On 8th March, 1996, prominent human rights activist and Kashmiri lawyer, Jalil Andrabi was abducted from his home. On March 27, 1996, his decomposed body was discovered in the Jhelum river. Andrabi dedicated his life to advocating for civil liberties, a commitment that ultimately cost him his life in March 1996. As we reflect on […]
Khilat Abid/ Hooria Gillani/ Bayed Mubarak In his autobiography, “Khar e Gulistan,” Maulana Abbas Ansari recalls that the unity of Kashmiri Muslims in the year of 1986 was like a “powerful force that arises from the coming together of people, similar to the force observed when scattered droplets combine to form the vastness of the […]
Bhat Yasir In the picturesque valley of Kashmir, where the air is imbued with the spirit of syncretism, the Khanqah-e-Moula of Srinagar stands as an architectural and spiritual gem. Constructed in 1395 by Sultan Sikander in homage to the revered Sufi saint Mir Ali Hamdan, this sacred sanctuary weaves together threads of spirituality and history […]
Titled “Sheikh Abdullah: The Caged Lion of Kashmir,” Chitralekha Zutshi’s book meticulously unravels the intricate tapestry of Kashmir’s most towering and enigmatic figure. From his humble beginnings in the village of Soura, surrounded by the harsh realities of poverty and oppression under the Dogra rule, to his eventual rise as a fierce Kashmiri nationalist, Abdullah’s […]
Muzaffar Choudhary In a recent turn of events, there is growing apprehension and concern regarding the potential grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to upper castes in Jammu Kashmir (J&K). This decision, based on linguistic considerations, not only violates the principles of social justice but also poses a significant threat to the foundational fabric of […]
Basit Shah Shahid Wani was in love with a girl from a ‘lower caste,’ for several years, however, last year when he spoke to his parents about it. He was met with rejection from his mother. “Despite the emotional turmoil, that we had to undergo, my family did not agree to marry me to a […]
Shahid ul Islam In the heart of nature’s embrace lies Budan, a village in Kashmir’s north, adorned with lush flora and vibrant fauna, encircled by bountiful apple orchards. The rhythmic hum of agricultural activities resonates through the air as every villager tends to their orchards, cultivating a livelihood in harmony with the thriving landscape. Today, […]
Meer Irfan “It was an ocean of people. When we reached the general bus stand, we noticed the BSF personnel with the loaded guns pointed at us. They fired in the air, and people ran for cover, most of us leaving behind our slippers and shoes,” said Riyaz Ahmed, a resident of Achabal adda area […]
Bint e Haider I cannot say how how long have I have known Farhad. It’s difficult to assert that I know him, but I can say I’ve been seeing him for a very long time and he would consistently appear in front of my eyes. Fourteen years ago, I witnessed Farhad Ahmed Fagar busy in […]
Muzaffar Choudhary In the realm of Bollywood, where a penchant for unoriginal, uninspiring, and occasionally distasteful content prevails, it’s easy to overlook the industry’s colossal significance. As the world’s largest film industry by any metric, Bollywood not only shapes India’s national identity but also molds the global community’s perception of the country. Its films serve […]