SRINAGAR — People’s Democratic Party leader Waheed Para on Friday criticised the ruling National Conference, saying the party was focusing on powers to transfer officers instead of resisting the changes enforced post August 2019. On August 5, 2019, the Union government had scrapped Article 370, which granted special powers to the erstwhile state of Jammu […]
Politics
CM-led legislative party meet calls for respecting people’s mandate in J&K
SRINAGAR — A nearly two-hour-long legislative party meeting of the ruling National Conference and its alliance partners here on Friday passed two resolutions, one of which sought respecting the mandate of the people – a veiled reference to the growing disquiet between the Raj Bhavan and the six-month-old government in the Union Territory. The National […]
Omar Abdullah-led legislative party meeting of NC, allies begins in Srinagar
SRINAGAR — Two days ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s three-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir, a meeting of the legislators of the ruling National Conference (NC) and its alliance partners began here on Friday amid growing disquiet between the Raj Bhavan and the six-month-old government in the Union Territory. The meeting, chaired by […]
Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after Rajya Sabha nod
NEW DELHI — Parliament early Friday approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following an over 13-hour debate. The discussion witnessed staunch objections from opposition parties, which termed the Bill “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional” with the government responding that the “historic reform” would benefit the minority […]
Waqf Bill violates freedom of religion: J&K Assembly Speaker
SRINAGAR — Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday said the Waqf Amendment Bill is violative of the Constitution’s freedom of religion and an “unnecessary interference” in religious matters of Muslims. “You saw more than 200 MPs opposed the Bill in the Lok Sabha because this Bill is a violation of […]
Omar Abdullah to chair meeting of NC legislators, alliance partners
SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair an important meeting of legislators of the ruling National Conference and alliance partners here on Friday. While the agenda of the meeting has not been stated, sources in the National Conference said the ruling alliance is not happy with the transfer of some Jammu […]
Congress criticises J&K LG’s decision to transfer 48 JKAS officers
JAMMU — The Congress on Thursday criticised Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s decision to order transfer of middle and lower-rung officers in the Union Territory, saying the latter should have awaited the approval of business rules before announcing his decision. In a move seen by many as an attempt to take full control […]
Lok Sabha passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after 12-hour long heated debate
NEW DELHI — The Lok Sabha early Thursday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after over a 12-hour debate, which saw the ruling NDA strongly defending the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition describing it as “anti-Muslim”. The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by […]
J&K political parties oppose Waqf Bill, term it ‘interference in religious matters’
SRINAGAR — Political parties in Kashmir on Wednesday opposed the amendments made to the Waqf Act saying it was an interference in religious matters and an attempt to disempower Muslims. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to improve the functioning […]
Waqf (Amendment) Bill should be called ‘looters (amendment) law’: Owaisi
HYDERABAD — Coming down heavily on the NDA government in the Centre over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday alleged that the bill should be called a ‘looters (amendment) law’ as the BJP-led regime wants to take away waqf properties. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported remarks that one […]