Politics

Senior Kashmiri Journalist and author Khalid Jehangir during his intervention at the 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) reiterated that Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism in India’s Jammu and Kashmir.

Jehangir, who is also the president of the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), said, “Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism has long affected J-K. Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism within the confines of J-K is unequivocally demonstrated through the contents of New Delhi’s annual report for the year 2022. The Ministry of External Affairs of India has articulated that Pakistan remains steadfast in its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism against India, thereby resulting in perturbations in trade dynamics and interconnections. The report further accentuates the sustained instances of cross-border terrorism, infiltration, and the illicit transportation of contraband across the territorial boundaries of Kashmir.”

“I stand as a representative of the aggrieved, embodying the muted voices ensnared within the tumultuous web of Pakistan’s trans-boundary terrorism impinging upon the domain of J-K. My role obliges me to underscore the profundity of the ramifications imposed on the milieu of human rights. Over the course of time, the populace indigenous to Jammu and Kashmir has ardently aspired for a state of serenity and an exercise of self-sovereignty, aspirations that are persistently marred by the recalcitrant predilection of Pakistan to foment an atmosphere characterized by violence. The collateral consequences of this predilection are manifest in the irreparable loss of life, disintegration of familial units, and the pervasive instillation of trepidation within the local populace,” he added.

Jehangir further said that the modus operandi employed by these cross-border terrorists subvert the fundamental tenets of free speech and unrestrained expression, adding that the comprehensive execution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pertaining to the human rights landscape of Pakistan is a fundamental imperative.

“The modus operandi employed by these cross-border terrorists not only exemplifies a reprehensible character but also transgresses the sanctity of the human rights inherent to the residents of J-K. Perpetrations such as explosive ordnance deployment and firearm engagements engender indelible detriments, corroding the fabric of security and overall well-being. Beyond the scope of physical violence, these tactical maneuvers subvert the fundamental tenets of free speech and unrestrained expression. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who dare to articulate dissenting narratives are confronted with tactics of intimidation, thereby resulting in the truncation of their discursive prerogatives,” he said.

Jehangir added, “The comprehensive execution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pertaining to the human rights landscape of Pakistan is a fundamental imperative. Collectively, let us lend resonance to the voices of the afflicted and vociferously demand justice. The pursuit should be directed towards cultivating a milieu in J-K wherein its progeny may burgeon devoid of the specter of terror, and wherein human rights are not relegated to mere platitudes but rather constitute a palpable verity. Let the international fraternity unanimously censure Pakistan’s predilection for transboundary terrorism within the precincts of J-K and confront this quandary with an unwavering tenacity.”

On the sidelines of the Council, Jehangir also met academicians, diplomats and activists from different countries and apprised them about the present situation in J-K and the attempts of Pakistan to create uncertainty and chaos in the region. (ANI)

Source: http://risingkashmir.com/pakistan-steadfast-in-supporting-cross-border-terrorism-says-kashmiri-journalist

After losing the power, mainstream politicians in Kashmir have turned a blind eye towards the development which Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed post abrogation of Article 370. For them every step taken by New Delhi to put Jammu and Kashmir on path of peace, prosperity and development is a “tamasha.”

They are refusing to acknowledge the fact after August 5, 2019—when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate the so-called special status of the erstwhile State and divided it into two Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh—people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the ideas of autonomy, self-rule and azadi.

Denizens of J&K have become equal stakeholders in peace and development. They want to move ahead and prosper.

People are welcoming the initiatives like hosting of G20 summit in Srinagar. They are aware that the international summit would put Kashmir on the global tourism map and would allow the delegates from the most powerful countries in the world to promote J&K at different forums.

Former J&K chief ministers and National Conference leaders, Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah seem to be unhappy over G20 tourism working group meeting being held in Srinagar. 
Omar Abdullah took to twitter to term G20 as “tamasha” and tweeted: “Things are a mess in Srinagar because of this G20 tamasha. The actual meeting will probably see most areas locked down & people stuck in their homes. Perhaps the BJP is being sensible sparing the people of Jammu the pain we are suffering here in the valley. The G20 has only punished the residents of Srinagar.”

His father Dr Farooq Abdullah said: “The tragedy is they (Centre) have avoided Jammu. Why is it only held in Ladakh? Why is it held in Kashmir? Why not Jammu? I’m surprised not a single BJP leader of Jammu…is speaking about why the G20 did not occur in Jammu?”

