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  • Center’s stand on triple talaq issue interference in religious affairs of Muslims: Hakim Yasin

    Lashes out at Mohan Bhagwat for his assertions on J&K

    Srinagar: Terming BJP-led Center Government’s stand on triple talaq and Muslim Personal Law as interference in religious affairs of Muslims, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) president and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin today asked Narendra Modi government not to play politics over the issue.
    In a statement issued to KNS, he said, “It is the job of Ulema to decide the issues related to Muslims. Government shouldn’t take such sensitive issues to courts as it tantamount to interference in religious affairs of Muslims.”
    Asking the BJP government not to play any politics on such issues in the country, the PDF chief said, “Government should not try to interfere into the religious issues of Muslims. Let the issue be decided by Ulema. It is against the spirit of the Constitution, which safeguards the right of citizens to practice their culture and religion.”
    The MLA Khansahib also lashed out at RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat for his rhetoric while delivering his annual speech at Nagpur on Tuesday. “The RSS chief is trying to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines. Since RSS leaders are prisoners of their regressive ideology, they cannot appreciate the ground realities of J&K,” he said.
    Hakim Yasin said Bhagwat rhetoric on J&K is communal and divisive aimed at creating religious and regional animosity within the State. He also lashed out at the State Government for allowing armed marches being carried out by RSS activists in various areas of Jammu regions.
    The PDF chief also questioned Mehbooba Mufti government for announcing probe in only seven killings during the current unrest. “What about more than 90 killings which happened in last almost 100-days of unrest? Why no probe has been ordered in all the killings?” he questioned. (KNS)

  • Let`s join hands for a new beginning: PDP to youth

    ‘Violence has no place in any civilised society’

    Srinagar: Declaring its unflinching commitment to bring out Jammu and Kashmir from un-certainties and sufferings, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said with the efforts of people particularly youth of Jammu and Kashmir it can take the critical debate on socio-economic and political issues to its logical conclusion.
    Addressing a day long convention of youth and women’s wing here, the party General secretary Mohammed Sartaj Madni said the party realises that the people have to understand the urgency to restore the ethos and the possible narrative on political problem as well as the state`s economic resources.
    He urged upon the youth to reach out to their associates in the society for a meaningful process which holds the promise for a liberal initiative, pragmatism and all possible help in the rebuilding of the agenda of development and dialogue. He made a fervent appeal to the younger generation to join hands for a new beginning away from dismay and distrust.
    “PDP has not slackened its efforts to provide a congenial atmosphere for youth for a harmonious growth and will not shun its responsibility to assist them in this noble task,” Madni said, adding the PDP government well understands the potential of this important generation and government`s every effort is devoted to the utilisation of the potentialities of youth and power to give state its deserved place.
    Speaking on the occasion, senior party leader Nizammuddin Bhat said the party owns the responsibility for striking a common ground with all stakeholders at the local level to address the issues facing the state and its people.
    He called for initiatives from New Delhi to help in reaching out a final reconciliation, political stability and peace in the state.
    Stating that violence has no place in any civilised society, Bhat said the disturbances eventually spoil the prospects of any speedy process for growth and prospective future.
    “Yet it is humane to be consistent and committed to all noble ideals that ensure such a future and the PDP reiterates its promise to do that much,” Bhat added.
    Addressing the meeting party`s youth President, Waheed ur Rehman Parra said youth has rewritten a new chapter in the contemporary history of J&K with their dynamism, knowledge and commitment for a peaceful and a developed state.
    “Youth is hope for future and PDP realises that they have to be shown a new way so that they could explore the new horizons and newer possibilities for the collective growth and prosperity of the society at large,” Parra added.
    He said PDP is against exploitative politics and we owe it to our society that we deliver on the promise of securing a congenial, prosperous and a vibrant future for our youth.
    Incharge of the party`s Women`s wing Anjum Fazili said women have suffered immensely due to the on-going turmoil and have borne the brunt of all the repercussions of the conflict.
    “Our government has initiated path breaking and historic initiatives for the empowerment of the women of Jammu and Kashmir and it is the resolve of Mehbooba Ji to see to the up-liftment and the emancipation of the womenfolk,” she added.
    Senior party leaders Mohammed Khursheed Alam; MLC, Aijaz Ah Mir; MLA, Bashir Ah Mir also addressed the meet. (KNS)

