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After beef ban politics, deeply flawed BJP-PDP coalition in Kashmir must work as a whole

October 12, 2015 Editor

The reduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly chamber to a wrestling arena on Thursday has been roundly condemned — rightly so. But one needs to go beyond shock, anger and despair. For the unsavoury incident (a member thrashed in the House for having hosted a public beef party) highlighted a systemic malaise: The deeply divisive frame that the PDP and the BJP have adopted for their alliance. Both major coalition partners talk of representing the state’s two main regions, Jammu and Kashmir, respectively. The subtext is that each represents one…

Saffron Brigade wants Kashmir to burn in a fire of Communal Hatred. Political prisoners shall be released: Mirwaiz Qazi Yasir

October 9, 2015 Editor

Chairman Ummat e Islami, Mirwaiz South Kashmir, Qazi Ahmed Yasir today addressing a mammoth gathering at Jamia Masjid Islamabad spoke about the dangerous consequences of the Saffron brigades’ in routes to Jammu Kashmir. Mirwaiz Yasir said that the saffron brigade is hell bent upon disturbing the communal harmony of the state. He said by imposing ban on bovines, the brigade plans to fracture us economically and at the same time it wants the state to burn in a fire of communal violence. He said the people of Jammu Kashmir have…

Kashmir: The Pursuit of the Possible

October 9, 2015 Editor

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai – October 9, 2015 Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence from Britain, and a man responsible for negotiating a treaty between the colonies and France, asked, “When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?” Perhaps the simple answer to that is that it will occur when power is distributed among men in such a way that it cannot be abused by any individual or nation, and that both personal and national sovereignty is once and for all respected.…

Is Kashmir issue dead and buried for OIC?

October 8, 2015 Editor

None except Pak mention K-word Though the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OICs) contact group on Kashmir once again referred to the resolution of Kashmir issue but political experts believe that events taking place throughout the muslim world may well reduce the Kashmir issue to a footnote. Political experts too point out that economics is driving politics as far as the OIC’s stand on Kashmir is concerned. Dr. Irshad, who teaches Political Science at the University of Kashmir says many Islamic Countries stay away from Kashmir issue because they have ties…

Kashmiri Language – Need to trace our Roots

October 8, 2015 Editor

Syed Shahinda The Kashmir valley is home to various great mystic poets, for which, it is also referred to as Resh Waer (The land of Reshis’). In Vedic texts, Reshi means an inspired poet, who invokes the deities with the poetry. However, this Sanskrit word, despite its more appropriate usage in Hindu texts has been used for the people irrespective of their faith. Poetry and spirituality are inseparable and this close proximity can be seen in Kashmir valley. The history of Kashmir is full of the epitomes of such great…

Kashmir Valley to Silicon Valley

October 7, 2015 Editor

Adil Bhat Ban! Ban! Ban! From beef to internet, India seems to be running in a marathon of bans, or rather, aiming to get its name recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record for the most banned country. Whatever her aspirations, they cannot be fulfilled at the cost of Kashmir. In another tragedy of errors, as the days to embark on a journey to the United States (US), and more importantly to the Silicon Valley, approached, the Narendra Modi-led Government at the Centre in India, and the Bhartiya Janta…

A Hindu love story that echoes in Muslim homes

October 6, 2015 Editor

Javaid ul Salam Kashmiri historian, Mohammad Yusuf Taing, said that the legend of Hemal and Nagrai is a true story which reveals that the Aryans had invaded Kashmiri to clear the aboriginal Nagas from the land. “The story of Hemal Nagrai depicts that Nagas were aboriginal inhabitants of Kashmir and were ethnically cleansed by Aryan invaders, who came to Kashmir from Central Asia and committed genocide of Nagas on a scale which can be matched by events like massacre of Red Indians by Spanish Europeans of America in 1492,” Taing…

Gandhi and Kashmir

October 5, 2015 Editor

Zahir-ud-Din Gandhi visited Kashmir just once but changed the course of its history. The man ‘who experimented with the truth’ all his life, lied, resorted to coaxing and cajoling to get Kashmir for India. While most of his agitations including the Salt Agitation failed, his mission Kashmir unfortunately succeeded. The fateful events before and after Gandhi’s Kashmir visit reflect his intentions. Sher-e-Kashmir was arrested in 1946 for Quit Kashmir Movement. Jawahar Lal Nehru wanted to appear as a defence counsel to get his ‘friend’ out. However, he was denied permission…

Disconnecting Kashmir

October 5, 2015 Editor

AJAZ UL HAQUE The government decided to ban all internet services on the three Eid days. The move was likely to evoke a furious response which it did. Holding all hostage for the fault of a few is certainly not just, but we need to see the problem from a larger – less emotional and a more rational – perspective. Our dependence on the internet is too obvious to be emphasised. But given the volatility of Kashmir as a tinderbox dangerously close to the smallest ignition, certain measures become indispensable.…

Hold onto your roots

October 5, 2015 Editor

Kashmiri Language Dr Qayum Hamid Changal Few years ago I along with my parents visited one Kashmiri Pandit family in Jammu. It was a cold January and we were invited on lunch, personally I was very excited about the visit. It was my first visit to any Kashmiri Pandit family, and I knew it would be a great learning experience. Ready to explore and assimilate, as soon as we entered, we were welcomed with warmth. Tears in everybody’s eyes, we started discussing about our culture and fondness for each other.…