Tag: Article 370

Senior BJP leader MK Ajatshatru Singh

At UN, Maharaja Hari Singh’s Grandson Hails Indian Govt’s Decision To Abrogate Article 370

By LokMarg

Senior BJP leader MK Ajatshatru Singh in his address to the United Nations hailed the Government of India’s bold decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajatshatru, the grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh who had signed the treaty of accession of the region with India in 1947 expressed his deep concern for the plight of those living under Pakistan occupation and sought UN intervention to ameliorate them.

In his address at the UN on Friday, the senior BJP leader said, “Since the constitutional reforms in 2019, there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents in the region. From 2004 to 2014, Jammu and Kashmir experienced a total of 7,217 terrorist incidents. However, thanks to the reforms, terror incidents have decreased by over 70 per cent. This improvement underscores the effectiveness of the government’s actions in restoring peace and stability to the region.”

“Moreover, on the socio-economic front, the reduction of poverty in Jammu and Kashmir from 40.45 per cent in 2005-2006 to a mere 2.81 per cent in 2022-2023 is a testament to the optimal utilization of development funds. The recent interim budget for 2024 allocated a substantial USD 14 billion for Jammu and Kashmir, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to the region’s prosperity,” he said.

Ajatshatru said that over the past nine years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable revolution in infrastructure development, including the establishment of new medical colleges, tunnels, railway lines, and civic infrastructure. These advancements have been achieved while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region, said the son of Karan Singh, the titular king of undivided Jammu and Kashmir.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that not all parts of Jammu and Kashmir have benefited equally. Recent protests in regions under Pakistani occupation highlight the growing awareness of economic disparities compared to those under Indian administration.

The former minister appealed to the United Nations to take concrete steps in accordance with Security Council resolutions to ameliorate the situation faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan occupation. It is imperative that the international community addresses their grievances and ensures their fundamental rights are upheld, he concluded. (ANI)

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article 370

Hundreds Throng Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium To Attend Modi’s Rally

By LokMarg

Hundreds of people have gathered outside the Bakshi stadium in Srinagar-where the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally during his visit to the Kashmir, his first since the abrogation of article 370.

Strict security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the visit at Bakshi Stadium, the venue of the rally.

Welcoming their leader, BJP workers draped in party flags were seen chanting ‘Baar Baar Modi Sarkar’.

People expecting PM Modi to announce a development package for the valley, were seen heading to the venue early in the morning.

During his address, PM Modi is expected to announce a slew of projects related to tourism and agriculture.

BJP President Jammu & Kashmir Ravinder Raina said “There is a great deal of enthusiasm here in Kashmir to recieved the PM, this will be a historic rally and the world will see the love that people of Kashmir has for the PM. The PM has done a lot of development in Kashmir and the people appreciate it. We are expecting at least 2 lakh people at this rally. PM is speaking about Sabka Saath and Sabka Vishwas and today we see complete peace in Kashmir.”

However, the opposition parties claim that the Prime Minister is yet to fulfill his promises to the people.

National Conference leader, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad told ANI, “It is good that Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi) wil address a rally in Kashmir. This is the second rally in 15 days. He addressed a rally in Jammu. But i think people are being fooled,” he told ANI ahead of PM Modi’s visit.

“The BJP secured a huge mandate in 2014 and 2019, promising to cool down the inflation, end unemployment,” he said.

In Jammu, Congress leader, Ravinder Sharma told ANI, “PM Modi is welcome in any part of the Country. It is a pre-election rally. He will speak about a lot of things. During his Jammu visit, he inaugurated some projects, which are still incomplete”.

“He (PM Modi) is saying that they have pushed development in the Jammu and Kashmir. But the situation is quite opposite,” the Congress leader alleged.

This is PM Modi’s second visit to the Jammu and Kashmir in more than two weeks. In February 20, PM Modi during his visit addressed rally in Jammu.

The visit comes at a time when regional parties like Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have been pressing for holding simultaneous polls in the Union Territory. (ANI)

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'Article 370 Modi Jammu

Modi Acknowledges Yami’s Article 370

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Yami Gautam-starrer upcoming film ‘Article 370’ while he was addressing a gathering in Jammu on Tuesday.

He said, “I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week… It is a good thing as it will help people in getting correct information.”

