The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has concluded its selection process for candidates vying for three significant seats in Kashmir, with the list of potential contenders forwarded to the party's head office for consideration by the parliamentary affairs panel.

Reliable sources within the BJP disclosed that the party has identified potential candidates for key constituencies in Kashmir. Darakshan Andrabi, Altaf Thakur, Ashok Bhat, and Arif Raja have emerged as potential contenders for the Central Kashmir Parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, the North Kashmir seat presents three potential candidates: Anwar Khan, Surinder Ambardar, and Fakir Muhammad Khan.

In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina has expressed his intent to contest. Notably, former National Conference MLC Shehaz Ganai, who recently joined the BJP in New Delhi, is also under consideration. Sources within the BJP speculate that Ganai may secure the party ticket for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, citing her familial legacy and widespread support base.

The J&K BJP leadership remains in close communication with the party's central leadership in New Delhi. A senior BJP leader affirmed that the list of candidates has been submitted to the parliamentary panel for review, with a final decision expected imminently to allow candidates ample time for campaigning.

Expressing confidence, the BJP aims to secure victory in all three Kashmir seats. The recent inclusion of prominent figures has injected renewed vigour into the party, with anticipation of further influential individuals joining in the coming days.

Preparations are also underway for the two seats in Jammu, with candidate selections nearing completion for submission to the BJP's parliamentary affairs panel in New Delhi.

MoS in PMO and incumbent MP, Dr Jitendera Singh is anticipated to be retained for the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha seat. However, for the Jammu seat, there is a possibility of incumbent MP Jugal Kishore being replaced. Former J&K Assembly speaker Kavinder Gupta and Devender Singh Rana are identified as primary contenders for the seat, according to BJP sources.

SRINAGAR — Jammu Kashmir Waqf Board sealed 10 shops and rooms in Old Srinagar city for alleged non-payment of revised rent.

The Waqf sealed the shops and rooms at the Khanqah-e-Maula area of Srinagar on Thursday.

Pertinently, the tenants, mostly shopkeepers, are reluctant to pay revised rent, saying that in an era of economic distress, they are already finding it hard to meet both ends.

The Waqf has said that the property users had large outstanding and had failed to pay revised rent.

Waqf Chairperson Dr Darakshan Andrabi has already made it clear that Waqf will go tough against those occupants who won’t clear their outstanding.

SRINAGAR — Controversy has erupted as Vishwa Bharti Girls School, where boys virtually outnumber female students, allegedly imposed a ban on the use of Abaya (a loose cloak worn by Muslim ladies).

The decision sparked a stir with netizens and political leaders lambasting the school authorities which however clarified that no such ban has been imposed and girl students are free to done Abaya if they want.

Female students from Vishwa Bharti Girls School, located in Rainawari Srinagar, staged a protest, alleging that the college authorities have double standards. “College staff warns us of consequence in closed-door meetings if we wear the Abaya and in open or to media, it is claiming that no ban on the use of Abaya has been imposed,” they said.

Many argued that this ban infringes upon religious freedom and unfairly targets Muslim students.

Chairperson Wakf Board, Darakshan Andrabi virtually supported the alleged ban, saying that uniform is a must for students, and if there is no dress code, it affects educational institutions.

BJP General Secretary for Jammu and Kashmir, Ashok Koul said that his party was not in favour of imposing dress codes. "It's a religious issue. We are neither against it nor in its favour. Every person is free to wear clothes of their choice," Koul said.

Some staff from the college were seen arguing with protesting students. “Their behavior is rude. They force us to shun the use of Abaya in the college where boys have taken admissions in large numbers. It’s a college for girls by name only,” some students told the news agency KNT.

The PDP President Mehbooba Mufti called it an attack on religious freedom guaranteed by the constitution. “After Karnataka, now they want to experiment with it in Kashmir. Kashmir has become a laboratory for the BJP’s plans of changing Gandhi's India into Godse's India. All experiments begin from Valley,” she said, adding that the school’s action is unacceptable and it will have serious repercussions.

Students alleged that college authorities are forcing them to take their Abayas off within the school premises. They said they can’t remove their Abayas at a place where boys are studying in large numbers.

