Firdous Baba فردوس بابا

First the voices were labelled inconvenient. Now they are being restricted. The reported curbs on Greater Kashmir’s Facebook page, Kashmir Life’s Facebook and Instagram and Rising Kashmir’s Instagram reflect a dangerous drift toward information control. When established media houses are throttled, it is not about regulation, it is about control. You cannot speak of democracy while shrinking the space for journalism. If there is any allegation, state it openly. Opaque restrictions only expose intolerance to scrutiny. A society that fears questions is already in decline. Immediate clarification is not a favour, it is an obligation.

AIP Demands All-Party Meet on Jailed MLA, Citizenship for Pak-Returned Families, End to Arbitrary Employee Terminations Srinagar, Feb 1: Senior AIP Leader and MLA Langate Sheikh Khurshid along with AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, addressed a press conference here today, outlining a series of political and humanitarian initiatives taken by the Awami Itihaad Party both inside and outside the Assembly. During the press conference, Sheikh Khurshid informed that on January 24 he had personally handed over a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, requesting him to convene an all-parties meeting. The proposed meeting seeks to deliberate on the participation of incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik in the forthcoming Assembly session by passing a resolution urging the Lieutenant Governor to ensure his presence in the House. The MLA Langate also strongly condemned recent attacks on Kashmiris living and working in different parts of the country. Questioning the silence of the Lieutenant Governor, Sheikh Khurshid urged him to speak up on these incidents and to take up the matter with Governors, Chief Ministers, the Union Home Secretary and the Union Home Minister to ensure the safety and protection of Kashmiris across India. While discussing legislative initiatives, Sheikh Khurshid said he has brought a resolution seeking citizenship and legal status for women and children who returned from Pak and settled in Jammu and Kashmir under the Government’s Rehabilitation Policy. He noted that despite residing in the Union Territory for many years, many of these families remain without citizenship or legal recognition, leading to denial of basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment opportunities and identity documents. The resolution urges both the J&K Government and the Government of India to grant citizenship or appropriate legal status, issue valid domicile and identity documents, and ensure dignity, security and constitutional safeguards for these individuals. Another resolution highlighted by the MLA concerns the termination of government employees in Jammu and Kashmir without issuance of show-cause notices or providing them an opportunity to defend themselves. Terming such actions a blatant violation of principles of natural justice, Sheikh Khurshid said the House should demand a transparent and fair mechanism allowing affected employees to prove their innocence. The resolution also seeks reinstatement of those found innocent through proper legal and administrative review. Sheikh Khurshid further informed that a resolution has been moved seeking the return and transfer of all power projects to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. He said this would help ensure cheaper electricity, strengthen power infrastructure, enhance revenue generation and provide relief to electricity consumers in the Union Territory. Additionally, the MLA said a Bill has been introduced to promote participation of local youth in gravel and other minor mineral mining activities. The proposed legislation aims to provide a statutory framework for outsourcing mining activities to locals and was introduced to safeguard local interests and generate employment opportunities. The AIP leadership reiterated its commitment to raising public issues through democratic and constitutional means, both inside the Assembly and on public platforms.