Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of BJP Minority Morcha, stated that the demolition of religious structures for development should not be viewed communally, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Muslim nations. He accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and instigating unrest. Ali also expressed confidence in the BJP forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir and addressed concerns regarding the delay in statehood restoration, asserting that the central government would make the best decisions for Kashmir.
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit has strongly criticised Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for advocating the restoration of Article 370, asserting that the constitutional provision has been permanently abrogated and such calls aim to disrupt peace. The party emphasised that Kashmir has moved beyond past conflicts and is focused on development, while reiterating that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, distinct from Article 370.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood, a move that saw the opposition BJP stage a walkout. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution, which also referenced previous calls for greater autonomy and special status. The BJP vehemently opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution.
The BJP has initiated a motion to remove the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather. This action stems from the Speaker's decision to allow a resolution by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanding full statehood restoration, which the BJP claims violates assembly rules. The Speaker, however, defended his actions, citing procedural rules for such motions.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes as BJP members protested a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of statehood. The BJP opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution, and moved a motion for the Speaker's removal, leading to disruptions and mock proceedings in the House.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh clarified his stance on his political future and loyalty to the BJP, stating it is his duty to voice his feelings about Punjab to the party, but this does not imply he is quitting. He also reflected on his long political career and the current "difficult times" while attending a book launch.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant reshuffle of its state in-charges and co-in-charges across all 28 states and eight Union territories, with prominent leaders like Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav assigned to crucial states, as the party gears up for upcoming assembly elections.
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly has passed a resolution demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood, a move that saw protests and a walkout by BJP legislators. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the Centre's repeated assurances of restoration at an 'appropriate time'.
Abdul Kabir courted controversy by calling Wani a "martyr" and questioned certain BJP leaders' visit to the house of the slain militant and offering the family compensation.
The National Conference and BJP held significant protests in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing each other of failing to deliver on promises. The NC demanded the restoration of statehood, while the BJP criticised the NC government's performance on issues like jobs and corruption, marking the first major political unrest since Article 370's abrogation.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary recently made a statement suggesting Lord Ram was 'asking for a home' while Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided houses to millions. He linked the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to PM Modi's efforts, highlighting the BJP's ideological commitment to the temple and other key issues like Article 370 abrogation. Choudhary also mentioned plans for a Sita temple in Bihar.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution in the assembly demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood for the union territory. The resolution, which referenced previous autonomy resolutions, led to intense protests and "ugly scenes" from opposition BJP members, resulting in the adjournment of the House. Abdullah highlighted the unfulfilled promise by the Government of India regarding statehood after delimitation and elections.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP has served a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demanding a retraction and public apology for his allegations that the BJP attempted to bribe National Conference legislators to destabilise his government. The BJP has called the claims "false, baseless and defamatory" and warned of civil and criminal proceedings, including a Rs 100 crore defamation suit, if their demands are not met within seven days.
Several prominent BJP leaders, including former Union minister Smriti Irani, RSS veteran Ram Madhav, and former chief ministers Biplab Kumar Deb and Tirath Singh Rawat, have been reinstated into significant roles within the party's national team. This reshuffle marks a political recovery for many who had previously seen their influence wane or lost electoral battles, positioning them for key organisational responsibilities ahead of upcoming elections.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by trying to split the National Conference. He alleged that the BJP is using financial incentives and promises of ministerial berths and statehood to lure his MLAs, with one MLA reportedly offered up to Rs 30 crore. Abdullah asserted that his party's legislators would not compromise their integrity.
The Delhi Police have designated three new venues for protests - Burari Ground, CBD Ground, and Ramlila Ground - after denotifying Jantar Mantar. These sites vary in size and location, with concerns raised about the impact of protests on commercial and residential areas near CBD Ground, while Burari Ground is the largest. Ramlila Maidan has a rich political history.
Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have strongly criticised the Centre's security measures in New Delhi, including metro and train cancellations, ahead of their planned protest at Jantar Mantar. They accuse the government of imposing an "emergency" and being afraid of Gen Z, while demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities. The Supreme Court has intervened, directing authorities to ensure regulated movement.
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
From a milk abhishek and aarti in Patna and Vadnagar to blood donation camps in Delhi, sand art tributes in Puri and Agartala, and havan pujas in Jammu, BJP leaders and others nationwide honoured the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday with prayers, service drives and tributes.
Tensions have emerged within Jammu and Kashmir's ruling alliance between the National Conference and Congress over the full rendition of Vande Mataram at an official state event. While the NC defends it as a "statutory obligation," the Congress expresses strong disapproval, citing historical resolutions and the need to respect India's pluralistic ethos.
'...in which our names are written with our phone numbers.'
The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.
'93 lakhs deletions in Bengal, 96 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, 24 lakhs in Kerala, 77 lakhs in Gujarat, 45 lakhs in Madhya Pradesh, 44 lakhs in Rajasthan. 2.89 crores in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 3 crores!'
Opposition parties in India are demanding the impeachment and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he is running the poll panel as a 'one-man autocracy' following revelations that two Election Commissioners red-flagged issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
How long can the Cockroach Janta Party remain an agitationist force? asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
The BJP is significantly increasing its digital engagement with young people on Instagram, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers, in response to the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and subsequent student protests. This strategic shift aims to counter the narrative and communicate government actions on examination reforms.
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has reopened investigation into the 1998 Wandhama massacre in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, where 23 Kashmiri Pandits were shot dead by terrorists, officials said on Tuesday.
Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
BJP spokesman Sajid Yousuf Shah claimed he was asked to leave a hotel in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar due to his "Kashmiri identity." Shah expressed sadness over the incident, highlighting persistent stereotypes despite efforts to strengthen bonds between Jammu & Kashmir and India. The National Conference criticised the BJP, stating the incident reflects the "politics of hatred" propagated by the party.
Jailed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yasin Malik, accused in the 1990 murder of a Kashmiri Pandit woman, has submitted a 25-page affidavit. In it, he pleads not guilty, refuses to contest the case, and asks for capital punishment. Malik also announced his decision to divorce his wife, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, citing prolonged incarceration and inability to communicate. He claims the charges are fabricated and politically motivated, arguing he was critically injured at the time of the alleged murder.
The BJP has announced 11 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, notably omitting Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian, whose terms end soon. This decision, alongside other recent appointments, has fuelled speculation about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle. The list includes new faces and senior party leaders from various states.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's dismissal and arrest on August 9, 1953 marked a decisive shift in the Centre-J&K power equation. Seven decades later, the erosion of the state's special constitutional position culminated in the August 5, 2019 changes, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
'The BJP has all the instruments with them and they do have a sense of purpose, so I don't think there will be a challenge.'
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has alleged that the BJP's "real and ultimate target" in seeking a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha is to amend the Constitution to end reservation, rather than genuinely implement women's reservation.
As India's decline continued on global indices, the government first blamed methodology and then motives. This is where we remain today as we wish each other and ourselves a happy Independence Day, points out Aakar Patel.
Lack of women in Karnataka's new council of ministers has put the spotlight once again on women's under-representation in politics and policy.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared a fabricated social media post attributed to former US President Donald Trump, captioned 'If only!', to highlight his demand for the restoration of J&K's statehood, drawing significant criticism online.
A political row has erupted over the twin blasts in Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the BJP of trying to create fear ahead of next year's assembly elections. The BJP has hit back, terming the remarks condemnable and alleging that Mann ignored preliminary investigation findings pointing towards possible ISI involvement.
A suspected operative of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was arrested in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district, and investigators believe he could be part of an ISI-backed network tasked with collecting intelligence on VIPs including BJP leaders, recruiting operatives and laying the groundwork for possible terror activities in the state.
