November 26, 2024 - The Kashmiriyat

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

World Craft Council to introduce ‘seal of authenticity’ for Kashmiri crafts

CULTURE

The World Craft Council (WCC) announced its plan to introduce a "Seal of Authenticity" for handmade crafts in Jammu Kashmir, addressing the demand for globally recognized certification for the region's renowned craftsmanship. WCC President Saad Al-Qaddumi shared the initiative during the council's 60th jubilee celebration in Srinagar. Speaking at the event, Al-Qaddumi expressed pride in unveiling the new flagship program, emphasizing its potential to enhance quality assurance and ownership, particularly in the textile industry. He attributed the idea to discussions with J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha during his previous visit. The announcement coincided with the UT-Level Craft Awards ceremony, where artisans were recognized for their outstanding contributions. Al-Qaddumi also hi...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Officials conduct LGBTQ++ rights awareness campaign in Kashmir

REGIONAL

Kupwara district in north Kashmir witnessed its first-ever awareness and training program on LGBTQ++ rights, organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) under the directives of NALSA and the JK Legal Services Authority. In a press release, officials said that the event took place at the ADR Centre, Court Complex Kupwara, with participation from LADCs, panel lawyers, PLVs, officials, and the general public. "The program, supervised by Shazia Tabasum, Chairperson of DLSA and Principal District & Sessions Judge Kupwara, aimed to shed light on the rights, entitlements, and challenges faced by the LGBTQ++ community," the present release read. Moneer Ahmad, Secretary of DLSA Kupwara, emphasized the need to create an equitable environment, celebrating diversity and ensu...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘BJP creating divide between Hindus, Muslims’: Rahul Gandhi condemns killing of Muslims in U.P

REGIONAL

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Uttar Pradesh government for its handling of the Sambhal violence, holding it accountable for the unrest. Akhilesh Yadav accused the State government of orchestrating the violence, which erupted during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. Rahul Gandhi described the administration's actions as “insensitive” and “hasty,” blaming the BJP for escalating communal tensions. The violence claimed four lives, with three victims identified as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, all in their mid-20s. The Uttar Pradesh police have filed seven FIRs related to the incident, naming SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, amon...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Muslim student assaulted, forced to chant Hindutva slogans in U.P.

INDIA

Gulfam Saifi, an IIT student and aspiring national-level shooter, was reportedly abducted and brutally assaulted in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred on Saturday evening while Gulfam was returning home from his shooting practice. According to Gulfam’s family, a group of 3-4 men abducted him, took him to an abandoned swimming pool at Victoria Park, and forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram" while brutally beating him. The attackers also allegedly stripped him and left him unconscious after the assault. The victim's family has raised serious concerns over the incident, describing it as a targeted attack. Gulfam is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, with injuries from the assault. However, local police have contested parts of the allegations. Civil ...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Dignity and rights under threat’: Mehbooba Mufti on U.P. violence and constitutional values

INDIA

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said it was “disheartening” that the country’s largest minority was facing “unprecedented threats” as it celebrated Constitution Day. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supremo referred to the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, where four people died during protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. The government on Tuesday kick-started yearlong celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. “Today, as we celebrate Constitution Day, it is disheartening to see the largest minority in our country facing unprecedented threats. Their dignity, lives, livelihoods and places of worship are under attack, contradicting the Constitution’s guarantee of equal rights and dignity for every citizen, rega...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Unauthorized withdrawals’: Police to investigate fraud in Shopian’s JK Bank branch

REGIONAL

Police have registered a formal case about a major bank fraud in Turkawangam hamlet of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. As reported earlier, multiple unauthorized withdrawals from customer accounts were reported at the district's Jammu Kashmir Bank branch. The police formally registered an FIR vide number 104/2024 and launched a large-scale investigation, with arrests expected soon. The first case of bank fraud came to light when Zarifa, the daughter of the late Muhammad Yousuf Shah, discovered that Rs. 5 lakh had been embezzled from her father's account just a day after his death on January 13, 2019. The money was allegedly withdrawn by an individual, who transferred it to his relatives' accounts. In August, another case surfaced when Rs 177,000 went missing from Abdul Ghani ...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Pawn in pursuit of electoral gains’: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq denounces killing of four Muslims in U.P

INDIA

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir's chief cleric has strongly condemned the deaths of four youth in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The violence, which erupted amidst clashes between locals and the police, has sparked widespread outrage and sharp political reactions across India. In a statement, the Mirwaiz described the incident as "distressing and discriminatory," criticizing the government for its failure to protect minority communities. "The life of minorities has become dispensable, a pawn in the pursuit of electoral gains," he stated. He also denounced the rising trend of questioning the status of historical mosques, calling it a divisive tactic aimed at polarizing communities. The violence occurred on Sunday during a survey of the Mughal-era mosque, initiated by a local court following ...

Nov262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Cannot afford losing more precious land’: Kashmiri farmers rally against further land loss for urban projects

REGIONAL

A delegation of farmers and activists met with the Chief Minister’s Political Advisor on Monday to express their concerns regarding the government's plans to establish satellite townships along the Srinagar Ring Road project, which spans from Pampore to Narbal. The meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s grievance redressal and outreach office, Raabta. Led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Ghulam Ahmad Paul, Ali Mohammad Wani, Muzaffar Hussain, and others, the delegation highlighted the negative impact of further land acquisition on farming families, their livelihoods, and the environment. The farmers voiced concerns that they are still grappling with the consequences of the initial land acquisition by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Srinagar Semi Ring Road proje...