Conventionally, a tarami holds centre-stage at an elaborate wazwan feast. It바카라s a big, shiny copper dish heaped with fragrant rice, topped with spinach cooked in spices, Kashmiri seekh kebab and lamb in plum sauce.
Ritualistically speaking, yes, it was the tarami that was the object of focus recently at the Nawai Subh, National Conference (NC) party바카라s headquarters near Srinagar바카라s Zero Bridge, the venue for former chief minister Omar Abdullah바카라s rare, but sumptuous wazwan feast for local journalists.
But at this particular wazwan, what also shared the limelight apart from the tarami, were signs of a resurgence of political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir, which had faded into the backdrop ever since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
After serving journalists in attendance, Abdullah elaborated on his party바카라s stance ahead of the General Elections, particularly the Rajouri-Anantnag seat. He highlighted the Congress party바카라s reluctance to allocate it to the People바카라s Democratic Party (PDP) as part of the INDIA alliance바카라s seat-sharing in J&K. Abdullah, however, expressed confidence in winning the polls and reiterated the government바카라s hesitance to hold Assembly Elections.
Now, let바카라s rewind to October 2004, when a 16-member delegation of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), comprising journalists and activists, visited J&K as part of a government-guided trip. The visit was aimed at fostering understanding and confidence-building measures. The then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, NC leader Abdullah and Kashmiri separatists hosted the delegation. Abdullah addressed the delegation at the Nawai Subh, explaining his party바카라s stance on autonomy and taking questions from journalists, while reiterating that internal autonomy is the solution to the Kashmir issue. Additionally, he hosted the Pakistani guests to a wazwan feast.
Much water has flowed down the Jhelum since the cross-border bonhomie of 2004. On August 5, 2019, Abdullah, along with hundreds of others, was arrested as the government abrogated Article 370, which gave Kashmir special status within the Indian Union. One of the accusations against Abdullah in his Public Safety Act (PSA) dossier was that he was motivating people to vote.
In March 2020, when Abdullah was released from jail, the invariably clean shaven politician with a strong jaw appeared transformed, sporting a long, white flowing beard after a prolonged spell in captivity. 바카라232 days after my detention today, I finally left Hari Niwas. It바카라s a very different world today from the one that existed on 5th August 2019,바카라 he said. A few minutes later, he tweeted again. 바카라Had lunch with my mum & dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can바카라t remember a better meal even though I바카라ve been in a bit of a daze & don바카라t remember what I ate,바카라 reads another tweet from that day.
Only time will tell whether the NC has closed all its doors to the BJP, or if there바카라s a possibility of a crack in the door, as Abdullah has hinted.
Lately, Nawai Subh is buzzing again. The National Conference leaders, including vice president Abdullah and president Dr Farooq Abdullah, are regularly spotted at their party headquarters, signalling the NC바카라s resurgence post the setback of abrogation and the detention of its leaders.
Just three years ago, only spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar occupied the desolate party headquarters, grappling with uncertainties about Kashmir바카라s future. When asked about security forces바카라 undergarments draped over party flags in the vicinity at the time, he had attributed it to prevailing conditions. However, circumstances have evolved since then.
While the party바카라s flags and festoons have regained their identity, political slogans like autonomy, the PDP바카라s bellowing for self-rule and Azadi slogans raised by separatists appear to have vanished from Kashmir바카라s political landscape.
Political parties are eager to reclaim their positions in J&K, where assembly elections have not been held since 2014. They are urging the Election Commission to conduct the elections, even as the BJP consistently continues to taunt its opponents, the NC and the PDP, about their twin ideological slogans of autonomy and self-rule. Union Minister Jitendra Singh recently went one step further, when he repeatedly emphasised that J&K had achieved 바카라true바카라 self-rule and autonomy under the Modi government and contrasted his claim with what he considers the 바카라frivolous slogans바카라 of demands raised by Kashmir-centric political parties.
바카라The empowerment of women in Jammu & Kashmir has been greatly inspired by the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi. Under his guidance, efforts have also been made to enhance the political representation of Scheduled Tribes, a subject worthy of research. Those who previously debated autonomy and self-rule but failed to establish grassroots governance structures like Gram Panchayats and Zila Parishads,바카라 Singh said, after former NC leader Dr Shehnaz Ganai joined the party recently.
On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 as 바카라constitutionally valid,바카라 providing only consolation to the petitioners, mostly regional political parties, who sought a directive from the ECI to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024.
The NC바카라s political ideology has centred around Article 370, making its battle both legal and political. Despite earlier rulings declaring Article 370 permanent, the recent Supreme Court judgement upheld its abrogation. Abdullah believes another bench might reverse this decision. Just as the BJP persisted in its fight to revoke Article 370, the NC vows to continue its struggle to restore it.
Originating as a Muslim conference in 1931, the NC transformed into an inclusive ideological party dedicated to Indian unity and social reform, significantly influencing Jammu and Kashmir바카라s political landscape in 1947-1948. Party founder Sheikh Abdullah바카라s visionary 바카라Naya Kashmir바카라 document was considered revolutionary, advocating for progressive reforms and women바카라s rights in Kashmir when it was unheard of in other regions.
Under Sheikh Abdullah바카라s leadership, the NC advocated for autonomy within the Indian Union, aligning with principles of Indian unity and regional autonomy. Despite facing significant challenges and casualties among its members, the NC has persisted as a prominent political entity in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the decline of the PDP, the NC has repositioned itself as a formidable force in the region.
As the NC contemplates the resurgence of Sheikh Abdullah바카라s legacy, it confronts pivotal decisions amid J&K바카라s evolving political landscape. Will it adhere to its founding principles of autonomy and advocate for Article 370 restoration, or opt for compromise as seen during its alliance with the NDA in 1999? Formerly, Abdullah served as Union Minister of State for External Affairs under the NDA government.
Conflicting signals appear to emerge from the opposition outfit. While Abdullah refuted recent rumours of the NC joining the BJP-led NDA, emphasising his party바카라s stance against such speculation, his father, Dr Abdullah, stated that 바카라all options are open.바카라
Only time will tell whether the NC has closed all its doors to the BJP, or if there바카라s a possibility of a crack in the door, as Dr Abdullah has hinted. At a recent Iftiaar party, NC leaders were seen posing for pictures with Abdullah바카라s sons, Zamir and Zahir, suggesting they could be the party바카라s next-generation leaders. However, as the party continues to grapple with finding a post-370 slogan, Farooq Abdullah, the NC president, appears to have found a solution already. 바카라We are fighting this election to save our dignity and identity,바카라 Abdullah proclaims.
(This appeared in the print as 'The Political Aroma Of Wazwan')
