March 2022 | Page 2 of 7

The Kashmir Files: Art, Propaganda and the Dilemma of ‘What Sells’

March 25, 2022 Editor

From ‘Uri’ to ‘The Kashmir Files’, India is living in an era of ‘approved’ art. Harshita Mishra “Art is something subversive,” Picasso had said once. “If art is ever given the keys to the city, it will be because it’s been so watered down, rendered so impotent, that it’s not worth fighting for.” Picasso couldn’t have foreseen what would happen to India decades later. But clearly, he did know what happens to an artist if he chooses to become one with the state: “Of course, the state has the right…

Amid soaring temperatures over his ‘Kashmir’ remarks at OIC, Chinese FM Wang Yi arrives in India

March 25, 2022 Editor

Amid speculations and uncertainty surrounding his visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in India on Thursday. He is likely to meet NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday. The visit comes just days after India slammed Yi for his Kashmir remarks at OIC. In response to his remarks on Kashmir, India had reiterated that the reference to India was ‘uncalled for’ and underlined that Kashmir was India’s ‘internal matter’. “On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends.…

Overpricing of essential commodities takes toll on Srinagarities

March 25, 2022 Editor

The failure of authorities to regulate rates of essential commodities is taking a heavy toll on the people of the summer capital. People complain that vegetables, fruit, and poultry are being sold at exorbitant rates in violation of notified rate list. Consumers complain that chicken is being sold in Srinagar at Rs 170-180 per kg in comparison to the notified rate of Rs 150. “There is no check as poultry and vegetable sellers are taking people for a ride. The rate list is only for formality,” said Ashiq Ahmed, a…

Properties of aides of ultras to be attached: J&K Police

March 25, 2022 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday warned that properties of people providing shelter to militants or their associates will be attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “Process has started for attachment of some immovable properties which have been used for purpose of terrorism as per section 2(g) & 25 of ULP (UAPA) Act,” Srinagar Police wrote on its Twitter handle. The police said properties will be attached as per the law apart from legal action in such cases. “Don’t give shelter or harbor terrorists/terror associates. Legal action will…

India slams China Minister’s Kashmir remark during OIC in Pakistan

March 24, 2022 Editor

India on Wednesday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and said it rejects the “uncalled reference” to it by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his speech at a function in Pakistan. “Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from the public judgment of their internal issues,” ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters today in response to queries on the…

Want good ties with neighbours, so need to resolve core issue of Kashmir: Pakistan

March 24, 2022 Editor

For lasting peace and stability in the region, it is essential to resolve the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir, said Pakistan Chargé d’Affaires Aftab Hassan Khan on the occasion of his country’s National Day at the High Commission here. The Chargé d’Affaires underlined that Pakistan wishes to have mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbors including India and believes in resolving all outstanding disputes through peaceful means of dialogue and diplomacy, stated a High Commission release.…

Gulf delegation’s visit will pave way for foreign investments in J&K: KCCI

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022 Editor

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) on Wednesday said that the visit of the Gulf investors delegation to Kashmir is a positive development for J&K’s business community. Speaking to media persons, President KCCI said that the members of the chamber attended two sessions with investors from Gulf countries where numerous business and investment pitches were deliberated upon. “It was a positive development, and we are hopeful that it would provide create ample opportunities. Our young entrepreneurs, startups pitched their investment ideas before the visiting business foreign delegation. they had…

Despite MoE guidelines no end to burden of heavy bags for J&K school children

March 24, 2022 Editor

There seems to be no respite for the school-going children in J&K from carrying a heavy burden on their tender shoulders despite the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education(MoE) GoI for reducing the burden of school bags. The school children continue to carry a “heavy burden” on their tender shoulders as the government has failed to implement the guidelines to the schools for reducing weight in school bags. Last time the directions for regulating the weight of school bags were issued by the J&K School Education Department (SED) was…

No direction to hotels not to host people from Kashmir: Delhi Police

March 24, 2022 Editor

Delhi Police said they have not given any direction to any hotel against hosting people from J&K. Attempts to discredit the image of Delhi Police can attract penal action, Delhi Police said. Reacting to a video going viral on social media, the Delhi Police on Wednesday issued a clarification that they have not given any director to any Delhi hotel to not give reservations to people from Jammu and Kashmir. “Some netizens are trying to discredit the image of Delhi Police through willful misrepresentation of the video in circulation which…

Grenade attack leaves police constable injured in Rainawari area of Srinagar

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022 Editor

A policeman was injured in a grenade attack by militants in the Rainawari area of Srinagar – the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir – on Wednesday. Militants hurled the grenade towards the security personnel near Zind Shah mosque this evening, an official said. Police constable Mohammad Amin received minor splinter injuries in the explosion, he said. Srinagar police busted a grenade-throwing module and have arrested four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, and seized four hand grenades from them on Wednesday. The Srinagar police in an official statement said, “During a naka…