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‘Don’t make deferment of examinations a point of prestige’

Srinagar: National Conference Working President and Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed concern over continued stalemate on the issue of deferment of board examinations in the State and said the State Government should talk to the students with an open mind instead of tormenting them. After meeting various delegations of young students at his residence in Srinagar, the National Conference Working President said the Government should desist from making the issue of holding examinations a point of prestige.
“Our young students who are in their crucial classes deserve every bit of our empathy and moral support. They are the worst victims of uncertainty and turmoil as a break in their academic pursuits at this junction has a direct bearing on their careers. Unfortunately, the State Government has chosen to browbeat and intimidate the students into complying with their stand on holding the examinations on time despite the loss of almost four months of in-class studies and tutorials. The current unrest has also affected our children psychologically and the Government’s insensitivity is only worsening their plight”, the National Conference Working President said after meeting the students.
The NC Working President said the students have a fair point in questioning the rationality and fairness of Government holding examinations on time when only around eighty school working days could be conducted as opposed to a minimum standard of around a hundred and eighty school working days that make an academic year. “The students have not been able to complete their prescribed syllabi as both their schools as well as tutorial classes have been shut and suspended for almost four months now. The curriculum covered in tenth and twelfth standards forms the basis of the curriculum for professional entrance examinations and hence the Government’s offer of curtailing the curriculum covered in these examinations makes no sense and will affect their performance in the entrance examinations in turn”, Omar Abdullah further added.
“While schools are being burnt and the State Government is watching as a mute and helpless spectator, their arrogance on the issue of examinations is baffling if not out rightly ridiculous. When you cannot protect the public education infrastructure in the State, your misplaced sense of confidence in forcing examinations on the students is absurd. The State Government cannot absolve itself of the responsibility of safeguarding the public education infrastructure in the State and the safety of our schools, our teachers and our students has to be ensured at all costs”, the NC Working President said. (KNS)

‘Kashmiri separatists only kind of leadership who are out to destroy their own people’

Srinagar: Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Minister for Education, Mr Naeem Akhtar today strongly condemned the allegations leveled by JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik wherein he has indirectly blamed students for burning the schools in Kashmir.

In a statement, Akhtar said that those saying that government decision to hold exams has forced students to torch the educational institutes should go for a self-introspection. He said at many places students have been at the forefront of saving the schools and it is out of question that students would have taken such a reprehensible step.

Akhtar said by conducting the examinations, the government is not trying to invent or impose anything new in the academic arena of the State.  “We are only trying to safeguard the career of lakhs of students, whereas separatists with their shutdown calls are trying to destroy their academic career,” he said.

“In reality it is the examination time of leaders like Mohammad Yasin Malik who is now facing questions from the people over the way they are pushing Kashmiris into perpetual economic and academic disempowerment,” said Akhtar. “They started the era of destruction and are now trying to distance themselves from it and finding an escape route,” he said.

Regarding unfortunate burning of schools, Akhtar said that it is the same people who are promoting the looting banks, torching of shops and vehicles, stoning innocents, intimidation of citizens, who are responsible for burning the educational institutes. “One doesn’t have to research for the source of this huge conspiracy against the hapless people of Kashmir.  It is those people who have created this tirade against education, because they see it as a threat to their vested interests,” he said and added that no inquiry is needed to find out who is behind all this.

Akhtar said that separatists have mounted a tiger and are now trying hard to keep the conflict going. He said that in the initial phase Yasin Malik and others were at the forefront of driving the shutdowns but now they have distanced themselves and thrown the ball solely in the court of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. “Burning of schools is one of the ploys to keep the fire burning,” said Akhtar.

Akhtar said that Yasin Malik should clarify whether he is with militancy or non-violence. “Malik is famous for saying that he was inspired by Gandhiji when he announced ceasefire and abandoned his path to martyrdom whereas he is promoting others to do so and continues to glorify violence,” said Akhtar.

“Now I want to ask him whether he stands with violence or Gandhi Ji’s principles of non-violence. Has he again changed his thoughts?”

The Education Minister appealed the people from all schools of thought to keep the education conflict-neutral. “Just see Palestine or the recent happenings in Aleppo, Syria. Their schools are never shut even if there is bombings, killings and full-fledged war. They know that education is the key and in no way they can stop education. Compared to that Kashmir is a peaceful region, except for the insecurity caused by the hartal politics being promoted through stone-pelting and intimidation,” said Akhtar. “In Kashmir too we faced unfortunate deaths for which all of us are heartbroken and pained, but for saving the future generation education has to go on.”

