#altaf bukhari minister

[beardedmrbean]

As an armed rebellion against Indian rule raged in Kashmir through the 1990s and 2000s, Jamaat-e-Islami, an influential socio-religious group, called for a boycott whenever an election was held, claiming the exercise was aimed at legitimising what it would describe as New Delhi’s occupation of the Himalayan region, which is also claimed in part or full by Pakistan and China.

But as Kashmir votes in the first regional election in a decade starting on Tuesday, the Jamaat has itself entered the political fray, backing at least 10 candidates in the election. It is a remarkable turnaround for a group that remains banned under India’s anti-terror laws and was once regarded as the mothership of the militant Hizbul Mujahideen.

After Narendra Modi’s government altered India’s constitution in 2019 to do away with the symbolic autonomy of the administrative region of Jammu and Kashmir, it cracked down hard on the separatist movement in the region, jailing thousands of people. The Jamaat, having long been at the vanguard of the movement, was a prime target. Schools associated with the group were ordered shut and the properties of many members were seized in an attempt to curtail its reach and operational capabilities.

As recently as February, the Indian government said that the Jamaat was “continuing to be involved in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir, which is prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India”.

This is what makes the Jamaat’s participation in the election perplexing, and even experts in the region are divided over what it means. Noor Baba, a renowned Kashmiri political scientist, says it could be a tactical move on the part of a minority within the movement – contesting the election as independents in the hope of “protection or rehabilitating themselves after the suffering they have endured”.

The decision to join the fray, he suggests, may not have involved the group’s jailed leadership. As a result of internal divisions in the past, Prof Baba says, the Jamaat has suffered at the hands of both the Indian authorities as well as the militants. Similar divisions may have cracked open again.

“There are many questions,” he tells The Independent. “Is the top leadership, which is in jail, on board with this or is it not?”

Another theory is that the decision stems from the Jamaat’s desire to have the anti-terror ban lifted. There have been reports about conversations between the Jamaat and intermediaries of the Indian government such as Altaf Bukhari, head of a local political party.

Ahead of this election, Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of the former state, had urged the Narendra Modi government to lift the ban on the Jamaat to enable its participation in the assembly election. Mehbooba Mufti, another former chief minister and president of the People’s Democratic Party, said she would be “happy” to see the Jamaat return to the electoral arena.

Indian political analyst Apoorvanand Jha, however, sees a more sinister play at work. He says fielding independent candidates is part of a broader strategy of Modi’s BJP to weaken mainstream political parties such as the National Conference and the Congress and reap the dividend.

“The BJP’s aim is to install a government headed by a Hindu chief minister. That can be achieved by securing as many seats as possible in the Jammu region and fielding as many independents as possible in the valley [of Kashmir], making them win and then taking their support to form the government,” he tells The Independent.

The BJP is seeking to control Kashmir politically by creating chaos, he says. “To achieve that,” he adds, “the BJP can do anything. It can go to any extent, play any game, collaborate with the radicals, collaborate with separatists.”

The Independent has contacted the BJP for comment.

India has long held up Kashmir, its only majority Muslim territory, as a symbol of its secularism. But when the BJP government revoked its autonomy, Kashmiris accused the Hindu nationalist party of trying to change its religious demographic by settling Indians from elsewhere in the region.

Mr Jha says the BJP wants to win the election in order to show its core Hindu base that “see, this is a Muslim-populated area which we have now annexed”.

The candidates backed by the Jamaat maintain that their election participation is about local issues.

“Ideologies work in time and space. We have to be accommodative and flexible,” Talat Majeed, who is contesting the Pulwama constituency, told reporters recently.

Another candidate, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, says their participation in the election is necessary to fill a political vacuum created by regional parties such as the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party.

The Jamaat’s participation seems to have enthused some pro-India factions in Kashmir. “This election is unique in recent times because the banned Jamaat-e-Islami is openly backing and campaigning for independent candidates owing allegiance to it,” Mr Abdullah said in an interview with the Hindustan Times. “This is a huge change from previous elections. Otherwise, ever since I have seen politics here from 1996 onwards, the Jamaat has been at the forefront of trying to stop people from voting.”

Ali Mohammad Watali, a former police chief of Kashmir, isn’t as enthused. The Jamaat was “pro-Pakistan and pro-terrorism”, he was quoted as saying by Frontline magazine. “Now they have changed their stance suddenly. It looks like this is being done by the agencies so that the BJP can form a government here with the help of new political fronts, including the Jamaat-e-Islami.”

