Security forces struggle with protestors and stone pelters in Kargil on Thursday. (Express photo/Tashi Tobgyal)India on Thursday expressed regret over Pakistan downgrading diplomatic relations and urged Islamabad to review its decision so that “normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved.” After the Centre announced to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir bifurcate the state into two Union Territories, Pakistan on Wednesday asked New Delhi to withdraw its High Commissioner from Islamabad and said it would not be sending its High Commissioner-designate to India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation at 8 pm tonight, on the government’s decision to revoke the provisions of Article 370 which gave special autonomous status to Jammu-Kashmir. The Supreme Court, on the other hand, refused to allow urgent hearing of a plea challenging the Presidential Order on Article 370. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad was stopped at Srinagar airport along with state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir when the duo arrived to meet the locals. Azad will be sent back to the national capital on a Vistara flight at 3.30 pm.
Srinagar development commissioner launches helpline number
Srinagar Development Commissioner Shahid Choudhary today announced two helpline numbers to assist students and families residing outside the state.
PM Modi to address nation on Kashmir developments at 8 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the Kashmir developments at 8 pm today.
Telling Numbers: How J&K fares in key indicators compared to the rest of India
As a new chapter opens in the history of Jammu and Kashmir with the state being split into two Union Territories, there have been discussions around how it has fared compared to the rest of India. Click here to have a look at some selected indicators.
US lawmakers urge Pakistan to refrain from any retaliatory aggression against India
Two powerful Democratic lawmakers have urged Pakistan to refrain from any “retaliatory aggression” against India and take “demonstrable action” against terrorist groups within its territory. Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Eliot Engel in a joint statement on Wednesday also expressed concern over the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir. “Pakistan must refrain from any retaliatory aggression, including support for infiltrations across the Line of Control, and take demonstrable action against the terrorist infrastructure on Pakistan’s soil,” they said in the statement. Click here to read more.
Malala Yousafzai calls for peace in J-K, says worried about Kashmiri women and children
Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan over scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai called for a peaceful resolution to the seven-decade-old conflict. Taking to Twitter, she said, “The people of Kashmir have lived in conflict since I was a child since my mother and father were children since my grandparents were young. For seven decades, the children of Kashmir have grown up amidst violence…Whatever disagreements we may have, we must always defend human rights, prioritise the safety of children and women and focus on peacefully resolving the seven-decade old conflict.” Click here to read more.
Detained at Srinagar airport, Ghulam Nabi Azad to be sent back to Delhi
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was detained at Srinagar airport, will be sent back to Delhi.
'God forbid nobody gets such a neighbour': Rajnath Singh's jibe at Pakistan
"We are most suspicious of our neighbour. The problem is you can change your friends but you cannot choose neighbours. And the kind of next-door neighbour we have, God forbid nobody gets such a neighbour," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
'India, Pakistan must ensure progress of Kartarpur Corridor is not affected': Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said both India and Pakistan must take adequate measures to ensure the progress of Kartarpur Corridor is not affected. "Kashmir is our internal matter and Pakistan’s decision to downgrade diplomatic ties is a knee-jerk reaction. Both countries must take adequate steps to ensure that the progress of Kartarpur Corridor isn't jeopardized in light of Pakistan government's decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with India," he tweeted.
'Kashmir like a concentration camp': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced from the Red Fort that we'll take Kashmiris forward not with bullets but by embracing them, but today, the situation in Kashmir is similar to that of a concentration camp. There is no mobile connectivity and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims are forced to return," Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told ANI.
'Political dialogue must continue in Kashmir': Karan Singh
Congress leader Karan Singh also said that political dialogue must continue in Kashmir to address the issue.
Rajasthan Congress leaders ‘welcome’ govt decision on J&K
Karan Singh isn't the only Congress leader to have welcomed the move. Congress leader and Minister of state for Youth Affairs and Sports Department Ashok Chandna wrote on Twitter on Tuesday morning that in his personal opinion, the scrapping of Article 370 is the first decision of the government which he welcomes. However, Chandna, who is also the president of the state Youth Congress, said that the execution of changing Article 370 should not be done in a dictatorial way and instead be done in an environment of peace and trust so that no citizen faces any inconvenience in the future. Congress MLA from Sardarshahar in Churu district, Bhanwarlal Sharma termed the move by the NDA government as one which is in the interest of the country. Click here to read more.
