In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Omar spoke about a range of issues, including the troubles within the INDIA bloc and the likelihood of a tie-up with the BJP after the assembly elections. Excerpts:
Q/What is your opinion about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s view that J&K has suffered from parivarvad (dynastic rule)?
A/The BJP has a problem with only those parivars that are opposed to it. If you are part of the BJP or the NDA, then parivarvad is not a problem. People wanted the prime minister to talk about the restoration of democracy and of statehood and other issues that concern them. They wanted to hear what was being done to improve the electricity situation after the dismal power supply in winter. The daily wagers wanted to hear about their regularisation, the youth wanted to hear about job prospects and Kashmiri migrants wanted to know about the government’s plans for them to be able to come back. On all these important points, the prime minister was strangely silent.
Q/Why are you so dismissive of the BJP’s claim about investments in J&K post the abrogation of Article 370?
A/Where is the investment? Tourism, agriculture, horticulture and handicraft are key sectors in Kashmir. Show anything new, like a new hotel? The only visible project is a mall under construction in Pulwama. If the removal of Article 370 was solely for building a mall, locals could have done that by themselves.
Q/How about the BJP’s claim of peace in Kashmir?
Denne historien er fra March 24, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra March 24, 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
