
‘Blatantly undemocratic': Omar Abdullah slams curbs on visit to martyrs' graveyard
In a post on X, the JK CM said the graveyard contains the graves of those who 'laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice' and criticised the administration's actions as undemocratic.
'In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important grave yard containing the graves of people who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice & to empower them. I will never understand what the Law & Order government is so afraid of,' Abdullah wrote.
In another post, Abdullah compared the July 13 incident to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and said the sacrifices of those who stood up to British rule should not be forgotten.
"13th July massacre is our Jallianwala Bagh. The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled under the British Paramountcy. What a shame that true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices," he said.
(This is a developing story)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
BBC's coverage of Air India crash: Old bias, new tragedy
The image shows the back of the Air India plane that crashed in a residential area, on a medical college, near the airport in Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025. Image- AFP The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) put out a hurried report apparently implying Indian pilot error for the Air India plane crash a month ago, based on a selective interpretation of the preliminary findings from the Indian investigative authorities. It did not emphasise the tendency of the fuel switches to malfunction and disengage despite the provision of locking mechanisms. In a glaring expression of bias, probably intended to shield aircraft maker Boeing and jet engine maker General Electric, the BBC glossed over the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin from 2018 that pointed out problems with the fuel switches in Boeing 737 jet aircraft. The same switches are also installed in the 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BBC instead pointed out that the FAA bulletin from 2018 only highlighted the problem that could—and in this instance did—have fatal consequences, but did not mandatorily insist on the fuel switches being fixed or replaced. Instead, the FAA stressed inspection. Was it laxness then on the part of the American FAA, compounded by Boeing? Is even the faulty switch now being sought to be foisted on Air India's inspection lapses? But the BBC did not raise these questions. The tendency of the BBC to put out slanted reports on matters relating to India is not new. It has done so time and again, building up quite a long list, this being only the latest example. As a British entity financed by the licence fee paid by ordinary TV-watching Britons—yet not averse to accepting donations from all sorts of entities, including the Chinese and countries that are anti-Semitic—its irresponsible actions against India, probably both a consequence of a large number of employees of Pakistani origin and a colonial hangover, not only harm its own reputation but potentially also Indo-British relations. These relations are now being taken up a notch by the implementation of a hard-negotiated Free Trade Agreement (FTA). There is also an ongoing negotiation and competition between Rolls-Royce of Britain and Safran of France to collaborate with India to manufacture a brand-new AMCA sixth-generation stealth fighter engine. Other military engine collaborations for the Indian Navy are also in the works, even as the British economy is not doing very well. A preliminary report released by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 13th—one month after the crash of Air India AI 171 at Ahmedabad—stated that the fuel switches were apparently switched off for both engines. They were switched off, one after the other, just 1-3 seconds after take-off, and then switched on again, probably by the pilots. One engine came back to life, providing some thrust after about 10-14 seconds, but the aircraft could not gain height after that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why he had switched off the fuel, and the other pilot replying that he had not. The plane could not climb beyond 670 metres and crashed into a trainee doctors' hostel building just 39 seconds after take-off. It burst into flames after three explosions caused by its momentum, the impact, and full tanks of aviation fuel. Notably, the AAIB preliminary report mentioned that a 2018 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin concerned the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on Boeing 737 jets. When disengaged, the switches could move more easily through vibration, contact, or other factors. The FAA did not mandate fixes in the bulletin, only recommending inspections to ensure proper locking engagement. This suggests that perhaps both the fuel switches malfunctioned and were not properly locked into place in the ill-fated aircraft before take-off. This is the latest position even as the AAIB has not suggested any further action on the part of Boeing or GE at this time. But the speculation began a month ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Soon after the horrible crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI 171 to London Gatwick on 12th June, taking off at 13:39 IST from Ahmedabad, speculation was full blown. It killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with 67 more injured. So, what caused it? Western 'aviation experts' were quick to come on television and cast speculative aspersions of error on the two Indian pilots. Their clear objective, probably funded by Boeing and General Electric (GE) themselves, was to drive the narrative away from the aircraft company and its GE engines that failed. This is because any culpability established by the investigations from the successfully recovered black box, the cockpit flight recorder, and the relevant wreckage would likely result in expensive lawsuits against Boeing and GE. These, if they went against them, would involve billions of dollars in payouts. Objectivity and balance were clearly missing in the early reactions, including those in other media reports, social media posts, podcasts, and so on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Only one Western expert notably suggested the possibility of software malfunctions in the aircraft. Indian commentators advanced many other theories, steering clear of blaming the highly experienced but dead pilots. They spoke of software malfunctions too, possible sabotage, maintenance issues, inherent flaws and shortcomings of the aircraft. They cited erstwhile Boeing executives criticising the manufacture and shortcuts taken by Boeing for the Dreamliner. At the same time, this aircraft had been in operation for 11 years prior, and there are some 1,175 Dreamliners operating in various airlines all over the world since it began to fly in 2011. Early speculations also included possible bird hits on both engines, though later there was no evidence of this found. Only one passenger in seat 11A escaped miraculously almost unscathed. The BBC's quickness to cast suspicion on Indian pilots—while ignoring the long-documented issues with Boeing's fuel switches, the FAA's leniency, and even the basic questions of mechanical failure—speaks volumes. Its reporting on India has long carried a whiff of colonial bias, made worse by internal demographics and perhaps external funding. As India and Britain stand poised to deepen economic and defence ties, the BBC's habitual anti-India stance is not just irresponsible journalism; it is a potential irritant in an increasingly strategic partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
