Omar Abdullah backs Rahul Gandhi, says LoP’s job is to make govt accountable
SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Friday backed Rahul Gandhi, saying it is the job of the leader of the opposition (LoP) to question the govt and hold it accountable. He said, “If the opposition leader does not question the opposition, then what is the use of him?” Speaking to reporters, he said questions are not raised when the leader of the opposition in Jammu & Kashmir, Sunil Sharma (BJP), “asks useless questions again and again. But when he does it, you enjoy it. When Gandhi does it, you ask why he is doing this.” He said the opposition should not be judged on different scales. “Gandhi is doing what the country expects from him. The job of the opposition leader is to seek answers from the govt and make the govt accountable. Gandhi is doing the same,” he said, adding, “I would like him to continue doing so.” Omar’s remarks came after Gandhi sat on an over-six-hour protest at the Parliament Street police station in Delhi, seeking registration of an FIR on a complaint from a young man who had allegedly suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
NC invites 52 leaders across party lines for J&K statehood protest at Jantar Mantar
Farooq Abdullah reaches out to INDIA bloc, BJP, regional parties and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference has invited 52 political leaders of the country within and outside INDIA Bloc including J&K’s Grand Mufti and Hurriyat Conference chairman and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to join the protest at Jantar Mantar for statehood restoration to J&K on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon session. NC president Farooq Abdullah has reached out to political parties across J&K and leaders from across the country, inviting them to join the peaceful, democratic protest at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. “This is not about one party, one region, or one people. It is about defending India’s federal spirit, upholding the Constitution, and demanding the long-overdue restoration of J&K’s statehood as repeatedly promised,” he said. “We hope every democratic voice across the country will stand united in this collective cause”. Among the 52 prominent political leaders invited for the statehood restoration protest include Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Asaduddin Owaisi, Y S Jagam Mohan Reddy, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Arvind Kejriwal, M A Baby CPI(M) General Secretary, D Raja of CPI, Kapil Sibal, BSP chief Mayawati, BRS President K. Chandrashekar Rao, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Apni Party Chief Altaf Bukhari, J&K Congress chief G A Mir, J&K BJP president Satpal Sharma, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, Hurriyat Conference chairman and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and J&K Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam. In his letter, NC president said the central government had repeatedly assured in parliament that statehood would be restored after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile State into two Union Territories by centre on August 5, 2019. He said despite successful conduct of Assembly elections in 2024 and formation of an elected government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the promise of restoring statehood remains unfulfilled. “This is not merely a delay. It is an affront to the democratic will of an entire people,” he said, adding that the continued denial of statehood undermines the federal character of the Constitution and weakens democratic institutions. “Our protest shall be peaceful, democratic, and constitutional — as it must be, and as it shall be. We are not asking for anything beyond what was promised. Our demands shall not transgress from those which have already promised to us. The cause of federalism is not the cause of one party, one people or one region. It is the cause of every citizen of India who believes that the genius of our constitutional order lies in the balance it strikes between unity and diversity,” Abdullah said. He said the stand for restoration of statehood to J&K is to stand for the integrity of that balance — for the proposition that no people should be governed without their consent, and no promise made in parliament should be allowed to lapse into convenient oblivion. “People of J&K have chosen hope — we have chosen the ballot, the Constitution, and the democratic process that all of us in some way or another have been a part of. We deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect,” the NC president said. “Together, let us send an unambiguous message that the people of J&K remain the guardians of the voice of those who have been made to wait too long,” he added. It would be interesting to see how many of the 52 leaders attend the NC leader’s protest for statehood restoration on July 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the opening day of parliament’s monsoon session. After forming the government, CM Omar in his first cabinet meeting passed a resolution on restoration of statehood and handed copies of the resolution to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other central leaders but there has been no forward movement on the issue in over one and half year’s rule of NC government. Fayaz Wani Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
10 Army personnel killed in a heartbreaking accident in Doda… PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge express grief
Ten soldiers were killed when an army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Doda district. PM Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi expressed their condolences over the accident. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of 10 soldiers in an accident in which an army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Expressing grief over the accident, PM Modi said that we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. The PM prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He said that all possible help is being provided to those affected. An army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others. Immediate need for road safety measures Congress President Kharge posted on the social media platform ‘X’ that he was deeply saddened by the tragic vehicle accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, in which several army personnel made the supreme sacrifice and many others were injured. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones. The nation stands united in profound grief, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also said that many such accidents have occurred in the past. There is an urgent need to strengthen road infrastructure, improve mobility in difficult terrains, and implement road safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking losses. Rahul and Priyanka pay tribute to the martyrs Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, posted on ‘X’, “The news of the death of several of our soldiers and the injury of many others in the accident where an army vehicle fell into a gorge in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely painful. I pay my humble tribute to the martyrs and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers.” He said, “In this hour of grief, we all stand with the bereaved families of our brave soldiers.” Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed grief over the deaths of the soldiers. Priyanka Gandhi posted on ‘X’, “The news of the martyrdom of several soldiers due to the army vehicle falling into a deep gorge in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely saddening. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers.” Edited by: Anil Kumar About the Author Anil Kumar is part of the homepage team at Navbharat Times Digital. He has about 16 years of experience in both print and digital media. He has been associated with Navbharat Times Online since January 2021. He writes news and analysis related to politics and current affairs for the India and Delhi sections on the homepage. Courtesy: Hindi News
