The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A tragic incident unfolded in Parimpora area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district on Monday afternoon, resulting in the death of a man who fell unconscious while driving.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the deceased was identified as Suhaib Jeelani, son of Ghulam Jeelani, hailing from Hazari Bagh Rainawari. Jeelani lost consciousness while driving his vehicle near Parimpora.

Emergency services swiftly responded, transporting Jeelani to JVC Srinagar for urgent medical attention. However, sources indicate that he experienced a neurological complication during treatment, which ultimately proved fatal.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with police acknowledging the matter.

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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.

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SRINAGAR — In what could be termed as punitive action against the local population for resisting the installation of smart meters, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has snapped the power supply to Rainawari areas of Srinagar city.

The move triggered a protest on Thursday. Dozens of ladies hit the road and blocked the traffic at the main chowk Rainawari here in old Srinagar city.

Amid slogans against the KPDCL and the administration, the protesters said that for the last two days, parts of Rainawari have been reeling under darkness. They alleged that KPDCL snapped the power supply to punish them for resisting the installation of smart meters.

“KPDCL is acting as a dictator, seeking help from law enforcement agencies to suppress people. We won’t be able to pay hefty power bills if smart meters are installed in our area. The government is forcing us to bow down,” one of the female protesters told the news agency KNT.

The installation of smart meters has created protests everywhere in Srinagar city. In some places, agitated people damaged the smart meters, prompting KPDCL to register police cases against the protesters.

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SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that announcement with regard to elections in J&K will be made once the final voter list and other preparations are completed.

He also lashed out at the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that Abdullah and Sons and Mufti and Co are responsible for the killing of 42,000 people in J&K.

Addressing a massive rally at Baramulla district of northern Kashmir, Shah said that the announcement about elections in J&K will be made once the formalities like completion of the final voter list and other preparations are completed. “Process is on and preparations are in a full swing,” he said, as per the news agency KNO.

Taking a jibe at NC and PDD, Shah said that Abdullah and Sons and Mufti and Co are responsible for the killing of 42,000 people as these families did politics for their personal gains and left people suffering. “These families looted J&K resources for their personal benefit and did nothing for the common man,” he said.

Shah said that Baramulla was once a hotbed of militancy and militant-related activities were common here but “today this place is the hot spot of tourists.” “Sprawling Gulmarg is the skiers’ paradise, the shrines and the breathtaking snow-clad mountains of this place are attracting tourists in large numbers,” he said.

He said that without Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the development of J&K was impossible. “Today, we have the best roads, rail links, bridges and hospitals,” Shah said, adding that “we have nine medical colleges to J&K besides AIIMS and nursing colleges.”

Shah said that Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis will be given due reservation as they were deprived of the benefits of democracy for the past 75 years. The Home Minister praised Maqbool Sherwani for his role against Pakistani invaders.

He also laid the foundation stone of various power, road and Jal Shakti projects. He said that the Government of India will talk to the youth, not Pakistan. “I am ready to talk to the youth of J&K on any issue but not Pakistan,” he said. Shah was in J&K on a three-day visit and flew back late this afternoon.

In Baramulla, Amit Shah halts his speech for Azaan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paused his speech midway for Azaan, the Muslim call for prayers, during his public rally in this north Kashmir town on Wednesday.

According to the news agency KNO, Shah halted his speech when he heard Azaan from a nearby Masjid in Baramulla. Shah resumed his speech after the Azaan was over.

Shah here addressed thousands of people who had come from different parts of Kashmir to participate in the rally.

Amit Shah visits slain cop’s family in Baramulla's Uri

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the residence of a slain cop, Mudasir Sheikh, in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said here.

Officials told the news agency KNS that the Home Minister visited the residence of the slain cop, who was killed by militants during an encounter in Kreeri area of the district earlier this year.

Shah expressed his commiserations with the parents and other family members of Sheikh and prayed for his soul.

Shah lauds efforts of security agencies for curbing militancy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Srinagar, officials said here where he stressed making J&K militancy-free.

Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation and lauded the relentless and coordinated efforts of the security forces to curb militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The top officials told the news agency KNS that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Director IB, DGs of various Central armed police forces, J&K Police and Army officials were present in the meeting.

The officials said that Shah has directed the security grid to intensify the anti-militancy operation in Jammu and Kashmir to turn it into a militancy-free zone so that people here will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and will taste a real democracy.

"Chaired a meeting to review the security situation of J&K in Srinagar. People of J&K is witnessing a new era of peace, progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji. applaud the relentless & coordinated efforts of our security forces to curb terrorism," the HM said in a tweet.

Amit Shah gives appointment orders to families of four slain cops

Union Home Minister Amit Shah handed over appointment letters to the kin of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who were killed in militant-related incidents in Kashmir.

The Home Minister shared photos on Twitter of his meeting with the relatives of the police personnel killed by militants in the Kashmir valley.

“Met the family members of the Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who were killed while fighting against militants and handed over appointment letters to the kin of four such martyrs,” Shah in a tweet said and lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s efforts in fighting against militancy and said the entire country salutes their sacrifice.

According to officials, the families were given job letters by the Home Minister at the Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday late evening.

Notably, the HM is on a three-day tour of J&K, starting Monday. On Tuesday, he visited Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at Katra and also addressed a public rally in Rajouri following which he reached Srinagar.

Amit Shah visits Gurudwara Chati Patshahi in Rainawari

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited Gurudwara Chati Patshahi in Rainawari area of Srinagar.

An official told the news agency KNO that Shah paid obeisance at Gurudwara Chati Patshahi. He said that Shah was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha and other senior officials, besides several senior BJP leaders.

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