The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is embroiled in a fierce contest in Baramulla, where sharp political slogans and clashes characterize the election atmosphere. With around 17 lakh voters in the constituency, including major areas like Uri, Kupwara, and Handwara, the seat is hotly contested.

In the last election, National Conference's (NC) Akbar Lone secured this seat. This time, leaving his traditional seat in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah himself is contesting from Baramulla. He faces stiff competition from Sajjad Lone of the People's Conference and Engineer Rashid. The PDP has also shown its strength, with workers raising slogans supporting their party symbol, the inkpot and pen.

As per the reports received by the news agency KNO, Baramulla is currently a hub of political activity despite the snowy peaks of Gulmarg and the tourist influx in Kashmir valley. The electoral heat is palpable in towns and villages. Omar's posters at Baramulla intersections prominently feature his party's plough symbol, reinforcing their presence. Meanwhile, PDP workers chant slogans such as "PDP is our Jamaat, remember the pen" along the route from Gulmarg to Baramulla.

Abrar Rashid, son of Engineer Rashid and a candidate himself, has mobilized support despite his father's imprisonment in Tihar Jail for 'terror funding'. Campaign slogans in Kashmiri emphasize their struggle, urging voters to press the button on their 'pressure cooker' symbol to aid Rashid.

Sajjad Gani Lone's People's Conference, symbolized by the apple, leverages Baramulla's renowned apple cultivation to appeal to local voters. His supporters claim this symbol resonates most with the local populace. Congress is aligned with Omar Abdullah, while the BJP is notably absent from the fray, though Omar continues to target them in his speeches.

Local experts suggest Omar Abdullah chose Baramulla to regain NC's diminishing base. However, Sajjad Lone's influence in Kupwara and Handwara, combined with youth support for Engineer Rashid, makes this a challenging contest. PDP's Fayaz Ahmad Mir also adds intrigue to the race.

Employment remains a key issue among youth voters. Locals need job opportunities beyond tourism. People highlight corruption and the importance of state government elections. Political Pundits meanwhile believe Sajjad Lone will provide tough competition, while others see Engineer Rashid as a strong choice.

In the previous election, NC's Akbar Lone won by 30,000 votes, with close competition between People's Conference's Raja Ejaz Ali and Engineer Rashid. This year, Omar Abdullah's candidacy as a prominent leader is expected to impact the vote difference. However, some locals express scepticism about big leaders' post-election engagement.

Despite the BJP's absence, Omar Abdullah continues to target them in his speeches, accusing them of indirectly supporting Sajjad Lone. This election, marked by intense political activity and strategic alignments, remains one of the most closely watched contests in Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — J&K Peoples Conference (PC) President Sajjad Lone on Saturday hit out at Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah during a rally at Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Lone, according to a statement, emphasised the urgent need for positive change, urging voters to cast their ballots in favour of the "Apple" symbol, representing growth, prosperity, and the collective identity of Kashmiris.

"I assure you that every vote cast in my favour will fill you with pride, contrasting with the regret many feel for supporting Omar Abdullah. His inward-looking approach stands in stark contrast to the aspirations of Kashmiris, who share an unfortunate history of oppression and suffering under NC's rule," he affirmed.

Expressing disappointment in the NC's track record, Lone lamented their consistent “failure” to deliver significant developmental projects for public welfare.

"This level of apathy and shamelessness is astounding. Despite repeated failures to fulfil the public mandate, Omar has the audacity to seek votes. He has lost credibility among the very people he once oppressed so cunningly. His propaganda against me and my party is as feeble as a cobweb, destined to be shattered by the votes of my beloved constituents," he asserted.

Addressing the gathering, DDC Chairman Budgam Nazir Ahmad Khan implored his supporters to wholeheartedly and fervently support the PC, delivering a resounding response to those stained with the blood of innocent Kashmiris.

"Let us stand united and resolute in our support for the PC and Sajad Sahib, sending a clear message to those responsible for the suffering of our people. Together, we will pave the way for dignity and progress in our beloved Kashmir," he said.

