Jammu and Kashmir has not seen an elected government since 2018, after the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the J&K Peoples Democratic Party. A year later, Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was revoked. Recently though, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that assembly elections would soon be held. For now, there is electoral buzz thanks to the Lok Sabha polls. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. She entered politics under the guidance of her father and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and became the first female chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after his passing in 2016. Her Lok Sabha campaign is centred on safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir's unique identity, resources, jobs and land. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ The voter turnout is expected to rise this time. Do you think people will support you again?
A/ The parliamentary election is an opportunity for people to express their feelings about how suffocated they have felt since 2019, and to denounce what happened as wrong, unconstitutional and contrary to the promises made. The narrative from the BJP is that all is well because tourists come to Kashmir and take selfies. But in reality, people are suffering in silence and are heartbroken. I am confident they will come out and vote.
Q/ What is your response to BJP's claims that post Article 370 abrogation, the situation has improved, terrorism is ending and Jammu and Kashmir is progressing?
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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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