Responding to PM Modi’s speech, Yami took to Instagram and wrote, “It is an absolute honour to watch PM @narendramodi Ji talk about #Article370Movie. My team and I really hope that we all exceed your expectations in bringing this incredible story to the screen! “

Yami headlines the upcoming political drama, which marks her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s production debut via B62 Studios. Dhar is the director of 2019 film Uri: The Surgical Strike.

Yami plays Zooni Haksar, an intelligence officer, in the film, which is set in the valley and revolves around the removal of special status to Jammu & Kashmir under Article 370.

The Central government on August 5, 2019, revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated it into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, ‘Article 370’ will hit the screens on February 23. (ANI)

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Supreme Court

Article 370 Verdict Cannot Be Looked At From A Federalism Point Of View: Justice Kaul

By LokMarg

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who retired as a judge of the Supreme Court on December 25, has said that the verdict of the apex court on Article 370 cannot be looked at from a federalism point of view.

The Supreme Court had faced criticism from certain sections of society on its judgement where it had upheld the Centre’s decision on abrogation of Article 370 — a provision in the Constitution that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

In an interview with ANI, Justice Kaul said on Friday, “I believe that the Kashmir verdict cannot be looked at from a federalism generally point of view. It’s not as if what has happened in Kashmir is to be replicated or can be replicated elsewhere. The reason is that Kashmir assimilation in India occurred in a slightly different mode, and therefore, there was a Constituent Assembly, a Constitution, and then assimilation over a period of time by issuance of GOs (government orders) over a period of time. Some shells still remain, and some aspects remain, and in the political wisdom of the government, they decided to do away with it.”

Justice Kaul, was part of the five-judge Constitution bench which on December 11 delivered the verdict on petitions challenging the Centre’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370. The Supreme Court had unanimously held that Article 370 was a “temporary provision”.

Talking to ANI, Justice Kaul explained that, “… So it gave rise too broadly to question apart from any other legal nuances, that is it something which could have been done, and number two whether the process for was correct or not. That could have been done again there’s a unanimous view on it of the judges at present, which is that the introduction of the provision in the chapter where it was and what was envisaged was a temporary measure, not temporary measure till the report was submitted and the new Constitution formed. But it was a slow process of assimilation which is what we have accepted, and ultimately it is fully assimilated now.”

On whether the abrogation of Article would be done in this manner by the Centre, Justice Kaul said that it was a little more complex issue but then it has to be understood in the context of the position which was prevalent, which was that there was no State Assembly which was in existence and the government had adopted a particular notion and went through the Parliament.

“So, it’s not as if suddenly the government accepted it. Many things were debated. Questioning whether it could have been done this way or not. Again, the unanimous view (of the bench) was that it could have been done this, that’s all I can say. Rest is in the judgment,” Justice Kaul added.

Justice Kaul, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017, was also part of the verdict which by majority view (of the judges) turned down the petitioners’ plea to read same-sex marriage as part of the Special Marriage Act — a secular law that recognises inter-faith marriages.

However, the minority view of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Kaul opined on granting civil union rights to the LGBTQ community.

On same-sex marriage judgement, Justice Kual told ANI that the community has various options left with it after the top court’s verdict and the community can ask the government to bring in some laws, and seek reconsideration of the verdict.

“They can wait for some time till the thinking process changes in the society,” he added.

On being asked what he thinks about the system of judges appointing judges (Collegium) is the best mechanism or is there a version of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) system that he would like to recommend, Justice Kaul said, Justice Kaul, who was also a part of the top court Collegium for over a year and that made several recommendations for the appointment and transfer of judges in constitutional courts, said that in retrospect he believes that NJAC was dealt with quickly at that time.

“Yes, I believe, in retrospect it was dealt with quickly at that time. Some of the judges who were party to the bench (which delivered the judgement) later on said that we had made a mistake. I get a cue from that, so maybe it could have been given a chance. Maybe it could have been tweaked or changed,” Justice Kaul told ANI.

“But the post (NJAC) judgment process has brought certain challenges in the Collegium system, not otherwise. I think the Collegium system has been tweaked, but the insistence of the political setup for a larger role than envisaged in the Collegium system has been a matter of some friction,” he added.