It seems that former rulers are not willing to accept that J&K has changed in the past three years. They don’t want to acknowledge that government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides ending the terrorism has worked hard to rebuild J&K.  
In run up to G20 summit Srinagar city is getting a facelift. It’s being developed like metropolitan cities in the country.  

Scars of its blood soaked pasts are being removed. The city is all set to get a New Boulevard Road–the road stretch from Dalgate to the famous Mughal Garden Nishat along the Dal Lake–it would have pathways, cycle tracks, a revamped drainage system, wifi zones and much more.

  Work is going on at the Polo View market in the heart of Srinagar and once it is completed the market would become the heritage market of J&K’s summer capital.

The commercial centre of Srinagar city, Lal Chowk is also getting a new look. The historic Ganta Ghar (Clock Tower) after renovation will get new time clocks, new roof decoration and new technology display for important updates.
The politicians who are calling development as “tamasha” need to open their eyes and see how every region of J&K is moving ahead. Their attempts to pit Jammu against Kashmir and vice-versa won’t make any difference as the people can’t be divided anymore.

During the past three years all the 20-distrcits of Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed equitable development. There has been no discrimination with any region. 

No one in J&K would allow the failed politicians to sabotage UT’s development. Neither will they be allowed to act as impediments. 
People are neither interested in their rhetoric nor their sermons. They are aware that these leaders for the past many decades only staged dramas and played into the hands of Pakistan and separatists.

During their tenures only a few selected people had a privilege to call the shots. Separatists helped dynasts to stay in power by promoting violence at behest of the neighbouring country.

By opposing G20 summit in Srinagar these leaders are helping Pakistan’s cause as it has been raising objections. These leaders should realize that international community doesn’t take Pakistan seriously as the entire world knows that it’s the epicenter of terror.

The dynasts in Kashmir need to understand that their theatrics and dramas have no takers left in the Union Territory as the people know that they kept the conflict alive for 30-years to cling onto power and opposed all the moves that could have brought them at par with other states of the country.
New Delhi has shown determination and will to pull J&K out of chaos, confusion and uncertainty and is focused on making G20 summit in Srinagar, slated to be held in May this year, a grand success. People of J&K are also eagerly waiting to host the meet.

The writer is a Columnist and Secretary General of International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS) New Delhi & senior leader of Bhartiya Janta Party. Twitter @sheikhkhalid 

Article Source: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/amp/story/todays-paper/editorial-page/g20-summit-in-srinagar-irks-dynasts

The corrupt have been cut to size and shown their right place

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again reiterated his commitment towards zero tolerance towards corruption. He has asked the anti-graft agencies to work without fear and be aggressive while doing their job.

The Prime Minister gave a clear message that corrupt should not escape at any cost and they should not get political or social protection.

Since the day Narendra Modi has taken over the reins of the country the system has changed for the good. The corrupt have been cut to size and shown their right place. He has driven home a point that “New India” won’t tolerate corruption and anyone who violates the norms will have to face the consequences.

The war against corruption in Jammu and Kashmir has exposed the people who till 2019 used to fill in their coffers by looting the state exchequer. Funds which were meant for poor people never used to reach the deserving lot as these were siphoned by the people at the top and the middlemen.

After August 5, 2019—when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K’s special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories—the scenario has changed completely. The funds meant for the poor are reaching them without any middlemen. The commission agents have been wiped out from the system.

Till 2018, the leaders, who ruled Jammu and Kashmir, never made an attempt to end the culture of corruption prevalent in the erstwhile princely state. In fact corruption had become an accepted social norm in the society. Instead of creating awareness about the ill effects of the corruption, leaders use to encourage a common man in Kashmir to indulge in corrupt practices. They used to tell him covertly that he should not pay the electricity, water and other bills and evade the taxes. This had created a system where the middlemen used to derive maximum benefit due to non-compliance by the commoners.    

History stands witness to the fact that people of Kashmir have been honest to the core. They were taught cheating and dishonesty by the people who ruled them for 70-years. The rulers robbed the natives of J&K of their simplicity and truthfulness. They taught them new ways and methods to cheat and get away with frauds.

But the past three years have changed the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir. They have been made to understand that the government cares for them and there is no need for them to resort to unfair means as the fair means would provide them everything they want.

