India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Srinagar: Facing criticism over the revised school timings, Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said the decision is not final and can be reviewed. The Education Department on Monday changed the timings of all schools in Kashmir and the winter zone of the Jammu division. The schools, which were closed for summer vacations due to a prolonged heatwave, reopened on Tuesday. According to an Education department order, the timings for schools falling within the municipal limits of Srinagar will be from 7:30 am to 11:30 am and the timings for those outside the Srinagar municipal limits will be 8 am to 12 noon. Prior to the summer break, the schools started around 9 am. The revised timings evoked a sharp reaction from many quarters, including parents. Opposition leaders also questioned the practicality of the move. "(I have) received many calls (over the change in school timings). I want to say that these (revised school timings) are not final. If we feel that there is a need to make changes in the timings, then we can do it," Itoo told reporters in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. In case there is some problem with the timings, adjustments can be made. People and students need not worry, she said. Itoo said the government wants children to study as examinations are approaching. "We have the November session and we want them to complete their studies. The endeavour behind reopening the schools after vacations and changing the timings is that the students should complete their syllabus because... examinations are in October," she said. "We want the students from J&K to study and excel," the minister said. It is not clear how long the revised school timings -- aimed at countering the heatwave -- will remain in place. Heavy rains significantly brought down the temperature in Kashmir on Monday. The weather department has forecast more rain over the next 48 hours. On June 21, authorities in Kashmir announced a 15-day summer break -- from June 23 to July 7 -- for all schools across the valley due to the soaring temperatures.
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Vedic hymns reverberated in Kashmir hills as Amarnath yatra officially began on Thursday with over twelve thousand devotees paying their respects and having darshan of fully formed natural Shivling or ice-lingam of Lord Shiva at Amarnath cave-shrine. The first day of the annual pilgrimage to the revered place of Hindu worship tucked away in the Kashmir Himalayas at a height of 12, 729 feet (3,888 metres) was marked with Prathan Pooja or the first prayer beside several feet -high naturally formed Shivling at the Sanctum-Sanctorum. A report said that the Shivling has been reduced con ...Read More >
Gajendra Singh emphasised the urgency of moving forward and reviving tourism in Kashmir (File) In a major push to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, a two-day conference of top tourism officials from across the country has begun in Srinagar. The tourism sector in Kashmir was severely impacted after the Pahalgam attack on April 22 in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, were killed by terrorists. In a first-of-its-kind substantial conclave in Srinagar, discussions will focus on tourism p ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) The United States' recent decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) has drawn sharp reactions from Indian Defence experts, who view the move as delayed and diplomatically motivated. Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd.), speaking to IANS, expressed skepticism over the US' true stance on terrorism. "America is trying to clarify its position in the context of terrorism at this time. It wants to show the world t ...Read More >
Moradabad (UP), Aug 1 (PTI) The Moradabad district administration has cancelled the allotment of a government bungalow granted to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has been asked to vacate the premises within 30 days. The bungalow, located in the posh Civil Lines area near the Police Training College (PTC II), was allotted to the SP patriarch 31 years ago. Spread across nearly 1,000 square meters on Nazul land, the property serves as the local SP office. District Magistrate Anuj Singh said the property is needed for housing officers and other ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday extended the term of the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Ravi Agrawal by one year, an official notification said.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the re-appointment of Agrawal, an IRS officer of the 1988 batch, as CBDT chairman for one year from July 1 this year to June 30, 2026, on contract basis.Agrawal took over as the CBDT chairman from Nitin Gupta in June 2024 after Gupta's extended tenure ended. Agrawal has been a member of CBDT. He was member administration and had served as DG investigation in Delhi. The gover ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 10: While the Information Technology (IT) department has claimed smooth functioning of the J&K RTI portal, several applicants and RTI activists have refuted government's version. Greater Kashmir stands by its news report carried on Thursday. Notably, on Wednesday Azad Parwaz, a lawyer and general secretary north Kashmir, PDP had taken to social media and highlighted erratic functioning of the portal. On his post on X, Parwaz had tagged CM Omar Abdullah, narrating the ordeal faced by RTI applicants. Parwaz had said that the portal was functioning properly for a few days of its l ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: A collision involving three buses carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Kashmir Valley's southern Kulgam district left 17 pilgrims injured on Sunday. The witnesses and police sources said that the mishap took place along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) near the Tachloo crossing in Kulgam's Khudwani area. "Over ten pilgrims were injured in the accident, which took place during convoy movement en- route to Baltal (a base-camp of the annual pilgrimage)," a police official said. However, a report put the number of the injured at 17, saying that most of them sustained minor inj ...Read More >
