KASHMIR PEN | October 19, 2025
“A Week of Political Pulse and People’s Priorities”
The past week in Jammu and Kashmir has been one of intense political activity, administrative engagement, and renewed civic optimism. As the nomination process began for the Budgam and Nagrota assembly by-elections, the political landscape once again found itself charged with familiar undercurrents—alliances being tested, statements drawing battle lines, and governance being weighed against promises.
The National Conference (NC), after Congress’s refusal to share the fourth seat, nominated Imran Dar—an assertive move that reaffirmed its confidence and independence in the face of coalition hesitations. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s sharp remark that “BJP won’t secure even a single seat without horse-trading” resonated across the political spectrum, signaling that the bypolls are not just electoral contests but a barometer of credibility.
The Chief Minister’s engagements this week have been both wide-ranging and forward-looking. From addressing the FICCI National Executive Meeting in Srinagar to launching digital learning and teacher-support apps under Samagra Shiksha, his emphasis has been clear—attracting investment, strengthening J&K’s manufacturing base, and creating opportunities that connect economic progress with social equity. His reiteration that the Public Safety Act will be revoked once statehood is restored and his refusal to ally with the BJP underscore the NC’s attempt to draw a distinct moral and political line in J&K’s post-Article 370 landscape.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s week reflected the continuity of governance and welfare initiatives—from addressing the 45th Foundation Day of the J&K Samaj Kalyan Kendra’s School for the hearing-impaired to inaugurating the J&K Police’s Diwali Mela in Jammu. His review meetings at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and with various administrative councils showcased a commitment to institutional progress, even as political debates continue elsewhere.
On the social and educational front, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo’s remarks celebrating 75 years of Government College for Women, M.A. Road, highlighted an enduring truth—that women’s education remains a cornerstone of J&K’s developmental story. The event, “75 Years: A Celebration of Excellence in Women’s Education,” served as a reminder that empowerment begins with access and awareness.
Culturally, the Delphic Council’s three-day Interstate Cultural Festival brought together artists from across regions in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, reinforcing the Valley’s deep artistic roots. Similarly, the tribute hosted by Wisdom First to honor the late Ghulam Nabi Khayal celebrated a literary voice that shaped Kashmiri thought and journalism with courage and conviction.
Amidst these developments, governance and enforcement continued with a steady hand—two drug smugglers were convicted by a Srinagar Court, the Crime Branch filed a chargesheet in a major land fraud case, and anti-drug reviews under NCORD reflected a growing resolve to tackle social decay.
The week also saw Bandipora make history as it bagged the Best Performer Award in India under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyaan, earning national recognition from the Hon’ble President of India. This milestone is more than a district achievement—it represents what committed leadership and community participation can accomplish when vision meets execution.
Tourism, meanwhile, remains both a challenge and a hope. As CM Omar Abdullah acknowledged, revival will not be easy, but with renewed winter preparedness and infrastructural development in motion—from Habak Shanpora Stadium to mining surveillance systems—the groundwork for sustained growth is being laid.
In the quieter corners of this political storm, young voices too are asking to be heard—the J&K Students Association’s call for an open public debate on reservation policy reflects a maturing civic culture that values discussion over diktat.
As this week closes, J&K stands at an inflection point where politics, governance, and public aspiration are converging once more. The Chief Minister’s government completes its first year in office with visible intent and measurable outcomes, but the ultimate test—as rightly noted by the Deputy CM—will be the five-year report card.
Until then, the people watch, engage, and hope—because in this evolving chapter of Jammu and Kashmir’s journey, democracy is not merely an event; it is a continuing conversation.
— Mushtaq Bala
Editor-in-Chief, Kashmir Pen
