JKNC

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed intense uproar and sloganeering after the National Conference moved a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood from the Government of India. The move sparked sharp protests from Bharatiya Janata Party legislators over references to an earlier autonomy resolution from 2000. BJP MLAs entered the well of the House, raised objections, and tore copies of the resolution, forcing an adjournment. Speaking on the floor protests, National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq dismissed allegations that the resolution was anti-national or deliberately provocative. Sadiq clarified that the fresh draft does not supersede previous resolutions but specifically urges the restoration of statehood. He urged opposition members to participate in a democratic debate inside the Assembly rather than disrupt proceedings. Sadiq further asserted that the BJP's opposition reveals their reluctance to support statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

Unruly scenes unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs protested against the mention of the 2000 autonomy resolution in the statehood restoration resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. BJP legislators tore copies of the resolution, stepped onto tables, and attempted to enter the well while shouting slogans against the ruling National Conference. While the Bharatiya Janata Party supports statehood restoration, the party objected strongly to the inclusion of autonomy, accusing the ruling party of attempting to gain political points at the expense of national interest. Assembly marshals intervened to stop protesting legislators as commotion continued on the floor.

Commotion continued in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for the second consecutive day as Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs staged a walkout after the Speaker disallowed their request for a debate on corruption and unfulfilled commitments of the Omar Abdullah administration. Heated exchanges broke out between BJP and Congress legislators inside the House, prompting the deployment of assembly marshals. The opposition demanded discussions regarding issues concerning daily wagers, contractual workers, reservation, and power tariffs. In addition, disagreements emerged over the restoration of the official holiday commemorating Sheikh Abdullah's birth anniversary, which was opposed by the BJP as proceedings remained disrupted.

A major political debate has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over the recital of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram. National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stood for the full national song at an event in Srinagar following parliamentary approval.

A television debate examined the political dispute surrounding the rendition of the national song Vande Mataram following parliamentary amendments regarding its protection. Discussions focused on the differing approaches taken by political allies, with the National Conference choosing to stand for the full six stanzas citing constitutional obligations, while the Congress maintained its traditional adherence to the two-stanza version formulated in nineteen thirty-seven. Representatives debated whether the requirement to sing the complete version constitutes an enforced loyalty test or a legitimate constitutional duty passed by Parliament. The panel also addressed ideological consistency, historical resolutions from the pre-independence era, and broader differences within political alliances over national symbols and legislative compliance.

A political controversy has emerged over the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram, creating differences within the opposition alliance. While National Conference leaders in Jammu and Kashmir stood in attention for the full six stanzas of the song at an event in Srinagar, the Congress party reaffirmed its position of endorsing only the first two stanzas to preserve inclusive ethos. The National Conference maintained that the law passed regarding the song must be respected. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party targeted Congress over its stance, criticising the party and highlighting growing internal divisions between the alliance partners.

A political controversy has erupted between allies National Conference and Congress in Jammu and Kashmir over the rendition of Vande Mataram. Congress expressed displeasure after the full version of the national song was played at the International Film Festival inauguration in Srinagar, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah stood in respect. Congress argued that only three stanzas should be sung to maintain communal harmony. Hitting back, the National Conference stated that Parliament enacted a law regarding Vande Mataram and the entire nation must respect the national song. The National Conference urged Congress to avoid falling into the Bharatiya Janata Party's narrative trap and to focus on pressing national issues like unemployment and the economy. The party also cited instances of leaders standing for the full song during Independence Day events in Karnataka, calling the controversy unnecessary.

A political confrontation has intensified between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress over the singing of the full rendition of Vande Mataram. The BJP accused the Congress of harbouring an anti-national mindset and disrespecting freedom fighters after Congress leaders reaffirmed their stance of singing only the first two stanzas to maintain communal harmony. Meanwhile, the central government has proposed legislation penalising disrespect to the national song on par with the national anthem. The issue has also exposed divisions within the opposition alliance after National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stood for all six verses played at an event in Srinagar following new guidelines. Congress leader K. C. Venugopal stated that the full version sits uneasily with India's pluralist ethos, urging allies to adhere only to the version adopted during the freedom movement, while the BJP criticised the Congress for opposing the original version of the national song.

The full rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram, was played during the inaugural session of Jammu and Kashmir's first international film festival. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with former Chief Minister and National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah, stood at attention throughout the complete duration of the song. Senior dignitaries, including Syed Ata Hasnain, were also present and stood at attention during the performance. The event highlighted political discussions surrounding the rendition of the national song, with the Chief Minister leading by example during the ceremony.

A political confrontation has erupted over Jammu and Kashmir statehood following remarks questioning threats received by Kashmiri Pandits. The National Conference chief alleged a conspiracy to keep the region deprived of statehood and questioned the security situation handled by the Lieutenant Governor. The BJP condemned the remarks, accusing the National Conference of mocking Kashmiri Hindus, failing to address Islamist threats, and providing soft support to terrorists for votebank politics.