Akhtar said that education is the solution to all the problems. “The revelation of Quran started with Iqra meaning to read. Nobody should deny the power of education and doubt its capability to take humans to heights of peace, prosperity and ultimate salvation,” said Akhtar.

“What is our politics, we will continue to do it, but for the sake of our children let us not drag education into it.”

Akhtar lashed out at separatists for pushing Kashmiris back to stone-age. “Our youngsters had established the start-ups, new avenues were being created and now everybody is fleeing from Kashmir. Our separatist leaders who claim to be the well wishers of the people must be the only leadership of its kind who are hell bent on destroying the Kashmiri society. They asked well off people to live on the doles of neighbors and Bait-ul-Maals. In an ideal situation the leaders strengthen the nations, but here it is reverse,” said Akhtar. “Education falls into the same pattern. They are hell bent to destroying Kashmir’s literary progress,” he said.

Srinagar: Condemning the burning of schools and other landmarks in mysterious fire incidents across the restive Valley, the civil society and the Kashmir Inc on Monday unanimously resolved that “schools are our national assets” and that “arsonists cannot be our comrades.”

The speakers resolved that there was a need for a “joint and tangible strategy to foil such nefarious designs”, a statement issued by KTMF said this afternoon.

In his address, the host of event and Kashmir Economic Alliance, Chairperson Haji Muhammad Yasin Khan said, “the burning of schools has shaken the entire Kashmiri nation and the hidden faces behind this conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the mass movement, need to be exposed.”

Stressing on the importance of education, Khan, who also heads Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) said, “fire incidents at schools and elsewhere including shrines have turned into such a big concern for the people that now mere lip service won’t do but that tangible efforts are needed from the people of Kashmir to bring an end to this conspiracy of dragging the Valley to darkness.”

Reiterating the support to the peoples uprising led by the united Hurriyat Conference, the KTMF President said the trade community has been and shall be religiously following the protest program.

He agreed with other speakers from civil society that the on-going uprising needs to be taken ahead at “sustainable” pace.

Former Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (FCIK) President Muhammad Ashraf Mir also expressed serious concern over fire incidents.

Greater Kashmir Columnist Mehmood Ur Rashid in his address said burning of schools cannot be seen in isolation but has its cause linked to the on-going uprising.

He suggested that the on-0going uprising should be “programmed in sustained way where play and pause of movement will play a vital role”. “We often keep only moving and forget to take halt,” he added.

Earlier in his address, prominent social activist and philanthropist, Dr Muhammad Farooq Kaloo said Kashmir being a conflict zone has been victim of such incidents like mysterious fires for the past several decades.

He suggested that people should come up with community efforts at Mohalla and village levels to come up with vigilantes, who keep vigil at places like schools to foil the nefarious designs.

Journalist Majid Hyderi, however, Said, “vigilantes couldn’t play a fruitful in conflict zone as people of Kashmir have already been craving for their own lives during the unrest.”

“Legally speaking, it’s the duty of the police to safeguard life and property of people. A government which can arrest over 10,000 youth and leave another 1000 blind on charges of stone pelting is supposed to be knowing the hands behind these mysterious fires,” he argued.

The speakers from the business community, on the other hand largely maintained that the state government unduly politicized education with many of the speakers taking at dig at Education Minister Naeem Akhtar in particular.

“From Abdullahs to Muftis, all Unionist leaders exploited Kashmiris for vetted interests,” the statement said.

Rising Kashmir Business Editor Mir Basit was also present.

The joint session of the civil society and Kashmir Inc resolved to hold another round of discussions over this serious issue and to decide future strategy.

