The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Former cricketer, television personality and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday met National Conference President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah at his Srinagar residence, describing him as a towering figure in Indian politics and a secular voice of Kashmir.

Following the meeting, Sidhu shared his remarks on social media, saying he had thanked Dr Abdullah for facilitating his visit to Kashmir.

"Met Farooq Abdullah Saheb at his residence and thanked him for facilitating our trip," Sidhu said.

The Congress leader praised Dr Abdullah's political stature, calling him "a colossus of Indian politics" and lauding what he described as the veteran leader's willingness to speak truthfully on public issues.

Sidhu further described Dr Abdullah as "a genuinely secular voice of the people of Kashmir," remarks that are likely to draw attention amid continuing political discussions surrounding Jammu and Kashmir's future and inter-community relations.

JAMMU — The Congress launched a five-day padyatra in Jammu under its "Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq" campaign, demanding restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and raising issues such as inflation, unemployment and examination paper leaks.

The march was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra in the presence of working president Raman Bhalla, former minister Yogesh Sawhney and other party leaders.

Addressing party workers and supporters, Karra said restoration of statehood was the democratic and constitutional right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and accused the BJP-led Centre of delaying its return despite repeated assurances.

He said the campaign was aimed at mobilising public support for the restoration of statehood and highlighting issues affecting people, including rising prices, unemployment and fuel costs.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to be deprived of their democratic rights. Congress will continue its struggle on the roads and in democratic forums until statehood is restored," Karra said.

Referring to the NEET paper leak controversy, he alleged that repeated irregularities in examinations had affected the future of students and job aspirants and demanded accountability from the Centre.

Karra also expressed concern over the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman following a US military strike on a tanker accused of violating a blockade on Iranian ports. He urged the Government of India to take up the matter diplomatically and ensure the safety of Indian citizens working abroad.

Bhalla said the padyatra was intended to take the concerns of common people to the government and accused the BJP of failing to address inflation, unemployment and other public issues.

He reiterated the party's demand for restoration of full statehood with constitutional guarantees and urged Congress workers to strengthen the campaign across Jammu and Kashmir.

The padyatra will cover various areas of Jammu district over the next five days as part of the party's outreach programme.

SRINAGAR — Former Baramulla District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson Safina Baig is likely to join the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), with sources saying that discussions between her and the party leadership have progressed in recent weeks.

Sources familiar with the development told the news agency KNS that Baig, a prominent political figure in north Kashmir, has held multiple meetings with senior NC leaders and is expected to formally join the party in the coming days.

Baig, a lawyer by profession and former chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, has remained politically active in north Kashmir and enjoys influence in several areas of Baramulla district.

She had won the Baramulla DDC election as an independent candidate and later served as the council's chairperson. In the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, she contested as an independent candidate from the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency.

When contacted by the news agency, Baig said a decision would be taken soon.

Her possible entry into NC is being viewed as politically significant, given her presence in north Kashmir and her independent political base in the region.

Baig is the wife of veteran politician Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, a former deputy chief minister, who has played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir politics over the past two decades.