INTERVIEW

Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah, has thanked the people of Jammu Kashmir for giving the party a decisive mandate, it's best since 1996. In an interview, Omar Abdullah has said that the people of Jammu Kashmir have come to vote in massive numbers only to express their anger against the abrogation of Article 370 and the policies of the BJP. "In the first order of the business in the house, we will pass a resolution seeking the restoration of constitutional safeguards and statehood for Jammu Kashmir," he said. Omar Abdullah, the expected Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir expressed his openness to engage with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, if they initiate communication. However, he clarified that no formal talks hav...

As elections fever grips the Kashmir valley, we are holding weekly conversations with regional parties of Kashmir and Jammu to know their views on issues concerning the public. In this episode: An interview held in Budgam with Aga Rahullah Mehdi; JK National Conference’s candidate for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat speaks to Asma Bhat, video correspondent for The Kashmiriyat from Srinagar district. Aga Mehdi clarified that his previous statement about not participating in elections specifically referred to assembly elections, a stance he maintains. He explained that participating in such elections under the current circumstances would imply acceptance of the abrogation of Article 370, which he strongly rejects. Mehdi views the ongoing elections as an opportunity to engage with marginali...

Safoora Hilal The Grateful Flowers debut poetry book of a budding writer Rufaida Rehman was released at the tandoor restaurant Lal chock Srinagar on 11 Sep 2022. This book with lyric poetry and narrative poetry has been published by the Harvard journal. The launch was attended by prominent social activist, writer, and political analyst Syed Aijaz Kashyani, RJ Sameen, well-known author Dr. Azra mufti, CEO of Harvard publications Yasmeen Khan, and social activist Peer Mehak. This poetry is a poignant catch on human emotions. When she was 12, she felt this keen interest in reading and started with a book called wanderlust by Danielle Steel. With time, she realized her love for writing and started to write a journal. Thrilled by the idea of attending the writing competitions, fr...

Insha Mushtaq Dar The music of Jammu Kashmir has been, since ages, reflecting not only of the rich heritage and cultural legacy of the region, but also the emotions and the moods of the populace. With time Kashmir has witnessed the advent of different musical traditions, be it the time of Kashmiri Hindus who played music similar to Indian classical music such as the sitar and sarangi or the Sufiana Kalam which was introduced after the influx of Sufis in Kashmir, when Sufism was introduced in Kashmir. This type of music introduced the new instruments of music, such as santoor, and Saz. The new generation of musicians in Kashmir has successfully blended Kashmiri music with western instruments. Famous musical artists like Mohammad Muneem, Ali Saffudin, Ishfaq Kawa, Rahul Wanchoo, and...

As Kashmiris in various Indian states faced backlash, in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack which took place on February 19, 2019, killing at least 45 CRPF men, the Sikh community at various places openly came to the rescue of the Kashmiri people in Punjab and Jammu. Many social, political, and religious personalities expressed their desire to help Kashmiris in various parts of India as they were being intimidated, asked to leave 'India' immediately. The unruly mobs also assaulted Kashmiris and forced them to quit studies and business. Amid this hubbub, Lubna Sayed Qadri, a human rights activist jumped into action and set up a WhatsApp group and helpline numbers and got in touch with a few journalists, activists who provided her a live tracker of the attacks on Kashmiris at several ...

Zainab Rauf “We are sons of this soil,” says Jaipal Singh, who recently celebrated his 72nd birthday in his Baramulla residence. Before I ask my first question, Singh, a member of the Sikh Missionary College and Guru Harkrishan Jeevan Jot society (GHJJS) Kashmir, is ready to lead me to what exactly our conversation should be about. The continuous systemic ignorance of the plight of Kashmir’s integral micro-minority community; Kashmiri Sikhs, the fear of rootlessness due to economic distress, the undying love for their motherland despite the conflict, and the unbreakable bond with their Kashmiri kin. Systemic Ignorance “Are we children of a lesser a god? Why are our basic rights being snatched away from us?” Jaipal Singh says about the failure of every passing ...

On the ninth episode of Straightforward- a public talk show hosted by Aniqa from The Kashmiriyat representatives of various political parties spoke on the issue of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu Kashmir. Watch the Full video here https://www.facebook.com/TKWeekly/videos/357954072205941/ Saifudin Soz, a veteran congress leader welcoming the formation of people's alliance said that the people of Kashmir have found an 'instrument' and they can support the alliance till they voice the feelings and aspirations of common masses in Kashmir. "People in Kashmir irrespective of their ideologies must understand that they have "found a voice in People's Alliance and also the fact that they have very less options and instrument left." Soz also...