Latest news with #Farooq
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Farooq Abdullah: Restoring J&K statehood a constitutional right, not a concession - ‘to fly a kite without wind'
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is not a concession but a constitutional right. Addressing a meeting of NC workers in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, the former chief minister called for an immediate return to full democratic authority in the region. "Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is not a concession but a constitutional right. Statehood is not a gift, it is the people's right, long overdue and repeatedly promised by the ruling government," he said. Farooq is a three-time chief minister of the erstwhile state, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and ex-Union Minister. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government has promised the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. On June 6, Farooq Abdullah's son, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raised the issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the flagging off of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden train to Kashmir in Katra, the pilgrim town in Jammu. 'There are four persons on this stage who were present at the inauguration of the Katra railway station (in 2014). You had just won the election, becoming the Prime Minister for the first time. MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh was present then, and our LG Manoj Sinha sahib was MoS Railways, and I was here as chief minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,' Omar said while PM was on stage. "If you see, by the blessings of Mata (Vaishno Devi) Sinhaji has got a promotion (LG now) and I had a demotion. I was chief minister of a state and now I am a CM of the UT. However, I believe that it will not take long to rectify it .... Jammu and Kashmir will again get the statehood under your watch only," Omar Abdullah said. At the meeting on Wednesday, however, senior Abdullah assured party workers that the NC government in Jammu and Kashmir is prioritising these challenges. Farooq also criticised Jammu and Kashmir's union territory status as a bottleneck to real governance. "Jammu and Kashmir is vast, not just in land but in its layered culture. Governing it under the limited framework of a union territory is like trying to fly a kite without wind," he said. Governing it under the limited framework of a union territory is like trying to fly a kite without wind.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Court slams accused in 2020 Delhi riots case for trying to delay trial
A Delhi court has criticised attempts to delay the trial in a 2020 Delhi riots case, observing that the matter is at an advanced stage and cannot be needlessly prolonged. The court noted that despite the trial having gone on for more than a year and only two witnesses remaining, a fresh application was moved seeking re-examination of a prosecution witness. The order was passed on June 4 by additional sessions judge (ASJ) Praveen Singh of Karkardooma Court, who took over the case recently following a reshuffle of judicial officers by the Delhi high court. The court was hearing an application filed by advocate Mehmood Pracha, counsel for accused Sonu Saifi, seeking to recall a witness for further cross-examination. Pracha argued that he was unable to adequately question the witness during an earlier hearing due to lack of time and that the witness's testimony was materially significant to the case. Rejecting the plea, the judge noted: 'Around 26 witnesses have been examined and it is only after a passage of one year that this application has been moved — at a stage when the matter is in its final leg with only two witnesses left.' The court underscored that a lawyer's delay in realising the need for further cross-examination could not justify prolonging a near-concluded trial. 'This application has been moved at the time and convenience of the counsel. A witness cannot be recalled merely because the counsel realised it after one year,' the court observed. The prosecution opposed the application, terming it a deliberate attempt to stall proceedings. It argued that the witness had been sufficiently cross-examined in May 2023 and that no new grounds were presented to justify re-examination. The case arose out of an FIR registered at Dayalpur police station involving charges of arson, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy during the February 2020 violence in northeast Delhi. Nineteen people are named as accused, including Faisal Farooq, owner of Rajdhani Public School. According to the prosecution, Farooq allegedly instigated a mob that torched DRP Convent School and nearby properties near Shiv Vihar Tiraha on February 24, 2020. It was further alleged that Farooq's Rajdhani Public School served as a launchpad for hurling petrol bombs and stones at Hindu-owned properties. Charges against all accused were framed in March 2023. Judge Singh replaced ASJ Pulastya Pramachala as part of a broader judicial reshuffle and is now presiding over several high-profile Delhi riots trials. His recent order sends a clear message on the judiciary's reluctance to entertain delay tactics, especially in cases nearing conclusion.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
A S Dulat's new book explores betrayal, belief and Farooq's Kashmir
An Unlikely Friendship: The Chief Minister and the Spy Published by Juggernaut 289 pages ₹79 Anyone who knows A S Dulat will know that there cannot be a more unlikely spy: He is amiable, friendly, and operates on trust. His book about his friendship with one of Kashmir's tallest leaders, Farooq Abdullah, is as much a window into some of the most tumultuous and defining decades in the politics of the state as it is a gentle and non-judgemental appraisal of a complex and unpredictable political personality. Sheikh Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah have been the subject of many fascinating studies, including an outstanding biography of the Sheikh by Chitralekha Zutshi (though Mr Dulat differs with Zutshi on some facts and interpretations of events). The relationship between the father and son is important as it is part of Farooq's political inheritance: A mistrust of Delhi and a perennially thorny relationship with Pakistan which never forgave the father or the son for siding with India. The book explores Farooq's relationship with New Delhi under different dispensations. But on one point it is unequivocal — that he never, ever considered independence of Kashmir as a solution. The book describes his meeting with secessionist leader Yaseen Malik of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) at which Farooq lambasted him for violence against Kashmiris and about the JLKF's dreams of 'azaadi', telling him he was naive and living in a fool's paradise. Given this reality, the book argues, Delhi should have trusted Farooq unquestioningly — which it did not. In full knowledge that Farooq's succession had not been smooth and was challenged