WRITE-UPS

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...

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of Hamas, in Tehran on July 2024 marked a dramatic and tragic turn in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Haniyeh, who had become a central figure in Hamas’s political operations and international diplomacy, was reportedly killed in a raid that Hamas attributed to Israeli forces. This event not only shocked the international community but also cast a long shadow over the fragile peace efforts and negotiations between Israel and Hamas. As the world grappled with the implications of his death, it became evident that Haniyeh's legacy would be one deeply intertwined with the turbulent and often violent history of the Middle East. Ismail Haniyeh was a prominent Palestinian political figure and a central leader of Hamas, a milit...

The name of Qadir Ganderbali, often referred to as "Ister" (iron press), had largely faded from Kashmir's political discourse for some time. However, late Kashmiri Pandit activist Sampat Prakash revived the name by frequently invoking "Ister," symbolizing the severe methods allegedly used by Ganderbali. Infamously known for his harsh and brutal tactics, Ganderbali's name alone was enough to instill fear among Kashmiris, especially the older generation. His brute measures continue to haunt his legacy. In this essay, we explore the life and career of Qadir Ganderbali to better understand his impact and significance. Qadir Ganderbali, born into the Sheikh landlord family of Ganderbal, began his career as a sergeant in the Jammu Kashmir Police during Maharaja Hari Singh's reign. Rising t...

Bhat Yasir In Kashmir, thousands of workers like Ali Mohammed Khan from downtown Srinagar have been highly worried post the installation of smart meters in their area. "Earlier, in areas with poorer people, they charged a flat rate, but it has become very tough for us to pay these heightened bills, but it looks tougher times area ahead as the department intends to install prepaid meters now," said 61-year-old Khan. Smart electricity meters is a concept borrowed from the western countries. One of the first countries to install smart meters was in Italy. Italy began rolling out smart meters in the early 2000s, with the aim of modernizing its electricity grid and improving efficiency. The Italian government mandated the installation of smart meters for all electricity consumers, incl...

On July 23, 1903, the greatest recorded flood ever hit Kashmir. By 10 o'clock, the bund protecting the Dal Lake was breached, causing the water to rise 10 feet above its high level and causing significant damage to floating gardens, houses, and other structures. Kashmir has a history of devastating floods, with the most recent occurring in 2014. Numerous large-scale floods have been recorded in the 19th and 20th centuries. A major disaster struck the valley in 1893 following heavy rainfall. According to Saligram Bhatt in his 2004 book, Kashmir Ecology and Environment: New Concerns and Strategies, the water level during the 1903 floods was three points higher than the 1893 floods. Bhatt noted, "7,000 dwellings went down in the neighbourhood of the city, including 773 on the Dal Lake."...

Sheikh Nadeem/ Danishwar Hameed Suffering losses for the last five years, the paddy and apple farmers from the Kashmir valley have expressed disappointment over the union budget released on July 23, 2024 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Farmers from the valley said that the budget has completely "ignored" the farming sector and did not address the demand for a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP), a demand that has been made by the farmers constantly for the past several years. Sitharaman announced a ₹1.52 lakh crore allocation for agriculture and allied sectors for 2024-25, detailing plans to boost research, promote sustainable farming, increase oilseed and pulse production, and integrate technology into agriculture. In her Budget speech, Sitharaman ...