J&K’s transition into a Union Territory has proven to be a blessing for a common man in Kashmir. For seven decades he had no idea about what good governance means.

After the Centre started managing the J&K affairs directly, the common man in Kashmir has understood what a system means and how a government functions.

Steps that have been taken by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration have brought a common man closer to the system. He has realized that the leaders who claimed to represent him were concerned about their own welfare and not his well being. They wanted him to remain busy in petty things so that they (politicians) could derive the bigger benefits.

They didn’t make any sincere effort to make democracy flourish in Jammu and Kashmir. Their moves were eccentric and aimed at keeping the conflict alive. They were aware of the fact that if the people get what they deserve they would lose their relevance and the power which they enjoyed without any accountability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led regime has changed the very concept of governance and has acted tough against the corrupt elements. During the past three years many big fishes have been caught and the politicians, who used to believe that they are above the law, have been made accountable.

PM Modi’s recent speech has made his intentions clear that corruption is an evil and it has to be wiped out from the system and no one whosoever he/she is will be spared for violating any norm.

Politicians in J&K are no exceptions as they are being questioned and asked to reveal their story from rags to riches as their assets are disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Source: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/editorial-page/corrupt-and-corruption-have-no-place-in-new-india

National Conference, the “grand old party” of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a massive downfall during the past few years. The party has no one to blame for its decline other than its own leadership.

In changed political scenario post abrogation of Article 370, the National Conference is struggling to remain relevant. It’s trying to sell “old wine” in a new bottle but is not finding any takers as people seem least interested in the dramas being staged by the NC leaders.

There was a time when people in Kashmir used to swear by the National Conference as the party founder late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had a vision as a leader. The late leader in 1970’s had realized that plebiscite and Pakistan were no options for Kashmiris.

He gave up all his agendas and joined hands with New Delhi to secure the future of his people. The common man in Kashmir used to respect him for being a visionary with a strong educational background. The NC founder always remained connected with his people and made every possible attempt to empower them.

He was the first person to shun the agenda of Pakistan and plebiscite as he had understood that Pakistan will use Kashmiris for its own vested interests.

His apprehension were proven correct few years after his death as Pakistan since 1989 didn’t leave any stone unturned to turn Kashmir into a graveyard.

After the death of the legendary leader, his son Dr Farooq Abdullah took the control of the party forcefully and groomed a coterie around him which comprised of such people who neither had any knowledge nor vision.

They were encouraged by the former J&K Chief Minister and put in the driver’s seat. These people left no opportunity to even abuse the family members of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, including his daughter and son-in-law late Ghulam Mohammad Shah.

The people, who abused late Sheikh Abdullah’s daughter and his son-in-law, were given the top positions in the National Conference and they continue to rule the roost even today. Dr Farooq along with the elements which he had nurtured joined hands with the Congress Party in 1987 and rigged the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Farooq ensured that he becomes the undisputed ruler. In the process he bulldozed his opponents and became the head of the erstwhile J&K State. The rigged elections of 1987 proved to be a turning point in the history of Jammu and Kashmir and led to the arrival of the gun sponsored by Pakistan.

The neigbouring country took full advantage of the chaos that was created by Dr Farooq and his coterie, which murdered democracy to get the power.

Their lust for power allowed Pakistan to exploit the situation and turn J&K from a peaceful and prosperous zone into a conflict zone with Kashmiris being used as cannon-fodder.

Even today the culture in the National Conference hasn’t changed Dr Farooq Abdullah’s coterie has remained unchanged. It’s managing the NC in same way as it used to in 1987.

The party leaders continue to abuse their opponents and are against any new people joining the party. Even after three decades the party has no such face which it can claim is a knowledgeable person and who is connected with the common people.

Dr Farooq Abdullah’s son, Omar Abdullah, tried to bring the much needed change in his party after he assumed the office of J&K chief minister in 2009.

He made every possible attempt to set the things right by encouraging new and educated people into the party but the ones who have been managing the National Conference for the past so many years ensured that Omar Abdullah doesn’t succeed in his endeavors and the reforms initiated by him are toppled.

Despite being the J&K chief minister for six years, Omar was nothing more than a “caged parrot “ who was not allowed by the NC managers to spread his wings. His efforts to revive Youth National Conference werescuttled as that wing of the party too is being managed a few selected people, who work on the instructions of the coterie sitting at the top.