The Supreme Court on March 2, 2023, had directed for the constitution of a committee consisting of the CJI, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners in India.

However, the new Bill passed by the Parliament has dropped the CJI from the selection committee to appoint CEC and ECs. The Bill faced criticism from the Opposition saying it would give the executive the power to select CEC and ECs who would favour the ruling party.

On the removal of CJI from the selection committee, Justice Kaul told ANI that the Supreme Court passed its judgement to fill the vacuum that was there earlier because there was no law.

“So what the court said was to fill in a vacuum. It said that because there is no law we are doing this. Now the government in its wisdom has filled that vacuum and has taken through Parliament. So, the law is created by Parliament unless it is challenged (in the top court) and dealt with.”

“Yes, the Election Commission does have a very important role. (In the) past the Election, Commissioners have been appointed that way only. So it’s being debated now because of the Supreme Court judgment. It will be for the court to test this proposition. But somehow the consensus could not be built in Parliament to have Chief Justice or any other nominee or somebody as a third person,” he added.

Justice Kaul also favoured increasing the retirement age of High Court judges, which is 62, to 65 as of Supreme Court judges.

On being asked about his retirement plans, Justice Kaul, who hails from Kashmir, said he has made a bucket list of all those things which he would do post-retirement and made it clear that he would not accept any government posts after retirement.

“Retirement plans are to do what I have not been able to do. Spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren, who are young in age. I used to play golf which I left. Maybe start, listen to music, read books, go and see films, watch plays which I have an interest in. (To) travel, (as) I am very fond of travelling. I have made a bucket list of all those things. Also, I had some interest in Kashmir and would be travelling more there to spend more time there than I had been able to. And lastly, I have to do some private legal work to keep my mind occupied,” Justice Kaul said.

Justice Kual has authored several ground-breaking judgments since his elevation to the apex court on February 17, 2017. Prior to his appointment in the Supreme Court, Justice Kaul served as the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and Madras High Court. Before that, he was a judge in the Delhi High Court. (ANI)

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Article 370

SC Upholds Abrogation Of Article 370

By LokMarg

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the validity of the Union government’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution which conferred the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, while pointing out that Article 370 is a “temporary provision”.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant said, “It can be garnered from the historical context for the inclusion of Article 370 and the placement of Article 370 in Part XXI of the Constitution that it is a temporary provision.”

The apex court said Article 370 was enacted due to wartime conditions in the State and was meant to serve a transitional purpose.

“Article 370 was introduced to serve two purposes. First, the transitional purpose: to provide for an interim arrangement until the Constituent Assembly of the State was formed and could take a decision on the legislative competence of the Union on matters other than the ones stipulated in the Instrument of Accession, and ratify the Constitution; and second, a temporary purpose: an interim arrangement in view of the special circumstances because of the war conditions in the State,” the Constitution bench stated in it’s verdict.

The top court further said, “We have held that a textual reading of Article 370 also indicates that it is a temporary provision. For this purpose, we have referred to the placement of the provision in Part XXI of the Constitution which deals with temporary and transitional provisions, the marginal note of the provision which states “temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, and a reading of Articles 370 and 1 by which the State became an integral part of India upon the adoption of the Constitution.”

The petitioners, challenging the abrogation of Article 370, had said that Article 370 was no longer a “temporary provision” and it had assumed permanence post the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.

The five-judge bench pronounced three concurring verdicts–one by CJI DY Chandrachud for himself and Justices Gavai and Surya Kant. Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sanjiv Khanna have authored two separate concurring judgments.

The top court held that the State of Jammu and Kashmir did not retain an element of sovereignty when it joined the Union of India.

The apex court said that although Maharaja Hari Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state, issued a proclamation that he would retain his sovereignty, his successor Karan Singh issued another proclamation that the Indian Constitution would prevail over all other laws in the state.

It added, “The Proclamation reflects the full and final surrender of sovereignty by Jammu and Kashmir, through its sovereign ruler, to India–to her people who are sovereign.”

Neither the constitutional setup nor any other factors indicate that the State of Jammu and Kashmir retained an element of sovereignty, it said. The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir was only to further define the relationship between the Union of India and the State of Jammu and Kashmir, said the bench ruled.