“Agencies” is a catch-all term used in Kashmir for the intelligence, security and surveillance apparatus of the Indian state.

The Jamaat candidates have indicated their willingness to form alliances, before or after the election, with any party that works to “restore dignity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Prof Saddiq Wahid, a senior visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy Research think tank in New Delhi, tells The Independent the BJP’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir since the revocation of its autonomy have been aimed at creating confusion and chaos. “How is Jamaat suddenly into the picture?” he asks.

He fears that the political landscape of Kashmir is being manipulated to dilute local representation and prevent self-governance.

“They do not want the people of Jammu and Kashmir to have a government that will allow them to govern themselves,” he says, referring to the Indian government.

The fundamental question, though, is whether people will trust the candidates backed by the Jamaat, Prof Baba points out. “How many people will vote for them, support them?”

[kimskashmir]

Former Minister Usman Majid signals departure from Apni Party

SRINAGAR — Former Minister and Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, Usman Majid, has made significant moves indicating his departure from the party led by Altaf Bukhari. According to Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, this development has been pointed out by changes in his social media profiles, where references to the Apni Party have been conspicuously…

[thedailyexcelsior]

Abrogating Art 370 Sole Achievement of BJP’s 9-yr Rule: Altaf Bukhari

J&K Apni Party president and former J&K minister Altaf Bukhari said the sole achievement of BJP’s 9-yr rule as far as  J&K is concerned is abrogation of Art 370. He said in absence of elected government there is no democracy in the J&K.

[voiceofbangus]

Leave JammuAndKashmir’s Sensitive Matters For An Elected #Govt To Deal With : Syed Altaf Bukhari Urges Centre, LG Admin

Jammu Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Thursday said that, stopping demolition drive is a welcome step ans it's a sensitive matters and important public issues should be left for an elected Govt to deal with through democratic means.

He said, “I wonder why the Administration is hell-bent to settle everything at once. Important public issues and sensitive matters should be left for the government that will come up with a public mandate in the forthcoming elections here,” a press note said.

He was speaking to reporters in Jammu after a party event, which was organized to greet a prominent political activist and NC’s former Provincial Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Shafi into the party fold.

Sheik joined the Apni Party along with his workers and supporters. The rest of the joinees included Rehemtulla Zargar, Liyakat Tantray, Kuldeep Kumar, Preeto Devi, Mujahid Hussain, Fatha Ali Shah, Sham Raj, Deepak Kumar, and others.

Besides Prominent party leaders and senior workers, the party’s state General Secretary Vijay Bakaya, and Provincial President Manjeet Singh were also present on the occasion.

According to a press note issued here, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while greeting Sheikh Mohammad Shafi and others into the party fold said, “I sincerely welcome you into the Apni Party, and I am sure your joining will strengthen the party in the region. I assure you that you will get full support from the party leadership when you will be out there to work for the people in your respective areas.”

After the event, while talking to the media, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his gratitude to the union Home minister and Lieutenant Governor (LG) for ensuring the demolition drive in the name of land retrieval in J&K is stopped. He said, “I want to extend my thanks to the Home Minister and LG sahib for ensuring the demolition drive is put to an end. Finally, after seeing people resisting the demolition drive tooth and nail, they realized that people are genuinely annoyed.” He added, “Dair Aayad Durust Ayad (Better late than never).”

However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his worry about the latest Govt order suggesting that property tax will be levied in J&K. “It is sad to see difficult orders are successively being passed. Such directives should come up only after proper deliberations and discussion, and while keeping the public sentiments in view. I would suggest that such decisions should be kept for an elected govt to take.” He said.

Apni Party President appealed to the people of Jammu and the Valley to stay united in order to safeguard their democratic rights. “I request the people of both regions to stay well-bonded with each other. You need to be united to protect your rights. I am sure, this time, you will elect a strong Govt in the upcoming polls so that it will be able to protect your interests and rights.”

He said, adding, “Apni party is trying to play a role of a bridge to keep the people of two regions connected. And, I promise you, when the Apni Party is mandated to serve the people, we will ensure justice and protection of the rights of the people, and we will not hesitate to revoke the anti-people laws and fix the things that people believe have gone wrong over the past few years.”

He further said, “When I say that we will not allow even an inch of land to the outsiders, I do not try to provoke or emotionalize the people. I say this in terms of the law of the land; we will protect the rights of the people through legal and democratic means.”

