Latest news with #Article370
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi talks of ‘accountability', hints at growing rift with NC leadership
National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi SRINAGAR: National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi's disenchantment with his party leadership came to the fore once again on Friday as he lamented that the quality of politics in J&K had degraded, and hinted at charting an independent course. Addressing a function in north Kashmir's Sopore, Mehdi said he was looking for people who would walk with him and work towards bringing accountability to the system — 'those who stand for credibility'. No NC representative from Sopore or local cadre was present at the function, indicating it was independently organised by the MP's supporters. This has fuelled a buzz about the growing rift between the MP and his party. Mehdi is seen as a rebel voice within NC, who often accuses the party of abandoning 'fight for restoration of Article 370'. Last month, in the party's working committee meeting, he had expressed displeasure over the party's policies under the Omar Abdullah govt, and insisted that the restoration of Article 370 should be their main focus. In his speech on Friday, Mehdi insisted on changing the politics in J&K, and said society should demand accountability from politicians. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Mehdi has been in politics for over two decades and this is the first time he was in Sopore town to address people. He said he was invited by a civil society group. 'It doesn't matter to me whether my party representatives or any political party is present there or not,' he added. It also did not matter whether people had voted for him or not, Mehdi said, asserting that if they called him, he would happily accept the invitation. Talking about govt's report on the reservations in J&K, he said the findings should be disclosed within a week.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Not happy with quality of polity in J&K: National Conference MP Ruhullah
Ruling National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah on Friday (June 20, 2025) expressed his dissatisfaction over the 'quality of polity' in Jammu and Kashmir and sought people's support to bring accountability to the system. 'I am not happy or satisfied with the quality of polity in J&K. I am not referring to any particular organisation, but to the entire polity of J&K. Politics in J&K has degraded. Changing parties won't help. I appeal to society to stand for reform,' MP Ruhullah said. MP Ruhullah made these remarks in Sopore, in north Kashmir's Baramulla constituency. He also engaged with youth in a question-and-answer session on the politics and issues of Kashmir. However, his decision to address a civil society group in Sopore was not well received by the NC leadership there. None of the local NC leaders or activists participated in the public event attended by the MP. 'It doesn't matter whether they (NC leaders) attended or not. I was invited. I can't refuse an invitation based on whether they voted for us or not,' Mr. Ruhullah said. There is growing friction between MP Ruhullah and the NC's top leadership, which has been evident on several occasions since the party formed the government in J&K last year. The MP sought people's support to 'reshape polity.' He said, 'I am looking for those people who will walk with me, bringing accountability to the system, those who will stand for credibility.' The issue of rationalisation of the reservation quota saw MP Ruhullah joining protesters outside the Chief Minister's residence in Srinagar last year. He also recently admitted that the top party leadership has 'not been in touch with him.' However, MP Ruhullah continues to attend party meetings and is reportedly among the few voices critical of the government's functioning. After the Sopore function, the MP also supported the demand that the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on the rationalisation of reservation quotas in jobs should be made public. The CSC submitted its report on reservation to the Cabinet this week. 'It should be made public. There should be discussion. Even if the report has been sent to the Law Department, it should be concluded within a week's time,' he said. Mr. Ruhullah is a popular Shia cleric and garners significant support for his bold stance on issues like Article 370, greater autonomy, and security forces' crackdown on youth in Kashmir.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Quota report sent to law dept: Oppn accuses J&K govt of delaying tactics
Opposition leaders came down heavily on Jammu and Kashmir government and termed its decision of sending the reservation report to law department, calling it as delaying tactics to undermine merit. After the cabinet meeting that was chaired by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday evening the reservation report was sent to law department. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para on Thursday came down heavily on Jammu and Kashmir government's handling of reservation issue and said that the government cannot continue to hide behind excuses. He said that there was no resolution despite passage of six months leaving the students heartbroken and their trust in the system shattered. 