“The State of Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of the Union of India is evident from Articles 1 and 370 of the Indian Constitution. It is reiterated in Section 3 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, which is unamendable,” it added.

The apex court said that simply because the Constituent Assembly ceased to exist, it did not mean Article 370 would continue permanently. “The President was empowered to issue the order to abrogate Article 370,” the top court added.

“The exercise of power by the President under Article 370(1)(d) to issue Constitutional Order (CO) 272 is not mala fide. The President in exercise of power under Article 370(3), can unilaterally issue a notification that Article 370 ceases to exist. The President did not have to secure the concurrence of the government of the State or Union government acting on behalf of the State government under the second proviso to Article 370(1)(d) while applying all the provisions of the Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir because such an exercise of power has the same effect as an exercise of power under Article 370(3) for which the concurrence or collaboration with the State government was not required,” the verdict stated.

“Article 370(3) was introduced for constitutional integration and not for constitutional disintegration. Holding that 370(3) cannot be used after constituent assembly was dissolved cannot be accepted,” it added.

It upheld CO 272 issued by the President on August 5 to the extent it made provisions of the Constitution of India applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.

Further, it took into note Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s submission that the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored, except for the Union Territory of Ladakh.

“In view of the statement we do not find it necessary to determine whether the reorganisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir is permissible under Article 3. However. we uphold the validity of the decision to carve out the Union Territory of Ladakh in view of Article 3(a) read with Explanation I which permits forming a Union Territory by separation of a territory from any State,” the bench added.

It directed that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by 30 September 2024.

Restoration of Statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible, it added. The Constitution bench was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.

A number of petitions were filed in the top court including those of private individuals, lawyers, activists and politicians and political parties challenging the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which splits Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

On August 5, 2019, the Central government announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two Union territories. (ANI)

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Article 370

SC Reserves Judgement On Pleas Challenging Abrogation Of Article 370

By LokMarg

The Constitution bench of the Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories.

Five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant reserves the judgement after hearing the arguments for 16 days.

The bench granted three days time to parties to file written notes on their submissions in the case.

The Central government has defended its decision of abrogation of Article 370 saying there was no “constitutional fraud” in repealing the provision that accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for Centre.

Centre told the bench that Jammu and Kashmir was not the only State whose accession to India was through instruments of accession but many other princely States that too had joined India, post-independence in 1947, with conditionalities and after their merger their sovereignty was subsumed in the sovereignty of India.

Of the 565 princely States at the time of independence in 1947, the majority of them were in Gujarat and many had conditions relating to taxes, land acquisition and other issues, the Central government told the bench.

Centre also submitted that the status of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory is only temporary and it will be restored to Statehood, however, Ladakh would remain a Union Territory.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, opened the arguments by saying Article 370 was no longer a “temporary provision” and it had assumed permanence post the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.

He contended that the Parliament could not have declared itself to be the legislature of J-K in order to facilitate the abrogation of Article 370 as Article 354 of the Constitution does not authorise such an exercise of power.

Highlighting that the express terms of clause 3 of Article 370 show that a recommendation from the Constituent Assembly was essential to remove Article 370, Sibal argued that in the wake of the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly whose recommendation was required to abrogate Article 370, the provision could not be revoked.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association has told the Supreme Court that while acceding to India, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir acceded his sovereignty over the territory of the State but not his sovereign power to rule and govern the State.

Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was territorial and except for defence, external affairs and communication, rest all the powers were retained with the State to make laws and govern, said senior advocate ZA Zafar appearing for J-K High Court Bar association.

The Central government has defended its decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir saying post the changes, street violence, which was engineered and orchestrated by terrorists and secessionist networks has now become a thing of the past.

Since 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, the entire region has witnessed an “unprecedented era of peace, progress and prosperity”, Centre said.

After the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir life has returned to normalcy there after three decades of turmoil, the Centre in its affidavit told the Supreme Court.

It has been said that schools, colleges and universities have been functioning without any strikes during the last three years.

The Constitution bench was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.

