Sajad Lone accuses NC of 'only going after Kashmiris'
Srinagar, June 4 (UNI) J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on Wednesday lashed out at National Conference and its current administration, accusing them of targeting Kashmiris and running a system steeped in 'lies, inaction, and brazen corruption.'
Addressing a press conference, Lone said the NC has no power to impact anyone except the common Kashmiri.
'They are going after the very people who voted for them. And those who didn't, they are being treated with callousness. This is exactly what we expected from them,' Lone remarked.
He went on to cite rampant corruption and inefficiency in the current setup.
'We will begin collecting evidence, Insha'Allah. They have done no work till date—just lie after lie. Where is the government? What have they delivered to the people?' he questioned.
Taking a swipe at the frequent official review meetings, he said, 'They've been holding these meetings for eons here—only to sip tea and eat kebabs. In our time, too, these review meetings meant nothing. Do you think Germany, Japan, UK or US became first-world nations through review meetings? It takes hard work, day and night, to build a nation.'
He also raised concerns about the over-centralisation of power in the Chief Minister's office. 'The CM is handling 28 to 30 departments alone. Is he even human? If ministers can't be appointed out of fear or indecision, what is the point of being in power?'
He criticised the system still being run by commissioner-secretaries as it was decades ago, asking, 'Why did people even vote if nothing was meant to change and ministers were only meant to stay busy with transfers?'
On the recent demand by PDP for Kashmiri Pandit reservation in the Assembly, Lone supported the idea but questioned the timing and intent.
'Yes, Kashmiri Pandits must get political reservation. They are part of Kashmir and must not feel alienated. But why didn't PDP or Congress act when they were in power for 30-40 years? This selective remembrance of KP issues when out of power is hypocrisy. The same applies to human rights. Those who violated them now pretend to be their defenders — it's a cruel joke,' he said. UNI MJR SSP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
22 minutes ago
- United News of India
J&K: Reasi lithium to play key role in achieving PM Modi's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070: Jitendra
Katra (J&K), June 6 (UNI) Asserting that the hilly region of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir has lot many assets that are contributing in fulfilling the dream of 'Viksit Bharat', Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said that the deposits of huge quantity lithium found in this belt will play a major role in achieving PM Modi's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. 'Just few kilometres away from the place we are sitting right now in Reasi, lithium mineral was found in a huge quantity and I am sure whenever it will comes into use, this region will contribute and pave the way for achieving PM Modi's target of net-zero emission by 2070,' Dr Singh said addressing a huge gathering here at the Sports Stadium. PM Modi after dedicating Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Rail-Link (USBRL) to the nation by flagging of Vande Bharat on Katra-Srinagar rail link and inaugurating world's highest train bridge on Chenab in Reasi here addressed a public gathering. 'This region (Reasi) has a lot of assets and contributes in fulfilling the dream of 'Viksit-Bharat',' said Dr Singh. Welcoming the PM Modi in the holy Katra town—the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan nestled in the Trikuta Hills, Dr Singh said, '11 years ago, PM Modi inaugurated the Katra Railway Station after becoming the Prime Minister in 2014 by the blessings of 'Mata Rani' as it was destined.' 'The Jammu railway station had witnessed its first train arrival in 1972,' Dr Singh said adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership transformed the vision into reality and perhaps it was destined that people of Jammu and Kashmir had to wait for over 50 years, until the start of PM Modi's leadership, to witness this historic moment. He recalled the initial steps taken during Modi's tenure, including a significant public event at Katra Railway Station in 2014. He further said that in the tenure of PM Modi, two Vande Bharat trains started operating between Delhi-Katra, it is in his term, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Corridor started and it is in his term, civilian flights will operate from Udhampur airport. 'We witnessed that our forefathers never saw much transport in the hilly belts but these mountains now have a network of roads and rail tracks,' said the Union Minister. 'These are the same mountains that once heard bullets of terrorists and now have been replaced with train horns,' he added.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump vs Harvard: Judge blocks Donald Trump's ban on Harvard foreign students
Trump vs Harvard: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's proclamation banning foreign students from entering the US to attend Harvard University. Donald Trump administration's revocation of Harvard's SEVP is the latest effort by the Republican administration to restrict enrollment at the Ivy League school, which relies heavily on international students for much of its research and scholarship, reported AP. Harvard filed a legal challenge on Thursday, asking for a judge to block Trump's order and calling it illegal retaliation for Harvard's rejection of White House demands. Harvard said the president was attempting an end-run around a previous court order. A few hours later, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston issued a temporary restraining order against Trump's proclamation. Harvard, she said, had demonstrated it would sustain 'immediate and irreparable injury' before she would have an opportunity to hear from the parties in the lawsuit. Burroughs also extended the temporary hold she placed on the administration's previous attempt to end Harvard's enrollment of international students. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification to host foreign students and issue paperwork to them for their visas, only to have Burroughs block the action. Trump's order this week invoked a different legal authority. For the second time in a month, incoming foreign students at Harvard have faced uncertainty only to be saved by court intervention. Alan Wang, a 22-year-old from China set to begin a graduate program at Harvard this August, described the experience as an emotional roller coaster. 'I cannot plan my life when everything keeps going back and forth. Give me some certainty: Can I go or not?' Wang said. Wang was born and raised in China but attended high school and college in the US. He's now in China for summer vacation. Recently he has been exploring options in countries with more appealing immigration policies, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A court hearing is scheduled for June 16 to decide if the judge will extend the block on Trump's proclamation. If Trump's measure were to survive the court challenge, it would block thousands of students who are scheduled to go to Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the summer and fall terms. It would also direct the State Department to consider revoking visas for Harvard students already in the US. 