Abdullah, 45, is a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) worker in Pulwama. He is associated with the party since its founding. In the last elections, he was very vibrant in mobilizing people to cast their votes. Now, he has confined himself to his house. He prefers to stay indoors. People chide him ‘nov taaze bouznaaw khencha (tell us something new).’ But Abdullah has nothing new in his basket.
Abdullah is disconnected from his party leadership since August 5 when Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status and downgraded into two union territories. Before the abrogation, he was a sought after person in his locality.
Now Abdullah has nowhere to go and no one to meet. Most of his party leadership is behind the bars. No one is issuing any statement. Even those who were released earlier or who are free do not engage in political activities.
“People often question me about politics, what is going to happen, why no elections are happening,” he said.
Abdullah had attended the organizational meetings that resumed late in January after a pause of almost five months. “There is nothing concrete we do there, we meet, hug one another and talk about what we have suffered all these months.”
Like Abdullah, there are thousands of other workers who are directionless and have nothing to talk about. The leaders are silent and are stuck to one narrative, ‘until our top leadership is not freed, we will not take part in any political activity.’
Another worker of the National Conference (NC) who wished not to be identified said if at least those who are free will talk, it will give them some sense of hope that things will get back on track, but there is none.
Bu hikaye Kashmir Life dergisinin March 15-21, 2020; THE STATE OF POLITICS; Issue 50 Vol 11 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Kashmir Life dergisinin March 15-21, 2020; THE STATE OF POLITICS; Issue 50 Vol 11 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Before The Kabul Retreat
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FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