  • LeT says it doesn’t have any women’s wing

    ‘Indian media is trying to harass women of Kashmir’

    Srinagar: Chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Mehmood Shah has said, Enemy is well aware of our Tactical strength and Battle field Capabilities. Our Mothers & Sisters would not need to come to battle field till we are there.
    In an emailed statement issued to KNS, he said LeT has no women wing, every Kashmiri mother and sister is behing our back, and protecting their honor and lives is an obligation on us.
    Indian media is trying to harass the women of Kashmir by its nefarious propaganda, and this will not be tolerated, he said.
    Mehmood Shah also condemned brutal atrocities committed against unarmed innocent protestors by Indian forces. He warned the police, “We have completed profiles and records of all the police officers that are facilitating the Indian army and government against Kashmiris”.
    “Indian army will not remain here forever, the police are natives of Kashmir and they should join the people and respect their lives and honor. Kashmiri people have not committed any crime, they are out against illegal Indian occupation. They are giving sacrifices for your future as well, and you should not allow these sacrifices to go in vain” Mehmood Shah said that relationship between police and people should be exemplary for the collective goal of Freedom. (KNS)

  • University Teachers Associations of Kashmir Against Holding Exams

    Srinagar: The Joint Committee of University Teachers Associations-Kashmir on Thursday condemned the arrest spree and nocturnal raids carried out by the armed forces in Kashmir and Chenab Valleys.

    “As per reports 300 juveniles have been locked up in jails and police stations and more than 6000 have been arbitrarily slapped with the PSA,” said a statement issued after a meeting of Joint Committee of University Teachers Associations-Kashmir was held today where representatives of the five constituent Associations of the committee comprising KUTA, SSTA, IUFA, CUKTA and SVSA were present.

    Reiterating the need for holding of meaningful dialogue with the stakeholders for permanent and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, the statement said, “the committee demanded immediate end to the arrest spree and nocturnal raids. It also desired the release of all political prisoners.”

    The statement said that the issue of examination of students of Kashmir also came under discussion and it was opined that holding of examinations for the students of 10th and 12th classes is “not feasible” in the present unfavourable circumstances.

    Expressing its concern over the harassment of Kashmiri students studying in educational institution outside the state, the Committee said, “these students have to face insults and intimidation and in many cases rustication over petty social media posts.”

    The statement added that the members of the Committee also expressed their concern over the occupation of educational institutions by armed forces.

    “Two research centres of SKUAST (K) namely Ambri Research Centre at Pohnu, Shopian and Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani, Kulgam have been recently occupied by the forces. Both centres have Germplasm Banks that have been created by the scientists in collaboration with international research institutes,” the statement informed.

  • Would security forces have destroyed Taj Mahal like EDI, if two militants would have attacked it: Er Rasheed

    Asks administration to answer why were locals in Nowgam asked to prepare graves but nobody was buried in them

    Srinagar: Asking Indian State , Media and mainstream politicians to stop seeking political dividends from every tragic incident , AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er Rasheed has said that all these warriors of Kashmiris should answer that had militants attacked Taj Mahal, would they have destroyed it same way, as they did to EDI Institute.

    In a Statement Er Rasheed said “If Indian parliament could be saved from getting damaged in the militant attack, security agencies could have shown restrain and dealt with two alleged militants in a manner that could have caused minimum damage to the building.  A common Kashmiri gets hurt when he has to listen sermons about significance of EDI and education as if he has chosen to live in a stone age.  If militants would have entered Taj Mahal or any other prestigious institution, the security forces would have not only shown utmost restraint but would have made it sure that the building and other infrastructures receives minimum damage. But in a desperate attempt to strengthen India’s view point , security forces very often destroy the buildings and assets with an objective that it would create bad will about militants”. Er Rashid also asked police administration to tell people in Nowgam Langate that why their religious sentiments were hurt, as they were asked to prepare four graves for deceased militants but later the militants were buried in a forest. He said that once someone dies or looses his life, who so ever he may be , the whole animosity ends, but not allowing funeral of these slain militants and leaving graves without burying bodies in them is an act that deserves condemnation.

  • Indian police clip wings of ‘spy pigeon’ to prevent its flight to Pakistan

    The note, in Urdu, read “Modiji, we are not the same as we were in 1971 – Jaish-e-Mohammad”, police sources said.