'Harvard's more than 7,000 F-1 and J-1 visa holders — and their dependents — have become pawns in the government's escalating campaign of retaliation,' Harvard wrote Thursday in a court filing. While the court case proceeds, Harvard is making contingency plans so students and visiting scholars can continue their work at the university, President Alan Garber said in a message to the campus and alumni. 'Each of us is part of a truly global university community,' Garber said Thursday. 'We know that the benefits of bringing talented people together from around the world are unique and irreplaceable.' Trump's proclamation invoked a broad law allowing the president to block 'any class of aliens' whose entry would be detrimental to U.S. interests. It's the same basis for a new travel ban blocking citizens of 12 countries and restricting access for those from seven others. In its challenge, Harvard said Trump contradicted himself by raising security concerns about incoming Harvard students while also saying they would be welcome if they attend other U.S. universities. 'Not only does this undermine any national security claim related to the entry of these individuals, it lays bare the Proclamation's true purpose: to punish Harvard as a disfavored institution,' the school wrote. Harvard has attracted a growing number of the brightest minds from around the world, with international enrollment growing from 11% of the student body three decades ago to 26% today. Rising international enrollment has made Harvard and other elite colleges uniquely vulnerable to Trump's crackdown on foreign students. Republicans have been seeking to force overhauls of the nation's top colleges, which they see as hotbeds of 'woke' and antisemitic viewpoints. Garber says the university has made changes to combat antisemitism. But Harvard, he said, will not stray from its 'core, legally-protected principles,' even after receiving federal ultimatums. Trump's administration also has taken steps to withhold federal funding from Harvard since it rejected White House demands related to campus protests, admissions, hiring and more. Harvard's $53 billion endowment allows it to weather the loss of funding for a time, although Garber has warned of 'difficult decisions and sacrifices' to come.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir rail link: ‘For us it's not just a moment of pride but a historical event'
More than five decades ago, an assembly member from Baramulla, Peer Shamus u din, had raised a question in the assembly seeking efforts for a direct railway link between Baramulla and the rest of the country. Today, his son, who is in early 60s, has seen his dream being fulfilled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra and Srinagar. With this Kashmir has now all-weather Railway connectivity with the rest of the country. Not only the government, political leaders, business community, and even the common man termed this as a historical event. 'My father was an assembly member from Baramulla (1965 to 1971). He had raised this question in the then legislative assembly that Baramulla and Srinagar should get a train connectivity with the rest of the country. That time it looked like an impossible thing. But today when PM Modi flagged off the train from Katra, I saw the dream of my father and many Kashmiris being turned into a reality. For us it's not just a moment of pride but a historical event,' said Peer Jalaludin, former Baramulla mayor and a senior PDP leader. A senior government officer, Shabir Ahmad, who boarded the first train, said everybody who was in the train couldn't hide their emotions. 'All praised the country's leadership for accomplishing this great task despite many impediments. Now Kashmir will have all-weather train connectivity with the rest of the country,' he said. Shazia Akthar, a women entrepreneur, termed the railway connectivity a biggest gift from the Government of India. 'This will help all the sectors in Kashmir whether it's tourism, handicrafts or horticulture. It could be a gamechanger in future,' she said. On Thursday, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah had termed this a landmark day for J&K. 'Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the PM,' he wrote on X while posting breathtaking pictures of railwayline on social media. Nayeem Showkat, former assistant professor at central university, who is currently doing post doctorate fellowship at Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, this train has been a major development in the region's communication landscape. 'As a communication student, I have always considered the train to be a foundational medium of mass communication and connectivity,' he added. Leaders all praise for the move Former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the launch of Vande Bharat Express. 'This long-awaited step promises ease for commuters and boosts connectivity in our region,' she said. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, who is also a prominent businessman of J&K, termed the inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by the Prime Minister a historic milestone and the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. 'This train service from Katra to Srinagar will not only reduce travel time by several hours but also ensure all-weather connectivity for Kashmir with the rest of the country for the first time. This improved connectivity is a big step towards progress and economic growth. I extend warm greetings to the people of Kashmir and take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Government of India for turning this uphill task and long-cherished dream into reality,' he said. Fruit growers upbeat The Valleys fruit industry which contributes to 8% of J&K's GDP are upbeat on the all-weather connectivity via railway from Srinagar to the rest of the country and termed the decision as a historic and transformative moment. 'This new railway segment will reduce the travel time and enhance all-weather connectivity, besides providing safe, economical and efficient mode of transport for all,' said Bashir Ahmad Bashir of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association. 'We want the introduction of a separate train from Delhi to Srinagar and a goods train which could boost the economy of UT.' The government also in a message termed it a big moment for Jammu & Kashmir and India's infrastructure journey. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Bridge to the nation. This engineering marvel, taller than the Eiffel Tower, is part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link that connects Kashmir to the rest of India year-round. With the launch of Vande Bharat trains to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Srinagar, this project boosts tourism, trade and opportunities for youth. From 36 tunnels to 943 bridges, this is India's boldest step yet in transforming connectivity in the Himalayas,' the message released on social media and local newspapers read.