"Clothes don't define us, our actions do. Let's focus on creating a positive school culture instead of policing students,” said a couple of parents.

Principal Memroz Shafi said the students had been told that they can wear Abaya from home to school, but they should take it off inside the school premises. “We have not imposed any ban on the use of Abaya. We only want to ensure that students who wish to wear the Abaya should be of the same color and pattern,” she said.

Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said, "A rebuttal has been issued by the educational institution that they have not issued any order banning the Abaya. The school, which was earlier for girls only, has now become a co-educational school. Hence, the girls have all the right to wear a Burqa to maintain their modesty," Islam said.

SRINAGAR — Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated with full reverence, devotion and religious fervour across Kashmir valley on Sunday. The day marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Special religious functions were held in Kashmir at various shrines and Masjids. The biggest congregation was held at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar where devotees in large numbers offered special prayers and had glimpses of the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

An official told the news agency KNS that thousands of devotees from different parts of the Valley thronged Dargah Hazratbal shrine to see the relic of the Prophet (SAW).

In south Kashmir, thousands of people offered prayers at Masjids and shrines, mainly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan while in north Kashmir, Milad procession was taken out at various places.

Meanwhile, Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Darakshan Andrabi took out Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) procession for the first time from Nigeen Club to Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said that all arrangements were put in place at Hazratbal and other shrines across Kashmir for the convenience of devotees. "All departments including the Power Development Department and Health Department had made requisite arrangements," the Divisional Commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Police had made arrangements for the smooth passage of vehicular movement in view of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).

SRINAGAR — Amid confusion about whether the Eidgah land in Srinagar will be converted into sports facilities or a cancer hospital, the divisional administration today said that it is so vast that it can accommodate both facilities.

Talking to the news agency KNT, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said that the ground is so big that it can accommodate all facilities.

"It is Waqf land measuring more than 600 kanals. In length, it is more than 7500 feet and in width, it is 2000 feet. The Wakf Board can build a cancer institute as per its planning," he said.

Pole said temporarily some area is used for playing by surrounding localities. "One portion out of which will be made better for playing to children. The adjacent park is used by elderlies for walks. This park under the management of the Floriculture Department needs normal upkeep, which will be done," he said.

He said that Waqf Board is to decide about the use of the land, including having a cancer hospital on some portion, as per its planning.

"Taking into account the vast area size of the ground, there cannot be any question of either one facility or the other. It can accommodate all as per planning," he said.

Wakf Board chairperson Dr Daraksha Andrabi has said that the Board will build a cancer hospital on its 70 kanals, while the divisional administration has proposed upgradation of sports infrastructure.

SRINAGAR — Eidgah will be developed as a state-of-the-art playground in Shahr-e-Khaas that will have at least 10 scientifically-developed turfs and an upgraded football ground while the park will be upgraded as a major attraction with all modern facilities, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole said on Wednesday.

Talking to the news agency KNO, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said, “I visited the area today to assess the sports facilities available to the youth. I directed officials to create more sports facilities for youth in the area.”

As far as the cancer facilities are concerned, he said the nearby SKIMS Soura and AIIMS already upgraded facilities to treat cancer patients. “Eidgah will be developed on modern lines as one of the best playgrounds of Shahr-e-Khaas. It will have 10 scientifically-developed turfs for cricket players and an upgraded football ground.

"The nearby park will also be upgraded as a major attraction with all modern facilities,” he said.

Pole’s announcement comes days after Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi stated that the Board will construct a cancer hospital at Eidgah, Srinagar. Her announcement sparked massive protests by the youth of Downtown.

SRINAGAR — Chairperson Waqf Board, Dr Darakhshah Andrabi on Saturday said that Board has decided to introduce an online system for donations. She also said Waqf would soon construct a cancer hospital in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Andrabi told reporters that the donations are part of 'Baitulmaal', adding that “we won't allow any disloyalty with the donations by people.”

She said that Waqf will soon start an online system for donations and the deliberations with J&K Bank over the issue are going on.

She further added that a cancer hospital will also come up in Jammu and Kashmir soon, saying that the income will be generated from the assets, which will be used to build the hospital.