He added, “Apni Party was launched, post August 5, 2019, with the aim to protect the people’s rights. It is a matter of record that when, after the August 2019 occurrences, there was absolute chaos in J&K and people were apprehensive about their rights and future, Apni Party took initiative to meet the leaders and New Delhi. And, we ensured the J&K people get exclusive rights to jobs and agricultural land, which consists of 95 percent of the total land here. We made these efforts despite the miscreants promoting extreme propaganda and spreading misinformation against the Apni Party. We did not pay any heed to this propaganda only because we just want to stand by our people at the crucial time.”

Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Vijay Bakaya and Manjeet Singh, the prominent party leaders and senior workers who were present on the occasion included Faqir Nath, Arun Kumar Chibber, Dr. Rohit, Bodh Raj Bhagat, Ajaz Kazmi, Rafeeq Ahmad Khan, Abhy Bakaya, Vipul Bali, Raj Sharma, Pavneet Kour, Tariq Leo, Sheikh Abdul Latief, and others. Ritu Pandita, Sandeep Vaid, Surjeet, and others.

[vilaspatelvlogs]

अगले महीने सलाहकार समिति बनाने की चर्चा, इसके चीफ के तौर पर नई पार्टी बनाने वाले पूर्व पीडीपी मंत्री अल्ताफ बुखारी का नाम आगे

अगले महीने सलाहकार समिति बनाने की चर्चा, इसके चीफ के तौर पर नई पार्टी बनाने वाले पूर्व पीडीपी मंत्री अल्ताफ बुखारी का नाम आगे

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बुखारी दो महीने से दिल्ली में, अमित शाह से भी मिले; सोमवार को उमर अब्दुल्ला भी दिल्ली पहुंचे- सूत्र

केंद्र की कोशिश जम्मू-कश्मीर में रुकी हुई राजनीतिक गतिविधियों को रफ्तार देना, विश्वनीयता स्थापित करना- सूत्र

जफर इकबाल

May 26, 2020, 04:33 PM IST

श्रीनगर. जम्मू-कश्मीर में अगले महीने एक सलाहकार समिति के गठन की चर्चा तेज है। चर्चाओं के मुताबिक, राज्यपाल जीसी मुर्मु की इस सलाहकार समिति में…

[smaltafbukhari-blog]

Mr. Syed Mohmad Altaf Bukhari has more than 35 years of experience in the agriculture sector. As a prominent and leading industrialist associated closely with the Horticulture sector, Mr. Altaf Bukhari has in his past years been on the Board of Directors of the National Horticulture Board, and on the Board of Governors of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Mr. Altaf Bukhari has actively participated towards research and study in the field of Agriculture. He was a member of the Board of Management of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, and has also in the past been associated with the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute as member of its Research Advisory Committee and of its Management Committee. He is also a member of the Management Committee of the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Srinagar. An industrialist and a philanthropist, his contribution towards the advancement of agriculture and industry in the country has been significant.

Altaf Bukhari vows to make education as a meaningful national investment

‘Shall be open to feedback of all stakeholders’

Srinagar, Feb 22 (KNS): Exuding full confidence on the ability and academic excellence of the teachers’ community in the State, Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today appealed them to focus on the overall personality development of the students in the State.

Speaking at a one day workshop on “Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme” organised by the Higher Education Department (J&K Govt.) on 22nd February, 2017 at SKICC, Srinagar, the Minister for Education, said that he will explore all avenues to help out needy students from primary to university level so that financial constraints do not stop brilliant boys and girls from attaining regular education anywhere in the country.

MoS Education Priya Sethi, Chairman AICTE, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Principal Secretary school education, Shaleen Kabra and Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon also spoke on the occasion.

Bukhari observed that the teachers and students shall be helping him in devising a vision for J&K Education. “It shall never be one way traffic and as per my personal whims and likings. In this regard I shall be looking forward to receive my teachers and students anywhere and anytime,” he added.

Stressing on the need for simplification of eligibility criteria for availing scholarships under PMSSS including raising the present income slab of Rs 6 Lacs per anum, Bukhari said urged the Chairman AICTE to facilitate ITI engineering diploma holders to get lateral entry to B. Tech course under PMSSS.

The minister said that the responsibility entrusted to him is a tough one, but expressed hope that all the teachers and students shall be giving positive inputs for the progress of the educational system in the state to which he shall be always receptive and available.

Appealing the students for the optimum utilization of benefits under PMSSS, Bukhari appreciated the resolve of the students and teachers for bringing laurels to the state against all odds. Bukhari also pledged to remove hurdles that are faced by the educational institutions in their efficient functioning and vowed to make education a meaningful national investment.

The Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi called for cooperation and hard-work from all stake-holders to achieve the objective of placing the students of the state in prestigious colleges of the country keeping the subject choice of the student in consideration.

Prof. Anil. D. Sahasrabudhe while thanking the organisers expressed his contentment that despite limitations the education of the state has been progressing well and making a mark even in CMAT and GPAT examinations. He briefly discussed the nature of the PMSS scholarship and also announced supernumerary seats from the current session for various courses which are more in demand. He also deliberated on the changed nature of the fund transfer from AICTE making the scheme hassle free for the students as well as the institutions opted by the students.

While Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education gave a welcome address, Dr. Yaseen Ahmad Shah delivered the inaugural address on this occasion.

The dignitaries who were present in the workshop included Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of the state, Director, Colleges, J&K state, Director, School Education-Kashmir, Development commissioner, Srinagar, representatives of UGC, Indian Nursing Council, experts from AICTE, principals of degree colleges and higher secondary schools of Kashmir divisions and others

Heartiest congratulation

 Mr.S.M.Altaf Bukhari

                                       For being appointed  Education Minister

    “A well-earned promotion to a well-deserved person. Congratulations”.

      Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.

                              You’ve made us all so proud. I am very happy for you.

                                                                                                        Imran Ali

[theechudar]

Fate of J&K linked to India, nothing to do with Pak: Altaf Bukhari | India News

Fate of J&K linked to India, nothing to do with Pak: Altaf Bukhari | India News

JAMMU: Apni Party president and former minister Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said the fate of Jammu and Kashmir is linked with India and has nothing to do with Pakistan. The balm for all “our wounds” is with New Delhi, he told reporters on the sidelines of a party function here. “We do not have anything to do with Pakistan… Our fate is linked with India. Whatever we are going to get, it will come…

[squarwell-breakingnews]

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari during a rally in Srinagar Srinagar: The first large political rally in Srinagar after Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and special status had a message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi: restore statehood and hold elections without any further delay. At Srinagar’s Sher-e- Kashmir International Cricket Stadium,…

[newslobster]

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari during a rally in Srinagar Srinagar: The first large political rally in Srinagar after Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and special status had a message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi: restore statehood and hold elections without any further delay. At Srinagar’s Sher-e- Kashmir International Cricket Stadium,…

[znewstech]

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

1st Major Rally In Srinagar After Article 370 Move Has A Message For PM

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari during a rally in Srinagar Srinagar: The first large political rally in Srinagar after Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and special status had a message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi: restore statehood and hold elections without any further delay. At Srinagar’s Sher-e- Kashmir International Cricket Stadium,…

[mzemo0]

Political Activities Resume In Kashmir After Three Years

After a hiatus of more than three years, political activities are back in Kashmir. After the government pressed its election machinery into action, Kashmir-based unionist political parties resumed their activities. Even though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not released dates for the election to Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the election preparations are underway.

Inclusion of Non-local Voters in Kashmir’s Election

The ECI has begun the revision of electoral rolls and the process is expected to be completed by the end of October this year.

The chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Hirdesh Kumar had last month informed that non-locals who are staying temporarily in Jammu and Kashmir can also register as voters. Non-locals who are staying in for the purpose of education, business, employment, and labour are eligible for voting in J&K assembly elections. Armed forces personnel, stationed at peace stations in Kashmir are also eligible to vote.

The announcement by the chief electoral officer has created a buzz in J&K Union Territory. Kashmir-based regional parties have called the new voters “imported” voters of the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Indian Muslims

Controversial Delimitation Exercise in Kashmir

Earlier, the BJP-led central government had carried out the process of delimitation in J&K. The delimitation commission created seven new constituencies. Further, it also changed boundaries of several constituencies.

Kashmir-based politicians criticised the exercise as the delimitation commission gave Hindu-majority Jammu region a disproportionate number of seats. The act was aimed at bringing Jammu’s electoral representation to par with Muslim -the majority Kashmir region. The delimitation exercise is carried out so that there is an equal number of voters in all constituencies. However, this was not the case in the recently held delimitation in J&K.

The main aim of the delimitation exercise in J&K was to make sure that the number of Muslim and Hindu legislative (or Kashmir and Jammu-based) members in J&K’s assembly is almost equal.

