As areas along LoC saw Pakistani firing & shelling following Op Sindoor, civic volunteers stepped in to evacuate families, offering food, water & bedding—often in their own homes.
The Desi Oon Festival 2024 is an initiative by the Centre of Pastoralism, which works with shepherds to support their livelihoods and preserve traditional practices.
Unlike Gujjar-Bakarwals, who are primarily Muslims, Paharis are made up mostly of upper caste Hindus. In granting ST status, BJP alienated a large section of pastoral community.
In Part-1 of the J&K Despatch series—on 1st assembly polls being held in the UT in 10 yrs—ThePrint looks at Gujjar-Bakarwal nomads & why they clash with authorities frequently.
Amit Shah announced ST reservation for Paharis in J&K last week, but Gujjars and Bakarwals fear it may be at their expense when many don’t even have the ‘bare minimum’ yet.
Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain have already visited J&K ahead of the November-December polls.
The Army has plans for a technology thrust in the near term, including the use of AI to support decision-making. While well-intentioned, this may have unintended consequences.
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