Day: April 3, 2025

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with 288 members voting in favor and 232 against, following over 12 hours of heated debate. The bill, which introduces significant changes to the governance of Islamic endowments, was met with strong resistance from Members of Parliament (MPs) from Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, who called it an attack on religious freedom and minority rights. Sheikh Abdul Rasheed, MP from Baramulla, strongly opposed the bill, declaring, "I oppose this bill tooth and nail." Accusing both the BJP and Congress of hypocrisy, he said, "BJP openly reminds Muslims of their rights, but Congress stabs Muslims in the back with the sweet juice of secularism." Rasheed also questioned the Muslim community’s management of Waqf properties. "How many hosp...

Shabir Ali The much-anticipated expansion of Jammu Kashmir’s council of ministers is unlikely to take place anytime soon. With the government completing over five months in office, discussions over filling the remaining cabinet berths have intensified, but party insiders suggest that no immediate changes are expected. The government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, took oath on October 16, 2024, with five ministers sworn into key positions alongside him. Surinder Kumar Choudhary, serving as Deputy Chief Minister, oversees Public Works, Industries & Commerce, and other portfolios. Sakina Itoo handles Health, Education, and Social Welfare, while Javed Ahmed Rana is in charge of Jal Shakti and Forests. Satish Sharma has been given the portfolios of Food & Civil Supplies,...

Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) has taken stringent action against license violations at Hotel Heemal, Srinagar, by shutting down shops involved in illegal subletting and unauthorized business activities. On Thursday afternoon, JKTDC officials sealed the premises following the termination of licenses, citing breaches of the agreement signed in 2017. An earlier communication from JKTDC, dated March 27, 2025, addressed to the Excise Department, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat, revealed that the licensees had engaged in unauthorized partnerships with liquor license holders. The letter named three individuals—Shri Narayan Sharma (Shop No. 1), Shri Anil Kohli (Shop No. 2), and Shri Inderjeet Bhatia (Shop No. 3)—as violators of the terms and condi...

In a major crackdown against online anti-national propaganda, radicalization, and the glorification of militancy, Cyber Police Kashmir has intensified its monitoring and enforcement efforts over the past three months, said a Spokesperson in a statement issued here on Thursday. "Adverse social media handles operating across multiple platforms, including those managed from outside the country, have been identified and targeted through legal and preventive action," reads the statement, adding "during this period, 200 adverse social media handles engaged in spreading misinformation and extremist content have been identified, with 100 of them operating from outside the country." "Several of these accounts have been blocked to curb their influence, while legal action has been initiated aga...

A dead dog was found by locals in filter plant Dawaran Uri area of north kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday. Locals alleged that they drink contaminated water from filter plant as its without safety covering also its is full of garbage as department never has cleaned it. Executive Engineer PHE Sub Division Uri Irfan Ahmed told GNS that water supplies to the area has been cut-off from the filtration plant. Necessary directions have been passed to clean the plant. Until then what will be supplied through tankers in the area. For any water related issues, kindly contact Control Room number 8825054833, he said. He further said that the incident occured during morning hours today and the water supply was immediately snapped in thr area. People are advised not to use the sto...

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to chair a crucial meeting of National Conference (NC) legislators and alliance partners in Jammu on Friday. While the official agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, sources within the NC indicate that the ruling alliance is displeased with the recent transfer of Jammu Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers ordered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. In a letter addressed to party legislators, NC Chief Whip Mubarak Gul confirmed the meeting would be held at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. "Keeping in view the importance of the meeting, all honourable members are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend," Gul stated. The Lieutenant Governor recently approved the transfer and post...