Srinagar- Despite overcast weather in the higher reaches of Kashmir, the annual Amarnath Yatra continues without major disruption, with over 2.34 lakh pilgrims having performed darshan at the holy cave since the pilgrimage began this year. According to official figures, a total of 13,490 devotees performed darshan on July 15 alone. The pilgrims included 9,096 men, 3,546 women, 199 children, 67 sadhus, and 14 sadhvis. Additionally, 568 security personnel also availed the darshan at the sacred shrine. Fresh batches of pilgrims continue to depart daily from the Jammu base camp. On Tuesday, 6,38 ...Read More >
Katra: Mixing humour with political resolve, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday used the flagging-off ceremony of the first train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra to subtly but clearly articulate his government's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Recalling the opening of the Katra Railway Station -- the last programme of his first government in 2014 -- Abdullah pointed to a "coincidence" that four people present at the event on Friday were also on stage that day. Humorously pointing out the differing career trajectories of the persons involve ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 28: Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of 'Operation Sindoor', has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), officials said here on Saturday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The two-year tenure of Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, officially begins on July 1. He takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. The decision to appoint Jain as chief of the external intelligence agency was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet earlier this w ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 2: The first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims received a grand and emotional welcome as they entered the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday afternoon , marking the beginning of the annual 38-day spiritual journey to the revered 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir. The atmosphere was one of celebration, devotion, and unity as officials, security personnel, political leaders, and locals came together to receive the pilgrims. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first convoy of 5,892 pilgrims from the heavily-guarded Bhag ...Read More >
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his international tour, questioning the effectiveness of India's diplomatic efforts in isolating Pakistan globally. Moitra commented on Modi's extensive traveling and expressed concerns about Pakistan's support from international organizations. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a multi-nation tour, he faced critical remarks from Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who questioned why India's diplomatic act ...Read More >
Srinagar- As schools across the Kashmir Division reopen on Monday, the Education Department's revised schedule, combining early morning classes with mandatory afternoon online sessions, has sparked a wave of concern and criticism from parents, who are calling the decision "impractical" and "poorly thought-out." In a formal statement issued Monday, Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that there will be no extension to the summer break. "The schools will reopen on Tuesday. All teaching and learning activities will resume as per the new time schedule," she said. According to the order, schools withi ...Read More >
SRINAGAR, Jul 8: Amid a backlash over revised school timings, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said the decision is not final and can be reviewed. The education department on Monday changed the timings of all schools in Kashmir and the winter zone of the Jammu division. The schools, which were closed for summer vacations due to a prolonged heatwave, reopened on Tuesday. According to an education department order, the timings for schools falling within the municipal limits of Srinagar will be from 7:30 am to 11:30 am and the timings for those outside the Srinagar mu ...Read More >
SRINAGAR, July 11: Amid the rising political heat over the 1931 martyrs, a senior member of ruling National Conference today vowed that the holiday on July 13 will definitely return as soon as possible. After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 J&K government headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha removed the 'Martyrs Day' from the official holiday calendar of the government. There has been a growing demand from the Kashmir based parties including ruling NC to reincorporate July 13 in the holiday calendar. NC's chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the party has always paid tribu ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired the Board meetings of Sher-i- Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) after the Boards were reconstituted recently with Chief Minister as chairman of both the Boards. CM chaired back-to back board meetings here at SKICC Srinagar. He presided over the 19th board meeting of SKICC which was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Administrative Secretaries of Finance, Tourism, DG Planning, Director Tourism, MD JKTDC and ...Read More >
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, calling it a Pakistan-sponsored act to disrupt Kashmir's economy and incite communal discord. While acknowledging the security lapse, he highlighted the decline in local militant recruitment and emphasized the government's commitment to countering terrorism. Sinha noted the temporary setback to tourism but assured a phased reopening with enhanced security measures. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has a ...Read More >
