Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • Structural not situational

    NC’s defeat has been caused by the degeneration of its political culture

    BACK TO BASICS HASEEB A DRABU

    The top brass of the National Conference ( NC) has reacted to the results of the Parliamentary elections with shock and surprise. This is strange. A blind man with his eyes covered could have seen this coming had he kept his ear to the ground. The wise men of the party have identified the style of campaigning, perceived complicity in Afzal Guru’s hanging and the resentment against the “ teenocide” of 2009- 10 as the proximate reasons for the defeat. As such, the electoral performance of NC is being seen as “ one time” reversal caused by a set of incidental or contingent events and circumstances. This is a wrong diagnosis arrived at by pursuing a flawed line of enquiry. The truth is far bitter and even far less comforting. Introspection, as being done by the party leadership, is welcome. However, if it results in measures like lifting the “ sms ban on pre- paid sim cards”, or withdrawal of a “ fiscally necessitated” job policy or using financial institutions to dole out ad hoc concessions, it points not only to a bankruptcy of ideas but also political poverty. These steps amount to, as the colloquial saying goes, “ yupis duin shupe ” ( using a winnow kee to hold a flood)! NC’s loss in the Parliamentary elections is not just an electoral debacle. Nor is it a situational poll reversal. Or merely the anti- incumbency of the last five years. It is all that and much more. It is not a debacle, which connotes suddenness, but degeneration which is long term structural and systemic. The consequence of it being diagnosed as sudden debacle is that the entire blame is being put at the doorstep of Omar Abdullah and his team of young advisors. True, Omar Abdullah lacks political gravitas and backroom guile. True also that his core team lacks political maturity and organizational method. But the fact is that the “ rot” in NC precedes them by two decades and more. The seeds for what has happened in the 2014 elections were sown long ago by Farooq Abdullah and his bandicoots. His obscene acts were laughed off as lighthearted banter, his perversities were interpreted as idiosyncrasies, his dishonesty was eulogized as expediency, his decadence was valued as indulgence, and his insincerity was condoned as flippancy. His cheap theatrics became political tactic of the NC. This gradually degenerated into institutionalized disrespect for the people of Kashmir, their sensibilities and their aspirations. Overtime this got concretized as dissent and eventually has now surfaced as anger and hate. It is with these traits and from those times that the seeds of NC’s disaster have been sown. Omar Abdullah understood this. And it didn’t escape any keen observer’s attention that in the initial two years of his term, he airbrushed his father and drew political lineage and sustenance directly from his grandfather. Sadly, he capitulated at the first signs of trouble. The first real election that NC fought under the family leadership was only in 1977. Sheikh Abdullah, on the rebound from the Congress back stabbing, led NC to a decent victory by securing a third of the total votes polled. During his period the vote share remained stable. Riding a sympathy vote from the death of Sheikh Abdullah, NC’s share of votes increased under Farooq Abdulla’s leadership increased to an all- time high of 46%. True to his personal nature and political acumen, he squandered the mandate rather quickly. Thereafter, in the Parliamentary elections of 1996, NC polled 26% votes. This dip was obviously due to an overhang of secessionism. In 1998, it recouped its share back to 33%. From then on it has been a downhill slide. NC vote share of 46% when Farooq took over the reins of NC in 1984 declined to 19 per cent when he handed over the reins to Omar Abdullah. On his part Omar Abdullah hasn’t been able to stem the slide. On the contrary he accelerated it. The significant aspect of the decline is that with every election NC’s share of votes has declined. As the accompanying graph shows, it was 36% in 1998 which declined to 29% in 1999 declining further to 28% before reaching 19% in 2009. Now it has plummeted to 11%. To add insult to injury, this 11% vote share includes some votes of its coalition partner! So, it may well turn out to be that NC’s own vote share is in single digits. This didn’t happen overnight. The same pattern is observed in the case of assembly election. NC’s share has dramatically come down from more than 47% in 1977, to less than 23% in 2008. If the current parliamentary shares are extrapolated, NC’s vote share will not be more than 14% in the elections at the end of the year. As an obvious consequence of this decline, the number of seats won by NC has come down. In the assembly from a high of 57 to a low of 28. Despite the fact that the number of seat in the assembly increased from 76 to 87, the number of seats won by NC has declined. In 1977, NC got a 62% of the seats, while in 2008 it managed to win only 32% of the seats. What this decline shows is the dwindling of its cadres and erosion in its support base. Earlier it had shrunk in the Jammu region and South Kashmir. This time around it has shriveled in North as well as Central Kashmir. In addition to its actions, what hastened the decline of its fortunes are two structural features; coalition and opposition. Historically, NC is used to neither! From 2002 to 2014, the decline in NC’s electoral strength is directly related to the emergence of a competing regional party. In the assembly, PDP got 9% in 2002 and increased its share to 15% in 2008. While PDP gained 6 percentage points in their vote share, NC lost 5 percentage points. In the last two assembly elections, the vote share of PDP has increased 66 per cent. Similarly, between the Parliamentary elections of 2004 and 2014, PDP’s share has gone up from 12% to 21%; an increase of 75%. This is a nightmarish situation for a political party like NC that has been weaned on getting 74 of 76 candidates elected unopposed! In this context, the planned efforts afoot to clean up of the mess in NC, welcome and long overdue as they are, can be evocatively summarized by the local saying, “ Doone galre wular pazun” ( To clean the Wular Lake with a walnut kernel)!

