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.
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.
After previously stating he would not compete for a seat in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has changed his tune and will now run for the Ganderbal constituency. This comes after a list of 32 candidates was released, including Abdullah's name for the Ganderbal segment where he served as the chief minister from 2009 to 2014. Speaking on the matter, Abdullah explained that his decision to reconsider his previous stance was prompted by the realization that he cannot urge the public to vote for an assembly that he himself isn't willing to be a part of.
The National Conference released its second list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, with the most prominent name being former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Abdullah will be contesting from the Ganderbal assembly constituency, previously represented by his father and grandfather who have also held the position of Chief Minister. The NC, in alliance with Congress and other parties, will be contesting in 85 of the 90 assembly seats, with five seats having a "friendly contest." This marks the party's progress in declaring candidates for the three-phase elections.
The National Conference has announced that former chief minister Omar Abdullah will be contesting from the Ganderbal constituency in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The constituency has traditionally been a strong hold for the party, with three generations of the Abdullah family being elected there in the past. The announcement came as the party released its second list of candidates, and amidst an alliance with the Congress in the union territory. In other political news, the speaker of the Odisha assembly has called for an all party meet after opposition parties caused a ruckus over reservation issues. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the rape case involving a doctor has led to protests, with police resorting to using lathi-charges and tear gas to control the situation.
JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah has criticized the BJP for their handling of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections, stating that the party should prioritize getting their own house in order rather than releasing lists of candidates that they then quickly withdraw. He also highlighted reports of chaos and violence within BJP offices. While the party announced 44 candidates initially, they later withdrew the list and released a revised version with only 15 candidates, sparking speculation about internal issues within the BJP. The Jammu and Kashmir elections are set to take place in three phases starting in September, with 90 assembly constituencies up for grabs.
The Indian cricket team is unlikely to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, according to a report by ANI. The BCCI is expected to request the ICC to host their matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai instead due to ongoing political tension between the two countries. Former Jammu and Kashmir leader Omar Abdullah stated that both India and Pakistan have a responsibility to improve their relationship and create a conducive atmosphere for hosting such bilateral events. The last time the ICC Champions Trophy was held in 2017, Pakistan was declared the winner after India and Sri Lanka's match was washed out due to rain.
A Delhi court grants custody parole to Engineer Rashid, who defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, to allow him to take oath as a member of Parliament on July 05. The National Investigation Agency has given consent for Rashid to take the oath, but with certain restrictions such as not speaking or interacting with media and not having access to internet or posting anything on social media. Rashid has been in jail since 2019 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
A bus carrying Hindu pilgrims on their way to Shiv Khori temple in Reasi, Jammu was attacked by suspected terrorists, resulting in 10 casualties. The incident took place on Sunday evening, just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to take his third term oath as PM. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have offered their condolences and condemned the attack, while emphasizing the need for all communities to unite in the face of such violence.