Latest news with #J&KPeoplesConference
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mehbooba, Lone oppose Urdu's exclusion as mandatory subject for Naib-Tehsildar posts in J&K
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Lone on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) opposed the move to drop Urdu as a mandatory subject for Naib-Tehsildar posts in Jammu and Kashmir. 'It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised,' former J&K Chief Minister Ms. Mufti said in a post on social media platform X. J&K's revenue records and administrative work continued to be maintained in Urdu, she said. 'It is only logical that applicants for the post of Naib Tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language. This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency not in any form of divisiveness,' Ms. Mufti said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been protesting against the government notification issued in June to fill these posts. A Central Administrative Tribunal Bench, comprising Rajinder Dogra and Ram Mohan Johri, on Monday passed an order to stay the operation of the provisions of the J&K Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, making knowledge of Urdu as the minimum qualification. It directed the J&K Services Selection Board to accept applications from all candidates who possess an undergraduate degree with knowledge of any of the five official languages in J&K. 'The exclusion of Urdu as a qualifying requirement is part of a systematic marginalisation of the Kashmiri-speaking majority, and a dangerous step towards the 'linguicide' of Urdu,' Mr. Lone said. With Urdu no longer needed to qualify for the post of Naib Tehsildar, 'The majority Kashmiri-speaking population has been almost relegated to a footnote in the recruitment lists. Their presence in the recruitment lists is inversely proportional to their numbers. That is of course due to reservations,' Mr. Lone said. He said that Urdu had historically given Kashmiri aspirants a reasonable edge in such posts because of the language's relevance in administrative affairs. 'It is a calculated move to erase regional linguistic roots. The onus of giving a good legal representation is on the incumbent elected government. Hope it is not yet another fixed match in a series of fixed matches that we are seeing lately,' Mr. Lone said.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kashmir-based Islamic bodies upset by Shia cleric Imran Ansari remarks, calls for boycott
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), comprising scholars and leaders from both Sunni and Shia sects, on Sunday (July 13, 2025) took exception to the remarks allegedly made by J&K Peoples Conference leader and Shia cleric Imran Raza Ansari against one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad. In a joint statement, the MMU, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said it was deeply anguished and strongly condemned deliberate provocations by Mr. Ansari. 'The MMU had refrained from naming the individual, hoping that he would reflect and correct his malicious intent. However, instead of rectifying, Mr. Ansari has now publicly resorted to openly abusing and disrespecting the revered companions of the Prophet,' it alleged. The MMU termed the reported remarks of Mr. Ansari 'absolutely unacceptable' and 'a direct attack on the foundations of Islamic unity, ethics, and mutual respect'. 'It will not be tolerated. The MMU strongly urges the authorities to initiate immediate legal action against Mr. Ansari for inciting communal disharmony and hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community,' the MMU said. All member scholars of the MMU, Sunni and Shia alike, have taken a unanimous decision to boycott Mr. Ansari until he publicly apologises and withdraws his statements. 'No platform, religious gathering, or public event associated with MMU or its constituents will host or endorse him till then,' the MMU added, while asking all to maintain unity and calm. Several Shia clerics, including Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi Al Moosvi Hadi, have also distanced themselves from Mr. Ansari's statements. National Conference (NC) MP and Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah also condemned Mr. Ansari for his remarks. 'Ayatullah Khamenie has issued a decree (fatwa) that it is forbidden (Haram) to insult Khulafa Rashideen or Sacred Tenets or Sanctities of Ahl al-Sunnah. If you (Mr. Ansari) are so much inspired by his leadership, stop doing what is forbidden. And stop using religion for your personal benefit,' MP Ansari said. Responding to the MMU statement, Mr. Ansari, in a statement, said, 'A video clip has recently circulated online, accompanied by claims that have spoken ill of the Sahabah. I want to state, plainly and without ambiguity, that this allegation is unfounded. The interpretation being pushed onto my words is not only inaccurate but also ignores the broader context and intent of what was said.' He said the path toward any meaningful unity within the Muslim Ummah 'must begin with mutual respect, not with provocation, distortion, or sectarian one-upmanship'. 'My focus has always been on building understanding where there is confusion and promoting unity where there is disarray. The video in question, while selectively edited and misrepresented, may have struck a nerve for some. I acknowledge that, but I reiterate: no disrespect was intended, and any claim to the contrary is baseless, and I was not aiming at disrespecting any Sahaba, nor did I intend to mention one,' Mr. Ansari said. He said a certain individual or the handful of Shia organisations, who are attempting to stifle voices of conviction in the name of unity, 'are not serving the Ummah but betraying Bibi Fatima'.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kashmiri youth who was facing detention under PSA cracks NEET
Zubair-ul-Islam Bhat, a youth from Kupwara who recently cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination, was once under close observation by the J&K police and identified for detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows detention without trial for two years. J&K Peoples Conference (JK) president Sajad Lone said on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) that he had intervened with the police to prevent his booking under the PSA, a law used against local youths for separatist writing or behaviour. 'A year back Zuber was all set to be booked under the PSA. The dossier was ready. His family approached me. He is a couple of years older than my children. I don't know what happened. But I was convinced that Zubair had to be saved. I was convinced that Zubair is special and can deliver academically and move on to have an excellent career. I believed that Zubair deserves a chance,' Mr. Lone said. Police relented Mr. Bhat belongs to a small village, Khumriyal, in Kupwara. Mr. Lone admitted that the police were reluctant initially. 'I approached the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara, who I have to say was very apprehensive. I volunteered to personally guarantee his conduct. We talked so many times over the phone and the conversation would end with disagreements... I got a call from the SSP that he too is convinced that Zubair needs to be given a chance,' Mr. Lone recalled. Mr. Lone described Mr. Bhat's trajectory as one that emerged from the 'depths of despair a year back.' 'Zuber has bounced back and will soon embark on a career in medicine,' the JKPC leader said. He said Bhat's story was 'a story of triumph of love and compassion.' 'Maybe there is a message in this story. I hope our decision makers understand that message,' he said. Mr. Lone congratulated J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. 'Without the consent of the top officials, this would never have been possible. Victory in Kashmir lies in love and compassion. Let us all rejoice in Zubair's success. It is a victory of the concepts of love and compassion,' Mr. Lone added.