     

  • A woman who cares for State economy

    How often do husbands want working wives; how often do they want them to join or start a business; how often does a working husband want her wife to be an entrepreneur, at least in a place like Kashmir? And how many husbands want their wives to make a contribution towards the State economy. These are the questions very relevant to Rumaisa Rajab’s entrepreneurial journey.
    Rumaisa, the owner of Zehra Enterprises, Rajbagh was inspired and guided by her husband to become an entrepreneur after their marriage. Zehra Enterprises is a readymade garments manufacturing unit fetching Rumaisa a monthly sales turnover of about Rs 3 lakh.
    Rumaisa was one among thousands of postgraduate degree holders of J&K seeking government jobs. After completing MA Education from University of Kashmir, Rumaisa was jobless till she opted for entrepreneurship as her career path. Family support was always in her favour. She got married and responsibilities grew especially when she became a mother. It was almost impossible for her to opt for a job outside her home, prompting her to do something of her own.
    Thus began the entrepreneurial journey of an enthusiastic lady with 14-day training from J&KEDI. Knowing that readymade garment manufacturing units are lesser known in Kashmir, she chose it to make her career path.
    The total cost of her project was Rs 14.75 lakh under Seed Capital Fund Scheme and she received Rs 4.97 lakh as seed money to make her project bankable.
    Her supportive husband made it possible for her to start the business early by providing her some space at their home only. Rumaisa was prepared for all business risks.
    “Seed money was too useful. I used that amount to launch my business by purchasing machines and gave some advance to my labourers who are mostly non-State subjects.
    Zehra Enterprises has grown slowly and today there are 16 employees working for Rumaisa. The energetic lady does not hesitate in saying that her unit is one of the successful ventures of the valley.
    Zehra Enterprises unit deals in manufacturing of shirts, Kurta Shalwar and kids wear. In winters Rumaisa purchases woollen cloth to make favourite winter dresses for Valley people.
    Rumiasa’s feels that the biggest challenge was to satisfy people about the quality of product manufactured in her unit. Other challenge was to get good workers from outside the State. She had to face another problem as the necessary machinery was not available in J&K and she had to purchase it from Delhi. “Due to hard work and my husband’s support I was able to stabilize my unit with the passage of time.” Initially people didn’t like the kind of raw material she had chosen and this she considers a mistake on her part. Rumaisa plans to introduce machines which will stitch Jeans wear also. She wants to have a separate building for the manufacturing unit outside her home.
    “In our State, it is not possible for any government to give job to every educated youth. By the help of SCFS they can establish their own business units and give employment to others as well. Though I am yet to achieve top position, but with the passage of time I have been able to understand that it is really important to care for our State’s economy,” says Rumaisa.
    Her word of advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs is: “Grab the opportunity and keep two important things in mind; one is honesty and the other is courage to face problems as everybody doesn’t have a positive thinking.”

    Name:   RUMAISA RAJAB
    Qualfication:   M A EDUCATION
    Unit Name: ZEHRA ENTERPRISES RAJBAGH NEAR MUSLIM SCHOOL SGR
    Year of Establishment: 2012
    City of Operation: SRINAGAR
    Mobile: 9906546562

  • US Has No Right To Tell Israel To Investigate Deaths Of Palestinians

    Jerusalem – Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said on Wednesday during a speech at Ariel University that he rejects the international community’s requests to investigate the killing of two Palestinian teenagers – allegedly by the IDF – during the May 15 Nakba Day riots by Ofer Prison near Ramallah.

    “We don’t need an American demand to investigate what happened. The IDF is the most moral army in the world. I am sorry that such demands don’t come for other situations. In Syria, close to 170 thousand people have been killed and I haven’t seen any active response from the international community to investigate those deaths. Hamas kills Gazans without trials. I haven’t seen any requests from the international community regarding that,” the foreign minister said.

