Senior party leader Harish Rawat made this announcement in New Delhi after the CWC meeting called to choose the successor of Rahul Gandhi who had resigned after the party lost the Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that Sonia Gandhi is the “new Congress President”.
(ANI)
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On 5th August 2019, ten days before India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a gift of Independence to Jammu and Kashmir. The Article 370 which was a noose around the neck of India was abrogated and the state was bifurcated into Union Territories of Ladakh and that of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a historic moment for all Indians living in and outside India.
There are several myths surrounding the Article 370. Here, I shall try to address these one by one.
People say that it was a condition of J&Ks merger to India. Nothing could be further than truth. Only 3 months after India’s independence in August 1947, Jammu & Kashmir was attacked by Pashtoon Kabailis supported by Pakistan Army. Their mission was to annex the Muslim majority Kashmir valley with Pakistan – the ‘unfinished business of partition’ that Pakistan often refers to. The Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh who initially wanted to stay independent from both Pakistan and India had to sign a document of Accession with India in return of armed assistance. There were no conditions to this Accession.
The UN resolution on Kashmir of 1948 declared Pakistan an aggressor and asked it to vacate the land that it had illegally grabbed. India was asked to secure law and order in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir including the annexed part and hold a plebiscite to ascertain people’s choice on merger with India or Pakistan. Needless to say Pakistan never fulfilled the condition of vacating the occupied land that it had annexed. Still there was no Article 370.
So, where does this Article come from? Well, like all princely states of the Indian Union, Jammu and Kashmir had set up a constituent assembly to determine which parts of Indian Constitution would apply to them. In 1949 while all other states accepted the Indian Constitution in totality, Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly asked for time to come to a conclusion. As a result a ‘temporary and transient’ Article 370 was inserted in the Indian Constitution, which stipulated that the other articles of the Constitution that gave powers to the Central Government would be applied to Jammu and Kashmir only with the concurrence of the State’s constituent assembly.
This ‘temporary provision’ was intended to last till the formulation and adoption of the State’s constitution. However, the State’s constituent assembly dissolved itself on 25 January 1957 without recommending either abrogation or amendment of the Article 370. Thus the Article has become a permanent feature of the Indian constitution. It must be stated here that J&K constitution adopted on 17 November 1956 clearly enshrines in its preamble that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is and shall be an integral part of the Union of India. The unresolved question of Article 370 looks therefore as a deliberate mischief as it directly contradicts the intention of the J&K Constituent Assembly.
Second myth that’s doing the rounds is that Article 370 gave special status to the people of Kashmir. One might be mistaken for thinking that this special status makes all J&K citizens prosperous and self sufficient. The facts are disappointing. Ladakh with 58% land mass and most iconic scenery doesn’t have a higher education institution and young students have to travel to Jammu for further education. Jammu region only in the past 3 decades has got some infrastructure but compared to any other district in India, it is severely lagging behind both in quality and quantity. Be it water, electricity, job opportunities, trade, industry – it is very sparse and compared to the population it services; woefully inadequate. So where do the central funds to the tune of ₹7,000/head go?
You can see palatial houses, wide roads and reliable electricity and transport connections in Srinagar city and around Dal Lake. As you go further out, the condition of the poor farmer tilling fields or a shikarawala is very similar to a vegetable vendor in Jammu. The pumping of central funds has made the politicians from Kashmir valley super rich but hasn’t alleviated the lives of common people of the valley who have been kept busy with the dangerous toys of Jihad. Literacy rate, especially among women is one of the lowest in the country and infant mortality rate among the highest. The special status obviously hasn’t helped where it should and only corruption and nepotism has thrived.
There’s is another myth; around protection of demographic uniqueness of the state through Article 370. This is often linked to the promise of plebiscite as per UN resolution. This argument falls flat on its face when we realize that Pakistan has flooded the Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) with Punjabis and Mirpuris who have no cultural, heritage and linguist connection with erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir; while the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir reserves 24 unelectable seats for PoJK districts.
Ladakh, a Buddhist majority district was flooded with Muslims and now the balance is 50:50. Kashmiri Hindus, the aboriginals of the land with 5000 years of civilizational connect to Bharat and Sanatan Dharma were systematically thrown out of the valley to create a 100% Muslim majority state. Hills of Jammu which reverberated with sounds of temple bells has been flooded with Muslims from Kashmir who buy property at a premium and Rohingyas who surrounded critical infrastructure and institutions. Hindu refugees from West Pakistan streaming in since 1947 have not been given state subject while Rohingyas are seen with Adhaar cards and jobs. Under the garb of Article 370 no Indian can settle in Jammu and Kashmir, so the demographic changes we see in Jammu and Ladakh have been systematically engineered by vested interests.
