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Suhail Dar Under the fading light of Anantnag’s evening sky, the call to Maghrib prayer echoes through the air. At Jamia Masjid Anantnag, a diverse gathering—shopkeepers, students, laborers, and travelers—sits side by side, awaiting the moment to break their fast. Among them are Gujjar and Bakarwal men, their sun-worn faces reflecting both exhaustion and devotion. Here, there are no distinctions of wealth or status, only the shared hunger of the day and the shared relief of the first sip of water. "Ek hi saf mein khade ho gaye Mehmood o Ayaz, Na koi banda raha na koi banda nawaz." (In the same row stood Mehmood and Ayaz, No servant remained, nor any master.) The words of Allama Iqbal find life in this moment. In the sacred space of the mosque, and across the town’s hospitals wher...

A video of tourists dancing against the backdrop of the Zabarwan mountains in Hazratbal has gone viral on social media, sparking discussions and speculation. However, authorities have dismissed the video as old and warned of strict action against those spreading misinformation. The clip, shared on the Instagram handle Koode.in and several other social media pages, shows a group of tourists dancing to a Bollywood song in a snow-covered landscape. The video was shot near the revered Dargah Hazratbal. (A claim not independently verified by The Kashmiriyat) Speaking on the matter, the administrator of Dargah Hazratbal claimed that the video was not recent. “After thorough verification, we found that the video was uploaded on December 30, 2024, and is quite old. The heavy snowfall in t...

Kashmir has received 80 per cent less tourists compared to Jammu in the past four years. The Economic Survey 2024-25, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), revealed that in 2021, Jammu received a tourist footfall of 1,06,50,757 while Kashmir in the same year witnessed a tourist arrival of 6,65,777. A total of 1,13,16,534 tourists visited J-K in 2021, the survey reveals. As per the details, Kashmir in the subsequent years including 2022, 2023 and 2024 witnessed 80 per cent less tourist footfall compared to Jammu. The Economic Survey revealed that Jammu recorded a total tourist arrival of 1,62,10,875 in 2022 while Kashmir received only 26,73,442. As many as 1,88,84,317 tourists visited J&K in 2022, the survey reveals. In 2023, Jammu rece...

A recent report by Zee News has drawn sharp criticism for inaccurately portraying a Muslim truck driver offering prayers atop his vehicle as the cause of a traffic jam on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. However, a fact-check reveals that the viral claims are misleading. https://twitter.com/ItsKhan_Saba/status/1896822192454991874?s=19 The video circulating on social media shows a truck driver performing prayers on top of his vehicle in the Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir. Zee News reported that the driver had stopped his truck in the middle of the highway, causing a massive traffic jam and inconvenience to commuters. What’s the Reality: Multiple eyewitnesses, local residents, and reports from the ground confirmed that the highway was already blocked due to an existing traff...

An online complaint has been filed against a woman for using derogatory language against hijab-wearing women. In a copy of a complaint received by The Kashmiriyat, the complainant has urged the Jammu Kashmir police to initiate action against the woman for "publicly defaming and using derogatory, sexually explicit language against women who choose to wear the hijab." The complainant said, "Such actions not only tarnish the dignity of these women but also promote communal disharmony and violate their fundamental right to dress according to their beliefs." https://twitter.com/Anticipatelove_/status/1895106754951946716?t=my6U1b9917B5A65nUv-KVQ&s=19 The complainant who chose to be anonymous has said that the woman who used the "defamatory language" on X must be booked for "Section 116 of...

Suhail Dar Amid the ongoing dry spell, massive forest fires have been reported across Kashmir, from the north to the south. With experts warning of a possible drought due to reduced precipitation in January and February, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has issued an alert, urging people to be cautious about the forest fires. Speaking exclusively to The Kashmiriyat, DFO Lidder, Shama Roohi, stated that the department has already issued a warning about potential fire alerts across Kashmir's forests. "The changing climate has impacted precipitation levels across the region, leading to drier conditions and increased vulnerability to fires," Shama Roohi, DFO Lidder Pahalgam, explained. She also mentioned that the department has alerted its staff in anticipation of fire ou...

Danishwar Hameed Amid growing public anger over viral videos showing tourists consuming alcohol in public places in Kashmir, support is surging for the proposed bill to ban alcohol in the region. People across Kashmir are welcoming the initiative, expressing gratitude to PDP MLA Fayaz Mir and NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi for planning to introduce the legislation aimed at preserving the "region’s cultural and religious values". The issue gained momentum after videos of tourists drinking openly in popular tourist spots sparked widespread criticism, with many Kashmiris arguing that such behavior "disrespects local traditions and social norms". The incidents intensified calls for stricter regulations on alcohol consumption and sales in Kashmir. The proposed bill follows an earlier a...

Jammu Kashmir has 10,848 urban homeless individuals, according to the latest figures presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on February 10, 2025. The data, sourced from the Primary Census Abstract: Houseless Population, Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, highlights the growing challenge of providing adequate shelter for vulnerable communities in the region. Across India, the total urban homeless population stands at 9,38,348, with the highest numbers reported in Uttar Pradesh (1,80,929), Maharashtra (1,11,373), and West Bengal (1,04,967). While Jammu Kashmir’s figures are lower in comparison, the presence of over 10,000 homeless individuals underscores a pressing issue requiring urgent attention. The government not...

Meer Irfan  In a remarkable feat of dedication and scholarship, 75-year-old Gulzar Ahmad Parray from Kaprin, Shopian, has completed a translation of the Holy Quran into the Kashmiri language after 42 years of relentless work. Parray, a retired government employee with a Master’s degree and a B.Ed in Kashmiri, embarked on this journey decades ago to make the sacred text more accessible to Kashmiri-speaking people. Over the years, he published and distributed five parts (separa) of the Quran to various educational institutions. Now, after completing the translation of all 30 chapters, he is preparing for its full publication. Reflecting on his journey, Parray shared, “There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility, but the thought that future generations would r...