'Do not agree with blanket condemnation of Centre's decision on Kashmir': Karan Singh
Congress veteran Karan Singh, meanwhile, noted several "positive points" in the Centre's decision on Kashmir. "Do not agree with blanket condemnation of government's J&K moves, there are several positive points," he was quoted as saying by PTI. He also welcomed the Union Territory status for Ladakh and abrogation of Article 35A, saying gender-discrimination needed to be addressed.
Ghulam Nabi Azad stopped at Srinagar airport
Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Gulam Ahmed Mir were today stopped at Srinagar airport.
New Delhi urges Islamabad to review downgrading of bilateral ties
"The Constitution of India was, is and will always be a sovereign matter. Seeking to interfere in that jurisdiction by invoking an alarmist vision of the region will never succeed. The Government of India regrets the steps announced by Pakistan yesterday and would urge that country to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved," the MEA statement said.
'Developments on Article 370 an internal affair': MEA
“Its impact would also result in the removal of gender and socio-economic discrimination. It is also expected to result in an upswing of economic activity and improvement in the livelihood prospects of all people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is not surprising that such developmental initiatives that could address any disaffection in Jammu and Kashmir should be negatively perceived in Pakistan, which has utilized such sentiments to justify its cross-border terrorism. The recent developments pertaining to Art 370 are entirely the internal affair of India," the MEA statement added.
India responds to Pakistan's announcement to downgrade relations
Responding to Pakistan's decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with India, the Ministry of External Affairs today said, "The intention behind these measures is obviously to present an alarming picture to the world of our bilateral ties. The reasons cited by Pakistan are not supported by facts on the ground. Recent decisions by the Government and Parliament of India are driven by a commitment to extend to Jammu and Kashmir opportunities for development that were earlier denied by a temporary provision in the Constitution."
Azad's remark on NSA's visit will be used by Pakistan, he should apologise: BJP
Terming Azad's comment against NSA Doval as “unfortunate”, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that such remarks were expected from the “people of Pakistan” and not from India’s “biggest political party”. “Ghulam Nabi Azad’s comments are unfortunate. I condemn it strongly….when the NSA visits the state and meets and eats with the people of the area, the Congress says that we have paid them money?” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
After NSA’s interaction with Kashmiris, Ghulam Nabi Azad says ‘money can buy anyone’
Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad today took a swipe at National Security Advisor Ajit Doval after he was seen interacting with the residents of south Kashmir, saying “you can bring anyone on your side by paying money”. Doval was in Shopian district to discuss with the locals the government’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories. “Paise dekar aap kisiko bhi saath le sakte ho (you can bring anyone on your side by paying money),” Azad told reporters. Click here to read more.
“Has ‘muscular nationalism’ resolved any conflict anywhere in the world?”
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, meanwhile, took potshots at the Narendra Modi-led government over its slew of decisions on Jammu and Kashmir and wondered if “muscular nationalism” held any record of resolving conflict across the world. Taking to Twitter, the former Union minister said, “Has ‘muscular nationalism’ resolved any conflict anywhere in the world?” Click here to read more.
SC refuses urgent hearing of plea against detention of political leaders in Kashmir
The Supreme Court today refused the urgent hearing of a plea stating the detention of political leaders and the regressive measures in Kashmir. The petition, filed by activist Tehseen Poonawalla, had challenged the detention of leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, and internet shutdown in the newly created Union Territory. A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana said Poonawalla’s petition will be listed before the Chief Justice of India. Click here to read more.
J&K: PM Modi expected to address nation, Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Srinagar
Even as Jammu and Kashmir continue to be under lockdown, Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad is expected to arrive in Srinagar to interact with the locals on the Centre's decision to scrap Article 370. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, is expected to address the nation at 4 pm today on the government’s decision to revoke the special autonomous status to the state. Follow our live blog to get all the latest updates.