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Is India really ready to Integrate and Assimilate Kashmir and Kashmiris?

April 9, 2019April 9, 2019 Editor

By targeting Kashmiri students, did fanatic groups not undermine India’s message? And by not acting firmly against them, did Modi send the right message to Kashmir and Kashmiris about their future with India? “The Kashmir conflict will be resolved within the parameters of insaniyat (humanity),Kashmiriyat (composite secular, eclectic Kashmiri culture) and jamhooriyat(democracy),” were the words of our late prime minister A.B. Vajpayee. While growing up in Kashmir during the early 2000s (when NDA-I was in power), one could see a deepening of jamhooriyat in the backdrop of the humane policy (insaniyat) of the Central government.…

Distrust, Discontent and Alienation: Kashmir During the Modi Years

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 Editor

The Modi government has done little to stem disaffection in the Valley, but a fair amount to intensify it Sorting out some papers, I came across an old essay in an obscure periodical on a topic of contemporary relevance. Published in December 1973 in the Sarvodaya journal Bhoodan-Yagya, it was written (in Hindi) by Chandi Prasad Bhatt, the pioneer of the Chipko andolanand, arguably, of modern Indian environmentalism itself. However, the essay I speak of was not about the major themes of his work, environmentalism and sustainable development – rather, it dealt…

If Article 35A is expended it will impinge on basic tenets of constitutional interpretation

March 30, 2019March 30, 2019 Editor

It became law through a constitutional process. Its repeal will be a blow to federal India When the minions of the BJP promise abolition of Article 370 or Article 35A, especially prior to the elections, it is not to be taken seriously. In fact, the response, if any, should be to dare them to do it. Indeed, I had done so in 2014 in response to a rant by Jitendra Singh, a minister in the PMO, when he spoke out of turn (‘Dare them to do it!’, Kashmir Life, June…

Kashmir’s contribution to the field of Medicine

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019 Editor

We have been listening, telling, reading and writing about Kashmir’s contribution to the world in the field of literature, art, architecture, music, dance, drama, language, culture, philosophy, history, civilization, religion, spirituality and tradition. Some important contributions made by Kashmir could not be articulated in an organised manner due to various reasons in the past. One such area remains as the field of medicine and surgery. The Indian contribution in the field of 3Ms (Music, Medicine and Mathematics) to the world is well researched and documented, however, in the overall Indian…

Kashmir A Volcano

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 Editor

Without a political solution, Kashmir will undoubtedly emerge in upcoming news cycles. The Indian media must learn to portray the conflict and human rights violations in the region in a more nuanced way, and not reduce Kashmir to a catalogue of death, destruction and emergency laws. More importantly, reporters need to engage with what it means to administer what has been called ‘the world’s most militarized zone.’ Only then can the country answer a more fundamental question: Just what should be done to create conditions that allow Kashmiris to choose…

Nar Pir Asthan: Epitome of Eiman

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 Editor

The spread of Islam in Kashmir in the fourteenth century is regarded as an event of extra-ordinary significance in the history of the state. The galaxy of Sufis led by Amir Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (R.A) arrived in Kashmir in the fourteenth century A.D. The traditional oral account puts the number of people as seven hundred comprising religious luminaries, Sufis, artisans and skilled persons which is corroborated by the contemporary and later written sources. In the spiritual sphere the mystic silsilhas or orders were introduced by these Sufis. Among…

If Article 35A goes Kashmir will become autonomous

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 Editor

With both India and Pakistan locking horns after the recent Pulwama attack, a heated debate is going around on Article 35A. Speculations are rife that the Article might be abrogated. But before reaching to any conclusion we must understand what if Article 35 A is abrogated. A PIL filed in Supreme Court of India for abrogation of Article 35A which is questioning its validity. The important part of the PIL and the main legality issues pointed is: “Article 35A was not added to the Constitution by following the due procedure…

Civilian killings in Kashmir: A review of 2018

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 Editor

Kashmir valley is wrapped with armed conflict from 1989 and after post-Burhan Wani, the turmoil changed completely. The valley had seen large number of youth joining militant groups. After joining such groups, then day their picture with AK47 gets viral on social media. Parent’s appeal to return back, ADGIP request to shun violence, some return and some choose their own fate. However, all this is happening from past one year. On the other side, military forces launch cordon and search operation in order to wipe out the militancy from the…

Communal riots, War with Pakistan likely after BJP poll wipeout

December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 Editor

Many people are gloating over the state election results of Tuesday that saw the defeat of BJP governments in three states. In my opinion, however, the only effect the assembly election results will have is to reduce lynching of Muslims a bit, though it is wrong to assume that such incidents will be totally eliminated. India is still a semi-feudal society, and as I have repeatedly pointed out, communalism is always latent in it, only awaiting some catalyst to bring it to the surface. Today, most Hindus in India are…

Fresh thinking is needed to cut the Gordian knot in Kashmir

November 8, 2018 Editor

“The best way to solve any problem is to remove its cause.” Dr. Martin Luther King The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) [Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik] in Kashmir has shown willingness to talk provided the Government of Indiaclarifies the parameters of talks. In an interview with The Indian Express, (June 5, 2018) Dineshwar Sharma, Indian Government’s Interlocutor said, “When I talk to the younger generation there (Kashmir), often they confront me with so many questions and even talk about Azaadi… Any rational discussion will be possible when we are able…