J&K’s Valmiki Community Added to Scheduled Caste List, Union Govt Informs Parliament
Jammu and Kashmir’s Valmiki community has now been officially added to the Scheduled Caste list, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment told Parliament on Wednesday. The announcement was made in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha while listing caste inclusion proposals processed in recent years. Minister of State Ramdas Athawale said that Jammu and Kashmir had sent two proposals in the past four years. One of them, related to the Phalahre community, was sent back to the administration because the Registrar General of India wanted more justification. But the proposal for including the Valmiki community had already been approved. “The Valmiki community has now been added to the Scheduled Caste list,” he said. Athawale explained that State and Union Territory governments regularly submit requests to include or remove communities from the Scheduled Caste list. These proposals are examined under fixed rules and must be cleared by both the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. “Only after both bodies agree can the government begin the legal process under Article 341(2),” he said. He placed data before the House showing that several States have sent similar proposals in the last four years. He noted that each request is examined using demographic information and historical records. “All proposals have been processed according to the laid-down procedures, and the government continues to review the submissions,” Athawale said. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rajya Sabha polls: Congress refuses ‘unsafe’ seat in J&K; puts ball in ally NC’s court
NEW DELHI: The Congress will not contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections to four seats in Jammu and Kashmir from the “unsafe” fourth seat, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit announced on Sunday. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra said the party’s central leadership had sought one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that will go to polls separately. However, ally National Conference (NC) offered Congress one of the other two seats, for which polls will be held under a common notification. “All the participants were of the opinion that seat four is not safe (un)like seat one or two. It was unanimously decided that we will not put up our candidate for seat number four. We will leave it to our alliance partners to see what they think about that,” Karra told reporters after a party meeting in Srinagar, according to PTI. “Since the safe seat was not offered to us, we don’t want to contest on seat four,” he added. Karra further said the Congress would open its “channels” with the NC to resolve the impasse. “The inputs from our members will be sent to our central leadership for guidance,” the J&K Congress chief stated. The NC has already named its three candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls, indicating it will use its strength in the assembly to ensure all three emerge victorious. While all three NC nominees are assured of victory even without the support of allies, the fourth candidate of the ruling alliance would need every anti-BJP vote to ensure a clean sweep. The three MLAs of the PDP and one each from the People’s Conference, Awami Ittehad Party, and AAP would have to vote for the ruling alliance’s candidate to secure the fourth seat. Last year, the Congress decided not to be part of the Jammu and Kashmir government despite the NC-Congress alliance winning the September 2024 assembly polls — the region’s first since it became a Union territory in 2019. The upcoming Rajya Sabha polls will be held on October 24. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“State Has Been Downgraded…” Rahul, Kharge Write to PM Modi Demanding Statehood for J&K
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. They called the demand a “legitimate” and “constitutional” aspiration of the people. The letter highlights that J&K’s downgrade from a state to a Union Territory is unprecedented in independent India’s history. The Congress leaders also reminded the Prime Minister of his past promises and statements assuring statehood for the region. The letter comes just ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, intensifying pressure on the Centre to act Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Victims deserve justice’: Rahul Gandhi speaks with Amit Shah, CM Abdullah; receives update on Pahalgam attack
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha on Wednesday spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and took stock of the situation after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing at least 28 tourists. In a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that he has also spoken to chief minister Omar Abdullah and J&K pradesh Congress committee president Tariq Karra over the attack and advocated justice and support for the victims. Follow live updates “Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Rahul said. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The Congress on Tuesday had asked the government to take accountability for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir instead of making “hollow claims” on the situation being normal in the Union Territory, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called to take political parties into confidence. The opposition party denounced the terror attack as a blot on humanity and said it should not go “unanswered effectively.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Delhi after cutting short his two-day trip to Saudi Arabia. The gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam is one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Survivors said the terrorists, believed to be foreigners numbering around six and dressed in Army fatigues, identified their victims by faith, asking them to tell their names and recite Islamic verses before spraying bullets on them from close range. Gunmen struck around 1:30 p.m. in Baisaran meadow — about 7 km from Pahalgam and reachable either by foot or by horses — as scores of tourists were enjoying a regular afternoon, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests. Pahalgam’s meadow is a top sightseeing spot that draws hundreds of visitors daily. Heavy security presence, including checkpoints and armed patrols, provided a sense of security. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Blood on the valley’s trails: Pahalgam terror attack rekindles Jammu and Kashmir’s darkest memories