  • Modi invites Nawaz Sharief for oath ceremony

    SRINAGAR: As the oath ceremony for PM designate Narendra Modi closes in, many heads of the states including Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharief have been invited to attend the ceremony.

    Tech savvy Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted it as an “excellent move” by Narendra Modi.

    “Excellent move by  to invite SAARC leaders, especially Pak PM for his swearing in. Hope this is beginning of sustained talks,” his tweet read.

    PDP president and Member Parliament South Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has described the move as “good omen” saying that it’s a ‘pleasant surprise’.

  • Four gamblers arrested

    Stake money over 53 thousand recovered in Awantipora

    Srinagar: Awantipora Police today arrested four gamblers while gambling at Nambal Awantipora and recovered stake money of Rs 53500 from them. According to a police statement issued to KNS, on a specific information, Awantipora Police raided a gasmbling site at Nambal area in the jurisdiction of Police station Awantipora. Police arrested four gamblers who were identified as Ghulam Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Noorpora, Shamim Ahmad Shah son of Mohamad Amin resident of Tral Payeen, Ghulam Jeelanie Shah son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Peernad and Ghulam Ahmad Wani son of Mohammad Ahsan resident of Midoora. During the raid stake money of Rs 53500 and playing cards were recovered from the gambling site. Police Awantipora has registered a case FIR number 55/2014 under section 13 Gambling Act and investigation is on.

  • CRPF cop booked for harassing woman in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Kashmir Police has booked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) cop for harassing a lady in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

    A lady whose mother hails from village Pankal of Cuttack District of Orissa has accused a CRPF cop Rahim Khan son of Isaaq Khan of harassing and forcing her to marry. Accordingly a case FIR no. 24/2014 has been registered in Police Station Herpora and investigation has been taken up.

    During preliminary investigations it surfaced that the lady was in contact with the cop since 2011 and has lodged a similar complaint in police station, Tigiria Cuttack, Orissa under FIR no. 19/2014 under section 294,506,420, 34/ IPC

  • Make all new ATMs talking machines from July: RBI to banks

    MUMBAI: All new ATMs to be installed by commercial banks from July 2014 onwards would provide audible instructions and Braille keypads to customers, RBI said on Wednesday.

    The RBI’s directive today came on its prior advice to banks in 2009 to make bank branches and ATMs accessible to people with disabilities and make at least one-third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

    “It is, therefore, reiterated that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014, as talking ATMs with Braille keypads,” RBI said in a notification. “Banks should lay down a road map for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and the same may be reviewed from time to time,” it said.

  • Mirwaiz condemns restrictions on May 21

    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been placed under house arrest, has strongly condemned restrictions and use of force by the authorities to foil the May 21 Eidgah Chalo March to pay tributes to Shaheed e milat, shaheed e Hurriyat and the Martyrs of Hawal

    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a crowded press conference, Mirwaiz stated that it was highly deplorable that people who claim to be so called ‘democrats’ indulge in   a dictatorial and autocratic manner  by imposing curfews, restrictions and bans to stop people and the resistance leadership from paying homage to their martyred leaders.

    Asserting that for the past five years Government has used intimidation and force to stop the May 21 and July 13 events, Mirwaiz stated that hurriyat leaders and workers including Moulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al Safvi, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, and Syed Salim Geelani have been put under house arrest while as Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, javaid Ahmad Mir, Hilal Ahmad War, Yasmeen Raja, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and others have been either put under house arrest or in police lock ups.

    Terming the nocturnal raids on houses of Hurriyat leaders and activists, arrests and house arrest of Hurriyat leaders,    declared and undeclared curfew, siege of historic Jamia Masjid, restrictions on roads leading to Eidgah, as a defeat of government, APHC Chairman stated that it nullifies  the states claims of ‘democracy and freedom of expression’. He said that it is the height of double standards  that  while the rallies of  pro-India parties are facilitated and supported by the state government and its  machinery peaceful activities and programs so much so that even homage paying functions of resistance leadership are suppressed by use of force and intimidation.

    Mirwaiz stated that it was the right of every nation to pay tributes to its martyrs and leaders, but the situation in Kashmir was contrary to that. He said such acts should be an eye opener and cause of worry for the international human rights organizations and institutions advocating democratic values. He said that time and again government lays restrictions and curfew in the premises of historic Jamia masjid to crush the emotions and aspirations of common masses. He said the policy of arresting doctors, resistance leaders and civil society would not weaken the resolve  of people towards freedom struggle.

    Reiterating that Kashmir issue should be solved according to the wishes and aspirations of people, he said the so called election for parliament and assembly would not solve the issue now, neither in future.

