Nestled in the serene yet scarred landscapes of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Arde Nareshwar Temple stood as a silent witness to one of the darkest chapters in the region’s history. For over two decades, its bells were silent, its walls deserted — haunted by the tragic massacre of 24 Kashmiri Hindus also known as Kashmiri Pandits in 2003 that forever changed the narrative of this quaint village.
Read MoreThe Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage gives a major push for reconciliation between Hindus from the rest of India and Muslims in Kashmir, acting as a catalyst for bringing together communities divided by violence. The holy cave was discovered by a Muslim devoted to Lord Shiva, a deity in the Hindu trinity. Despite the government’s intervention, the pilgrimage has brought people together.
Read MoreThe Russian military’s need to replenish its ranks for what appears to be a long-term war against Ukraine and its Western allies has resulted in Indian men being lured to Moscow with the promise of work, only to discover that they have been forced to enlist in the army. Russian President Vladimir Putin has even justified the invasion of Ukraine partly as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox Church.
Read MoreDays after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple built over a mosque demolished by agitators in 1990, a new report by the Archaeological Survey of India found that another mosque had been built over a pre-existing Hindu temple. A court ruling that followed the survey granted Hindus permission to conduct prayers in one of the mosque's four cellars, igniting tensions with Muslims.
Read MoreIndia’s Supreme Court recently upheld the government's decision to revoke the special status of Kashmir under Article 370, a move made more than four years ago. This latest decision, however, has rekindled debates surrounding autonomy, demographics and the trajectory of regarding Kashmir’s future.
Read MoreThe journey of Kashmiri rappers began with a desire to be heard. With each rhyme, they found solace and empowerment, creating a path for future generations to follow. The verses of Kashmiri rappers unmask the harsh realities of their homeland, shedding light on the pain and resilience of its people. Their lyrics become a mirror, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of a generation yearning for peace.
Read MoreIn the serene landscapes of Punjab’s Barnala district in the northern part of India, the melodious Muslim call to prayer resounds throughout the day. While communal tensions and clashes occasionally make headlines, a different narrative unfolds in the villages of Kutba Bamaniya and beyond. Amid this backdrop, a pre-partition mosque stands tall as a symbol of history, resilience and a shared commitment to coexistence.
Read MoreDespite Sikhism’s denouncement of dowry, the tradition of demanding monetary or material gifts from the spouse’s family persists. As more individuals from Punjab pursue opportunities abroad, “reverse dowry” has left families shattered, marriages in ruins and spouses abandoned.
Read MoreRecognizing the power of spiritual guidance, religious leaders in Kashmir are playing a pivotal role in the fight against drug addiction. They advocate for the establishment of local committees tasked with monitoring substance abuse in residential and business areas. They say that these committees comprised of community members can serve as guardians against the spread of addiction.
Read MoreAccording to the latest figures given in the Parliament, the region with a population of 14 million has almost 1 million drug addicts. The consequence of such a massive upswing in drug addiction has taken a heavy toll on a society pounded by conflict and political uncertainty.
Read MoreAmritpal Singh was born in Jullupur Khera in the Amritsar district of Punjab. He reportedly enrolled himself in a polytechnic college before moving to Dubai to join a transport business in 2012. In 2022 he returned to India to take over the leadership of “Waris Punjab De” after founder Deep Sidhu died on Feb. 15, 2022 in a vehicle accident.
Read MoreGiving and taking dowry and lavish weddings are totally banned in this tiny hamlet of 6,000 people in central Kashmir. Local officials realized the insidious effect of high-rolling dowries on young people pursuing marriage and families.
Read MoreA political storm has erupted after Jammu-Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer Hridesh Kumar recently announced that anybody living and working or studying in the contested Jammu-Kashmir region, even temporarily, can vote in the assembly elections, likely next year.
Read MoreProtests by Kashmiri Hindus, also known as Kashmiri Pandits, have continued daily since the killing of Kashmiri Hindu Rahul Bhat on May 12 by, police allege, militants fighting against the Indian rule in Kashmir. Hundreds of Pandit government employees with families are protesting and demanding security.
Read MorePakistani wives of former militants who returned to Indian-administered Kashmir after the announcement of an amnesty policy in 2010 have been demanding that they must be either deported or given Indian citizenship.
Read MoreThe Indian government blocked foreign donations to Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity over the Christmas holiday, cutting off a major source of funding for the Roman Catholic organization that provides housing, food and medical care for thousands of poor, disabled and ill Indians.
Read MoreKashmiri Hindus have longed to return and remain in their Himalayan homeland since fleeing violence by separatist militants in the 1990s. The Indian government has repeatedly promised to help them move back to Kashmir. But now thousands are again fleeing India’s only Muslim-majority region after a series of targeted civilian killings.
Read MoreThe killing of at least five civilians, five soldiers and two militants in Kashmir over the past several days has plunged India’s Himalayan territory into grief and anger. The violence reminds Kashmiris of the early 1990s, when militants warring against New Delhi’s rule targeted Kashmiri Hindus, prompting 300,000 Hindus to flee the area.
Read MoreYoung Kashmiris are creating and performing new music as therapy to counter the sense of hopelessness, isolation and depression that has gripped their majority-Muslim Himalayan region of North India, which has endured years of conflict, military presence, frequent lockdowns and unpredictable internet bans under a Hindu-first government.
Read More(ANALYSIS) KASHMIR -- Nearly two years after Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories and Article 370 of the Constitution was revoked, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met 14 J&K leaders in New Delhi on June 24 to end the political impasse in the former state.
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