Under the garb of Article 370 state subject laws were manipulated to suit a patriarchal, regressive arrangement. A man could marry anyone from India, abroad or even Pakistan and his state subject rights would remain unchanged. He, his spouse and children would be able to study, get a job, own property, set up a business in Jammu and Kashmir unhindered. A woman upon marrying had to reapply for her state subject certificate. If she married a man from outside of the state, she would lose all rights stipulated by her maiden state subject including inheritance, jobs and education.
Under the garb of Article 370 many weaker sections of the society were disadvantaged as the state legislative assembly didn’t adopt laws such as The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 , Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, The Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, Hindu Marriage Act , RTI Act , Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act, Religious Endowment Act, Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, National Commission for Minorities Act and so on.
This meant that menial workers, SC/STs, nomadic people and forest dwellers didn’t have their rights protected as in the rest of India. Valmikis for example, even if a PhD could not get any job except for a sweeper in the state government – something unheard of in the rest of India. Minority reservations were granted to the Muslim population which was incidentally a majority in the state. Tax avoidance was rampant and there was no right to information. There are 106 such central laws that will now be applicable in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and union territory of Ladakh post abrogation of Article 370.
As an Indian, I am really pleased that abrogation of Article 370 will bring the same accountability, transparency and rule of law to Jammu and Kashmir that the rest of Indians take for granted. Central funds that were previously diverted to the coffers of ruling clans such as Abdullahs and Muftis will now be utilised in building the lives of ordinary citizens of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. There will be roads and trains, educational institutions and industry, water and electricity, tourism and jobs in an appropriate proportion to all the regions. As a Union Territory both Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir will prosper without corruption. Ladakh and Jammu will get their due share of development and growth.
The prospect of losing control over the narrative and power is currently driving certain sections of media and politicians in a frenzied opposition to the move. They feel that elections, education and employment will empower the ordinary citizen of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh and throw them out of the business of minting money. Ordinary Indians should stand with their fellow countrymen from Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh as they will taste real independence after 70 years of independence. Let’s give this seed time to grow.
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The NSA was seen interacting with locals and roaming on the streets here, mingling with children, ‘maulvis,’ workers, and passersby.
In a video, which has gone viral on social media, the NSA is seen mingling with shepherds at a ‘mandi’ in Anantnag. Someone is heard asking one of the shepherds if he knows who is he interacting with. The man replies in negative.
Doval is then heard saying, “That is not a problem (Nahi, Wo Koi Baat Nahi).”
In another video, the NSA is heard asking locals if they are facing any problems. The locals are then seen complaining about lack of network connectivity, saying that they are not able to talk to anyone.
The NSA was also seen chiding a child on whether he was happy at schools being closed.
The Valley was limping back to normalcy with the town witnessing normal traffic as people thronged ATMs to collect cash for the upcoming festival. Autos and cars were seen plying on the roads and several of the shops remained open.
Doval has been camping in Kashmir ever since the Central government announced its decision to scrap Article 370. He is reviewing the situation on ground zero.
On Tuesday, after holding several meeting with local officials, the NSA had found that locals were supportive of the decision and felt that the change was well planned, a source privy to the developments told ANI.
The NSA in the past few days has visited several parts of the valley interacting with locals to assess the situation on the ground.
Doval had visited downtown Srinagar on Friday where he spent two hours talking to locals.
On August 7, the NSA had visited Shopian where he met locals assuring them that their welfare was the government’s prime concern.
In Shopian, Doval also met CRPF personnel in the presence of Jammu Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh, where he lauded them for their professionalism.
(ANI)
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On August 5, President Ram Nath Kovind had signed on the Constitution (application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 2019. The order, issued under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution, paved the way for taking away ‘special status’ granted to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The said Article empowers the President to apply all other Articles except Articles 1, 238 and 370 of the Constitution, to Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, Article 370 cannot be modified by way of a Presidential order under Article 370(1)(d),” the litigant said in its plea.
The petition has been filed by a Kashmiri lawyer, Shakir Shabir, who has sought direction for the government to prevent all forms of human rights violation and exercise restraint while dealing with the bonafide citizens of the nation.
He has contended that the Presidential order which had amended Article 367 is unconstitutional and void as it resulted in the scrapping of Article 370 that could not have been done in the manner in which it was done.