A number of petitions were filed in the top court including those of private individuals, lawyers, activists politicians and political parties challenging the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which splits Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

On August 5, 2019, the Central government announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two Union territories. (ANI)

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Article 370 British-Arab influencer Amjad Taha

British-Arab Influencer Taha’s Tweet On ‘Hope’ In Kashmir Goes Viral

By LokMarg

On the eve of the anniversary of the amendment of Article 370 which removed special status for Jammu and Kashmir, British-Arab influencer, Amjad Taha, famed for his posts on “paradise on earth” visited the valley to see for himself what the current status of Kashmiris is like.

After his visit, Taha said he felt “inspired” by India’s peace measures that “signals hope” for future generations.

“Revisiting Indian Kashmir, I’m again inspired by India’s peace measures there, prioritizing sustainable solutions over temporary ones. Despite past turmoil, the region now signals hope for future generations. Kashmir: a land of incredible people and beauty,” Taha posted on Twitter- which goes by X now.

His post had several thousand likes and retweets.

The social media influencer of British-Bahraini origin had earlier this May ahead of the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, highlighted the peaceful coexistence and mutual enjoyment of the diverse land by Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians in Kashmir, all of whom contribute to global innovation and development.

The British Arab influencer described the beauty of Kashmir as a “paradise on Earth,” and said that this place has protected the Earth and may be the answer to climate change.

Meanwhile, two-time Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor has praised the crucial role played by local Kashmiris and their “unwavering resilience” in preserving the “heavenly paradise.”

“Meet Jannat, a 7-year-old wonder, who tirelessly cleans and preserves the serenity of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Kudos to the local Kashmiris, whose unwavering resilience has played a crucial role in preserving the heavenly paradise,” she posted on Twitter adding a short video clip of a young girl from Srinagar who is on a mission to keep the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar clean.

The girl who is identified as Jannat, has been taking out garbage from the lake since she was five.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 under which Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed special status in the Union of India. Along with the scrapping of the law, the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Notably, Article 370 — which was a temporary provision as per the Indian Constitution providing special rights to the J-K region — was scrapped by the current Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre.

Ever since the abrogation of Article 370, infrastructure has grown at a rapid pace, and peace has been restored in the valley. Influencers and celebrity figures have further highlighted the rising public confidence in the region.

Meawhile, Supreme Court has begun hearing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India. (ANI)

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Ghulam on Abrogation of article

Not As Easy As Abrogation Of Article 370: Ghulam Nabi Azad On UCC

By LokMarg

Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Friday that bringing about Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not be as easy for the central government as abrogation of Article 370.

“This is not as easy as abrogation of Article 370. It has all religions, not only Muslims, but it has Sikhs, Christians, tribals, Jains, and Parsis. Angering so many religions at the same time will not be good for any government and my advice to this government is that they should never think of taking such a step,” he said.
Speaking on elections in the state, Azad said, “When the Assembly was dissolved in 2018 since then we are waiting that when the elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. We are waiting for six years.”

Ghulam Nabi Azad said that people in Jammu and Kashmir are waiting eagerly for elections in the union territory.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for the democratic set-up to be restored in the state…meaning that the elected representatives become MLAs and they run the government. Because only elected representatives can do this work in a democracy,” the veteran politician said.

The Centre abrogated Article 370 and 35(A) from the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019. Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on the same day.

“Across the world or in any part of India the ‘officer sarkar’ can’t run for more than six months. It is essential that elected representatives are brought back to power,” Ghulam Nabi Azad reasoned, backing for elections in the Union Territory.

“We have been demanding from the last six years, five years and even three years and even now that elections are held as soon as possible,” he said pleading for elections. (ANI)

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Jaishankar Bilawal

Wake Up, Smell Some Coffee: Jaishankar To Pakistan on Art 370

By LokMarg

Hitting back Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto after commented on the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir on the sidelines of the Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised the former to “Wake up and smell the coffee, as Article 370 is history.”

Bhutto’s statement marked a “violation of international commitment”.

Also coming down hard on the neighbouring country over its falling global standing, the External Affairs Minister said, “Pakistan’s credibility is depleting faster than its forex reserves.”

Rebutting Bhutto’s comment on the upcoming G20 conference in Srinagar, Jaishankar further said, “Pakistan has nothing to do with G20 and also not with Srinagar.”

Meanwhile, the spectre of terrorism surfaced again in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, with the Army engaged in a fierce standoff with Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Rajouri district. The gunbattle broke out on a day Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was in Goa to take part in the SCO meet.