Notable leaders, including PC Senior General Secretary Imran Reza Ansari, senior leader Abid Ansari, Provincial President Kashmir Khurshid Alam, Political Secretary Tasaduq Yaseen, Vice President Central Kashmir and Incharge Khansahib Constituency Manzoor Wani, District President Mushtaq Lone, District Vice President Showkat Wani, District Secretary Budgam Ghulam Mohiudin Dar, and Coordinator North Kashmir Hilal Parvez, graced the occasion, symbolizing the unified front of the party, reads the statement.

PC decries EC's notice over song shared by JKPC President

The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference on Saturday expressed its deep concern and disappointment over the recent notice, served by the Election Commission, “targeting” a song shared by PC President Sajjad Gani Lone on Twitter.

As per the news agency CNS, the JKPC in a statement said, "The video in question is not an official song of the party but rather a creation by Kashmiri youth. It embodies the heartfelt sentiments of the Kashmiri people, vividly portraying the enduring pain and suffering experienced in the region over decades. We firmly believe that sharing such a song, which reflects the painful history of the region, should not be seen as a violation of electoral norms.”

The party further urged the Election Commission to apply the rules uniformly and desist from selective scrutiny. “The fairness and equality are indispensable in preserving the integrity of the electoral process,” the JKPC said, adding, “It is disconcerting to observe a pattern where the Election Commission singles out our party for scrutiny while displaying leniency towards others. We firmly assert that mistakes of the past, such as those in 1987, characterized by biased approaches of the administration, should not be repeated.”

The JKPC further said that a level playing field must be extended to all political entities without prejudice.

“The Election Commission must avoid disparate treatment of political parties. Rules applied to JKPC should be uniformly applied to all political entities, including the NC,” the statement concluded.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party on Monday announced its support in to Sajjad Gani Lone-led Peoples Conference (PC) in the Baramulla Lok Sabha segment.

The announcement, as per a local news agency, was made by Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari during a press conference in Srinagar.

The extension of support by the Apni Party has come after Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone sought support from the former 'to put an end to anti-NC vote fragmentation,' which, as per Lone, has historically helped the National Conference.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference has announced party Chairperson Sajjad Gani Lone as its candidate for the North Kashmir seat.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (PC) on Monday declared its president Sajad Gani Lone as the Lok Sabha candidate from North Kashmir.

In a statement, issued to the news agency KNO, the party's General Secretary Imran Raza Ansari said that the decision has been taken after extensive discussions with party leaders and workers over the past two weeks.

"It is with great pleasure that I formally announce that Sajad Lone has acceded to the demand of the party. He will be the candidate of the party from Baramulla Parliamentary seat," he said.

He stated that the party leadership wishes him the best and believes that the fiercest speeches on the floor of the Parliament, advocating the just cause of the people will finally be delivered by Sajad Lone after a painful wait of seven decades. "The people of J&K will finally get the chance to roar," he said.

SRINAGAR — Leaders of mainstream political parties in the Valley have accused the government of imposing restrictions on Martyr’s Day to prevent leaders from going to Mazar-e-Shohda where a function has been held every year since 1948 in memory of those who revolted against the Dogra rule on July 13, 1931.

National Conference, according to the news agency KDC tweeted, “Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs.”

Omar Abdullah, while tagging the Twitter handle of Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “Don’t think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I’ll walk to where I have to get to & that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”

“Now that I’ve got to the office & will go ahead with my programme, you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, Ali Mohammad Sagar Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others," he said in another tweet.

Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state, Mehbooba Mufti was also barred by authorities to pay homage to 1931 Martyrs.

PDP said, “President Mehbooba Mufti has been put under house arrest & curbs imposed on the movement of senior leaders. Sad the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for democracy are being dishonoured. Vehemently condemn the action of admin preventing us from commemorating the martyrs.”

Peoples Conference said, “Disturbed by the authorities' decision to restrict the JKPC Provincial President Kashmir Khurshid Alam movement from paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir at Mazhar-e-Shohada in Khanyar today.”

Alam stated that it is unfortunate that he along with other leaders of the party were unjustly detained and denied the opportunity to lead a peaceful gathering of party leaders and workers to offer prayers and pay tributes to the martyrs at Mazar-e-Shohda.

“This restriction on our peaceful assembly is deeply concerning and infringes upon our right to commemorate the martyrs. Despite this setback, our determination remains unwavering. We shall continue to honour and remember the martyrs in our hearts and work towards achieving their vision of a just and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir,” he concluded.

For the fourth consecutive year, no function was held to commemorate the Martyrs' Day in Kashmir to pay homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931, officials said on Wednesday.

July 13 was a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and a grand official function was held every year on this day where the Chief Minister or the Governor would be the chief guest.

However, the administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370 and splitting of the erstwhile state into two union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

No function was held at the Martyrs' graveyard in the city while no holiday was observed for the third time on Thursday. Apart from the official function at the Martyrs' graveyard, mainstream political leaders also used to visit it to pay homage to the 22 Kashmiris who fell to the bullets of the Dogra army while protesting the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh.

However, the officials said, this year no mainstream political leader visited the graveyard. They added that there were no restrictions on the movement of people.

SRINAGAR — National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, JKPC chief Sajjad Lone and former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday asked the government to come clean on the issue of “Home to Homeless”.

Omar Abdullah said that before providing land to the homeless, the Jammu and Kashmir Government should clarify which people it is counting as homeless. “Are those who arrived in J&K just a week ago also counted as homeless? I believe those who arrived in Kashmir after 2019 should not be included in the scheme. We are aware that the government has brought in a large number of outsiders to J&K since August 2019,” he said responding to a question by media on the sidelines of a function in Budgam.

He said that the government should first explain what yardstick it was employing to establish homelessness.

Responding to another question on the Union government's proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, Omar Abdullah said, “The National Conference would not support any proposal that would harm the country's minorities. As of now, there is no concrete draft of a UCC for us to respond to.”

Omar said that the government also had to understand that when the laws of the country were being made after independence, at that time Jawaharlal Nehru and his colleagues talked about a uniform civil code for the country but the Sangh Parivar opposed it because “they did not want such a law. we will wait for what will be the proposals of the government and how we will take everyone together and as far as the question of the National Conference is concerned, we will not support any draft that harms the minorities.”

J&K People's Conference President, Sajjad Gani Lone, also strongly emphasized the need for the government to clarify the eligibility criteria for 'Land for Landless' scheme and restrict land allocation solely to the erstwhile state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir, without including any new domicile holders after August 5, 2019.

In a statement released to the news agency GNS, Lone expressed concerns regarding the eligibility criteria for land allocation to the landless and homeless in J&K and urged the administration to provide a clear and unequivocal clarification on the issue.

“Now that questions are being raised, it will be prudent for the state administration to make it clear whether providing land to the landless and homeless, comprises of only the erstwhile domicile holders pre-August 5, 2019. Per se, if lists have been framed prior to 2019, as asserted by the Rural Development Department, the list will not comprise any newcomers. Clarification is a must,” he said.

Lone further asserted that it is crucial to uphold the rights of the erstwhile state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir when allocating land to the landless and homeless. "To protect the interests of the local population, the government must clearly specify that no new domicile holders after August 5, 2019, should be included in the land allocation process”, he added.

Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir also asked the government to come clean on the issue of homes to homeless families and apprise people as to who is homeless and how they have been categorized.

The move is being considered another assault on J&K after downgrading it into two UTs. People are feeling threatened and apprehensive about their future given the misadventure and unexpected decisions of the BJP government from time to time.

Commenting on the new policy of home to homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir, Mir said the government should act in a responsible manner and explain as to who are the homeless families and how they have been categorized. "The aspirations of the people must be taken into consideration before moving ahead on this count," Mir said.

