Political leaders, workers and activists continue to be under detention, and some of them have been charged with the stringent Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act and lodged in prisons outside the state.
The communication blockade has been partially lifted—landlines have been restored, but cellphones and the internet continue to be down. Businesses, schools and public transport remain nonfunctional despite the government’s efforts to restore normalcy. Militants have used subtle and coercive means to prolong the shutdown. They recently shot dead a shopkeeper at Parimpora in Srinagar and fired at four fruit-sellers and a toddler.
While life has largely returned to normal in Jammu and Ladakh, Kashmir seems to be staring at a prolonged shutdown. The government’s biggest worry is bridging the political vacuum created by the mass detentions. All except two political leaders—first-time MPs Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference—have been detained. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, the first by a Kashmiri politician since the clampdown began, Lone said the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was unconstitutional. He said he hoped that the Supreme Court would strike it down. Excerpts:
Q/ On what grounds has the National Conference challenged the voiding of Articles 370 and 35A in the Supreme Court?
A/ No amendment can be done to Article 370 unless it is proposed by the J&K constituent assembly. Unless there is a recommendation by the J&K constituent assembly or the state assembly, the president cannot amend Article 370. What they have done is illegal.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 29, 2019 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 29, 2019 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock