National

Opposition Endorses Draft Assembly Rules for Abrogation of Article 370

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2025

The draft proposal for the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Assembly has sparked controversy, with opposition members accusing it of being a clear endorsement of the central government’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.The Business Rules Committee of the Legislative Assembly is led by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. Other committee members include former Speaker Mubarak Gul (National Conference), Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPI-M), Saifullah Mir (NC), Nizam-ud-Din Bhat (Congress), Pawan Kumar Gupta (BJP), Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi (NC), R.S. Pathania (BJP), and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Independent).

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced that the budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly will commence on March 3. This session marks the first under Omar Abdullah’s administration since the restoration of an elected government after seven years of direct central rule.

The necessity to establish new rules arises from the transformation of the former J&K state into a union territory following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, a youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and MLA, accused the National Conference Government of endorsing the changes made on August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was repealed, leading to the bifurcation and downgrading of the state into two union territories.

In a post on X, Para shared a screenshot of a news article stating, “The modifications have been proposed to align the Rules with the constitutional changes enacted on August 5, 2019, according to an anonymous committee member.” He added, “The revised J&K Assembly business rules signify a departure from Article 370, tacitly approving the constitutional changes from August 5, 2019. This is a clear acknowledgment of the new status quo.”

Peoples Conference leader and MLA Sajad Lone criticized the draft proposals, labeling them “the most explicit and unforgivable ratification of the changes from August 5, 2019.” Lone expressed discontent over the committee’s makeup, dominated by seven members from the ruling National Conference (NC) and only two from the opposition BJP, excluding any representatives from Kashmir-based opposition parties. He cautioned that the current assembly’s actions could permanently obstruct any future legal challenges to the 2019 changes, marking a substantial transformation in the political landscape. Lone accused the NC and BJP of collaborating to normalize these changes and referenced historical examples of ‘endorsements’ in return for power.

“We had hoped for a decisive resolution from the new assembly that would reject the events of August 5, 2019, but instead, we face a startling reality. This assembly is being used to undermine any potential legal challenges in the future. The present assembly, representing the populace of J&K, will be remembered as an endorser rather than a rejector of August 5, 2019,” Lone stated.

He drew comparisons to historical instances where ‘gifts’ were given in exchange for endorsements, citing the 1975 arrangement that allowed a government to form without MLAs to approve constitutional erosions from 1950 to 1975, as well as the 1996 arrangement that involved orchestrating an election in Kashmir, effectively endorsing violence perpetrated by the state.

Lone concluded with a poignant remark, “It is a burden to be an MLA in an assembly that will be remembered for endorsing August 5.”

National

Marriage Turns into Alleged Fraud as Woman Flees with Jewellery

Published

2 days ago

October 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Chandigarh: A woman who allegedly posed as a PCS officer and married an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in Punjab reportedly fled with gold and silver jewellery and other valuables just a few months after the wedding.

AAP Joint Secretary Amarinder Singh Mandofal has alleged that he was cheated by the woman, identified as Manwinder Kaur. The two got married in February 2026 after Kaur’s family introduced her to Amarinder as a PCS officer.

According to Amarinder’s complaint, the woman was also presented as unmarried. However, he later allegedly discovered that she had been married earlier and had a son aged around 18. He also claimed that she had provided false information about her age.

The woman allegedly left the house with gold and silver jewellery and other valuable items a few months after the marriage. Amarinder said he became suspicious and later gathered information about her past.

Based on his complaint, police have registered a case against six people, including Kaur, on charges of cheating and forgery.

The FIR names her brother Tarlochan Singh, mother Varinderjit Kaur, cousin Narinder Singh Goldy, sister-in-law Rupinder Kaur, and former village sarpanch Surinder Singh Rana as co-accused.

Police said all the accused are residents of Sur Singh village under the Bhikhiwind police station limits in Tarn Taran district.

The wedding had been attended by several prominent AAP leaders and public representatives, including Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh.

Videos and pictures from the wedding celebrations have also gone viral on social media.

Police have begun an investigation into the allegations and the background of the accused.

National

Man Dies by Suicide after Jumping from 43rd Floor

Published

5 days ago

October 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Noida: A man died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Tower in Noida on Saturday.

The incident took place at the Supernova complex in Sector 94. A video shows the man standing near the railing before jumping. Another person tried to stop him but could not prevent the incident.

Police identified the deceased as Sambhav Jain, a resident of Manesar, Haryana. He had reportedly checked into an Airbnb in the building on Friday and was scheduled to leave on Saturday.

Police said Jain had called his father several times before the incident. His family has been informed.

The police and forensic teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage is also being checked as part of the investigation.

Police said Jain was reportedly under severe financial stress. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

The investigation is underway.

National

Captain Smit Machchhar Shares Ordeal with PM Modi

Published

6 days ago

October 3, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage after he helped prevent a major air disaster.

Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX reportedly lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. A second pair of pilots then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 passengers and crew were on board.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi that he was badly injured and had collapsed in the cockpit. He realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and that he had to act.

“I could not let all those people die,” he told the Prime Minister.

Captain Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. He managed to open the cockpit door, after which passengers and crew came to his help.

He also said he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting the pain and fear.

PM Modi praised the captain’s courage, patience and presence of mind. He said Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save many lives and called his effort a “monumental task.”

Captain Machchhar, who is from Gujarat, has more than 9,750 flying hours and has served as a captain for 11 years.