“We believe this policy has made people more restless because they are feeling that the move is another assault on J&K, which should not happen, so government must act in a responsible manner and avoid any further confrontation in J&K,” Mir said, adding, “There will be no compromises on rights, urges and aspirations of people in J&K, who are the victim of BJP’s vindictive policies.”

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while taking note of the “prompt” clarification by the government on the press conference about housing for the poor held by its president Mehbooba Mufti expresses dismay at the lingering lack of transparency in the process.

According to a party spokesperson, the main question of a sharp jump in the numbers of homeless ‘people’ from 1947 to 2021 to nearly two lahks ‘households’ remains unaddressed. PMAY has been in operation for decades in the state under different titles and a procedure has been in place which always was monitored by GoI itself from identification to execution levels.

The assistance would be given generally to the poorest landholders and in the case of people without land, there was a process in place to allot them land out of the community lands like Kahcharai, state land, Khalisa etc.

“The claim that two lakh identified households still remain homeless raises doubts about the sharp increase. Either the exercise is flawed or the intentions are suspect,” he said in a statement.

The spokesman said the latest announcement made at the highest level comes close on the heels of the allotment of tenements to non-local workers in Jammu. "Does any state in the country reciprocate this for thousands of workers, hawkers, and small vendors who move to the plains during winter?"

“It is, therefore, necessary for the government to come out with a detailed clarification on the process of identification of beneficiaries,” the statement added.

SRINAGAR — In the first-ever election in Peoples Conference history, senior politician and former MLA Sajjad Gani Lone was elected as president of the party, which was founded in 1978.

Addressing a news conference here, former minister and head of the party’s election authority, Syed Basharat Bukhari said that Sajjad Gani Lone was today elected unopposed as president of the party. “We have received eight sets of nominations and all of them have proposed the name of Sajjad Gani Lone for the post,” he told reporters as per the news agency KNO.

Bukhari said Lone would be administered the oath of office on November 10 in presence of all 732 members of the party’s electoral college.

Bukhari, who was flanked by senior party leaders Peerzada Mansoor Ahmad and Muhammad Ashraf Mir, said that Lone would soon constitute his new team.

56-year-old Lone took over leadership of the Peoples Conference after the assassination of his father Abdul Gani Lone by militants on May 22, 2002, at Eidgah Srinagar.

Lone contested the maiden Assembly from Handwara in 2014 and defeated his nearest rival by around 5000 votes. Not only Handwara, he also ensured the victory of the party candidate, Bashir Ahmad Dar, from the nearby Kupwara Assembly segment, registering the best-ever performance of the party in its electoral history.

Since his entry into politics, Lone has revived and strengthened PC and made it a pan-Kashmir force. Lone, a vocal supporter of J&K’s special status, was detained on August 5, 2019, and was kept in detention for more than a year.

An Economics graduate from Cardiff University, Lone was selected for Chevening Fellowship but he opted out of the programme due to his engagements.

In 2015, he was also featured in the Khaleej Times list of six Indians who have recently made a mark in their respective fields. Others on the list included Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and Saina Nehwal (athlete).

Lone is married to Asma Khan Lone, who is a postgraduate in International Relations from Cambridge University. Lone has twin sons who recently secured admission to the London School of Economics and the University of California.

SRINAGAR — A day after senior National Conference leader and former MLA Javed Rana dubbed Sajad Lone as a “former militant”, Peoples Conference on Wednesday said that NC president and former CM Dr Farooq Abdullah’s “partnership” with Ikhwan and what he got them to do under the table would put a third grade Bollywood villain to shame.

In a series of tweets, according to news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), PC lashed out at NC for dubbing Sajad Lone as a “militant”. “This is typical of them. They call us a New Delhi man in Kashmir; they call us a militant in Jammu; and when in Delhi, they call us a Pakistani man,” PC tweeted.

