Bandipora Hospital and this shabby condition especially with reference to poor availability of ventilators in our health sector is a big drawback in our health sector .”

There should be five ventilators for 100 beds and no hospitals in our part of the world are matching this set criteria. Experts and masses are urging on the government to improve the healthcare facilities in Kashmir and in this regard increasing the number of ventilators and providing every hospital with ventilator is the need of hour.

Rameez Makhdoomi

A vibrant  education system is the cornerstone of a developed and progressive nation. Several Legislations have been passed to change the face of education towards betterment. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE),  an Act of the Parliament of India enacted on 4 August 2009 is one visionary act, which describes the modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the act came into force on 1 April 2010 barring Jammu and Kashmir as Jammu and Kashmir enjoys the special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. Central laws are not automatically applicable to J&K state under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and have to be passed via state legislature.

Right to Education act contains a number of positives that can really change the dynamics of education sector Of Jammu & Kashmir.  Right to Education Act makes education makes it a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14 and specifies minimum norms in elementary schools.

The Right to Education Act also aims to contain undue influence of private schools as It requires all private schools to reserve 25% of seats to children from poor families (to be reimbursed by the state as part of the public-private partnership plan). It also prohibits all unrecognized schools from practice, and makes provisions for no donation or capitation fees and in added brighter paradigms no interview of the child or parent for admission.

Pertinently, the non-implementation of Right to Education Act in Jammu and Kashmir has worried many sane voices who point out that when we are at forefront of getting draconian laws implemented why not brighter legislations like Right to Education Act. Despite assurances government has not implemented this visionary act.

“Considering the poor educational status  of our state. Right to Education Act is a very bright act as  It envisages that  all private schools to reserve 25% of seats to children from poor families (to be reimbursed by the state as part of the public-private partnership plan). It also prohibits all unrecognized schools from practice, and makes provisions for no donation or capitation fees and no interview of the child or parent for admission. when we are at forefront of launching the black-laws why can’t we have the bright laws like right to education act ,” states Faizaan Bhat, a columnist on education issues.

Sheikh Sameer, Educationist states – “Right to Education act should be without any ifs and buts implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. As we are very well aware that this historical legislation has been implemented across India except J and K pending passage by Assembly. This act makes elementary education fundamental right from six to 14 and also tames the monopoly of private education system. Education is cornerstone of every civilization. It will be panacea for child labor also. Some capitalistic and hegemonic private schools associations might try to scuttle the implementation of this act as it envisages some reservation for deprived sections and thus we have to remain focused to get this act implemented soon .”

Certainly the opinion shapers, masses and intellectuals in unison are calling for immediately implementing Right to Education Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

News Kashmir Exclusive
Food insecurity fears are once again marring the masses of Kashmir courtesy a recent CAPD order to limit the supply of ration.
Protest, anger, dismay is brewing in entire Kashmir valley against the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department at several places for issuing a circular that five kg ration will be provided to each family member each month in the state. The Srinagar city summer capital of the state was rocked with protests against this order at several places like at Gawkadal, Nawa Bazar,Karanagar etc.
Eyewitnesses accounts stated that the large number of disturbed people while staging recently a protest outside Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department locked the main gate of the office building. The protesters did not allow any employee or even the Director to enter into the office.
It is worth mentioning out here that the Consumer affairs & Public Distribution Department, Jammu and Kashmir, is entrusted with the responsibility of providing direct supply of essential commodities like Rice, Sugar, and Kerosene to consumers and ensure smooth supply of cooking gas to the consumers.
Astonishingly enough, there are also lot of discrepancies in the Fresh Forms provided by CAPD to check defects in the consumer database. It was disgusting feeling for many consumers to see that the basic details like photograph, name, parentage and address, which happen to be incorrect, are already been printed on the forms, without any mandatory blank space for making correction in those fields.
Masses are also totally shocked and angry with the order. Sheikh Sameer, a consumer states –“ The CAPD department by announcing five kg ration per head has made the common man very angry and thus forced all of us to raise voices against the department as the same amount of rice is not sufficient for us and we need to bear in mind that we are a place that heavily depends upon the ration . CAPD Should have also designed effective forms as in the wake of the discrepancies, CAPD should have come up with new forms designed in accordance with the necessities of making corrections. ”
On the otherhand, the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali described the move aimed by opposition to launch misinformation campaign on this issue.
In an official handout issued to press, Ali said some political parties have launched a misinformation campaign on NFSA to mislead the people and bar them from taking benefit of this historic scheme.
“The people should not fall prey to any propaganda and should try to take benefit of this revolutionary scheme,” he said, adding “as the implementation of NFSA would go a long way in plugging the pilferages in the existing public distribution system, the elements who were thriving on the loopholes in the system are also responsible for spreading canards regarding the scheme.”