High political drama unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir as the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Conference staged counter-protests in Srinagar. The BJP launched a mega demonstration from Lal Chowk planning to march towards the Civil Secretariat, accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of failing to provide basic governance, raising electricity tariffs, and neglecting unemployment. Simultaneously, National Conference leaders and cadres assembled in the Rajbagh area to march towards the BJP office, reiterating demands for the restoration of Article 370, statehood, and constitutional guarantees. Both political demonstrations led to barricades, restricted vehicular movement, and heavy police deployment across Srinagar to maintain law and order. Security forces prevented the BJP march to the Secretariat and halted NC workers marching towards the BJP office, prompting both sides to stage sit-in protests.

In a sign of growing fissures within the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, Youth Congress workers staged a massive protest against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Banihal area of Ramban district. India Today correspondent Sunilji Bhatt reports that the protesters, despite being allies, set an effigy of the Chief Minister on fire, alleging that his government has failed to deliver on its poll promises. The Congress, which supports the National Conference (NC) government from outside, has expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's performance. Responding to the unrest, Ratan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, dismissed the agitation, stating, 'Look, the Bannihal constituency is in Congress frustration.' The incident highlights the fragility of the coalition as the Congress takes to the streets against its own partner.

An India Today special investigation reveals the easy availability of bomb-making materials, including ammonium nitrate and NPK fertiliser, in Haryana's Nuh, Sonipat, and Faridabad.

An India Today special investigation reveals the easy availability of bomb-making materials, including ammonium nitrate and NPK fertilizer, in Haryana's Nuh, Sonipat, and Faridabad. The report, featuring undercover work, shows these controlled substances are sold without documentation, highlighting a national security issue following the uncovering of a terror module of doctors who procured similar materials from the area. Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Dr. Vikram Singh calls it a "cumulative failure" of regulatory agencies. The bulletin also covers a political controversy in Jammu and Kashmir over merit-based medical college admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, where 42 of 50 seats were secured by Muslim students. This has drawn reactions from political figures including J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The program concludes by marking the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

This special report focuses on the controversy surrounding admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, where 42 of the 50 MBBS seats were secured by Muslim students, leading to protests. The bulletin covers the political escalation, featuring Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's reaction to the protests by Hindu groups and the BJP's stance. Abdullah is quoted warning against hounding Muslim students, stating, 'ban Muslim students and face the consequences.' He further cautioned that such actions could lead to a rerun of an 'Al-Falah-like' radicalisation, referencing a recent terror module investigation linked to Al-Falah University. The report highlights the intensifying and sensitive situation in Jammu as political tensions rise over the merit-based admissions.

This special report focuses on a significant political setback for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as his party, the National Conference (NC), lost the Badgam assembly by-election to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The bypoll was necessitated after Abdullah, who won both the Badgam and Ganderbal seats in the 2024 elections, chose to vacate the Badgam constituency. The loss is attributed to factors including party infighting, highlighted by the absence of NC Member of Parliament Agha Ruhullah from the campaign. While the NC faced a defeat in Badgam, the report notes a victory for the Congress party in the Jubilee Hills bypoll in Telangana. As journalist Mir Fareed states, 'it is a major jolt to Umar Abdullah because normally, in a by-election, you'll expect a party in power to win'.

In an exclusive interview on India Today's 'News Today', Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discusses the recent Delhi terror attack and the investigation into a 'white-collar' terror module with links to the valley. Abdullah condemns the violence but strongly pushes back against the stereotyping of all Kashmiri Muslims, arguing that the entire community cannot be held responsible for the actions of a few. Questioning the communication gap with the central government on the probe, Abdullah stated, 'I'm the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and I have no idea about any of the things you're talking about.'

This special report from RD INDIA TODAY covers the assembly by-election in Jammu's Nagrotha constituency, necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA Devender Singh Rana in October 2024. The main contest features 10 candidates, with a notable battle between BJP's Devyani Rana and National Conference's Shamim Begum. With over 97,000 eligible voters, polling has seen significant enthusiasm, particularly from women. Residents are primarily concerned with local development issues, including the poor condition of roads, and inadequate water and electricity supply, which they hope the new representative will address. A resident, Sonia Sharma, highlighted the neglect, stating, 'All the politicians come, but there is no work.'

This special report focuses on the high-stakes assembly by-poll in Budgam, a critical test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government one year after taking office. One local shopkeeper expressed the sentiment on the ground, stating, 'We got a lot of promises in the last election. But nothing happened on the ground level.' The contest is complicated by the National Conference's own MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who has refused to campaign for his party's candidate, citing unfulfilled promises. With key issues like the restoration of statehood, job creation, and free electricity hanging in the balance, this election is being viewed as a referendum on the National Conference's performance. The voters' verdict in this politically significant constituency will send a strong message about the public mood in Jammu and Kashmir.

This special report focuses on a controversial proposal by a Jammu and Kashmir Assembly House Committee to double the salaries of legislators from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh per month, a move supported across party lines by the BJP, National Conference, and Congress. A critic in the debate highlighted the irony, stating, 'when it is time to increase the salary, they suddenly get all the power.' This proposed 100% hike comes at a time when the Union Territory is described as a “cash strapped state” grappling with significant economic challenges, including a derailed tourism sector, high unemployment, and contractual government workers awaiting unpaid salaries for months. The report explores the stark contrast between the legislators' push for enhanced perks, including a massive increase in housing loans, and the financial hardships faced by the common people of Jammu and Kashmir.