The PC’s remarks came a day after NC leader Javed Rana called Sajad Lone a “former militant” in Omar Abdullah’s presence.

The PC alleged that NC has got hundreds of Kashmiris killed or jailed through a slander campaign. The party asked NC if that wasn't Dr Farooq Abdullah who held a joint rally with Ikhwan founder Kuka Parray.

“If the NC wants a debate on who has killed who, we are ready for it. Was it not Dr Farooq Abdullah who held a joint rally with an Ikhwani by the name of Kuka Parray. Is it not the same Kuka Parray who has dozens and dozens of murders to his name,” the party tweeted.

The party said that Farooq Abdullah’s partnership with Ikhwan would put a third grade Bollywood villain to shame.

“What Dr Farooq Abdullah ordered as a CM and how many Kashmiri Muslims he killed is a different matter. But his partnership with the Ikhwan and what he got them to do under the table would put a third grade Bollywood villain to shame,” the party tweeted.

The PC said that they are part of the mass tortured Kashmiri and have condemned violence in all its forms and manifestations.

SRINAGAR — The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir criticized the directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with regard to the constitution of Village Defense Guards (VDGs) in the Union Territory.

Pertinently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the formation of Village Defence Guards in Jammu and Kashmir.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former J&K chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti said the formation of VDGs is contrary to the Government of India’s claims regarding normalcy in J-K.

In a tweet, she also stated that such a move will create a wedge between the communities here.

“MHAs move to form Village Defence Committees across J&K is another addition to a slew of decisions that contradict GOIs much-touted normalcy claims. Clearly, J&K is far from any semblance of normalcy. It will also create a wedge between communities,” Mehbooba tweeted.

National Conference (NC) spokesman, Imran Nabi Dar told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the move is a stark acceptance by the Government of India that the situation is not good in Jammu and Kashmir. “The government has accepted that there is large-scale militancy in J&K and that’s why they are finding a need to form a particular group,” he said.

“The other important thing is that the group should not be formed in a way that would put communities against each other as has happened in the past. We are witness to incidents earlier wherein some VDC members used their weapons against their own persons. Therefore, the move will have repercussions and the government needs to come up with better alternatives and they need to accept that everything is not good as is being claimed,” Dar said.

Apni Party spokesman, Javid Hassan Beig told KNO that the government should have instead strengthened the security grid rather than providing weapons to the civilians.

“To curb militancy, such measures are being taken, but at the same time, there is every possibility of repercussion when a civilian is being asked to take a weapon. I believe that it is the belt and uniform that makes a person accountable, but in the case of civilians, there is hardly any possibility of accountability,” he said, adding that the government should have focused on strengthening the security grid by coming up with fresh recruitments in police and other forces.

Peoples Conference (PC) spokesman, Adnan Ashraf termed it as a disturbing development as the actions of VDCs in the past are known to all and it creates a perception that one community is being armed and supported by the government, which in result may not be conducive for maintaining peace in mixed populations.

“We have seen in the past how VDC members committed atrocities on people of that region and the reason behind banning VDCs in the past was the excesses of these people. I think the government should revisit its decision to create VDGs and if the law and order in such areas are not under control, the state police force has enough manpower and ability to maintain law and order. The creation of VDGs is an unnecessary step and it will only lead to a negative perception among the minority communities in those regions that these groups have been formed against them,” he said.

CPI (M) senior leader and former Kulgam legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that the decision must be revisited as it is unwarranted amid the government claims about normalcy and decline in violence.

“There are reportedly dozens of cases registered in police stations against the misconduct of many of VDCs, which were constituted at a time when the militancy was rising and now when the government claims that violence has come down and normalcy is restored, then what is the necessity of reconstitution of these VDGs,” he said.

He added, "One wonders as this is in contradiction to the government claims. CPI (M) strongly feels that such measures are unwarranted at this time and must be revisited,” he said, adding that priority should be to provide relief to the people and ensure that restrictions imposed on the movement of political, social activities must be withdrawn."