NEW DELHI: Terror struck at the heart of Kashmir’s tourist belt once again on Tuesday, as militants opened fire on a crowded site in Pahalgam, killing at least 28 people, including two foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, and two locals. The incident, which also left dozens injured, has reignited memories of the valley’s most brutal attacks on civilians over the past three decades. The assault, carried out at one of south Kashmir’s most visited locations, comes just months after the deadly June 2024 attack in Reasi, where pilgrims en route to Vaishno Devi were targeted. Officials described Tuesday’s attack as the deadliest on civilians in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Delhi shortly after the attack, held an emergency meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and external affairs minister S Jaishankar at the airport itself. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah called the attack “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.” J&K terror attack: Live Updates Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said he had spoken with home minister Amit Shah, the J&K chief minister, and Congress leader Tariq Karra to understand the situation. “The families of the victims deserve justice and our fullest support. Hollow claims of normalcy must now give way to concrete action,” Gandhi said. This is not the first time Pahalgam has found itself in the crosshairs. From the abduction of six foreign tourists in 1995, one of whom was later killed, to the 2000 Nunwan base camp massacre that left 32 dead, including Amarnath pilgrims and local vendors, the region has seen more than its share of bloodshed. A pattern of pain The valley’s history is pockmarked with chilling incidents: March 2000, 36 Sikhs were massacred in Chittisinghpora on the eve of President Clinton’s visit. Aug 2002, 9 Amarnath pilgrims were killed in an attack at the Nunwan camp. July 2017, seven Amarnath pilgrims, mostly from Gujarat, were killed in Anantnag. June 2024, a Vaishno Devi-bound bus came under fire in Reasi, killing 10 and injuring 33. From fidayeen assaults on temples to grenade attacks on buses, the targets have mostly remained the same: pilgrims, tourists, migrant workers, and minority communities. As the nation mourns yet another tragedy, pressure is mounting on the Centre and state administration to move beyond statements and deliver actionable security reforms. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Pahalgam terrorist attack: Search operation under way, J&K on high alert – Top development
NEW DELHI: At least 28 people were killed after terrorists opened fire in group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam is one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. According to survivors, 6 foreign terrorists dressed in Army fatigues, identified their victims by faith asking them to tell their names and recite Islamic verses before spraying bullets on them from close range. Here are the top development PM Modi holds key meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday landed in Delhi after cutting his two-day Saudi Arabia trip short. Immediately after touching down, PM Modi chaired a key meet with national security advisor Ajit Doval, EAM S Jaishankar and others to discuss the situation in view of the Pahalgam terror attack. Follow live updates Meanwhile, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also preponed her arrival in India from her official visit to the US and Peru. Sitharaman arrived in the US on Sunday for a six-day visit, after which she was scheduled to travel to Peru for a five-day trip. Rahul speaks with Amit Shah, CM Omar Abdullah Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and took stock of the situation after the terror attack In a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that he has also spoken to chief minister Omar Abdullah and J&K pradesh Congress committee president Tariq Karra over the attack and advocated justice and support for the victims. “Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Rahul said. The Congress on Tuesday had asked the government to take accountability for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir instead of making “hollow claims” on the situation being normal in the Union Territory, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called to take political parties into confidence. The opposition party denounced the terror attack as a blot on humanity and said it should not go “unanswered effectively.” Search operation under way, J&K on high alert Security forces carried out a major manhunt, combing the area to track down the terrorists responsible. “The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” the Indian army’s Chinar Corps said in a statement overnight. Security has been beefed up since the attack, with streets being deserted in the usually bustling tourist area. Additionally, security forces and forensic team also conducted search operation at the Baisaran picnic spot in Pahalgam. Defence officials told that Indian Army ALH Dhruv helicopters have been allowed to fly in the areas around Srinagar, J&K and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Army foils infiltration bid in Baramulla Meanwhile, the security forces also foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Baramulla. According to Indian Army, terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Baramulla’s Uri Nala. “On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla (in north Kashmir),” Chinar Corps said in a post on X. The alert troops on the LoC challenged and intercepted the infiltrators, resulting in a firefight, the army said. “The operation is in progress,” it added. Kashmir bandh In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have extended their support to the call for a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown) on Wednesday to condemn the attack and show solidarity with the victims’ families. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has appealed to the people to make the Bandh a “complete success” and join in condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. In a social media post on X, JKNC wrote, “On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success.” Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and supported the shutdown, calling it an “attack on all of us.” “The Chamber and Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists. I appeal all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn’t just an attack on a select few–it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents,” Mufti posted on X. Tourists flee Kashmir Following the attacks, a wave of fear and uncertainty has gripped tourists as many of them vacated hotels in Srinagar, Anantnag and Gulmarg. Chandrakant Kale, an IMD official from Pune, had just left Pahalgam with his wife moments before the attack. “We came to know about it while we were on the way to Srinagar. I felt totally shaken,” Kale said over the phone. Pune-based lawyer Vijaysinh Thombare, currently in Srinagar with his wife NCP neta Rupali Patil-Thombare, said tourists are alarmed and eager to leave. “Most of us are scared and want to leave J&K as soon as possible,” he said. “We were at Pahalgam Sunday, then moved to Gulmarg the following day. Today, we were enjoying a gondola ride when soldiers instructed all tourists to vacate and return to hotels,” he added. Many tourists in Pahalgam and surrounding areas left for Srinagar, vacating hotels. “They panicked and didn’t want to stay,” a hotelier said. However, they couldn’t proceed to Jammu due to the highway being closed because of landslides. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human