OPINIONS

Shah Shahid “Thank God, I write a lot on Twitter but do not read anything…. I want to assure the people of Jammu Kashmir that our agenda will be set by every section of Kashmiri public، not only by a few social media users," said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing the growing influence of social media on political discourse. For the past few days, Kashmir has been gripped with Twitter space fever. Whatever is discussed in these digital forums seems to make its way into the Jammu Kashmir Assembly the next day, sending a confusing signal to both politicians and the public. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently addressed this phenomenon, stressing that the government’s agenda would not be dictated by social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. His statement,...

As exit polls for Jammu Kashmir's 2024 elections are set to be announced in a few hours, we stand at a pivotal moment in the region’s political history. These elections, held after a decade-long gap, are the first since the revocation of the region’s special constitutional status, making the outcome significant both politically and symbolically. In South and Central Kashmir, the landscape appears to be steady, with few surprises expected. These regions have traditionally seen a strong contest between the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The electorate here is largely shaped by longstanding political affiliations, and this consistency may reflect in the results. Yet, the looming shadow of past disillusionment may still sway some undecided voters, ...

Ah, the "YouTube adventurer" – on a noble quest to bring light to the dark streets of Kashmir, but not in the way you’d think. Armed with nothing but a microphone, a camera, and a mind-blowing ability to connect dots that don’t exist, our YouTuber prowls the streets with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop. Her street interviews are a masterclass in twisting narratives. With the precision of a conspiracy theorist, she skillfully manages to link Islam to extremism and, through a few well-placed questions, makes it sound like being pro-Islam is basically the same as being anti-BJP. Because, of course, to her, BJP and Hinduism are synonymous. One can almost hear the collective sigh of confusion from Hindus who don’t subscribe to the BJP’s particular brand of “cultural” nationalism. ...

In the world of Kashmir politics, just when you think you've seen it all, the plot thickens. And who else but Engineer Rashid could stir the pot mere days before the assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir? Released on bail after five years in Tihar Jail, Rashid is expected to shake things up. Not just a man, but a force of nature—or so his supporters claim—his return is like the cliffhanger in a soap opera that keeps you glued to the screen. Except, this isn’t fiction. It’s the highly unpredictable, often surreal world of Kashmir’s electoral politics. For those unfamiliar with Engineer Rashid and those who have failed to see Kashmiri political spectrum converted into a social media meme, let’s just say he’s not your average candidate. He didn’t just win against former Chief Minister Omar A...

In the lately vibrant political landscape of Kashmir, Engineer Rashid's party is garnering substantial support through energetic rallies and roadshows in the Baramulla Lok Saba seat, despite the leader's detention in Delhi's Tihar jail since August 2019. Social media platforms reverberate with momentum rallying behind Rashid, as influencers both online and on the ground echo messages like "joined Er. Rashid," resonating deeply within public discourse. These fervent displays of support, characterized by frequent public rallies and vocal sloganeering, depict a resounding support for Rashid, a former member of the legislative assembly in Jammu Kashmir. Notably, even erstwhile pro-resistance academicians in Kashmir are aligning themselves with his cause, viewing his anticipated victory as a...

In a recent scoop, a Srinagar newspaper pointed fingers at street vendors for cranking up the volume on Baramulla's noise pollution dial. Some locals, quoted by the newspaper, promptly tagged the vendors as the usual suspects. While it's true that street vendors add their unique playlist to the pollution mix, it's essential to recognize that our society's noise pollution ensemble already has quite the repertoire. The bulk of the decibel drama unfolds in the elite circles – where vehicle honks form a symphony that would put a heavy metal concert to shame. Rumor has it; even the staff gets in on the honking action. The streets resemble a perpetual traffic jam concert, with horns blaring for no apparent reason, other than to assert vehicular dominance. Meanwhile, there's a musical fount...

More than 1.43 lakh tourists visited J&K in December 2021 and the number of tourists who visited J&K since September 2021 is over 72 lakh, the Tourism Ministry said on Thursday. While replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the winter season has witnessed 100 percent occupancy of hotels in Srinagar and other tourist destinations. He said that on 28 June 2021 the government announced a stimulus package to boost diverse sectors of the economy affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The package comprises a total of 17 measures in three broad categories, which include economic relief from pandemic with special focus on health and reviving travel and tourism sectors and impetus for growth and employ...