United News of India
04-06-2025
- General
- United News of India
Sajad Lone accuses NC of 'only going after Kashmiris'
Srinagar, June 4 (UNI) J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on Wednesday lashed out at National Conference and its current administration, accusing them of targeting Kashmiris and running a system steeped in 'lies, inaction, and brazen corruption.' Addressing a press conference, Lone said the NC has no power to impact anyone except the common Kashmiri. 'They are going after the very people who voted for them. And those who didn't, they are being treated with callousness. This is exactly what we expected from them,' Lone remarked. He went on to cite rampant corruption and inefficiency in the current setup. 'We will begin collecting evidence, Insha'Allah. They have done no work till date—just lie after lie. Where is the government? What have they delivered to the people?' he questioned. Taking a swipe at the frequent official review meetings, he said, 'They've been holding these meetings for eons here—only to sip tea and eat kebabs. In our time, too, these review meetings meant nothing. Do you think Germany, Japan, UK or US became first-world nations through review meetings? It takes hard work, day and night, to build a nation.' He also raised concerns about the over-centralisation of power in the Chief Minister's office. 'The CM is handling 28 to 30 departments alone. Is he even human? If ministers can't be appointed out of fear or indecision, what is the point of being in power?' He criticised the system still being run by commissioner-secretaries as it was decades ago, asking, 'Why did people even vote if nothing was meant to change and ministers were only meant to stay busy with transfers?' On the recent demand by PDP for Kashmiri Pandit reservation in the Assembly, Lone supported the idea but questioned the timing and intent. 'Yes, Kashmiri Pandits must get political reservation. They are part of Kashmir and must not feel alienated. But why didn't PDP or Congress act when they were in power for 30-40 years? This selective remembrance of KP issues when out of power is hypocrisy. The same applies to human rights. Those who violated them now pretend to be their defenders — it's a cruel joke,' he said. UNI MJR SSP
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Assassinated leaders Farooq and Lone believed dialogue was the best way: Mirwaiz
Hurriyat chairman and Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said that his father, Mirwaiz Moulana Farooq, and J&K Peoples Conference founder Abdul Ghani Lone believed dialogue was the best way to solve the Kashmir conflict. He was speaking on their death anniversaries on Wednesday. Both leaders were assassinated. Farooq was shot dead on May 21, 1990, and Lone was gunned down on May 21, 2002. He said, 'Their views are once again being echoed globally as the only viable path to peace.' 'The political foresight that both these leaders exhibited, their faith in resolution of the Kashmir conflict through dialogue, which they saw as the best means to end lingering uncertainty for the people of J&K and as the catalyst for ensuring peace and stability in the region, is once again acknowledged by the world as the way forward. Hope India and Pakistan pay heed to it,' the Mirwaiz said, in a statement. The Mirwaiz paid tributes to his late father and also remembered Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone Sahab and the '70 innocent mourners who died in the Hawal massacre on the same date.' Painful memories '21st May is upon us, and painful memories are revived. Quaid-e-Kashmir to his people, Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq was on this day taken away from them by gunmen, his distraught mourners sprayed with bullets, leaving seventy dead. Even after 35 years, the vacuum his death created is present, more keenly felt with each passing year. His guidance is deeply missed,' the Mirwaiz said. J&K PC chief Sajad Lone spoke about the loss of his father. 'He (Mr. Lone) sacrificed his life in pursuit of his dream for peace. Those were even darker days than today. Speaking the truth often invited retribution. I remember when he died, we called him the Martyr to Peace. Never in these 23 years has the need for peace dawned on us as it has in the last thirty days,' Mr. Lone said. 'May those who killed him burn in hell, and may all those cowards who kill non-combatants, civilians, and innocent tourists burn in hell,' Mr. Lone added. Former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, also paid her tributes. 'Today marks the solemn death anniversary of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq Sahab & Abdul Gani Lone Sahab. Two prominent Kashmiri figures known for their efforts to promote peace and dialogue in the region. Their deaths remain a tragic reminder of the heavy cost of violence in the region and the urgent need for peace and reconciliation,' she said, in a post on X.
