Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially stated that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will never be restored as it is now "history." During his visit to the valley, Shah also announced the release of a new BJP manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, which includes promises of development and progress for the state. The removal of Article 370 in 2019 has sparked controversy and division among political parties in the region, with some promising to restore it if elected into power. However, Shah made it clear that the BJP will never allow it to be reinstated, stating that it only caused harm to the youth and stability of the state.
With the Assembly polls nearing, Home Minister Amit Shah lambasted the Congress-NC alliance during a rally in Jammu, accusing them of attempting to revive the "old system" in the region. He also promised that statehood would be restored at an "appropriate time" after the elections, and emphasized that the NDA government will continue to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP's manifesto for the upcoming polls includes a unique scheme that will provide financial assistance to the eldest woman in every family and free gas cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme.
Following an interview with ANI, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, recalls the 1999 IC814 hijacking and its connections to an earlier kidnapping in 1989 when Rubaiya Sayed, daughter of Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was abducted by Kashmiri separatists. Abdullah explains the precedent set during the negotiation for Rubaiya's release, and how it became a benchmark for similar situations, such as the IC814 hijacking. He also shares insights on Afzal Guru's execution and the state's role in the decision-making process.
The Congress party has slammed the BJP's manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, accusing it of being a "jumla patra" and using false promises to gain sympathy. The manifesto, released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, promises 25 guarantees including the restoration of 100 "ruined temples" and the creation of five lakh jobs. However, the Congress points out that these proposals were not considered during the BJP's tenure in the state and the party dismisses them as empty promises. The Congress also highlights the difficulties faced by the public under the BJP's rule, including heavy taxes, unemployment, and inflation.
Amidst J&K's first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370, former CM Omar Abdullah's comments questioning the execution of Afzal Guru have sparked controversy. Abdullah, a vocal opponent of capital punishment, stated that the hanging "served no purpose" and that the J&K government would not have approved it. His remarks have drawn reactions from political leaders, with BJP standing by Guru's execution and Congress distancing itself from the discussion.
A political storm erupted on Friday as former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the execution of Afzal Guru, convicted for the 2001 Parliament attack, was futile. His remarks further fuelled the debate on the necessity of Guru's hanging, with Abdullah questioning whether the Jammu and Kashmir government truly believed it was necessary for his execution.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues its efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem by attaching the property of a Hizbul Mujahideen associate in connection with the targeted killing of a Sarpanch in Jammu & Kashmir. The accused, Nasir Rashid Bhat, provided his car to the assailants, conducted a recce of the Sarpanch’s house and informed the HM terrorists about the target’s presence. The NIA has charged six accused and the trial is ongoing.
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his assurance that the INDIA bloc government will bring back statehood to Jammu and Kashmir if the present BJP government fails to do so. Naqvi accused the Congress of destroying happiness, development, and trust in J&K and claimed that Gandhi's promise is only for the benefit of separatists. He also mocked the previous elections in J&K as a joke, citing low voter turnout and alleged tampering. However, he expressed confidence in the upcoming elections being conducted transparently, including the first poll since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The National Conference and Congress have announced a pre-poll seat-sharing agreement, with the NC contesting in majority of the seats.
In a rally in Dooru assembly segment, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vowed to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as the first decision of the INDIA bloc government if the BJP fails to do so after assembly polls. He emphasized that this responsibility goes beyond political parties and is a collective duty of all citizens of the country. Gandhi also criticized the decision to downgrade Jammu and Kashmir to a Union territory, stating that it has led to loss of rights and power of the people.
In a nail-biting finale, Indian archers Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi brought home bronze in the mixed compound archery event at the Paris Paralympic Games. The 39-year-old Kumar and 17-year-old Devi, both from Jammu and Kashmir, defeated Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina with a scoreline of 156-155, marking India's second ever medal in archery at the Paralympic Games. The young Sheetal, born with a rare medical condition, proved to be an unstoppable force on the global stage, while Rakesh, despite a debilitating spinal cord injury, displayed incredible resilience and determination.