News Kashmir Magazine

Janadesh 2024

News Kashmir Analysis

The biggest festival of Democracy in World The Indian National Elections 2024 have come to an end . Now, all eyes are Fixed on June 4, 2024 for the much anticipated verdict.

As a matter of fact, the high-decibel campaigns for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections draw to a closed on Thursday, 30 May and all eyes are on verdict day on June 4, when the fate of the incumbent NDA government and the opposition INDIA alliance will be decided. The last phase of polling  held on June 1 saw polling for  57 seats across eight states and Union Territories.

The prediction market is in full swing.

As a matter of fact, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had been making predictions recently about INDIA bloc going to form a government at the Centre. Amit Shah’s candid predictions may cause worries for these leaders.

Home Minister and BJP’s master election strategist Amit Shah, in an exclusive interview to India TV, has predicted a thumping majority for his party in Lok Sabha elections. He has also predicted that BJP would form government in Odisha and a coalition government with Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh this time. Shah predicted a clean sweep for BJP in 16 states and Union Territories. Shah Predicted BJP winning 70 seats out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh.

The concluding day saw high power  campaigning with top leaders of the BJP-led NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc making last-ditch efforts to woo voters. While Prime Minister Modi held rallies in Punjab before heading to Kanyakumari for a three-day meditation trip, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Punjab, where 13 seats are up for grabs.

Prominent Political Analyst

Yogendra Yadav shared his predictions for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections last week, suggesting that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may face challenges in achieving a decisive victory.

Yadav predicts that the BJP alone will not exceed 260 seats and will find it “impossible” to surpass the 300-mark. He even suggested that the saffron party might fall below 275 or even 250 seats.

On the other hand, Political strategist Prashant Kishor has stated that the incumbent BJP government at the Centre faces neither significant dissatisfaction nor a strong demand for an alternative in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Jan Suraaj Party chief predicts that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lead the BJP to another victory, with the party potentially matching or surpassing its 2019 seat tally of 303.

“I think the Modi-led BJP is returning. They may get the same numbers as last election or do slightly better,” Kishor told NDTV.

All the eyes of Nation will be glued to Mobiles and Television sets to watch the results and there is lot of excitement.

What Happens on June 4, 2024 would have larger ramifications on the development and polity of the country .

It will be also interesting to see who wins the five parliamentary seats from Jammu and Kashmir.

Academic Stress

News Kashmir Analysis

Academic stress is hurting children and youth across the world.  In our country India the Academic stress is of burning concern. In Jammu and Kashmir too, Academic stress is of serious concern.

No doubt the children should excel in their studies but pressure of academics should not wear them out. As sometimes, too much Academic stress can have damaging consequences on them.

It is said that 65 percent teens in Kashmir face academic stress.

As a matter of fact, stress and exam pressure can lead to dire consequences for kids.

Few time back, a  study conducted by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) has shown widespread academic stress prevalent among students in Kashmir, with

Study, titled “Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among school-going adolescents in the age group of 13–19 years,” asserts that there is a very high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (anxiety combined with depression) of any kind among adolescents in Kashmir, many of which are unidentified and thus untreated.

The study found depression as the most common psychiatric illness among adolescents with a higher prevalence in males, while anxiety disorders are more common among females.

The study was carried out on 16 schools in the twin districts of Srinagar and Ganderbal.

A worrying facet is that the relentless pursuit of academic excellence, a majority of students feel pressured by the weight of exams. Every now and then, we keep hearing about one student or the other succumbing to death because they were either too depressed or couldn’t handle the pressure their parents and teachers were putting them under. In light of an increasing number of deaths of students due to academic stress.

In a welcome development, sometime back, central government issued guidelines in January 2024 to control bullying and prevent suicides caused due to academic stress in coaching centres. According to the guidelines, coaching centres will not be allowed to admit students below 16. The central government’s new guidelines mandate the registration of coaching centres along with their strict regulation. According to the guidelines, coaching centres should have basic facilities; provide extra academic support to students facing learning difficulties; holidays should be given to students every week; exams should not be conducted immediately after holidays and other positive guidelines were also issued.

The hope on ground is that we are able to contain academic stress in our country for a bright future.

Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency profile

Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency is one of the five Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir . The prestigious seat of Baramulla  loksabha constituency has over 17.28 lac voters registered with 8.7 lac males and 8.5 lac females. There are 33 transgenders registered as well

After the Delimitation, New Assembly segments in the Baramulla Loksabha Constituency are :

AC No. AC Name District

1 Karnah Kupwara

2 Trehgam

3 Kupwara

4 Lolab

5 Handwara

6 Langate

7 Sopore Baramulla

8 Rafiabad

9 Uri

10 Baramulla

11 Gulmarg

12 Wagoora-Kreeri

13 Pattan

14 Sonawari Bandipora

15 Bandipora

16 Gurez (ST)

27 Budgam Budgam

28 Beerwah.

The previous election on the seat was won by Mohammad Akbar Lone of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.

As a matter of fact, The number of assembly constituencies in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency increased from 15 to 18 after J&K’s delimitation in 2022. The delimitation exercise, which was necessitated by J&K Reorganisation Act 2019, increased the number of assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir from 83 to 90.

Pertinently, the last date for filling of nomination papers to contest Lok Sabha elections 2024 for 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency was 3rd of May till 3 PM.

The contest on the constituency is quite stiff.

People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday , 1 May, 2024 filed nomination papers from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jailed Awami Ittehad Party leader Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid has already filed nomination papers from this north Kashmir constituency.

It is worth mentioning here that National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah filed his nomination papers for the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmi on Thursday, May 02, 2024.

Accompanied by NC’s treasurer Shammi Oberoi and senior vice president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee G N Monga, Abdullah filed the nomination papers before Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa, who is the returning officer of the constituency.

The main contest is between Omar Abdullah and Sajad Gani Lone.

PDP has fielded Fayaz Mir from the constituency.

Expert pulse is that The support bases of Sajad, Fayaz and Rashid, who is popularly known as Engineer Rashid, are mainly centred on Kupwara district, where they would be hoping  from the same vote pie. This would give an edge to Omar not only on account of his appeal as an ex-CM but also due to the point that the NC has a cadre base spread throughout  the length of Valley.

The contest on the Baramulla Constituency is going to be very interesting.

Optimism in Srinagar Loksabha voting

Farzana Mumtaz/ Rameez Makhdoomi

On 13 May, 2024

At Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency the voting had started on a promising note ,with the last turnout being surpassed at 11am  in morning.

Heavy to moderate turnout was witnessed in polling booths across.

At Sultan Molalla Merbehari at around 12 :15 in morning out of  739 total votes 387 were cast, with 243 males and 144 votes cast.

At 11:45 at Koli Mohalla Buddal Merbehari  755 votes were assigned  356 votes were cast 243 Male  female 113  .

Mohammad Amin a voter here Said that justice is biggest issue of voters here.

The civic issues are also  in mind when voting .

As a matter of fact, Kashmir’s Srinagar parliamentary seat which went  for  Lok Sabha polls ,  It was the first election that the  Himalayan valley was   witnessing since the abrogation of region’s special status in August 2019.

Smiling voters exchanged greetings with the deployed masses,  troopers while casting votes .

In some instances the voting turnout was although dull, at Historic Batmaloo polling booth just 47 votes were cast out of 434 till 2 pm.

Voters Enthusiasm seen across Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, with brisk to moderate polling,and voters vocal about their burning issues .

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 (Phase 4) VOTER TURNOUT

PC – Srinagar

Preliminary Update (from ECI) till: 7 pm

Central Shalteng – 24.76 percent

Chadoora – 46.60 percent

Charar-e-Shareef – 53.23 percent

Channapora – 22.97 percent

Eidgah – 25.68 percent

Ganderbal – 46.81 percent

Habba Kadal – 13.25 percent

Hazratbal – 26.28 percent

Kangan (ST) – 55.55 percent

Khan Sahib – 48.50 percent

Khanyar – 23.06 percent

Lal Chowk – 26.01 percent

Pampore – 38.10 percent

Pulwama – 39.25 percent

Rajpora – 42.80 percent

Shopian – 45.04 percent

Tral – 37.52 percent

Zadibal – 27.52 percent

Overall: 38.3percent was revealed finally .