by his brother-in-law, Gul Mohammad Shah, in 1984, Delhi put its weight behind the Gul Shah faction of the National Conference, deputing Congress leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to support a coup against Farooq's government, dislodging him. There was a background to this, as there always is. But Mr Dulat notes regretfully that Kashmir ought to have been kept out of the kind of power politics that was in place elsewhere in India — it was too important to be trifled with. Farooq got the full-throated support of the Opposition. But it was, at the end of the day, the Opposition. He felt he had been betrayed twice over, Mr Dulat writes: Once by his family and then by the Congress led by Indira Gandhi, his extended family. Other betrayals followed. His right hand man, Saifuddin Soz, was working to undermine him by conducting a dialogue with the Kashmiri underground and the government. Rajiv Gandhi had little time for him, though the two had been good friends. The V P Singh years came and went but Farooq did not get his due. The problem was: No one knew whom to talk to in Kashmir. Dialogues with separatist leaders of the Shabir Shah variety were the flavour du jour. But Mr Dulat says he knew that the only currency that would work, both for Delhi and Srinagar, would be Farooq Abdullah. In 1993, P V Narasimha Rao's government installed the Department of Kashmir Affairs, headed by Rajesh Pilot. In 1994, the US changed its position, openly calling Kashmir disputed territory. Mr Dulat moved minor mountains to persuade the government to see reason and bring Farooq back in from the cold. This was done by making Farooq part of an all-party delegation to clarify to the world that no human rights violations were taking place in Kashmir as alleged by Pakistan. Farooq was superb. Not only did he speak as an Indian, he also challenged Pakistanis to speak to him in Kashmiri The 1996 Assembly elections in Kashmir were a turning point for the state and for Farooq himself — not the least because of kindly, understanding and benevolent statesmen in power in Delhi for however short a tenure, such as H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking autonomy. Mr Dulat emphasised that the demand was for autonomy, not independence. At around this time, Farooq was made an offer that made his eyes sparkle. What if he were made vice-president of India? Vajpayee was agreeable, and things might have been different if that had happened, Mr Dulat says. It didn't and one more betrayal was added to the layer of mistrust. The National Conference lost the 2002 polls. By now, Omar Abdullah was set to replace Farooq. But as with the Sheikh and Farooq, Omar and Farooq too had their ups and downs.
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Shining Stars awards presented to SSC, inter students for academic excellence
Nandyal: In a bid to recognise and encourage academic excellence among students, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has instituted the 'Shining Stars Awards' for students who achieved top scores in the SSC and Intermediate Second Year examinations. As part of this initiative, 182 Class 10 students and 35 Intermediate students were felicitated at a district-level award ceremony held at the ASR Kalyana Mandapam in Nandyal on Monday. Speaking at the occasion, Minister Farooq stated that the Shining Stars Awards 2025 were introduced to celebrate students who displayed exceptional performance in the Class 10 and Intermediate exams. Each awardee received a medal, a cash prize of Rs 20,000, and a certificate of appreciation. The awards were presented to students from both government and private institutions across various streams, including MPC, BiPC, HEC, CEC, MEC, and vocational groups, based purely on merit. The Minister emphasided that the government does not differentiate between students of government and private institutions when it comes to acknowledging talent. He urged students to recognise their parents' sacrifices and strive harder to achieve greater heights. Highlighting the academic progress of the district, he noted that Nandyal secured 82% pass percentage in SSC, placing it at the top among Rayalaseema districts. He also lauded the introduction of the 'Naadu-Nedu' and 'Nadu-Nedu: Nauk Vidya' initiatives aimed at enhancing both academic and technical skills among students. He encouraged students to focus not only on academics but also on skill development. Addressing the gathering, district Collector G Rajakumari highlighted that the Shining Stars Award ceremonies are being conducted across all districts as per the vision of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Education Minister N Lokesh. She further noted that female student pass percentage exceeded 60% and assured that additional measures are being taken to improve this further.
India Today
04-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Pak media tycoon thrashes Hindu man, lands in jail after video goes viral
Karachi-based media entrepreneur Salman Farooq and his armed bodyguards brutally assaulted a Hindu man while his sister kept pleading for mercy. A video of the road-rage incident went viral on social media and sparked massive outrage, leading to the arrests of Farooq and his Farooq's arrest, the Hindu man's siblings' home was found locked, and the police are attempting to reach them by phone to record their to the FIR, the incident occurred on Sunday in Karachi's Defence Society. The victim, identified as Sudhair Dhun Raj, was on his way to pick up his youngest sibling after picking up his sister Kalpana, who works at a beauty parlour, when his motorcycle lightly brushed against Farooq's and his armed guards brutally thrashed Raj, even after he apologised and Kalpana begged for a widely-circulated video, Farooq, owner of Bionic Films, can be seen holding the hands of the man as his bodyguards, seated inside the vehicle, repeatedly slap could be seen and heard pleading for mercy with folded hands, begging Farooq to stop beating her pleas were ignored and Farooq continued to assault the man belonging to the minority community, according to a report in The Express Tribune, a Pakistan-based video sparked widespread public outrage on social media, prompting law enforcement to take action against the media ARRESTED FOLLOWING FIR BY EYEWITNESSA senior police official confirmed that Farooq was arrested in connection with the public assault near the Ittehad area, according to the report. The FIR was lodged at the Gizri police station based on the complaint of an eyewitness, Muhammad FIR includes charges of issuing death threats, physical assault, harassment of a woman, and verbal allegedly ordered his armed guards and driver to trap the motorcyclist inside the vehicle at gunpoint, beat him, and hurled threats and abuse, The Express Tribune to a report by ARY News, a Pakistani news channel, the siblings' home is locked, and police are attempting to contact them by phone to record their statements in the case.A court on Tuesday granted a two-day physical remand of Salman Farooqi and another accused in the case, according to ARY News.