BIG WIN For India: US Officially Tags Pahalgam Attack Outfit TRF As Terrorist Group | Op Sindoor The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. TRF, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, had claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. The US State Department linked TRF to multiple recent attacks against Indian security forces. In response to the Pahalgam massacre, India launched Operati ...Read More >
JAMMU, July 19: Strongly condemning use of police force to prevent the Congress march in Srinagar today, senior leaders of the party have announced to take out a similar march in Jammu on Sunday for restoration of Statehood to J&K. Click here to watch video Talking to media persons at the party headquarters, here today, Congress leaders alleged that police forcibly prevented the protestors inside the gate of the Congress HQ in Srinagar leading to scuffle in which the PCC president Tariq Hameed Karra and others received minor injuries. "We strongly condemn the action of the administration an ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: The Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), launched in 2022, suffered a major setback as its last two prominent faces returned to the Congress fold on Friday. With this, the former J&K chief minister's ambitious plan to provide an alternative political force in the UT now seems like a closed chapter.In the past few months, Azad himself has not shown any interest in reviving his party as he has not held any meeting.Former ministers Taj Mohiuddin and Ghulam Nabi Sa ...Read More >
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered the reopening of 'buried' cases of those who lost their lives to terrorist attacks in the last three decades. The directions follow Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha's meeting with the families of civilians killed by the terrorists in the Valley on Sunday, as part of the Centre's initiative to enable families shattered by terrorism to share their pain and expose the conspiracies of the terror ecosystem. The event, organised by 'Save Youth, Save Future Foundation', saw over 80 families from three districts of south Kashmir, includi ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 12 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the women-led development in Jammu and Kashmir is key to eradicating terrorism and ushering in lasting peace and prosperity. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Addressing the valedictory function of women vocational training course at Army Goodwill School Balapur here in Shopian, the LG said, "Under PM Modi's guidance women's empowerment has been transformed into a mass movement in Jammu and Kashmir. The social and economic upliftment of women has been our top priority. I strongly believe that women-led development will lead us to ov ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 13 (UNI) 17 Amarnath pilgrims sustained minor injuries today in a road accident in Kulgam district of south Kashmir in a multi vehicle collision, officials said. They said three buses collided at Khudwani area along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway resulting in injuries to 17 pilgrims, all residents of Madhya Pradesh. Officials said the injured were promptly shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. " All the injured, including some women received minor injuries. The vehicles involved in the collision were towed away with the help of cranes, while the remaining yatris we ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 14 (UNI) As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath Yatra, Police in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir conducted a detailed mock drill along the designated Yatra route today. So far more than two lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas , since the Yatra began on July 3 Police said the mock drill was carried out at strategically significant points to assess the ...Read More >
The US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a foreign terrorist organization after it claimed responsibility for the deadly Pahalgam attack in 2025. This move, hailed by India, strengthens counter-terrorism cooperation between the two nations. India can now push for Pakistan's relisting on the FATF grey list. The US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba which had initially claimed responsibility f ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 28 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) will kickstart the Kashmir leg of its political movement 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' from south Kashmir's Kulgam district today. The campaign, aimed at advocating the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, has already completed its first phase in the Jammu region. A party spokesman said J&K Congress president Tariq Karra and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and AICC general secretary GA Mir will address a party workers' convention at Chawalgam in Kulgam, formally launching the campaign in Kas ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 2 (PTI) Local authorities gave a warm welcome to the first batch of Amarnath yatra pilgrims at several places in Kashmir, as hundreds of them turned up at in the valley Wednesday. The first batch of 5,892 yatris was flagged off from the yatra base camp in Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Upon their arrival in the Kashmir valley, the pilgrims' convoys received a rousing welcome from the administration, and the locals, in Kulgam, Anantnag, and Srinagar districts, officials said. The pilgrims reached the valley through the Navyug tunnel in Qazigund area ...Read More >
Baramulla, Jul 5: Hundreds of mourners from Delina and its neighbouring villages Saturday participated in the Muharram procession, the 9th day of the month of Muharram-Ul-Haram at Delina area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The procession was one of the series of processions being held in the month of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar. Dressed in black and carrying flags bearing religious inscriptions, participants from the villages of Hygam, Bulgam, Bohripora, Syedpora, Uri, Boniyar and other villages marched from new Imambargah through the National Highway NH-1 to the ma ...Read More >