    Expressing concern over the role of police, intelligence agencies and administration, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmir was practically a police state where the emotions and political aspirations of people were being crushed under jackboots of armed forces.

    While thanking people for observing strike in remembrance of Shaheed-e-Millat, Shaheed-e-Hurriyat, martyrs of Hawal,despite curfew and restrictions imposed by the administration, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmiris have reaffirmed their resolve and commitment towards the freedom struggle.

    On the occasion, Mirwaiz announced that the golden jubilee celebrations of the formation of Awami Action Committee would kick start on 20th June  by holding of  a huge public rally at Municipal Park Srinagar.

    Mirwaiz demanded a fresh probe in the  bloody incidents of Hawal, Bijbehara, Zakura, Khanyar, Gowkadal, Handwara etc, and said that those found guilty should be brought to justice.

    Replying to a question regarding the invitation made by the newly elected Indian Prime minister Narendera Modi to Pakistan prime Minister Nawaz Sharief on the formers oath taking ceremony, APHC Chairman stated that such gestures would help build  confidence and trust   between the two nations which  would help in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.He said Shaheed-e-Millat and APHC have  always supported Indo-Pak friendship since it was in the interest of peace and prosperity of South Asia. He hoped that a time bound and serious process involving Kashmiris is initiated  to solve the Kashmir issue in accordance with our aspirations.

  • Govt implementing ‘might is right’ policy: HCJK

    Condemns house confinement of Shah, Khan

    Srinagar: Stating the house arresting of senior Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan and other senior pro-freedom leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, as unethical and incomprehensible, National Front has said that so called government has given a free hand to the men in uniform to implement the rule of ‘might is right’ in the state.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, a party spokesman has said that there is no rule of law prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir and police and other so called administrative authorities are not accountable for their unlawful acts. Khan and Shah were released from police station Rajbagh, yesterday after a period of more than one month and as they reached their respective residences they were put under house arrest.

    Terming the house arresting of Khan and Shah as insulting for the pro-freedom leadership, the spokesman said that by doing so a message is being passed through that pro-freedom leaders can be detained and arrested anywhere without any reason.

    He however said that such imperialistic acts are very short living and after a very short span of time these balloons get busted. He said that the way which our resistance leadership has chosen has historically been the road of difficulties and these difficulties have no importance before the goal of freedom.

    “Had such oppressive acts any importance, India itself would have not get freedom from the British imperialism,” the spokesman said. He hailed the pro-freedom leaders, activists and other youth for their steadfastness who time and again but very patiently face the oppressive and suppressive acts of the so called rulers, their masters in New Delhi and its local collaborators.

  • India has turned Kashmir into a minefield: Naqash

    Srinagar: Senior members of Hurriyat Conference JK (HCJK) and chairman Islamic Political Party (IPP) Muhammad Yousuf Naqash Wednesday expressed shock over the death of a girl, Saima Riyaz, who died in a shell explosion outside his home in Lashipora Khag. He said that India has turned Kashmir into a minefield and turned the beautiful Tosamaidan meadow into the meadow of death. In a statement issued to KNS, Naqash appealed the international Centre for Humanitarian Demining to take strong notice of the Tosamaidan in located Indian Occupied Kashmir, which has turned killed hundreds of people.

    Around 200 people have lost their lives in Tosamaidan surroundings due to heavy artillery drills conducted by the Indian army in the meadow over the years, he said. “The little girl Saima Riyaz is the latest victim of this death zone” He said. Naqash stated that it had been their long sought-after demand that all the areas bordering Tosa Maidan should not be only demilitarized and purged of explosive shells, but Army should vacate that area.

    “All the hilly areas of Kashmir have been turned into minefields that have not only claimed hundreds of lives but have left the lives of human beings and other livestock at the razors edge. The people of the area have protested time and again over the losses of lives due to unexploded shells, but the authorities had remained unmoved over the issue,” he added.

    Naqash condemned the illegal detention of Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) President, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan and said that Dr Nisar’s detention is unjustifiable and un-democratic. “Dr Nisar’s only sin is that he is speaking his heart out against the drug mafias and other atrocities, but his voice has been suppressed by oppressive tactics. He should be released as early as possible.” He said. Meanwhile, the party spokesperson has condemned the continuous police raids on the house of party Chairman M Y Naqash and termed it another tactic to harass the family members of freedom lovers.

    He said that the prolonged detention of senior Hurriyat leaders of HCJK including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mushtaq-ul-Islam and Hurriyat (G) Chief Syed Ali Geelani, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and its other party leaders has once again exposed the India’s claims of world’s largest democracy.