In Jammu & Kashmir’s convoluted lexicon, which is mostly dominated by Tehreek-e-Azadi, an individual who fights against Indian rule in Kashmir and, in the course, loses his life is a martyr. Many Kashmiris, especially those who believe in secession from India, will tell you that the Indian state is the “oppressor” in Kashmir. The narrative…
Two weeks ago, on a hot summer day, I visited Jagti along with my father. Jagti is a village near Nagrota town in Jammu province, which straddles the national highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar. At present, Jagti gives shelter to around 4000 families; seeing the clustered structures, I couldn’t fathom how they must live. Families…
Every new year brings with it gory memories of the loss of home for Kashmiri Pandits, the aborigines of the valley with a history of 5,000 years. It reminds Pandits of the dark times of terror they witnessed in Kashmir in 1990. It was the night of 19 January, 1990, when the valley reverberated with…
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – Because I…
On April 7, 2015, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed called on Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. In the meeting, the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back to the Kashmir valley was discussed, among other things. Union Home Minister has reportedly asked the CM to provide land for…