Lead Stories
Uncertainty thy name is Kashmir
Srinagar: Subah hoti hai shaam hoti hai zindagi yuunhi tamaam hoti hai, answers 55-year-old Abdullah, a resident of Bemina, Srinagar on asking how life moves on nowadays in the valley. The sudden speed with which Article 370 that granted J&K special status was revoked has left the valleyites traumatized with only one question on everyone’s lips: “When is this uncertainty going to end?” While the question stays the same, a myriad of answers add to the prevailing chaos and confusion.
A small gathering of middle-aged men waiting for the prayer outside the mosque in Bemina is a microcosm of this uncertainty.
Asked what you think about the prevailing situation, Abdullah, the most vocal person in the group says, “This is going to be the last time the valley will ever witness a long haul of shutdowns. They have already tinkered with the special status. What is left now? Our identity is gone. What should we protest for in the future? This has to be the final nail in the coffin.”
The other men surrounding Abdullah agree in unison. Seconding him, Nazir Ahmad, a businessman by profession says, “I think this has to do with the Indo-Pak war which was brewing from quite some time. Now the two countries have all the possible reasons to wage war against each other. Let’s brace up for something worse.”
Nazir says: “The US president talks of mediation but it never happens. He changes statements at the drop of the hat. I see him saying one thing today and completely opposite the next day. Whom should we trust?”
Rafiq Ahmad, an employee of J&K Bank chips in, “I fear for my job. The bank is already in dire straits. We might be integrated with the Punjab National Bank soon and the salary will directly come from the centre. The salary is definitely going to see a slump instead of hike.”
Manzoor Ahmad, the most patient listener clears his throat to say something, “I don’t think the central government has any concrete strategy in mind about the restoration of normalcy. This will stretch for a longer time than our expectations. They have stuck to the wait and watch formula,” he utters slowly.
He adds, “Whatever be the case, I will not let my young sons go to college even if they issue orders related to reopening of educational institutions. I heard that in our area, scores of youngsters were randomly detained just because they were spotted on roads.”
With this the call to evening prayer is announced and Abdullah ends the conversation on a positive note, “Pashrviv Khudayas (Lets hand over our affairs to God).”
Note: Names in the story have been changed on request.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is likely to use the opportunity of discussions during the high-level UN General Assembly session that begins here next week to raise the Kashmir issue, the UN chief’s spokesperson has said.
Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric during the daily press briefing here on Thursday said that the UN chief has underscored the need for dialogue as the only way to resolve the issue and, “as part of the solution for the current crisis in Kashmir, to make sure that human rights aspects are very much dealt with, as well.”
“…On Kashmir, the Secretary General… has said previously, he remains engaged. I think he will also use the opportunity of discussions during the General Assembly to raise it,” Dujarric said, responding to a question on the situation in Kashmir.
On Wednesday, Guterres emphasised that “dialogue” between India and Pakistan is an “absolute essential element” for reaching a solution on the Kashmir issue, and said his good offices are available should both sides ask for it and called for full respect of human rights.
“Well, our capacity is related to good offices, and good offices can only be implemented when the parties accept it. And, on the other hand, it relates to advocacy, and the advocacy was expressed and will be maintained,” Guterres said during his press conference ahead of the UN General Assembly session.
Guterres was asked by a Pakistani journalist about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and what will he do to bring a solution to the Kashmir issue.
“I go on with a clear opinion that human rights must be fully respected in the territory, and I go on with the clear opinion that dialogue between India and Pakistan is an absolutely essential element for the solution of the problem,” he said.
India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part and ruled out any third party mediation, including either from the UN or the US, saying it is a bilateral issue with Pakistan.
The UN Secretary General has also repeatedly asserted that his good offices are available only if both sides ask for it.
Tension between India and Pakistan escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5. Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner.
Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue but India has asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 was its “internal matter”.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to speak on the same day.
NEW DELHI: Amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, India will participate at the SAARC foreign ministers meeting scheduled to be held on September 26 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, officials said on Thursday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will be present in the US next week and will hold bilateral and multilateral meetings.
Officials said India will participate in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation foreign ministers meeting that is scheduled for September 26.
The meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA could bring Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi face to face for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 provisions.
Asked about a possible meeting with his Pakistani counterpart as well as the future of the SAARC regional grouping, Jaishankar, at a press conference earlier this week, had said, “if and when I meet Pakistani Foreign Minister, we will see at that time what happens”.
The SAARC is about regional cooperation and that refers to trade, MFN, connectivity etc.
, he had said, adding that now every member knows which country is promoting SAARC and which one is impeding it.
Last year, then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had attended the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting, usually held on the sidelines of the UNGA.
The Supreme Court on Friday sought a report from Jammu and Kashmir High Court on the alleged detention of children in Kashmir during curbs following the scrapping of Article 370 in the state on August 5.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing child right activists Inakshi Ganguly and Shanta Sinha who have alleged detention of children in Kashmir, had on September 16 told the apex court that people in the Valley are not able to approach the high court there.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it would entertain the petition regarding alleged detention of children in Kashmir as the plea has raised “substantial issues” regarding minors. The top court directed the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to file a report before it within a week on the issue.
The Supreme Court also said it had received a report from the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court and claims that people are unable to access the court there are not supported.
“We have received the report from the chief justice (of Jammu and Kashmir High Court) which does not support your statement,” the bench also comprising justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer told the counsel appearing for the petitioners.
The Supreme Court also sought response from the Jammu and Kashmir administration on a plea challenging detention of five persons in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370.
The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing for the Jammu and Kashmir administration, to file his response.
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