    Srinagar: The wings of a “spy pigeon” captured by Border Security Force (BSF) on October 2 have been clipped with the help of a veterinary worker to “ensure the suspected spy does not fly back to Pakistan”.

    The pigeon was “arrested” on October 2 after a note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was found tied to its foot when it landed at the Border Security Force’s Simbal post in Pathankot’s Bamial sector.

    The note, in Urdu, read “Modiji, we are not the same as we were in 1971 – Jaish-e-Mohammad”, police sources said.
    An inspector at Bamial police station said the wings were clipped last week with the help of a veterinary worker. “We didn’t want to take a chance. We also bought a cage for its stay,” he told the Telegraph newspaper.
    The bird, which was taken to an animal husbandry hospital in Pathankot, has since been put in the cage and is being fed.
    “We don’t know how long the pigeon will stay in the police station. Residents are flocking to the police station to see the intruder,” he said, adding the police weren’t even sure that the bird had come from across the border.
    The pigeon’s arrest had come two days after the Intelligence Bureau had issued an alert to Punjab police over a possible backlash from across the border after the Indian Army’s September 29 “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control”.

  • Blocking Information !

    “Kashmir’s sandwiched Press”  

    Can we have Right to Information when Obsolete laws override it ?   

    Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat

    On May 3rd 2012 I had written a piece on the eve of World Press Freedom day titled “ The Limits of Freedom”. In that article I had expressed my concern on the issue of snapping of the DAVP advertisements to some Srinagar based  english dailies by Government. I had never even thought that a time would come ,when the newspaper circulation would also be banned in this part of the world ? By invoking an obsolete legislation enacted during the time of Autocratic ruler Maharaja Hari Singh namely Jammu & Kashmir Newspaper (Incitement to Offenses) Act Samvat 1971, the authorities have not only stopped the circulation of “Kashmir Reader” newspaper, but have in-fact violated all the local and international laws & declarations related to Freedom of Press.

    UN’s perspective Freedom of Press :

    In December 1993 UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day. The aim of celebrating this day is to strengthen the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the states for press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.The mandate set out by United Nations Educational ,Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) set out it its constitution of 1945 specifically calls on the Organization to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.  In recent times, the United Nations (UN) has highlighted the importance of Freedom of Information in its Brisbane Declaration of 2010 when UNESCO had organized  International Press Freedom day conference at Brisbane Australia on 3rd May 2010 titled “The Right to Know”. On fostering Freedom of Information, Right to Information and empowerment of people Maputo declaration was adopted in 2008. During 2005 Dakar declaration was adopted on Freedom of Information during annual celebrations of World Press Freedom day at Dakkar the capital city of Senegal. During his message on this year’s Press Freedom Day (May 3rd 2016) , UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said :

    “ On this World Press Freedom Day , I urge all Governments , politicians , businesses and citizens to commit to nurturing & protecting an independent , free media . Without this fundamental right , people are less free and less empowered. With it we can work together for a world of dignity and opportunity for all” .

    Press Freedom in Kashmir :

    Due to political uncertainty and conflict the press in Kashmir  has not been able to be free and independent . The un necessary interference of various state and non state actors has hampered the growth of the fourth estate in Jammu & Kashmir. Not only the press but other institutions as well could not grow here due to this conflict. The Kashmir based print media  has been literally sandwiched. If it writes against Government or what people demand, the DAVP advertisements are snapped or even news papers banned as happened in case of Kashmir Reader recently. If local press writes what favours  Government of India , the particular newspaper has to face the wrath from resistance camp , Hurriyat leadership  and even militants. Recently a press reporter was targeted by stone pelting youth who smashed his car windshield when the journalist showed them his photo identity card during a Shutdown (hartal).

    “ You publish Modi’s huge photo in your newspaper” one of the young protestors shouted at him. This is not only a single incident but there are more than one dozen incidents wherein press reporters were thrashed or harassed by protesting youth in the recent days,  but these incidents were not  reported. On the other side journalists have been physically harmed , injured  and abused  by Indian security forces as well.

    Conclusion :  

    This is the age of information. If authorities disallow publishing of a  newspaper in 21stcentury , I think we are pushing our state into dark ages. What kind of message do we send to the world communities ? New York Times , CNN and other international media highlighted banning of a newspaper in Kashmir. If authorities feel facebook & wattsapp can incite violence , what is the need of banning emailing as well ? How can this incite violence ? Constitution guarantees us Freedom of Expression and Speech. The theme of 2016 Press Freedom Day is :

    “Access to Information & Fundamental Freedoms- This is your Right “.