On centenary year, Kakori train action to be celebrated in grand manner in Lucknow: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (July 13, 2025) said the centenary year of the Kakori train robbery carried out against the British Raj would be celebrated in a grand manner in Lucknow. "Kakori is located at a short distance from Lucknow, and Lucknow has a very close relationship with this historical event. Therefore, my effort will be to celebrate the centenary year of the Kakori incident in a grand manner in the city as well as other places," said Mr. Singh, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from the U.P. capital. He was speaking at a function held at the National PG College in Lucknow, where he unveiled the statue of Chandra Bhanu Gupta and also released a postage stamp. Mr. Singh said, "In August 1925, an incident took place at a railway station near Lucknow which shook the foundations of the British rule. The revolutionaries fighting for freedom looted the British treasury near the Kakori railway station for the freedom of India. Revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan and Sachin Nath Bakshi were also involved in the incident, many of whom were arrested by the British government. Several big leaders like Madan Mohan Malviya, Lala Lajpat Rai stood with the revolutionaries at that time. "When the trial of the Kakori case began, Chandra Bhanu Gupta stood in the court with eminent lawyer Govind Ballabh Pant on behalf of the revolutionaries and pleaded for them," the Defence Minister said. "Chandra Bhanu Gupta proved that he was a true patriot by making good use of his law degree to support the revolutionaries of the country," Mr. Singh said. He added that since it was this is the centenary year of the Kakori incident, it will be celebrated in Lucknow and other places in a "grand manner". On August 9, 1925, in Kakori, Indian freedom fighters looted the treasury of the British government to buy arms for their revolution against the British Raj. In 1927, Ram Prasad 'Bismil', Ashfaqulla Khan and Thakur Roshan Singh were hanged to death by the British government for their involvement in the incident.


NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
J&K Governor Hands Job Orders To Terrorism Victims In Baramulla
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday that although the Constitution of the country guarantees freedom of expression, it does not mean those glorifying terrorism through speeches and statements can go scot-free. Addressing a gathering at Baramulla town where he handed over government job orders to victims of terrorism, L-G Sinha said, "Although the Constitution of the country guarantees freedom of expression, it does not mean that those glorifying terrorism through their speeches and statements can go scot free. Handed over appointment letters to NoKs of terror victims in Baramulla. Sharing my speech. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 13, 2025 "If somebody tries to glorify terrorism for political prospects, he/she will have to pay for it. Let me tell those people that enough is enough. Kashmir has seen too much bloodshed, and now is the time to wipe tears from the eyes of those whose pain was not even heard under the threat of terrorism." "After the April 22 cowardly attack in Pahalgam, the spontaneous widespread condemnation of that heinous act by Kashmiris has left no doubt in my mind that the people have given up supporting terrorism and they are looking forward to progress, education, peace and a better tomorrow," he said. Justice at last! Handed over appointment letters to NoKs of terror victims. These families, forsaken and forgotten, suffered silently for decades. Stories of their loved ones, brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists are being brought to forefront. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 13, 2025 He said as many as 193 terror victim grievances have come to light in recent days, many linked to the 1990s. He cited Justice Ganjoo's assassination and the Wandhama Ganderbal massacre. "In 61 cases, no FIR filed, land and compensation denied," he revealed. He later posted on X, "The Truth about these families was deliberately suppressed. No one came to wipe their tears. Everyone knew Pakistan-backed terrorists were involved in brutal killings, but no one provided justice to thousands of elderly parents, wives, brothers or sisters. I'm committed to ensuring that these families receive the justice, jobs, recognition and support they deserve after years of suffering. It is a historic step to finally recognise and honour the thousands of innocent civilians in J&K." "The administration will now reach the doorsteps of all the families who have been waiting for justice for decades, and jobs, arrangements for their rehabilitation and livelihood will be ensured. "Helplines have been set up in districts to register grievances of terror victims. We are receiving hundreds of complaints from the 90s also. In many cases, FIRs were not registered, lands were encroached and properties demolished. I assure the people that the culprits will not be spared. This is not just an administrative initiative; it is a moral responsibility," he told the families of victims. The office of the L-G said on X, "Justice at last! Handed over appointment letters to the NoKs of terror victims. These families, forsaken and forgotten, suffered silently for decades. Stories of their loved ones, brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists, are being brought to the forefront." Emotional scenes showing mothers giving the blessing kiss on L-G's forehead and daughters kneeling with respect and surcharged emotions marked the occasion as Manoj Sinha held their hand with paternal affection. Breaking protocol to respond to the sentiments of the victims of terrorism, whose voices were not even allowed to he raised or heard by the terrorists, L-G Sinha joined the crowd of the victims, bowed before mothers and in fatherly affection patted the heads of the daughters of terror victims. At the end of his address, the L-G said that those alive among the families of the terror victims will be given government jobs, while those killed by terrorists will get justice. He read out a couplet at the end of his speech in which he said, "There are some who will try to instil fear in your mind/You are alive this moment and this moment is alive because of you/ Bad times will pass/ You live your life steadfast/ Whatever happens will be seen."