Accuses Mehbooba Mufti of being Commander in chief of undeclared war against Majority community in J&K

Srinagar: AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rashid has said while Mehboba Mufti has every right to celebrate Dewali as head of the state and as a Muslim, but she has to answer why Muslims could not offer Friday Prayers in the largest historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar and why were strict restrictions imposed on Moharram processions. In a statement issued today Er. Rashid said “on one hand Mehbooba Mufti is trying to portray herself as architect of communal harmony by participating in Dewali celebrations but on the other hand she has become commander in chief of new Dehli’s undeclared war against Majority community of J&K and is bulldozing their administrative and religious rights. New terror series of crackdowns from Kupwara to Qazigund has made life of people a hell. While Mehbooa was celebrating Dewali, in Bandipora, Tral, Shopian, Kandi, Nutnussa, Rahmoo, Parimpora and various other places in Kashmir, men, women and children were forced to get humiliated and tortured at the hands of security forces. Mehbooba has to answer that why Jamia Masjid stands sealed for sixteen consecutives Fridays and what forced her to disallow Moharram processions all over Kashmir. Her all arguments and excuses stand exposed as she has no answers to what Muslims in Jammu province are facing. Not only grave yards, mosques and shrines in Sunderbani, Rajouri, Samba and other places are being desecrated on and often by fundamentalist forces but the religious clerks in Chinab valley are being forced to toe official line in Friday sermons and are being booked for denying same. Similarly scores of religious clerks have been booked in every district of Kashmir valley only for condemning state terrorism”.

Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) Sunday expressed concern over the firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) between Indian and Pakistani troops and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives and injuries to dozens of people on both sides stating that such frequent skirmishes could soon escalate into a war between the two neighbours which is in the interest of none and will only bring death and destruction to all.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, Hurriyat (M) said that Kashmir dispute remains the core problem between the two countries and to avoid a war like situation in the region, global forums across the world especially SAARC countries, can play a role in influencing the two nations to stop hostilities and take concrete steps which would help resolve the dispute between them and foster friendly relations that in turn would create an environment of peace prosperity and progress for the entire region.
Denouncing the ruling class for taking the situation in Kashmir back to the oppression of 1990s by carrying out crackdowns and arrest spree of youth, the conglomerate said the government forces were conducting nocturnal raids on the residences of youth, beating up inmates both old and young and ransacking household items while peaceful protests were being dealt with brutal and oppressive tactics that would even put Nazis to shame.
Hurriyat (M) statement condemned the ruling class for sabotaging the call of the unified resistance leadership of marching toward respective Tehsil headquarters and said wherever people tried to march peacefully to register their protest government forces used excessive force and violence to stop them.
Expressing anguish Hurriyat (M) said that people are reporting that police and government agencies are harassing the families of arrested youth by demanding huge sums of money in lieu for the release of their children and wards. APHC said this was not only condemnable but shameful on part of the police and the ruling class.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, who continues to be under house arrest, condemned the immolation of daughter-in-law of a family in Namblabal, Pampore and the killing of a woman in Sangam by unidentified gunmen saying that while entire Kashmir was striving for taking the blood-soaked resistance movement forward these bone chilling incidents were brining shame to Kashmiri society and are highly regrettable and condemnable. 

‘We must remember poor, needy and share joy with them’

Jammu: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Sunday distributed sweets and gifts among the residents of the old age home and children at Bal- Niketan, Nari-Niketan, Ambphalla on the occasion of Diwali, here.
Advisor to CM, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Spl DGP Coordination, Dr S P Vaid also accompanied the Chief Minister on the occasion.
The Chief Minister interacted with elderly and the children, enquired about facilities and announced LED TVs for the three places on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said while celebrating festivals, we must remember the poor and needy and share joy with them. “While we celebrate Diwali with much fanfare, we must also remember those living in orphanages and old-age homes who are unable to celebrate the festival for lack of resources, if we are able to bring a smile on their face, then I think our celebrations are doubled”, she said. 