'Six months ago, the J&K government promised to resolve the reservation issue through a subcommittee report. That deadline has passed, leaving thousands of students heartbroken and disillusioned, their trust in the system shattered and their futures put on hold,' Para said in post on X. On June 10, health minister Sakina Ittoo had said that the report of 3-membered sub committee on quota has been completed and would be submitted before the cabinet for a decision. However after a meeting of chief minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet colleagues on Wednesday, the government made no mention of what transpired about the committee report. Para said that this is a deliberate denial of justice. 'These students have already endured violence, lockdowns, and lost opportunities. Now, as they seek fair representation and rationalised reservation, the government is pushing them further to the margins,' he said. The PDP MLA from Pulwama said that National Conference government has the power to strike down the BJP-imposed policy with a single administrative order. 'But the party that promised to reverse BJP's damage is now complicit in continuing it. If this is their response to a pressing youth issue well within their control to solve, then what should we expect on Article 370, statehood, or the Wakf Amendment Bill, which requires them to speak truth to power?,' Para said. The new reservation policy was introduced by lieutenant governor-led administration, before the assembly elections early last year, had squeezed the general category to 40%, which form the majority of the population, and increased reservation for reserved categories to 60%. After the elections, there were widespread demands for reversing the policy in recruitment and admissions prompting the Omar Abdullah-led government to form a three member cabinet sub-committee on December 10. Para said that erasing merit in Kashmir is not just a political issue but also a national security concern, given that Jammu and Kashmir is a border state where the youth are vulnerable to militancy, radicalism, and cross-border influences. 'If the Kashmiri youth are not offered hope, it will only empower subversive elements, further destabilising a generation and future. The government's inaction risks pushing these young people into a corner, forcing them to choose between studying and preparing to face the world or fighting against a system that has failed them,' he said. In April, J&K government had defended the new reservation policy in the high court facing backlash from the students and opposition. Para said that the government must act now. 'It cannot continue to hide behind excuses while the students' futures hang in the balance. Rationalisation of reservation and proportional representation represent the only fair path forward, and it must be implemented without further delay,' he said. 'Those claiming committee is helping students are either lying or complicit,' he said. Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone said government has no idea about reservation. 'I have all along maintained that the government is clueless on reservations and has no intentions of doing anything. Now coming to this draft proposal. To the best of my knowledge anything sent to cabinet should be vetted by the law department. It is not the other way round. You can't send something to cabinet which is outside the domain of law. It looks like another round of time wasting tactics,' he wrote on X. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari asked government to set a timeframe to resolve this issue. 'Set a clear timeline to resolve the reservation issue. With each passing day, merit continues to get undermined. Government must act swiftly and avoid any delaying tactics,' Bukhari wrote on X. Awami Ithead Party chief spokesman Inam ul Nabi said that this is not governance—it's an elaborate circus of deceit, delay and diversion. 'The Omar Abdullah government has once again proved that its words are hollow and its promises mere gimmicks. After over six months of public build-up, backdoor committee sittings and false assurances, the so-called CSC report has not even reached the Cabinet table in any serious form. What more proof do we need of their sheer indifference towards justice for open merit candidates,' he said adding that the Cabinet's latest move to 'rework' the report a 'well-scripted betrayal'.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amit Shah on Pahalgam attack, Manipur crisis, China threat and Modi's governance philosophy
Union Home Minister Amit Shah , in an interview marking 11 years of the Modi government, spoke to Rahul Tripathi and Pranab Dhal Samanta on a range of issues — from the Pahalgam attack and the broader security situation to India's growth prospects and Modi's governance approach. Excerpts: What are your thoughts on the Pahalgam attacks and its impact on normalcy in J&K? Our policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism is intact. What we have tried to do as a government is to address the root causes, be it in Kashmir, Naxal areas or the Northeast. For instance, 12 agreements have been signed in the Northeast. To tackle Naxalism, there's no option but to strike those with weapons. But, even today, the number of those who have surrendered is higher than those killed. We brought a lucrative surrender policy. Similarly, we went to the root causes in Kashmir. Firstly, no one can deny the provocation from Pakistan, role of the ISI and the Pakistan Army. This is a known fact. But why did the Kashmiri youth pick up weapons. We went into that question deeply. It emerged that the maximum number of youth armed themselves after the elections conducted by Indira Gandhi ji. Next, due to Article 370, a theory kept evolving that we are special and that we can even get independence. We