After the abrogation of Article 370, the NC has lost its relevance as the common people in Kashmir have understood that the people managing the NC are least interested in the welfare of a common Kashmiri.

The coterie groomed by Dr Farooq Abdullah is still actively managing the party affairs and is not allowing anyone, including Omar Abdullah, to come forward and rebuild the party which has almost crumbled under its own weight. The party has no intellectuals or thinkers left.

Nor are there are any such leaders who can formulate a plan to rebuild the National Conference and the youth wing of the party.

The youth National Conference comprises of the heirs, whose predecessors have been serving the dynasties and have hijacked the very idea of representation.

The National Conference has crumbled and fallen it seems in no position to make a comeback. The grand old party in J&K is on crutches and it becoming a history looks imminent.

Article Source: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/editorial-page/nc-on-crutches-fall-looks-imminent

It seems that the National Conference has forgotten the past and needs a reminder

The Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, 5 May 2022, finalized the delimitation order and submitted it to the Election Commission of India wherein it has recommended 43 Assembly seats for Jammu division and 47 seats to the Kashmir region.

The Delimitation Commission submitting its final report on Jammu and Kashmir has evoked sharp reaction from National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and other smaller parties in Kashmir.

These parties have been “beating their chest” after the panel has redrawn the assembly and parliamentary constituencies in the Union Territory.

The commission has recommended 43 assembly constituencies for Jammu region and 47 for Kashmir. For the first time, nine assembly constituencies have been reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, out of which, six are in Jammu region and three in Kashmir.

The six new assembly constituencies in the Jammu region are expected to be carved out from Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Kathua, and Samba districts.

The one new seat for Kashmir would be carved out from the Kupwara district. The Kashmir based parties are unhappy. Anyway, It is nothing new. These political formations, especially NC and PDP, have developed a habit of opposing every move which is aimed at making J&K self-reliant. It seems that the National Conference has forgotten the past and needs a reminder.

The NC in the 1980s had demolished the constituencies of Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by late Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, who was killed by militants in 1990 at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar. In the 1980s the delimitation process had torn apart AAC bastions.

It’s strange that today the same National Conference is questioning the credibility of the Delimitation Commission that was headed by Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai and comprised two other members, Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner; and KK Sharma, State Election Commissioner.

The leaders who are questioning credibility of the commission need to sit back and ask themselves whether they have any credibility left? When they were arrested after August 5, 2019, not a single protest was held in any part of Jammu and Kashmir against their detention and no one demanded their release.

The Delimitation Commission that was set up in February-March 2020 to redraw assembly and parliamentary constituencies in J&K after its division into two Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh, has done its job meticulously. The ones who are unhappy have a reason to be so as they are aware that grabbing power won’t be easy for them in times to come.

During the past 70-years, Kashmir based parties ruled J&K and the National Conference remained in power for many decades. After the Peoples Democratic Party appeared on the scene in 2000, it challenged NC’s hegemony and went on to form the government in 2002 with the support of Congress. PDP had just won 16 out of 83 assembly seats.

From 2002 to 2018 power kept on shifting between the NC and PDP. Now, the political equation has changed and all the political parties, including the ones in Jammu have been empowered. This has perturbed the NC and PDP. The bête-noire have come together and have dropped enough hints about contesting the forthcoming assembly elections jointly.

Leaders of both these parties are aware that none of the national parties will support them as their past is an ample proof of the fact that these formations keep on changing their colours like chameleons. NC and PDP rather than questioning the credibility of the Delimitation Commission should focus on regaining their grounds.

These parties have been left with nothing to sell, neither autonomy, nor self-rule. People haven’t responded to any of the slogans raised by these parties after the abrogation of Article 370.

The experiment of forming Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has ended up in a fiasco as people of J&K rejected the alliance of Kashmir based political parties by terming it as “one more drama.”

The attempts of NC and PDP leaders to “sell old wine in new bottle” haven’t yielded any results. Both these parties are at crossroads and are unable to digest that for the first time in so many years they are about to face stiff competition, which can turn these parties into a history.

After August 5, 2019 NC and PDP leaders are trying to project themselves as “Messiahs” (saviours) of people but a common man seems least interested in their stunts. These parties should accept that assembly and parliamentary constituencies have been redrawn and J&K’s status-quo has changed.