There are 24 candidates in the fray in this constituency although the main contest is between Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the National Conference (NC), Waheed ur Rehman Parra of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mohd Ashraf Mir of the J&K Apni Party.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the total turnout for the seat was around 14.43 per cent, while in 2014, it was 25.86 per cent.

The issue of hiked electricity bills was also on mind .

This time, there was significant increase in turnout in most of the assembly segments of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Whatever would be the final result the voting numbers are impressive, perhaps expectation would have been bit more.

Srinagar Loksabha Constituency Profile

News Kashmir Analysis

Srinagar City is the soul of Jammu and Kashmir and one of the ancient cities of India.

The Prestigious Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency is one of the five Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

After Delimitation exercise new Assembly constituencies have been added and some deleted. The Srinagar Loksabha Constituency now looks like this .

AC No. AC Name District

17 Kangan (ST) Ganderbal

18 Ganderbal

19 Hazratbal Srinagar

20 Khanyar

21 Habba Kadal

22 Lal Chowk

23 Channapora

24 Zadibal

25 Eidgah

26 Central Shalteng

29 Khan Sahib Budgam

30 Chrar-i-Sharief

31 Chadoora

32 Pampore Pulwama

33 Tral

34 Pulwama

35 Rajpora

36 Zainapora Shopian.

As a matter of fact, On the last date of filing of nomination papers for the General Lok Sabha Elections-2024 from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, 22 candidates filed their nomination papers in the Office of Returning Officer.

They filed nomination papers before the Returning Officer Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, while Salman Sagar submitted his nomination papers from Jammu Kashmir National Conference as a covering candidate for his party candidate Aga Ruhullah, who first filed the nominations.

As a matter of fact, Hakikat Singh from National Panthers Party Bhim, Rakesh Handu from J&K National United Front, Amir Ahmad Bhat from Democratic Progressive Azad Party and Qaiser Sultan Ganai covering candidate of Democratic Progressive Azad Party submitted their nomination papers before the RO.

Likewise, Ashiq Hussain from Rastriya Jan Kranti Party, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat from Gana Suraksh Party, Suraya Nissar from National Republic Party of India and Farooq Ahmad Bhat from National Youth Party also filed their nominations from 02-Srinagar seat.

The expert pulse is that main contest would be between National Conference and People’s Democratic Party on the Prestigious Srinagar Loksabha seat.

The nomination events especially of NC, PDP and Apni Party marked spirited displays, witnessing car rallies, roadshows, and folk performances, transforming the area near returning officer in Srinagar into a vibrant political arena.

It was heartening for democracy that collective energy of the supporters, manifested in dances to the tunes of party anthems and the rhythmic beats of traditional drums (‘Dhol’), lent an air of festivity to the occasion filing of nomination.

Recently, In an interview with News Kashmir Srinagar Candidate for National Conference

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi

affirmed focus is on that through my Election campaign I give voice to the voiceless people of Kashmir as post abrogation of Article 370 the voice of masses has been scuttled and oppressed. I want to give platform to that voice of people through my effective Election campaign.

The result would be seen later on ,my priority is a strong Election campaign to give voice to the masses.”

Interestingly, the contest for Srinagar Loksabha seat is garnering much importance.

Anantnag– Rajouri Lok Sabha Seat Profile

News Kashmir Analysis

The biggest festival of democracy in the country Lok Sabha elections are on , the election campaign is on in entire country.

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing the first major election after the abrogation of article 370.

Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha seat is one of the five Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir .

The prestigious seat would go to the polls on May 7, 2024 .

Expert pulse is This constituency has contrasting demographics and shows historical voting patterns.

It is to be noted that decision by the Delimitation Commission to merge the Anantnag constituency with Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region has added a new dimension to the electoral landscape. This move, viewed by many as an attempt to penetrate with more vigour nationalist feeling in Kashmir valley, underscores the strategic significance of the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in national politics.