closed that chapter of Article 370 and then peaceful elections ensued, followed by panchayat elections. The earlier hold of a few political families was broken and some 19,000 youth became sarpanch, zila adhyaksh, MLAs etc. So, a democratic process began. Plus, Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented development work since 2014. We achieved 100% saturation in all welfare schemes. Electricity shortage is almost over. Most villages are now connected. Many infrastructure projects like the Chenab bridge have taken off. All this also encouraged tourism. The Pahalgam attack is a temporary setback to tourism. I am confident that within a year or two, things will be back to normal. What is the role of foreign terrorists and the extent of local participation? In the past one and a half years, not a single Kashmiri youth has picked up weapons. This is an agreed figure among all Intelligence agencies. There has not been a single incident of stone pelting in the past three years. Also, there's not been a single funeral procession of a terrorist for the past four years. So, they are sending foreign terrorists. We have sent them a strong signal thrice already –– through a surgical strike, air strike and this time, we have gone deep inside Pakistan territory to hit them. And Modi ji has clearly said that Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Does the new normal mean, India can get to wage war any time? This is not the right interpretation. New normal means that what kind of activity or attack they do here, they will get a strong and disproportionate response from us. This is now the Indian government's policy. Live Events How many foreign terrorists are there in J&K? It's very difficult to give an accurate figure of foreign terrorists because an assessment is yet to be made on how many got in during the melee and fight of Operation Sindoor. As for the whereabouts of particular terrorists, our fight is not against some specific terrorists, but all of them. Many killed in Operation Sindoor, for instance, were involved in the Mumbai attacks. This is anot fight against X or Y terrorist. This is a fight against terrorism, which includes every terrorist. Has the delayed census not affected economic panning? Nowadays there are many surveys done for planning. There was a time in the days of the British when census was the sole survey for economic planning. Not today. Plus, there's constant updation of the voters' list. On the basis of all this, new districts etc are made. Our government believes in timely conduct of census and it will be done by 2027. How will you enumerate caste? This is no rocket science. Already, every individual's religion is asked. Now, caste will also be asked. What plans are afoot after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty? We have five projects that we will start soon. We will link the waters of Indus and Chenab with Beas and take it to no need to make reservoir dams. Actually, the mountainous terrain is not conducive for making big reservoirs. The best option is to first saturate the usage in J&K and then divert the excess water to Beas. For that, all we have to do is build a 160 km canal to link the rivers. Will this also bring water to Delhi? If it goes to Ganganagar, it will go via Delhi. India is among the fastest growing economies but still short of 8% growth. Your thoughts. In today's world, our growth cannot be very different from the global rates of growth. We will be in competition with the top-10 economies of the world, so growth rates will be in that range. Every economy experienced low growth after the pandemic. But not only did India maintain its growth, we have been the fastest growing economy for the past 7-8 years. When the calculation of 8% was made, it was in the context of the global economic performance then. Now, we are the fourth-largest economy in the world, aiming to become the third-largest. So, this speed can only be compared with the GDP of other countries. While FDI flows have increased, there's also been significant exit. Your views. We cannot be conservative on this front. Much of the outward movement is related with investment by Indian companies overseas. So, should Indian companies not become global? Let's not create a negative environment. With India emerging as a manufacturing destination, investment is moving with facilities of Indian companies located in India and elsewhere. We should, therefore, applaud the expansion of Indian companies. Since 2014, India has attracted $749 billion FDI, which is a143% increase when compared to $308 billion between 2003 and 2014. Forex reserves have doubled, rising to $654 billion from $309 billion . Your views on local currency trade in the light of Donald Trump's position. He may have issues but remember, no country can progress without hurdles. Ifeel trade in local currencies is today a requirement for many countries doing business with each other. While India is ranked high on GDP, criticism is it's still low on per capita income. How can someone make such wild allegations when in the last 11 years India has become the 4th largest economy from the 10th, rising from a size of $2.03 trillion to $ 4.19 trillion; when capital expenditure has risen from `. 1.9 lakh crore to `. 10.46 crore, when per capita income has risen from `. 68,572 to `. 