Both these parties haven’t been left with any constituency as they have lost support of the people. The leaders of these parties should stop throwing tantrums and allow people of J&K to taste the real fruits of democracy.

Article Source: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/editorial-page/look-whos-talking

About the Book

Why Article 370 Had To Go delves deep into Kashmir’s onion layered conflict and discerns the most complicated political realities—a clear break from the existing literature on Kashmir. The book presents strong arguments in favor of the abrogation of Article 370. Jehangir records that Kashmir’s aspirational youth is fed up of terrorism that has destroyed tourism, economy and the social fabric of Kashmir’s society. He stresses that religious militancy is not what Kashmir is all about. He reiterates that Kashmiris have always practiced the Islam of Sufis which is about syncretism. It is Khalid’s quest for a secular democratic Kashmir that has brought forth this book that profiles through a personal journey, a larger political perspective.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Jammu and Kashmir at a crucial time. It’s his maiden visit to the Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 two years ago.

After August 5, 2019—when the Centre announced its decision to scrap J&K’s special status and divided it into two Union Territories—the erstwhile princely state has witnessed massive transformation and development but the recent killings of eleven civilians, including five non-locals, have to some extent eclipsed the good work that has been done on the ground level.
Militants going on a killing spree hasn’t deterred the J&K Government from carrying forward its agenda of peace, prosperity and development. It seems determined to pull the Himalayan region out from the quagmire of uncertainty and turmoil.

Since 2019, J&K has witnessed many firsts. The recent announcement of direct flight from Srinagar to Sharjah, the initiative will bring the Middle East closer to Kashmir. More than one lakh Kashmiris are working in Sharjah. The direct flight to Srinagar will bring them home within a few hours as customs, immigration and all other facilities will be available at the Srinagar Airport. It’s a welcome step and a major relief to travellers intending to fly to the Emirates.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.485.1_en.html#goog_871847915

The pace of connectivity projects, including four-laning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and trains reaching the Valley, has increased manifold. Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who visited J&K last month announced that the train would reach Kashmir by 2024. The Minister also assured that the Jammu-Poonch railway link would be completed after addressing viability issues of the area.

The grievance redress system in J&K has been revolutionised. There was a time, when people used to stand in long queues outside the Civil Secretariats in Srinagar and Jammu cities to reach the helmsmen. However, after August 5, 2019 the government has revamped the system.

The help lines and online grievance redressal portals have been set for a common man to drop his complaint and check the status about the action taken either online or over the phone. The officials are just a phone call away. The system which used to remain inaccessible has become accessible.

The Centre has taken many steps that a common Kashmiri couldn’t have even imagined. The tourism sector in Kashmir has witnessed a boom. The outbreak of COVID-19 did slow down the process to some extent despite that things have moved at a fast pace.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been successful in rewriting J&K’s history. The government has set new benchmarks for the governance and no one is being allowed to take his job casually.

The Union Home Minister has been personally monitoring the developments in Jammu and Kashmir and has shown keen interest in ensuring that the erstwhile princely state witnesses a massive development. He has gone on record to say that former political regimes couldn’t do much for the people.

During the past two years many new projects have been announced and the ones that were awaiting completion for the past many decades have been thrown open for the public. People of J&K are reaping the benefits and are witnessing development that they couldn’t become a part of for the past seventy years.

People of Kashmir to a great extent have understood that development needs a peaceful environment and nothing can move if the situation remains disturbed. Maximum populace of J&K has boarded the wagon of peace, prosperity and development but still there are some elements who want Kashmir to burn so that their shops don’t get closed.

A common man in Kashmir is no more interested in slogans and rhetoric as he has observed that there is a difference between lip service and proper delivery system.

J&K’s development has been the Centre’s priority. Many far-flung areas that had no road connectivity have been connected with the highways and main roads. The power scenario has improved. Healthcare facilities have got a major boost. The work culture in the government offices has seen a rapid transformation.

In a nutshell Jammu and Kashmir has taken many steps towards a new era. The breaking out of a new dawn has brought J&K closer to the country and people of Kashmir too have realized that the world has opened for them and sky is the limit.

The writer is core member of BJP , former VC JKPCC.

Article Source: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-2/amit-shahs-jk-visit-is-significant