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Jammu Since 1947 Abdul Majid Zargar tells the tale

The recent communal incidents in district Rajouri of Jammu province need to be viewed in the historical perspective. Primarily,  because it is essential to lay the lessons of the past before the present & future  for those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it . These events, were Ostensibly provoked by Parveen Togadia, international president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, but in effect it is the continuation of the RSS agenda  followed in Jammu since 1947 .In that year, Muslims of Jammu were systematically annihilated under a well thought out plan  by RSS under Maharaja Hari Singh’s auspices. Their percentage in population was  reduced from 61% to 38% thus changing the demographic character of the province. As Gandhi himself said on November 27, 1947, “This (genocide) has not been … Read entire article »

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Distorted Kashmir History And Historians.

History too is elitist. It does not tell the whole story. It tells stories about Czars, Pharaohs, and Moguls but very rarely narrates the stories about the real Spartacus’s- the real heroes. Kashmir is not an exception besides elitism the history of this land more particularly about past seven hundred years has also suffered distortions and   largely   written with a particular mindset. It is not only, none of the past historians has written what is termed as the ‘people’s history’ but they have been on mainly to use Albert Camus ‘phrase by ‘the side of executioners’. Here, I am not to talk about the narratives of the past that avowedly have been twisted to suit particular discourses but of the contemporary history that I believe after the end of the feudal rule … Read entire article »

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My Nile Tells Stories of Agony and Ecstasy

My Nile Tells Stories of Agony and Ecstasy

It was an odyssey- a grand odyssey:  ‘sailing along the past’ with the great Sultans of Kashmir, sharing pinnacles of their glories, celebrating their victories and tasting their benevolences. Singing hymns in chorus with the great saints of the yore and living mystic experiences with the great mystics of the land.   Suffering with the multitudes fleeced alive by the beastly rulers and then hanged from the cantilever bridges like sheep from hooks in a butcher’s … Read entire article »

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Dr. Abdul Ahad Guroo – By Abdul Majid Zargar

Dr. Abdul Ahad Guroo –  By Abdul Majid Zargar

Covert action has remained and will continue to remain a controversial instrument of state policy for India  in Kashmir. Translated into execution, it allows it to adopt the smoke screen of plausible deniability, wherein the action itself may be visible and verifiable but its links are concealed, so that it can easily deny any involvement. Covert actions in India falls within the domain of the intelligence community generally (though not often) without the consent and … Read entire article »

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A tribute to the city through fond memories of its glorious past.

A tribute to the city through fond memories of its glorious past.

By Shujaat Bukhari     Being the capital of the politically sensitive State of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar has always attracted the attention of writers and researchers, both Indian and foreign. Hundreds of books have been written on Kashmir, its politics, landscape and cultural and religious heritage. Srinagar, with its rich ethos and culture, has been in the centre of the multidimensional debates on the State. The glorious past of this ancient city, which was once known for its … Read entire article »

Filed under: Perspectives

A Word With Kashmir Leaders

A Word With Kashmir Leaders

Some hard thinking is required.  Each one of us has to do it. In fact, every one owes it. I owe it as a kibitz columnist and leaders owe it as men who lead and shape the destiny of people. Sitting in one-day seminar organized by the Kashmir Bar Association on Tuesday on the subject, “Kashmir Freedom Struggle in the Current Global Political Scenario and Prospects of A Solution” and listening to learned speakers, I started … Read entire article »

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Hina Rabbani Talks Kashmir?

Hina Rabbani Talks Kashmir?

Ostensibly, there is an upswing in India and Pakistan relations.The frequency of visits at ministerial, officials, traders, cultural and journalistic levels between the two countries during past couple of years has multiplied. True, not much an importance is attached to these visits by the satellite channels and the print media in New Delhi. Nevertheless, if one goes by the amount of enthusiasm shown by major Pakistan satellite channels and English press it seems Pakistan … Read entire article »

Filed under: Editor's Take