Political Activities Resume in Kashmir

After senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from the Congress party and announced to launch of a new party, political activities resumed in J&K. Several Jammu, as well as Kashmir-based senior political leaders, joined Azad.

Azad has held several rallies in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. He has not formally launched his party but has announced that he will launch it in the coming days. Since several senior politicians have joined Azad, his party will upset electoral equations for Kashmir-based parties.

BJP in Election Mode

Meanwhile, BJP is also in election mode. The president of India recently nominated a prominent Gujjar Muslim leader, Ghulam Ali Khatana, to the Upper House of the parliament. The BJP has made this move to woo the tribal community of Gujjar and Bakerwals. The tribal community forms the third largest ethnic group in J&K, after Kashmiri Muslims and Dogras.

The announcement of the revival of Village Defence Committees (now known as VDGs) by the central government has also come just before the elections. People in Jammu villages where VDGs are present will keep this into consideration while voting.

Kashmir-based Parties Missing from Campaign

What is surprising is that Kashmir’s two old parties- National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seem to be missing from the campaign. These two parties have not been in news recently. The only announcements coming from them are through their social media channels.

Meanwhile, Altaf Bukhari’s recently formed party, Apni party, has been campaigning for some time now. The party has been calling for early elections ever since its launch. It has also promised to bring in several meaningful schemes for the people of J&K.

The Dilemma for Kashmir-based Parties

This election in J&K is going to be different. The discourse and the narrative in Kashmir Issue have changed. Kashmir-based parties will need to adopt a new vocabulary. Soft separatism, which many Kashmir-based parties used to employ in past election campaigns will not be acceptable this time. It will neither be acceptable to the central government nor will the people of Kashmir buy it.

One thing is sure, Kashmir-based parties will heavily rely on the promises of the restoration of statehood. Some parties, including NC and PDP, will go a step further to call for the restoration of autonomy or Article 370.

However, people will not buy the campaign around Article 370 restoration. As Azad has also made it clear that he will not focus on the restoration of Article 370. People also know that restoration of autonomy is impossible now.

No Boycott Campaigns

This election will also be different in the sense that there will be no boycott calls. Most of the senior separatist leaders died while others are in jail. Further, the India government has banned all separatist-leaning organisations.

With new players, new constituencies, new voters and new discourse, the J&K Legislative Assembly elections are going to be interesting.

[thedailyexcelsior]

Altaf Bukhari Thanks Gadkari For Improving Road Network In J&K

J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari has expressed gratitude to union highways minister Nitin Gadkari for making host of announcements in improving road network in J&K. He appealed the minister to form task force for monitoring Jammu-Srinagar highway construction work..

[kimskashmir]

Ghulam Nabi Azad in cahoots with BJP: Altaf Bukhari

“People of Jammu & Kashmir are not fools. People know with whom you have shaken hands. They know with whom you had struck a deal and backstabbed the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.

SRINAGAR — Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari on Sunday launched a blistering attack on former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, saying that he has struck a deal with the Bharatiya Janta Party and was responsible for abrogation of Article 370 Addressing a public gathering in south Kashmir’s Bijbhera area, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer Bukhari said Azad is directly responsible for…

[sachkiawaaj]

Apni Party seeks implementation of 27% OBC quota in J&K, calls for restoration of statehood

Apni Party seeks implementation of 27% OBC quota in J&K, calls for restoration of statehood

JAMMU: Apni Party president Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement the Mandal Commission report in Jammu and Kashmir providing 27% reservation for the Other Backward Class (OBC) community like in the rest of the country. He also called for the restoration of statehood and the democratic process in J&K. “This reservation has been denied to the OBC…

[kupwaratimes-fan]

PM Modi should make special announcement on regularisation of daily wagers: Bukhari

PM Modi should make special announcement on regularisation of daily wagers: Bukhari

PM Modi should make special announcement on regularisation of daily wagers: Bukhari Srinagar, Apr 12 : Apni Party president and former minister Syed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make an announcement with regard to the regularisation of the daily wagers within 60 days. Bukhari while addressing a news conference, said that there are thousands of daily…

[thenorthlines]

Delimitation Commission has done injustice with J&K people: Bukhari

Delimitation Commission has done injustice with J&K people: Bukhari

Srinagar, Mar 8: Former minister and president of Apni Party, Syed Altaf Bukhari Wednesday said that the Delimitation Commission has not done justice with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that the draft proposed by the panel is aimed to dis-empower the people. Addressing a news conference on the occasion of the party’s foundation day, Bukhari said that the delimitation exercises have been…