Among other things, the abrogation of Article 370 was justified by the government on the ground that it was a hindrance to development activities in the state. However, in the past five months, little development efforts have been noticed.
Faith in official pronouncements, writes the Asian Age “appears to be at an all-time low. Greater energy by the Centre seems to have been expended on crafting ‘a new politics’ for Kashmir — after locking up prominent politicians of Valleycentric political parties, including three former chief ministers of the state — rather than on doing anything to give concrete shape to development plans.”
The paper raises the key question whether “development possible in the absence of mobile telephony, which was the case for much of the time since August, and the snapping of the Internet?”
SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON ‘RESTRICTIONS’
The Supreme Court addressed this issue when a three-judge bench of Justices N.V. Ramana, R. Subhash Reddy and B.R. Gavai on 10 January ruled that “suspending Internet services indefinitely is impermissible” and that the “freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practise any profession or carry on trade, business or occupation over the medium of Internet, enjoys constitutional protection under Article 19(1) (a) and Article 19 (1) (g)”. The court directed the J&K administration to “review all orders suspending Internet services forthwith”.
The judgement has elicited mixed responses: In its response, the central government said it is restoring broadband connections to government installations and providers of essential services, hospitals, banks and the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. However, notes the Indian Express, “the steps falls far short of the complete withdrawal of curbs on public communications which the court had sought. ISPs are required to block social media sites and technology by which such a restriction can be bypassed, before providing access to institutions and essential service providers.
“Institutions and offices must monitor internet usage, record users and change access credentials every day. A call will be taken on ful ly opening up mobile data communications after the Republic Day celebrations, the government says. This is far too tentative, considering the spectrum of fundamental rights that have been violated by the internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir, which is the longest ever in a democracy.”
According to the Asian Age, “the merit of the Supreme Court judgment is that it is long on explicating provisions of the law, including Article 19 which deals with the freedom of speech, expression and the freedom to practise a trade.
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TROUBLED TIME FOR MODI
The students’ unrest, however, which is spreading like wildfire across the nation, and the protests by large sections of people against the citizenship law, have belied the BJP’s hopes of having a free run in the foreseeable future in presiding over the country’s destiny from panchayats to parliament, as Union home minister Amit Shah once said.
MUST-WIN FOR BJP IN DELHI POLLS
Having failed to perform satisfactorily in the Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, the BJP realizes that its rank and file will be hugely demoralized if it does not fare well in the forthcoming Delhi polls.
MILITARY MIGHT AT R-DAY PARADE
Anti-satellite weapon ‘Shakti’, lethal artillery gun ‘Dhanush’, and newly-inducted helicopters Apache and Chinook were among the key military assets showcased by India for the first time at the Republic Day parade on 26 January.
INDIA - PAKISTAN: DEALING WITH PAKISTAN'S AMBITIONS ON KASHMIR
Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive on Kashmir has gained some traction with the EU Parliament debating the issue along with the controversial Citizen’s (Amendment) Act (CAA).
EXPERT ANALYSES UNION BUDGET 2020-21: A MIXED BAG
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s second Budget presented three themes -- aspiring India, economic development, caring society. And it seeks to cater to the demand side of the economy by trying to put more money in the hands of individuals.
DELHI ELECTION: BJP HOPES TO GAIN FROM CAA INSTILLED POLARISATION
The anti-CAA protests took a violent turn as a 17-year-old teenager Thursday shot a Kashmiri protester near Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi.
CAA DEBATE IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: INDIA UNDER PRESSURE
Much to the relief of India, the European Parliament Wednesday decided to put off a vote on a resolution critical of India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to a session beginning on March 2. The move is being seen as linked to the upcoming India-EU Summit next month.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR: BJP IN A TIGHT CORNER
The government’s policies on Kashmir give the impression that it has bitten off more than it can chew. This is also probably true of the citizenship issue as well, but more of that later.
LAYING A ROAD MAP FOR THE FIRST CDS
Laying a road map for the first CDS, General Rawat, Gurmeet Kanwal (former director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi) suggests the first item on the agenda “should be the formulation of integrated operational plans.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR: ‘FUNDAMENTAL DISAFFECTION' HAS NOT GONE AWAY
A convoy of three dozen Union ministers descended on the newlycreated Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir last week to promote development plans of the Centre.
What It Takes To Sell Indian Saffron!
The saffron of Kashmir has long been considered the world’s finest, but drought is threatening the livelihood and traditions of its farming families.
Gulmarg reels under extreme cold as snowfall continues in south Kashmir
Qazigund, the gateway to the Kashmir Valley, registered a low of minus 0.4 deg C
RAHUL GANDHI'S SAFETY PRIORITY IN J&K: CONGRESS
As the Bharat Jodo Yatra's Jammu and Kashmir leg is underway, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday that Rahul Gandhi's security is a top priority and that his party will follow all instructions by the security agencies to ensure his safety.
Congress will use its full power to get statehood reinstated: Rahul
THOUSANDS TURN UP TO ACCORD WARM WELCOME TO YATRA IN JAMMU
Jammu industrial area hit by car bombs, 9 hurt
Two blasts, about 20 minutes apart, rocked the Narwal industrial area of Jammu on Saturday, leaving at least nine people with splinter injuries.
Congress will not accept compromise with Rahul's security: Jairam Ramesh
Two back-to-back explosions had rocked a busy locality on the outskirts of Jammu on Saturday, leaving nine people injured
Bharat Jodo Yatra reaches J&K’s Samba under tight security
The Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress reached Samba in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday afternoon, after covering 21 kilometres in more than six hours from adjoining Kathua amid heightened security in the wake of twin blasts in Jammu.
Ahead of Republic Day & Rahul yatra, 7 injured in twin blasts in Jammu
LESS THAN a week ahead of Republic Day celebrations, at least seven people were injured in twin blasts in Transport Nagar area of Narwal, on the outskirts of Jammu city, on Saturday morning.
ஜம்மு இரட்டைக் குண்டுவெடிப்பு: 9 பேர் காயம்
ஜம்முவின் நர்வால் பகுதியில் நிகழ்ந்த இரட்டைக் குண்டுவெடிப்பில் 9 பேர் காயமடைந்தனர்.
Twin blasts in Jammu ahead of Yatra's arrival
Two back-to-back explosions rocked a busy locality on the outskirts of Jammu on Saturday, leaving nine people injured, just two days before the Bharat Jodi Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to reach the city, officials said.