133,488; when the growth of FDI inflow has been a phenomenal 143%, from $308 billion to $749 billion; when the average rate of inflation has reduced from 10.1% to 4.6%; electronics exports have jumped from $7.6 billion to $38.6 billion; when multi-dimensional poverty has reduced from 29.7% to 11.6%; when forex reserves double from $309 billion to $654 billion; when the speed at which highways are built has increased from 12 km to 21.3 km per day, when the number of airports has more than doubled from 74 to 162; when metro rail has increased from 248 km to 1000 km. Those who look at things from a Leftist and narrow perspective will always find ways to puncture India's growth story. In the banking sector, when the Modi government assumed charge, the NPA of banks was in two digits, but now it has reduced to 2.3%. As many as 55 crore new bank accounts have been opened in the last 11 years under the initiative made for financial inclusion. The total deposit held by these accounts is `. 2.61 lakh crore, and 56%, and 67% of these accounts are in the rural and semi-urban areas in which 55 ministries have transferred `. 44 lakh crore through DBT under 439 schemes. As many as 37 crore RuPay cards have been distributed. India's digital transactions now account for almost 50% of the total digital transactions. Under PM Modi, India's banking reforms & financial inclusion of the poor are a model for the world to study. And the low ranking in Human Development Index? That's because of the Congress legacy. They left 70 crore people in poverty. We have lifted 25 crore of them out. What is the situation in Manipur? We are trying to get both sides to talk. Look, whenever there's been ethnic violence, it takes time for things to mend. But I believe that from a law and order perspective, the situation has greatly improved. Will Vikas or caste be the main issue in the Bihar polls? What becomes an election issue is always a people's call. But I believe vikas (development) is a big issue for the people of Bihar. Who is NDA's CM candidate? Only time will decide who will be the Bihar. But what is clear is that we will fight this election with Nitish Kumar as chief minister. Eleven years at the Centre, 14 years in Gujarat. What's your take on the Modi governance model? The biggest feature of Modi ji's governance approach is that all schemes and plans are inspired from the ground, not imaginary. Next, instead of trying to carve out big new plans, he believes in first plugging gaps so that whatever has been done till now is better optimised. For instance, if you were making 20,000 homes till now, you now make 3.65 crore and we will increase by 3 crore homes. As a result, the problem of housing is solved. Likewise, by achieving 13 crore gas connections, the entire problem gets solved. The same is happening with drinking water and health. So, instead of solving issues in bits and pieces, to go for a final solution with complete is a big shift under Modi. How do you see your government's track record on reforms? For easing investment, we have decriminalised over 3,400 laws, brought in a framework of policy continuity. We have created a healthy competition among states on manufacturing. Since 2014, we have reformed the taxation system, brought in faceless scrutiny. Simple slabs (5%-30%) without deductions have been introduced. Corporate taxes have been cut from 30% to 22%, it's just 15% for new manufacturing companies. Incentives worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore have been given in 14 sectors through PLI schemes. How do you address regional disparity in growth? You can't say this now. The Narendra Modi government has worked hard since 2014 to ensure the fruits of growth are spread evenly. Who could have imagined a `. 27,000-crore investment for a semiconductor plant in Assam. I head the Northeast Council and let me tell you the ground is ready for investment and growth. Remember, as a land mass, the Northeast is bigger than Uttar Pradesh. Has GST helped? The role of GST is providing symmetric development is an area which gets very little attention. Earlier, say a good was being manufactured in Gujarat and sold in Kolkata. The 12-16% transport cost was compensated by the high sales tax rates. Now, because of a common rate, the transport cost is extra, which is forcing business to invest in manufacturing locally. States like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and others which were lagging in manufacturing are now benefiting. The earlier picture where only a few western states and Tamil Nadu were able to attract investment for manufacturing is undergoing a change because of GST. So, a businessman from Gujarat is now investing in UP or someone from Maharashtra is going to the Northeast. Many companies have expanded into these states. This is a big change. What's the roadmap for GST reforms? GST has made a big change in India's sales tax regime. Some 16 different taxes and cess have been collapsed into one tax. And I believe that the Narendra Modi government has, after resolving all the teething problems, now brought GST to the doorstep of the next stage of reforms. I can say that following all stakeholder discussions, we are now ready for the next stage of GST reforms. How do you respond to criticism on lack employment opportunities? Any honest assessment of a government's performance is always comparative. And I believe we have generated four times more employment than the UPA government. You cannot become a $4 trillion economy, have 300% growth in infrastructure, new avenues in manufacturing and not have generated employment. Do you see the trend on freebies ebbing at any point? Our political system is quite flexible. There will be a politically conscientious call on this. It's too early to say when and how. In BJP states, we are clear that freebies should not cross a certain percentage of the