Jaibans Singh On March 6, 2020, the Union government set up a Delimitation Commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge, Ranjana Prakash Desai. Among its many responsibilities was the mandate to carry out a long pending Delimitation exercise in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. In accordance with Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, the number of … [Read more...] about Delimitation: J&K requires a mature, sensitive approach
National Conference
Article 370 & Article 35A: Public response to the abrogation
Dr Simrit Kahlon There was a time when many intellectuals and analysts, while articulating Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian constitution, used to wonder as to how these legislations were helping the people of Jammu and Kashmir? They got their answer in the post August-2019 scenario, wherein, there was no turbulence in the aftermath of abrogation of the legislations … [Read more...] about Article 370 & Article 35A: Public response to the abrogation
Kashmir: Tendency to be swayed by rumours should be curbed
Jaibans Singh Rumours have a tendency to spread like wildfire in Kashmir, most of these have a negative connotation and are designed to create insecurity among the people. The insecurity soon converts into a panic situation. This malaise has become all the more prominent with the advent of social media where fake and twisted news gains prominence. Such a scenario is … [Read more...] about Kashmir: Tendency to be swayed by rumours should be curbed
The politics of Panchayat elections in J&K
Jaibans Singh The time is closing in for holding of the Panchayat and local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir! It is a Key Result Area for newly appointed Governor, Satya Pal Malik, who has been given a specific mandate to revive the political process in the trouble torn state. Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir have always been controversial and politically … [Read more...] about The politics of Panchayat elections in J&K
Governors Rule in Jammu and Kashmir: The challenge and the ramification
Dr. Simrit Kahlon The political churning witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir in mid-May has settled down into a new mould. It became quite apparent within the first few days that there was no possibility of any other political alliance replacing the PDP-BJP combine which, in turn, pointed to the inevitability of Governors rule. National Conference took the lead in extending full … [Read more...] about Governors Rule in Jammu and Kashmir: The challenge and the ramification
Kashmiri leaders and elders are failing their young
Jaibans Singh Eight lives have needlessly been lost in the Kashmir Valley! As the by-poll process in the Srinagar constituency of the Kashmir valley commenced, security forces deployed for election duty were attacked by violent mobs engineered by Hurriyat separatists and anti-national elements to disrupt the polling. Left with no option when the stone pelters closed in, the … [Read more...] about Kashmiri leaders and elders are failing their young
The life and honour of a soldier is sacrosanct
Jaibans Singh Every few days the nation gets the terrible news of some of its soldiers falling in the line of duty in Kashmir. Defence journalists, perpetually on the lookout for such an incident, are the first to get to know and they immediately get into action. Their first step is to demand photographs and home addresses of the fallen heroes from the publicity departments of … [Read more...] about The life and honour of a soldier is sacrosanct
Defeatist operational procedures in Kashmir need to be reversed
Jaibans Singh The Army Chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, in a recent statement said that those attacking security forces during Counter Terrorist (CT) operations will be treated as “anti-nationals” and will face “tough action.” A statement of this nature by the Army Chief should have come a long time back. The difficulty being faced and the avoidable casualties being suffered by … [Read more...] about Defeatist operational procedures in Kashmir need to be reversed
Elections in J&K: A step in the right direction
Jaibans Singh The bugle for elections has been sounded in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The ruling National Conference had expressed reservations about the timing of the poll but now that a decision to go ahead has been taken, the party has also adopted a vibrant campaigning mode. One would like to believe that National Conference was opposing the polls due to a genuine … [Read more...] about Elections in J&K: A step in the right direction
Jammu and Kashmir: Towards a new thought and statesmanship
Jaibans Singh The mammoth elections of the world’s largest democracy are finally over! For many months the collective psyche of the nation has remained focussed on political discourse. Finally, the result is out and the BJP led NDA is poised to form the government at the centre. In this historic moment for Indian democracy all eyes will be on the new government as it sets its … [Read more...] about Jammu and Kashmir: Towards a new thought and statesmanship