Demand deferment of planned exams

Srinagar: Various academicians, scholars and other intellectuals Sunday urged the government to stop nocturnal raids and withdraw cases against youth.
KNS publishing it as verbatim:
In the aftermath of Buhan Wani’s killing we are now this day of October 30th straight in 114th day of valley wide shut down due to unprecedented longest curfew; crackdowns, strict restrictions imposed by the State Government and the voluntary Hartal by people to protest against over 90 barbarian killings of unarmed civilians; use of pellet guns and PAVA (Pelarogonic Acid Vanillyl Amide) shells which blinded hundreds of persons; mostly school going children and teenagers ; and injured grievously thousands of unarmed people battling for life; hartal to remonstrate against nocturnal raids, random and indiscriminate arrests and other grave human rights violations.
Consequently every sector of our economy and development suffered immensely. While it may not be very difficult for the Kashmir society to recuperate on these fronts it will not be easy to recover from the damage caused to the education sector. The educational institutions are close since 1st July; 2016 when summer vacation was ordered. Thus in a normal academic calendar of 180 days the institutions remained open for over 60 to 70 days. Education sector (our lifeline) has suffered much damage and we can ill afford any further harm to it. The need of the hour is to have it back on rails.
To have the sector back on rails requires an atmosphere conducive to teaching learning process; an atmosphere in which schools and other places of learning and research can open and function; an atmosphere in which children will have confidence of safety while going to schools, an atmosphere in which teachers and other related staff can attend the educational institutions to restart the educational process safely. For this Kashmir society; as a whole; as well as the State Government has a very vital role to play.
In this context we the members of broader Kashmir Civil society fervently appeal to the general public; the community leaders at the grass roots level; the Ulema and Imams of Masjids; the general public above all the popular leadership to kindly play their role in building an atmosphere congenial to opening and functioning of educational institutions particularly the schools.
The State Government has a bigger role to play in creating such atmosphere. To facilitate create a conducive atmosphere it should immediately put a stop on nocturnal raids; stop harassing and arresting people; release all the political prisoners and others jailed on one or the other pretext; revoke all the orders of detention; withdraw FIRs lodged in the aftermath of Burhan killing; pay adequate compensation to the next of the kin/s of those killed; allow compensation to those blinded; grant adequate medical aid to those maimed or grievously injured. The Government should hold time bound judicial inquiry in to innocent killings and bring to justice people responsible for this. To help create a congenial atmosphere the Government should facilitate process of result oriented dialogue and reconciliation for the ultimate resolution of the basic Kashmir problem. It should ensure safety of children and their teachers once the institutions reopen.
In view of the fact that of the 7months ( 210days) from 15 March till 30th October , 2016 educational institutions were on only for hardly 60 to 70 days the State Government should defer the annual Board / University examinations for the time being to allow students time to recover from the trauma and mental stress as well as provide them some time more to ready themselves for the examinations instead of politicizing this issue and making it matter of ego.
We vehemently condemn the burning of schools and ask the State Government to ensure safety of school buildings and other infrastructure. The Government should unmask the elements involved in this heinous crime against the society. It should in any case name and shame these criminals so that nobody dares to damage the infrastructure in future. We appeal the community at large for a proactive role in saving state assets like schools buildings, forests and water bodies.
1. Prof. A. G Madhosh formerly Dean Education University of Kashmir.
2. Prof. M. Ashraf Wani Dean academic University of Kashmir.
3. Prof. M Zaman Azurdah Formerly Dean Socila Sciences K U.
4. Prof. Naseem Rafiaabadi Central University Kashmir.
5. Prof. C .L Vishen President Unaided Private Schools Association.
6. Prof. M A Charoo Formerly Chairman State Board of School Education.
7. Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba Central University.
8. Prof. Gul Mohammad Wani University of Kashmir.
9. Prof G Ahmad Bhat Environmental Sciences University of Kashmir.
10. Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Wani Dean academic University of Kashmir.
11. Prof. Nusrat Andrabi Formerly Principal Women’s College M A Road Srinagar.
12. Prof. Bashar Basheer Sheikh ul Alam Chair University of Kashmir.
13. Prof. Mohammad Aslam Central University.
14. Prof. Bashir Ahmad Sheikh Formerly Chairman J & K State Board of School Education.
15. Prof. Rafiq Ahmad Shah Formerly Principal College of Education Srinagar.
16. Prof Farooq Fayaz.
17. Dr. Altaf Hussain.
18. Dr. Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
19. Dr. Aijaz Ahmad.
20. Bashir Ahmad Dar Formerly Secretary J & K State Board of School Education.
21. Rafi Ahmad Formerly Principal S IE Srinagar & Joint Director Trainings.
22. Khurshid Ahmad Reshi Formerly Joint Secretary JK State Board of School Education.
23. Zareef Ahmad Zareef.
24. Advocate Parvez Ahmad Malik.
25. Advocate Shahid Ahmad Khan.
26. Noor Mohammad Formerly Principal HS Schhol & Joint Secretary JK Board.
27. Aziz u din Chashoo Master.
28. Javid Ahmad Principal Higher Secondary School.