budget. When will J&K get full statehood? I have stated in Parliament that statehood will be given at the right time. How will you calibrate economic ties with China, also a security threat? India's economic relations with any country will depend on the global situation. No two countries can script their economic relationship in isolation from the rest of the world. But our priority is our boundary, our borders. In an age of AI, you are betting on cooperatives, Why? For countries will small population, GDP is the main economic factor. But for a country with 140 crore population like India, beyond GDP, we need to look at employment opportunities and contribution of the entire population to the GDP. Today, everyone has basic amenities. But there's an aspiration to achieve a better living standard. For this, small finance is needed. Cooperatives fill that gap. How do you see geopolitical turbulence impacting India's prospects? India is not just the safest and best, but the only place to invest. We are a democracy with transparent policies, a big consumer market. We have the brain power and skills to offer. I believe this turbulence is not a hurdle for India. We should see it as an opportunity.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uddhav is desperate for power, changes colours like chameleon: Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday dubbed his rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray as a "betrayer", accusing him of being desperate for power and changing colours like a chameleon. Speaking at the 59th Foundation Day of the party, he said while self-confidence led him and his party to success, Thackeray's ego led him to his destruction. He also taunted Thackeray, saying he was eager to have an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. "He is so desperate that he is seeking alliances," he said in a veiled reference to the possibility of Sena (UBT)'s alliance with the MNS led by Uddhav's estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Also Read | Question mark over the future of MVA amid talks of new alliances Shinde said the ruling Shiv Sena functioned on the ideology of party founder Bal Thackeray, while the other side was desperate for power. ''We have the Shiv Sena bow and arrow symbol and people's support. We have protected Balasaheb's ideology,'' he said. He said the Sena (UBT) did not even get one third of the votes polled by his Shiv Sena in the 2024 assembly polls. "Whatever votes they got were because of the Congress as the real Shiv Sena voters have bid them good bye,'' he said. Shinde said he has self-confidence, while the other side has ego. "Self-confidence has give us success, while ego has led to their destruction. Balasaheb opposed Congress, but those desperate for power aligned with that party. Sena (UBT) has betrayed Marathi people, Shiv Sena voters and Hindutva,'' he alleged. Also Read | Uddhav rallies Shiv Sena (UBT) cadre for BMC polls, pitches 'Marathi pride' Shinde said he has never seen a "betrayer'' like Uddhav Thackeray, who changes colours very easily like a chameleon as he wants only money. "Those who are helpless for power cannot be Balasaheb's heirs," he said. The deputy CM said he will never compromise on Hindutva for power. "They consider BMC as golden goose. Mumbai and its importance is not under threat, but their politics and finances will come under threat as their soul is in the BMC treasury, while our soul is Hindutva. There will be no compromise on it,'' he said. Is Hindutva a T-shirt that you can wear or remove any time, he asked, referring to Thackeray's statement that he has not quit Hindutva. "Why do you hesitate to call Balasaheb as Hindu Hriday Samrat (emperor of Hindu hearts). You join hands with those who abuse (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Union minister Amit) Shah, who fulfilled Balasaheb's dream of Ram temple and abrogation of Article 370, and with those who abuse Savarkar and Hindu religion,'' he said. He also mocked Uddhav Thackeray's ''kill me" remark and said mere talk is not enough. "You need a tiger's heart and strength in your wrist. How can we kill someone who is already dead? People of the state have already finished them in the assembly provoke me. If someone does that, I don't leave them. I have already upturned your horse carriage and taken away your horses," he said. Shinde questioned why Thackeray did not visit the families of the tourists killed in the Pahalgam attack. "Where were you? Where was your patriotism and love for Marathi that time?" he asked. After Operation Sindoor, Balasaheb would have praised PM Modi, whereas the Congress was questioning the armed forces and abusing him, he alleged. "Are you an Indian or a Pakistani agent? Pakistan uses your statements against India. Rahul Gandhi has become a hero in Pakistan but is a zero in India," he said. Shinde praised his son and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde and Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora for being part of the all-party delegation after Operation Sindoor. Just like the Ladki Bahin scheme, the party has launched a Ladki Soon (daughter-in-law) scheme and it will fight for women facing domestic abuse, he said. He said 50 former corporators of the undivided Shiv Sena have joined his party. "We will fight to win the local body elections. Decision on alliance will be taken at appropriate time," he said. "Balasaheb's ideology is our wealth," he said. Shinde asked his supporters not to get carried away by the assembly election results. "Get ready to win the local body elections," he said.
