WRITE-UPS

1846--Gulab Singh's rise to power in Kashmir marked a pivotal moment in the valley's history. The era was characterized by privatizing land and the consolidation of autocratic rule. Gulab Singh's policies transformed agrarian societies into tenants on their ancestral lands, laying the groundwork for socio-economic disparities and cultural suppression. During his successor Ranbir Singh's reign, religious tensions escalated with the prohibition of new mosque constructions in Kashmir. Ranbir Singh's policies exacerbated religious and cultural sensitivities among Kashmir's Muslim majority population~ Chitralekha Zutshi, in Kashmir: Convoluted Histories. The anti-Dogra resistance movements in Kashmir found sporadic but passionate expression. The defiance of 1924, particularly the construc...

Bayed Mubarak The streets of Anantnag are adorned with flags symbolizing the tragic event at Karbala, where Imam Hussain was martyred on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The town's spaces are occupied by youth distributing water to commuters. Pro-Hussain banners and flags are being sold, mostly around the Rishi Bazar area, which houses the Jamia mosque of the district. This love for Imam Hussain and the concept of Shia-Sunni unity in Anantnag and its suburbs dates back to the 1980s. In 1986, Kashmir was gripped by unemployment, silence, and frustration, particularly among the youth. Secret meetings were organized against various policies imposed by the then-governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Jagmohan. One prominent scholar at the forefront of uniti...

In the heart of Srinagar's bustling bazaar, an elderly man named Ghulam held court, his voice laden with the weight of decades marked by conflict. "In the days of the Dogra Maharajas," Ghulam began, "there lived Yusuf, a humble farmer whose dreams extended beyond harvests to justice for those who nurtured the land." Yusuf, known for his devotion to family and the land, struggled under oppressive Dogra rule that denied him ancestral rights, reducing him and fellow farmers to tenants. Witnessing his labor enrich others while his family suffered fueled his resolve. During a severe winter famine, Yusuf rallied farmers quietly, urging unity against injustice. Standing beneath a towering chinar tree, he declared, "We till this land with our sweat and blood, yet are denied our rights. It's ...

Dr. Neha Singh The tragic demise of Dr. Aparna Basak, a 30-year-old doctor in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, serves as a stark reminder that getting into the medical profession does not always equate to personal happiness or success. Despite the traditional reverence for the medical profession, her story raises critical questions about the true nature of fulfillment and the challenges faced by those in high-pressure careers. While the medical field is often associated with stability and prestige, recent research and real-life stories highlight a more complex reality. In this opinion piece, we try to explore why being a doctor, despite its societal status, may not guarantee happiness or economic prosperity, and how the evolving job market impacts this once-revered profession. The allur...

Advocate Sanjeev Sirohi Due to extreme weather conditions in the form of heatwave, hundreds of people have lost their lives in this month. Every year one Nation faces extreme weather conditions in the form of heatwave, rains and cold wave in which many people, particularly the poor ones lose their lives. The news items published in various newspapers and the news broadcast on electronic media reflect that in the heatwave of this year death toll has crossed thousands in number. The more lethal heatwave in the globe was the one that crippled Europe in 2003 killing 71,310 people. In the list of top ten deadliest disaster, Indian heatwaves figure four-five times in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2015 and this year-2024. Unsurprisingly, six of the top ten heatwaves, in terms of deaths, have occu...

Shikara drivers in the Kashmir Valley are in shock and have expressed concern following a viral video depicting an incident of public drinking. Prompted by the video's circulation, law enforcement swiftly intervened, arresting two individuals involved. Days after Aga Hadi Kashmiri, a Kashmiri cleric raised alarm over the incident, Shikara owners have put signboards across the world famous Dal lake to announce that drinking is not allowed inside the Shikaras. "Kashmir is a Muslim majority state and such activities cannot be tolerated in the valley. The law cannot be different for different places," Hadi said in reference to the slaughter of animals at various places across India. Referring to the incident of the pubic drinking inside a Shikara in Srinagar, Aga said the Kashmiri soc...

With two phases of elections concluded in the Kashmir valley, all attention is now riveted on the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, which has become the focal point of intense campaigning following a deferment requested by the BJP and others. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is contesting this seat, making it a crucial battle for the survival of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has seen an exodus of members to the Apni Party and others. The newly-formed DPAP initially proposed former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as their candidate for the Lok Sabha seat but ultimately decided to field Advocate Saleem Parray. In a significant departure from tradition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not fielded any candidates in this constituency for the first time in decades. Meanwhile,...

Shabir Ali Shabir Hussain, 21, is among hundreds of people who have gathered in Khamenei Chowk in Budgam to mourn the death of the Iranian president. "It is tragic news. The only moment I felt proud as a Muslim and fond of my roots was when Iran struck Israel," said Shabir, wiping the tears off his face. As the news of the crash spread, Iranians hit the streets, many seeking spiritual help, thronging to the mosques for the safety of their leader. However, his body was found along with his colleagues. In Kashmir too, messages were circulated in WhatsApp groups, seeking the safety and security of all those on board. In Kashmir, the leader became prominent after September 2023, when he appeared at the United Nations General Assembly holding high a Quran in his hand to condemn the...