Five soldiers lost their lives in the anti-terror operation in the Kandi area of Rajouri on Thursday.

“Victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism. Victims of terrorism defend themselves, counter acts of terrorism, they call it out, they legitimise it and that is exactly what is happening. To come here and preach these hypocritical words as though we are on the same boat,” Jaishankar said, hitting out at Pakistan.

Jaishankar said ‘victims of terrorism’ fight terrorism.

Responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist on whether a visit by the foreign minister of the neighbouring country after a long time will help normalise relations with India, the EAM said “India and Pakistan are not on the same boat”. (ANI)

J-K Tourism Receives Highest Number Of Tourists In 75 Years

By LokMarg

Jammu and Kashmir have recorded a tourist footfall of 1.62 crores for the first time in the history of 75 years of independent India.

This enhanced tourism in the Union Territory has generated the greatest employment in various regions, thus highlighting its overall development through a constructive approach, transformative initiatives, and inevitable reforms to empower J-K for its people, culture, and society.
Ever since the abrogation of Article 370, ample changes have taken place in the region.

The tourism industry in the Union Territory has been allocated Rs 786 crore, which has witnessed remarkable achievements including a significant uptick in profit generation over the last few months.

This significant boost of 184 percent (as compared to the last year’s allocated fund) has a lot to do with the betterment of infrastructural facilities in the region.

Despite the noise and attention that the region has attracted over the last few decades, basic infrastructural support and connectivity measures were never prioritized. In the last few years, rapid strides have been made in the arena of infrastructure and social development of the region and its people.

With the construction of the new Chenab bridge which was completed at the cost of Rs 1,327 crores under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, a corridor transit in and around the Kashmir Valley has also been planned to be completed within a limited time frame of the next four years.

The Government of India is also making a significant thrust to ensure better infrastructural facilities for the region’s people and entice visitors. This has resulted in a fortuitous surge in tourist activities with better law and order, a promising security system, and maintenance of peace in addition to infrastructural and connectivity improvements.

A tourist destination that is now being promoted on all possible global forums, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh have witnessed their highest-ever tourist footfall and air traffic in recent years.

The Kashmir Valley has been the destination that attracted most tourists.

To maximize tourism here, direct international flights have also been introduced apart from the leisure activities that form a core part of tourism, better security and resulting faith in the law and order mechanism of the region have ensured that religious tourism within the Union Territory has always taken place smoothly and with ease.

The sector of Tourism witnessed a significant boost in April 2022 with the highest-ever record of 102 to and fro flights as well as around 15,199 average daily passengers.

As a result, a new terminal of the Srinagar International Airport was granted approval to cater to the increased footfall and possible rush for the upcoming tourist season.

For ensuring sustainable growth during months other than the tourist season, the government has also sought to establish a more balanced socio-economic development model that can seep through to the block level on a deeper level.

The idea behind the macroeconomic plan is to create jobs to the tune of 5-6 lakhs and create momentum that would help garner further capital investment in the areas of manufacturing and services.

On that front, two significant projects have been successfully managed so far– Tulip Garden of Kashmir– with an all-time greatest number of the arrival of visitors making it the highest-visited garden (during the short span of its opening week) in Asia.

Along with the same, the administration has also made changes to ensure that tourists visiting the Kashmir valley witness a mesmerizing experience at the Manasbal Lake in Ganderbal with a festival that is geared at promoting local art, culture, cuisine, and water sports.

With over 82 lakh tourists have visited the region between November 2021 to June 2022, it is clear that the transformative initiatives of the administration have pushed the sector to the brink of becoming self-sustaining or Atmanirbhar in a short span of time.

The Directorate of Information & Public Relations in its report earlier this month announced that about Jammu and Kashmir hosted around 1.62 crore tourists in the nine months since January 2022. This is the highest tourist footfall in a year since independence. Earlier, the region had an average footfall of about 10 lakh tourists which saw a huge boost in a short span of time, thereby generating substantial employment for the youth as well as local businesses.

These initiatives along with the general local-friendly approach undertaken till now have reaffirmed the faith of the locals in the administrative machinery of the state. A synergy-driven approach of the Government of India would ensure that there is peace, order, and development in the region along with ensuring meaningful participation of the people. (ANI)

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