Earlier this week, the Parliament had passed the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019 with 370 votes in its favour and 70 against it. The Parliament also passed the resolution revoking Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
On Friday, President Kovind gave his nod to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, making it into law.
The reorganisation bill provides for the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh without legislature and a separate one for Jammu and Kashmir with the legislature.
Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will come into existence as separate Union Territories on October 31.
(ANI)
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“The order dated August 5 issued under section 144 CrPC, within Municipal Limits of Jammu district is hereby withdrawn,” read the order issued by Sushma Chauhan, District Magistrate, Jammu.
As per the order, all schools, colleges and academic institutions that are closed can resume functioning normally from Saturday.
Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Muneer Khan said the situation is normal in Jammu as well as in Kashmir. “In Jammu, the situation is normal. In Kashmir, the situation is under control. All steps necessary to maintain law and order will be taken,” Khan said.
The district administration has also ordered to reopened schools. However, colleges will remain shut. “I want to inform the students that the teachers are also on their way to schools. There is nothing to worry,” an official said.
Neelu Sharma, Principal of Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School Udhampur, said: “As per order of Chief Education Officer and District administration, the school was reopened almost after five days. As section 144 was imposed, several roads were blocked by the security forces. Despite having troubles reaching school, almost all our staff members are present here.”
Sharma also added that students are so happy to be back in school after a break.
Echoing her opinion, several students have expressed their happiness over the district administration’s decision to reopen the schools in the state.
On August 5, the government had imposed restrictions under Section 144 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Jammu and Srinagar districts, which is to remain in force till further orders.
Section 144 was imposed in the backdrop of the annulment of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs–Jammu and Kashmir with legislative assembly and Ladakh without it. (ANI)
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The meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 am at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi. The main agenda is to decide Gandhi’s successor.
A day ahead of the all-important meet, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said even a “slightest delay” in choosing the party’s chief is not an option.
“On Sat, a consensus builder party pres INC must be selected. Slightest delay is not an option. In lighter vein, I gave an analogy of wise men of Vatican locked in a room indefinitely until they got a nomination! Subsequently, it has to be followed by full intra party elections,” he tweeted.
Many names are doing rounds for the post of Congress president, but no consensus has been achieved.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has batted for a young leader to head the party, while Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora suggested the name of party leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot to take up the responsibility.
A few leaders like Shashi Tharoor have suggested that an interim president be appointed at the earliest.
Unequivocally ruling himself out of the race, Deora had recommended the names of Pilot and Scindia for the post of party president.
Concurring with the proposal made by Singh for the appointment of a young leader to the top post, Deora had told ANI that either of the two must be given the responsibility, as this will strengthen the governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
On being asked if the party will accept a ‘non-Gandhi’ president, Deora had said he does not see any reason why senior leaders would not accept Amarinder’s proposal.
A lawmaker from Wayanad constituency, Gandhi had offered to step down from the post of Congress president at the CWC meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for the party’s drubbing in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
However, his offer to resign was unanimously rejected by the CWC with several top leaders rallying behind him to continue to lead the party.
Almost two months after that, not only did the 49-year-old leader make his resignation public, but also removed the tag of “Congress President” from the bio of his Twitter handle.
Many protests and scores of resignations have come to the fore to stop Rahul Gandhi from resigning. Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled states had met with Gandhi in Delhi to advice him to reconsider his decision to resign but of no avail.
The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than its 2014 Lok Sabha results.
(ANI)
]]>“Despite adverse weather conditions and widespread inundation in affected areas, a total of 14 rescue teams of the Western Naval Command, including five teams from Goa Naval Area, have been operating in Kolhapur, Belgaum and Uttar Kannada districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively since August 5,” read a press release of Indian Navy dated August 8.
“The teams have been deployed using Indian Navy Dornier aircraft and ALH helicopters as well as the Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters from Goa, Mumbai and Pune. Some teams had even proceeded by road when flying operations could not be undertaken. The naval rescue teams are equipped with Gemini rubber boats, loud hailers, first aid kits, life jackets and life buoys,” the release read.
Some rescue teams also include specialist Naval Divers and diving equipment. Several hundreds of people more have been rescued from Chikhli to safer areas at Sontali and Kolhapur.
“In Karnataka, the rescue team proceeded to Hinduwada in Malapur area and evacuated many more people giving priority to women, children and critically ill patients to safer areas. Another team was deployed to Kovadu village in Belgaum district. A total of 869 people have been moved to safety in Karnataka,” the release said. (ANI)
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