#JammuAndKashmir Archives

Festive Tourism Surge Kicks Off 2026 in Jammu & Kashmir as Srinagar, Gulmarg and Vaishno Devi See Record Footfall

January 7, 2026 Editor

Festive Tourism Surge Kicks Off 2026 in Jammu & Kashmir By: Javid Amin | 06 January 2026 Jammu & Kashmir has entered 2026 on a high note, with a remarkable surge in festive tourism across the Valley and Jammu region, signalling a strong revival of the tourism-driven economy. From snow-laden Gulmarg and Sonamarg to the bustling streets of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, and from Dal Lake shikara rides to the icy pilgrimage routes of Vaishno Devi, the New Year celebrations brought unprecedented footfall and energy to the region. Crowded Destinations, Festive…

NMC Withdraws Recognition of Vaishno Devi Medical College MBBS Course: Regulation, Religion, and the Future of Medical Education in J&K

January 7, 2026 Editor

National Medical Commission Cancels MBBS Approval for Vaishno Devi Medical College After Admission Controversy in J&K By: Javid Amin | 06 January 2026 When Medical Admissions Turn Political Medical admissions in India are normally governed by marks, merit lists, and regulation. But sometimes, they become lightning-rods for political and social tension. That is precisely what happened in Jammu & Kashmir when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence — a new medical college — admitted its first MBBS batch for 2025–26. Out of 50 seats, 42 candidates were Muslims,…

VPN Crackdown in Jammu & Kashmir: 800 Users Booked, Two-Month Ban Sparks Debate Over Security and Digital Freedom

January 6, 2026 Editor

VPN Crackdown in Jammu & Kashmir: 800 Users Identified, Blanket Ban Sparks Privacy Debate By: Javid Amin | 05 January 2025 A New Digital Flashpoint in Kashmir In a move that has reignited long-standing debates over internet regulation, digital rights, and state security, authorities in Jammu & Kashmir have intensified a crackdown on unauthorized Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage, identifying approximately 800 users across the Valley, registering FIRs, and imposing a two-month blanket ban under emergency prohibitory orders. The administration has justified the decision on grounds of cyber security, public…

Vaishno Devi Sees Steep Fall in Pilgrim Footfall in 2025: What Went Wrong and Why It Matters

December 30, 2025December 30, 2025 Editor

Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Sees 27% Drop in 2025 Amid Security, Weather Concerns By: Javid Amin | 29 December 2025 A Rare Dip at One of India’s Holiest Shrines The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, perched atop the Trikuta hills in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district, has long been regarded as one of India’s most resilient pilgrimage destinations. Even during turbulent political phases, the shrine historically attracted millions of devotees annually. However, 2025 marked a significant departure from this trend. Official figures show that pilgrim footfall dropped below 70 lakh, compared to…

Dulhasti Stage-II Gets Green Signal Amid Indus Treaty Suspension: Power Project or Strategic Pivot on Chenab?

December 28, 2025 Editor

Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project Approved: Chenab, Indus Treaty Suspension & Strategic Impact Explained By: Javid Amin | 27 December 2025 When Power Projects Become Policy Statements The Union government’s decision to grant environmental clearance to the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district marks more than just another infrastructure approval. Coming at a time when India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, the clearance signals a decisive shift in how New Delhi approaches water, power, and national security in the…

Seizure of Outside-Registered Vehicles in J&K: A Crisis That Demands Compassionate Governance

December 28, 2025December 28, 2025 Editor

Seizure of Outside-Registered Vehicles in J&K: When Enforcement Overrides Empathy By: Javid Amin | 27 December 2025 A Crisis That Demands Compassionate Governance Across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), enforcement drives targeting vehicles with outside registration numbers have escalated from routine checks to mass seizures — leaving thousands of vehicle owners bewildered, out of pocket, and stuck in administrative labyrinths with little clarity or support. What started as a legitimate regulatory intent—ensuring that all motor vehicles comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and related rules—has in…

25 Winter Blazes Reported Across Kashmir in 4 Days: Causes, Risks, and Safety Lessons for Households

December 26, 2025 Editor

25 Winter Blazes Reported Across Kashmir in 4 Days — A Stark Warning on Heating Safety and Fragile Housing By: Javid Amin | December 25, 2025 Residential houses, livestock sheds, and temporary structures damaged across multiple districts as winter heating practices and aging infrastructure combine to create a silent seasonal hazard. Winter in Kashmir is not just about snow-covered rooftops, frost-lined roads, and breathtaking alpine views. It is also the season when households rely heavily on heating systems — some modern, many traditional, and many more dangerously improvised. In just…

School Mafia in Jammu & Kashmir: Parents Skinned Alive While Authorities Sleep

December 25, 2025 Editor

School Mafia in Jammu & Kashmir: How Private Schools Exploit Parents Despite Government Orders By: Javid Amin | 25 December 2025 When Education Turns Into Exploitation Education or Extortion? In Jammu & Kashmir today, sending a child to school has become one of the most emotionally and financially draining decisions for parents. Education — once considered a public good and a social equaliser — has increasingly turned into a commercial enterprise run by unregulated private interests, where profit outweighs pedagogy and compliance is optional. Parents are not merely paying fees;…

Jammu & Kashmir Youth: Between Degrees and Livelihoods — A 2025 Employment Snapshot

December 25, 2025 Editor

Jammu & Kashmir Youth: Education Levels, Employment Realities, Jobs & Livelihoods in 2025 By: Javid Amin | 24 December 2025 Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) today stands at a critical juncture: its youth are among the most educated segments of the population, yet many struggle to find stable, dignified employment that matches their qualifications. The paradox of education versus employment is acute — and it is reshaping social, economic, and political dynamics across the Union Territory. According to the Government of J&K, over 3.6 lakh educated youth have registered as unemployed…

J&K Government Approves 18% Hike in Public Transport Fares: What It Means for Commuters, Transporters, and the Economy

December 25, 2025 Editor

J&K Public Transport Fare Hike 2025: 18% Increase Explained, Impact on Commuters & Economy By: Javid Amin | 24 December 2025 A Policy Decision That Touches Everyday Life For millions of residents across Jammu & Kashmir, public transport is not merely a service—it is a daily necessity. From students travelling to colleges, office-goers commuting to workplaces, small traders moving between markets, to rural residents accessing healthcare facilities, buses, minibuses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws form the backbone of everyday mobility. Against this backdrop, the Jammu & Kashmir Government’s decision to approve an…