WRITE-UPS

Suhail Dar Omar Abdullah of the Jammu Kashmir National Conference last week waved to the massive crowds of Devsar block asking people to vote for the party candidate Feroz Ahmed Shah, however, all is not well within the National Conference in the Devsar segment. "The National Conference may win the Devsar seat, driven by anti-incumbency and growing support for their stance post-abrogation, but internal issues persist," a source within the party revealed. "They need to put their house in order." ALSO READ: Non-ST voters hold key in Kokernag election as ST candidates dominate race One of the few seats facing tough competition in South Kashmir during the first phase of elections will be the Devsar Assembly segment in Kulgam district. The margin of victory is expected to be n...

A bastion of the Mufti's, Bijbehara in Anantnag is gearing up for a tough fight between Iltija Mufti, 36, of the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference's Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri. Bijbehara has always been a bastion and has watched close contests for dominance between the Mufti and the Shah family. Abdul Gani Veeri, father of Dr. Bashir Veeri, a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, has won three elections from Bijbehara Anantnag; 1977, 83, and 1987. The Mufti family and the People's Democratic Party have held their dominance on the seat since 1996 when Mehbooba Mufti won elections from Bijbehara, her hometown. Bijbehara-Srigufwara is set to vote in the first phase of the assembly elections on September 18, and the campaign has left political experts in Kashmir va...

A Ph.D scholar from Shopian made headlines during the parliament elections earlier this year when he walked barefoot to campaign and show his support for jailed independent candidate Engineer Rashid. Now Baramulla Member of Parliament, Engineer Rashid defeated Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone on the seat by a comfortable margin; one of the many reasons responsible for the victory of Engineer Rashid was the social media support he received. One of the many events that hyped the candidature of Rashid was Mudasir Thoker, a youth from Shopian who traveled barefoot in support of Engineer Rashid. However, months after the decisive victory of Rashid, Mudasir feels betrayed and has publicly raised serious concerns about the leadership of the Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP). Speaking to a media house,...

Shoaib Mir, holding a flag emblazoned with Sheikh Abdullah's image, participates in a rally of the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (NC) in Anantnag district. "I've never supported any political party before, but this time, it's crucial for us to engage in the electoral process," Shoaib said as he snapped selfies with Dr. Bashir Veeri, National Conference candidate for Bijbehara. Shoaib represents a new wave of Kashmiri youth, many of whom had previously been implicated in anti-national cases but are now showing interest in the electoral process. "We are just too burdened with the rising unemployment, prices and the unchecked drug abuse is worrying. Suicides are growing, crimes are on the rise and we must not play blind to everything, the regional governments have a major role to play,...

A. G. Noorani, a distinguished Indian lawyer, constitutional expert, and author noted for his voluminous publications on legal and political matters, notably those pertaining to Kashmir, died in Bombay, leaving a legacy to be remembered. His work has influenced the academic and legal discourse on Kashmir, displaying a thorough awareness of the region's history, politics, and complex connection with India. Born September 16, 1930, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, Abdul Gafoor Noorani was pursued a career at law, eventually becoming one of India's most renowned constitutional attorneys. He has also written extensively for journals, newspapers, and books, frequently focused on civil freedoms, human rights, and the Kashmir conflict. Noorani's participation in Kashmir originates from his...

Danishwar Hameed/ Shah Basit As the 2024 assembly elections approach in Jammu Kashmir, the Chenab Valley, comprising the districts of Doda and Kishtwar, stands at a pivotal juncture. This region, nestled in the mountainous terrain of Jammu Kashmir, is a vital area in the electoral landscape, especially with the upcoming first phase of voting. "Despite being considered a part of Jammu, Chenab Valley is profoundly influenced by Kashmir’s culture and politics. The traditions, language, and even political dynamics are closely tied to Kashmir. Consequently, developments in Kashmir significantly impact the Chenab Valley," Mubasir Ahmed, a senior advocate and political observer from Chenab valley told The Kashmiriyat. The Doda District alone, with its three assembly constituencies—Bhader...

Sheikh Nadeem Imran Dar, a 23-year-old social media enthusiast from Srinagar's Zadibal area, was once an active participant in online discussions. On August 13, 2023, after expressing an opinion about the targeting of women online and offline, his life changed drastically. "I was labelled a feminist, and what followed was brutal trolling. My mother and sisters, who were also on social media, faced abuse—even from people I considered friends," Imran recalls. The harassment escalated quickly. Screenshots of his comments were circulated in WhatsApp groups, attracting more abusers to his profile. "It caused me severe anxiety," Imran says. "It’s distressing to read about your sisters being abused." Overwhelmed, Imran and his sisters have since abandoned social media, retreating from a ...

Farhan Sayeed Masoodi I recently had the opportunity to witness India's 78th Independence Day celebrations in a remote village called Chandigam, nestled 20 km away from the beautiful town of Kupwara in Kashmir. The village came together to commemorate the historic occasion as the national flag was ceremoniously hoisted at PM-SHRI Boys High School, Chandigam Lolab. The headmaster, Mohd Ayoub Shah, proudly raised the flag amidst the presence of enthusiastic staff members, students, and local visitors. The event was filled with engaging programs organized by the students, including spirited parade marches and cultural activities. However, I noticed that many of the cultural performances did not fully represent the local Kashmiri traditions in songs and dances. Nonetheless, the stu...

Syed Aamir Sharief Qadri Indeed, Allah has set a predetermined time for everyone’s death. Yet, when we receive the shocking news of a loved one's sudden passing, it feels as if our hearts freeze and our minds momentarily shut down. This is exactly what happened to me when I heard about the tragic death of my dear relative, Sajad Ahmad Shah, around 4:30 PM on August 16, 2024. The initial shock left me in a state of disbelief, but as the moments passed, I had to accept this harsh reality and find a way to cope with the profound sadness. A motorcycle carrying two school teachers, Riyaz Ahmad Dar and Sajad Ahmad Shah, was involved in an accident in the Shopian district, leading to their deaths shortly afterward. The vehicle that ran them over so mercilessly was driven by a young...