The glimpse of the assembly constituency shows how long , peculiar the seat is:

AC Name District

36 Zainapora Shopian

38 D. H. Pora Kulgam

39 Kulgam

40 Devsar

41 Dooru Anantnag

42 Kokernag (ST)

43 Anantnag West

44 Anantnag

45 Srigufwara-Bijbehra

46 Shangus – Anantnag East

47 Pahalgam

84 Nowshera Rajouri

85 Rajouri (ST)

86 Budhal (ST)

87 Thannamandi (ST)

88 Surankote (ST) Poonch

89 Poonch Haveli

90 Mendhar (ST).

As a matter of fact, on Thursday 18 April, 2024

Kashmir’s Anantnag town was buzzing with political activity and we saw  many leaders filing their nominations for the Lok Sabha elections. National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, along with seven others, filed nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.

As a matter of fact, mighty Pir Panjal mountain splits the Anantnag constituency, pushing Rajouri and Poonch to the other side. In between is Shopian district, which has been made part of Srinagar parliament seat. For political parties and candidates, travelling from one part of the constituency to the other area for campaigning is a huge challenge.

National Conference candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat Mian Altaf Ahmad few days back  said he is in a “comfortable situation” as he is the most acceptable candidate among the contestants on both sides of the Pir Panjal range.

“I am in a comfortable situation and I feel I am acceptable on both sides — Anantnag-Kulgam as well as Rajouri-Poonch. My assessment might be wrong, but I think the other parties contesting here do not have as much acceptability on both sides,” Ahmad told reporters here while on campaign trail.

The PDP leader and Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is another heavyweight in the seat ,and many affirm that Anantnag– Rajouri could be direct contest between NC and PDP.

Mehbooba Mufti echoed strong words.

This is not the time to boycott,” Mufti said in villages that have in the past seen turnout as low as five percent.

She made an appeal not just for votes but for financial help too. “Come forward and help me with whatever you can – Rs 100, Rs 200,” she said. “When I contested the Parliament elections in 2019, I had 50 lakhs in my account; today I have only Rs 22 lakh.”

We are slated in for an interesting and Exciting contest in Anantnag– Rajouri Loksabha seat.

Navratri,  Eid, Baisakhi fervor galore

News Kashmir Analysis

Festivals are an occasion of joy for humanity. They strengthen the bonds of love and happiness.

Indian culture, festivals are more than just occasions for celebration; they serve as medium to the deepest and most profound aspects of life. Each festival carries its own unique significance, offering valuable lessons, spiritual insights, and cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations.

We are having during this week  festivals related to Muslims, Hindus,  Sikhs coinciding in a single week one after another which is a good omen, and we take a glance on all these .

Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated annually from the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. This year, it will begin on April 9 and end on April 17. While there are four Navratri celebrated throughout the year, Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri are more popularly observed across the country. Devotees worship Maa Durga and her nine divine forms during Chaitra Navratri. However, on the last day, they celebrate Ram Navami. It marks the birth of Lord Rama. Meanwhile, the nine forms of Maa Durga are known as Navdurgas. They are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri.

The holiday on this account is in Jammu and Kashmir and many other states is  on April 9.

The holiest festival of Eid al-Fitr will also commence on either 10 April or 11 April depending on sighting of moon. The   ’Holiday of Breaking the Fast’ is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other being Eid al-Adha). Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar; this does not always fall on the same Gregorian day, as the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. The day is also called “Lesser Eid” (Arabic: العيد الصغير, romanized: al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr), or simply Eid.

April 13th we would mark the Baisakhi festival.

Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13 April and sometimes 14 April.It is seen as a spring harvest celebration primarily in Punjab and Northern India. Further, other Indian cultures and diaspora celebrate this festival too. Whilst it is culturally significant as a festival of harvest, in many parts of India, Vaisakhi is also the date for the Indian Solar New Year.

Sikhs, in addition to its significance as the harvest festival,during which Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local gurdwaras, community fairs, hold nagar kirtan processions, raise the Nishan Sahib flag, and gather to socialize and share festive foods, Vaisakhi observes major events in the history of Sikhism and the Indian subcontinent that happened in the Punjab region. Vaisakhi as a major Sikh festival marks the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, on 13 April 1699.Later, Ranjit Singh was proclaimed as Maharaja of the Sikh Empire on 12 April 1801 (to coincide with Vaisakhi), creating a unified political state.

Undoubtedly, we should take this as a very good omen that festivals belonging to different faiths are dawning in a single week.