    By banning newspapers isn’t Government violating all these international conventions, laws and declarations ? Isn’t Government creating a barrier by not allowing us to have access to Information ? On one side Government gives us the  Right to Information (RTI), but  on the other hand it  invokes Obsolete Laws which override such pro people legislations thus depriving us from having the Access or Right to Information ? …..

    Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is a Srinagar based Social activist and columnist.  

    Feedback: [email protected]

  • Gunmen kill Peoples Conference worker in north Kashmir

    Srinagar: Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday killed a worker of a pro-India political party in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

    Reports said that gunmen barged into the home of Peoples Conference worker Ghulam Nabi Khwaja and fired at him from a very close range, leaving him in a pool of blood.

    He was shifted to a local hospital where from he was referred to District hospital Baramulla.
    Doctors at the District Hospital, however, declared him dead on arrival.
    Hospital authorities said that the deceased had received four bullets.

    A class fourth employee in education department, Khwaja, according to reports, was closely associated with the Peoples Conference.

  • Mohan Bhagwat, prisoner of Hindutva is oblivious of Kashmir situation: Tarigami

    ‘His Nagpur speech aimed at dividing people on communal lines’

    Srinagar: Mohan Bhagwat’s rhetoric (as usual) while delivering his annual speech at Nagpur on Tuesday is essentially aimed at dividing the people on communal lines.
    Since RSS leaders are prisoners of their regressive ideology, they cannot appreciate the ground realities of J&K and cannot, as such be expected to have an impartial, balanced and not to speak of ‘sympathetic’ approach towards the ongoing unfortunate developments in J&K, said Tarigami.
    He said despite this mindset one could have expected from Bhagwat a little concern for the killing, blinding and maiming of number of unarmed people including school going children in Kashmir.
    Tarigami said the total disruption of normal life and the ensuring suffering of the masses have completely escaped his sight and mind. He has talked about the cross border refuges and pleaded for the redressal of their grievances.
    He, however, does not know that the POK refugees enjoy all the rights at par with other permanent residents of J&K. It is the refugees of Pakistan mainland who face problems. It is surely a humanitarian issue but there are constitutional constraints in conferring the “state citizenship” on these refugees, he said.
    Tarigami said he has also talked about the continuing discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions of J&K. Ironically, he has forgotten that it is the RSS lead BJP which rules at the center and is part of the coalition government in the state. One fails to understand who is discriminating whom?

  • Thousands Join Urs at Shahadra Sharif at Rajouri

    Srinagar: The annual Urs of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah at Shahadra Sharif Thanamandi started on Tuesday.

    Special prayers were held Wednesday before Nimaz-i- Fajr.

    Minister of State for Hajj and Aquaf, Syed Farooq Ahmed Andrabi was also present on this occasion, an official spokesperson said this evening.

    It was for the first time that Naat and Qir’at competitions was organized on the occasion and first, second and third adjudged in the competition were rewarded.

    Large number of devotees from across the state and outside state reached theZiyarat to offer prayers.

    It is pertinent to mention here that shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah located in Shahdra Shrief village of Thanamandi tehsil of Rajouri is known for its secular fabric where people from all walks and sections of society pay obeisance.

    Earlier, Minister of State for Hajj and Aquaf, Farooq Ahmed Andrabi along with Administrator, Aquaf  Islamia Rajouri, Haji Abdul Qayoom Dar offered Chaddar  on the Sufi saint’s mausoleum .

    Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Peer Panjal range is the land of Sufis where great saints spread the message of peace, love and brotherhood through their teachings and poetry.

    Influenced by their deeds and teaching millions of people around the world transformed their lifestyles over the centuries, he said.

    He pledged that the government would continue to make every effort to promote the philosophies of the great saints.

    In his address, Administrator Aquaf Islamia Rajouri said that thousands of devotees had regularly been visiting Shahdra Sharif to take part in the Urs and their number had constantly been rising.

    He said the teachings based on mystic philosophy of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah were as relevant today as they were some 200 years ago.

    “It was because of Sufi saints’ great teachings in the region that the people largely disapprove of religious extremism and believe in communal harmony and brotherhood,” he said.