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Backstory: The Kashmir Model to Discipline Indian Media

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 Editor

“If democracy is to be replenished in the coming decades, it is up to us to rekindle the sense of outrage and loss over what is being taken from us…What is at stake here is the human expectation of sovereignty over one’s own life and authorship of one’s own experience.”~ Shoshana Zuboff, The Age Of Surveillance Capitalism The Wire’s public editor What is striking about recent developments in India is the manner in which the media, both legacy and social, have become entangled with the politics of the day. In fact,…

Kashmir fast turning into drug addiction hotspot

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021 Editor

Data available on drug abuse in Kashmir is ‘tip of a very large iceberg, say experts By – Haroon Reshi Drug menace is fast emerging as the most daunting challenge, for the society and for the administrative apparatus, to be tackled in Kashmir as it continues to spread like wild fire with each passing day. Even if there is no statistical data available to show the exact number of drug addicts in the Valley, there is, however, enough obtainable and circumstantial evidence to confirm the huge surge in it over…

Houseboats the Kashmir’s floating heritage

January 13, 2021January 13, 2021 Editor

By: Irfan A Mir Floating houses popularly known as ‘houseboats’ on the waters of Dal Lake have a unique history. It is said that the native kings had prohibited foreign visitors, especially the British from constructing houses in the region which gave rise to the concept of the houseboat. Though some believe that there have been houseboats on the waters of Dal, Nigeen, and in adjoining water bodies since 1800 but many contests this version, saying the floating houses came into being in the late 19th century by the boat-dwelling…

Kashmir’s struggle did not start in 1947 and will neither end today

December 15, 2020December 15, 2020 Editor

India’s decision to revoke Article 370 is just another chapter in Kashmir’s long history of imperial oppression. Tamoghna Halder On August 5, India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government issued a surprise executive decree stripping away the autonomy that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was granted in exchange for joining the Indian union after independence in 1947. Since the decree, Indian authorities also imposed an unprecedented lockdown in the region, cutting off all communication lines, restricting movement and putting prominent Kashmiri politicians under house arrest. The government’s decision…

Syed Ali Shah Geelani: A life dedicated to Kashmir and its people

December 5, 2020December 5, 2020 Editor

By Ruwa Shah It was a frosty February afternoon in the Turkish city of Kayseri. I had just finished my exams, and was hoping to have a rare moment of respite after submitting all my assignments. But before I could heave a sigh of relief and relax, I got a text: “Just heard about your grandfather. I am so sorry.” My grandfather, my “Aba”, is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, one of the most prominent figures in the Kashmiri resistance movement and the leader of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. He is 91 years old,…

Eviction of native Gujjar, Bakerwals from forests is illegal as per Indian and International law

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 Editor

As the administration in Jammu and Kashmir starts its eviction drives to push the Gujjar and Bakwerwals out of their traditional homes, local and international law binds the government against it. But what is the way forward for these communities? Muzamil Jaleel The Forest Rights Act of 2006 recognises the rights of Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST), and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD), to forest lands and produce except timber. The law is informed by the understanding that FDST and OTFD are “integral to the very survival and sustainability of…

My Wullar Lake

October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 Editor

Mushtaq Hurra Kashmir valley is laden with bewitching and unprecedented natural beauty and resources which give it prominence on the global tourism map. It has been one of the cherished tourist destinations for millions of people across the globe. Besides pleasant weather, lofty mountains, velvety meadows, lush green forests; the valley is studded with crystal clear water resources which add immensely to its natural beauty and fascinating sights. Water is indeed a bounty from Allah SWT which is one of the basic prerequisites of life. And we are fortunate enough…

The United Nations and the Neglected Conflict of Kashmir

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020 Editor

By Dr.Ghulam Nabi Fai The principle of ‘right of self-determination’ and its applicability to the 72-year-old Kashmir conflict needs to be considered during the 75th session of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly that is taking place between October 8 to November 10, 2020 at its headquarters in New York. The Committee will discuss and deliberate the issues related to international conflicts and decolonization. What I do hope to offer is an unstarry-eyed view of the fate of self-determination in Kashmir; and, the indispensability of convincing the…

Impact of smart phones on children

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 Editor

Aadil Ahmad Bhat When you see a nine-year child locking her or himself in a room for a couple of days in the company of a phone only what will you do? When you see a nine-year-old child watching pornographic material what will you do? Well, these are among the adverse effects of mobile on present children. In the world today, it has become the norm for children to have smart phones. Kids can maneuver their way around the applications and settings in no time. Having phones has however rendered…

Gupkar Declaration II: Will history repeat itself in J&K?

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 Editor

The events following the scrapping of Article 370 bear strong resemblance to Sheikh Abdullah’s campaign for a plebiscite, until more pragmatic factors ended the tussle. Basit Amin Makhdoomi The signatories of the now-famous Gupkar Declaration have finally spoken and seem to have spoken in one voice. In a statement titled “Gupkar Declaration II” issued to the press, six political parties of Jammu and Kashmir – the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Indian National Congress, the J&K Peoples Conference (PC), the CPI(M) and the Awami National Conference…