Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari
(1949–2024)
Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, a veteran Pahari leader and BJP candidate from Surankote, Poonch, passed away on October 2, 2024, at 75. Bukhari, a key figure in the political outreach among Pahari Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed to a cardiac arrest at his residence in Pamrote, Poonch, just a day after the completion of the three-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. His passing, occurring just days before the election results, has left a profound void in the region’s political landscape.
Bukhari’s political journey spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to the welfare and upliftment of the Pahari community. Having been associated with the National Conference (NC) for nearly forty years, he served as a Minister of State for Social Welfare and Vice Chairman of the Board for Paharis Welfare.
However, in 2022, he severed ties with the NC following disagreements over the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Pahari community. In February 2024, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the central government granted ST status to the Paharis, making history as the first linguistic group in India to be given this designation. The BJP subsequently fielded him to contest from the Surankote constituency.
Bukhari had previously represented the Surankote seat twice in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and was regarded as a towering figure in local politics. However, due to his declining health, he was unable to reach many far-off areas during his recent campaign. His passing is seen as a significant blow to the BJP, which had hoped to capitalise on his influence among the Pahari community in the Assembly elections. Posthumously, howeverer, he lost the election.
Bukhari is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. His funeral, held at Eidgah in Surankote, witnessed thousands of mourners from all walks of life, reflecting the deep connection he shared with the people of the region. Markets in Surankote remained closed as a mark of respect, and his passing was mourned by political leaders across party lines.
Expressing grief, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Syed Mushtaq Bukhari will be remembered for his commitment to the welfare of the people and the upliftment of weaker sections of society. His demise is a great loss to the Pahari community and to the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.” Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina described Bukhari as a “mass leader,” stating, “His passing has left a void that will be hard to fill.” Tributes also poured in from former NC colleagues, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said, “His death is a loss not just to his party, but to the entire Pahadi people.”
PARIS
The International Federation for Human Rights (IFHR) report highlights the adverse impact of post-2019 legal changes in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly affecting the Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities. The land takeover, initiated under the guise of removing illegal encroachments, has led to widespread dispossession of Kashmiris, raising fears of demographic changes. These legal alterations allow any Indian citizen to acquire land in Jammu and Kashmir, intensifying concerns in the region’s Muslim-majority population. The IFHR criticises the administration’s plans for large-scale infrastructure projects and population expansion, which could undermine the region’s socio-political makeup. The report calls for an independent investigation into unlawful land seizures and restoration of the democratic rights of the people. “Ten lakh kanals (250,000 acres, or approximately 1,011.7 sq km) of land … including shamilat (village common land) and kahcharai (common grazing land)” were taken over by the administration within a month after the eviction drive was launched in January 2023, the report said, adding that there are raging concerns that the move was “part of the Indian government’s ethno-nationalist project of targeting Muslim households, dispossessing locals of land, and engineering a demographic change.”
JAMMU KASHMIR
With the Jammu and Kashmir election results due on October 8, both Congress and BJP are seeking allies for government formation. Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra expressed openness to alliances with “like-minded” parties, hinting at the possibility of working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite their exclusion from a pre-poll alliance. Karra emphasised the need for collaboration to counter the BJP’s policies and noted that high voter turnout would favour the Congress-NC alliance. He criticised the Centre’s tactics, particularly the role of Independent candidates, accusing them of fragmenting the vote to dis-empower Kashmiris. Ram Madhav, BJP’s election in-charge, dismissed any rumours of the BJP seeking an alliance with the JKNC or PDP. Confident of inching towards a majority, he highlighted the BJP’s commitment to restoring statehood, though without a specific timeline. Madhav also criticised the Congress’s election campaign, accusing its leaders of being disconnected from the electorate. He praised Home Minister Amit Shah’s efforts, contrasting them with Congress leaders who were portrayed as uninterested in engaging with voters.
SRINAGAR
Jammu and Kashmir is set to have elected representation in the Rajya Sabha after over three and a half years, as the newly elected MLAs will vote for four members once the Election Commission issues a notification. Currently, Ghulam Ali Khatana is the only Rajya Sabha member from the region, but he is a nominated MP. The four vacancies have remained since February 2021, following the completion of the previous Rajya Sabha members’ terms. The composition of the newly formed Legislative Assembly will determine the distribution of seats, with the election process beginning after MLAs take their oath.
DELHI
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and 170 Ladakhis, detained by Delhi Police for violating prohibitory orders, were taken to Raj Ghat after a two-day detention. Wangchuk, leading the Delhi Chalo Padyatra organised by the Leh Apex Body, began an indefinite fast following his detention. The march initiated a month ago in Leh, seeks statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. The protesters were detained at Delhi’s Singhu Border and held at multiple police stations. Amid a shutdown in Leh, socio-religious groups protested their detention. The padyatris claim their detention was illegal and symbolic of democracy’s erosion. The delegation finally met the Join Secretary in MHA and submitted a memorandum.
KOLKOTTA
The Kolkata Police have filed an FIR against unidentified individuals for chanting Kashmir Mange Azadi during a protest rally in Jadavpur, originally organised to demand justice for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The slogans, which evoke separatist sentiments, have sparked controversy, shifting the protest’s focus from healthcare safety to national integrity. Legal action has been initiated under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for threatening India’s sovereignty. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and social media to identify the offenders. The Trinamool Congress condemned the slogans, stressing the importance of national unity amid citizens’ right to protest.
SRINAGAR
IPS officer Nalin Prabhat has taken over as the new Director General of Police for Jammu and Kashmir, succeeding RR Swain. Prabhat, a 1992-batch officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, brings extensive experience, having previously led the National Security Guard and served as DIG and IG in the CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir. His work in anti-militancy operations and maintaining law and order, in collaboration with the Army and local police, has earned him a strong reputation. Known for his integrity, dedication, and strong ties with local politicians, Prabhat is expected to lead the JK Police towards greater professional achievements, building on his predecessor’s legacy. His ability to support colleagues during challenging times positions him as a capable and trusted leader for the force. Swain’s departure was low-key amid a lot of negative commentary on social media.
LADAKH
The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh remains stable yet sensitive, according to Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi. He acknowledged ongoing diplomatic talks between India and China, emphasising that effective execution relies on military commanders on the ground. Since the military standoff began in May 2020, trust has deteriorated, with unresolved issues such as troop positioning and buffer zones persisting. Gen Dwivedi noted China’s construction of villages along the border, calling it “artificial immigration.” He reaffirmed India’s commitment to developing model villages in border areas, highlighting collaboration between the Army, state governments, and the central government. The Army chief stressed that normalcy in India-China relations hinges on peace at the border, especially following tensions from the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. Despite 21 rounds of talks aimed at resolution, India continues to push for disengagement in disputed areas like Depsang and Demchok.
LEBANON
The assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by Israel sparked widespread protests and shutdowns across multiple districts, including Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Srinagar. Protesters rallied in support of Nasrallah, holding his photographs and chanting slogans like “Oh martyrs of Lebanon, we are with you.” The protests led to the cancellation of election campaigns by local politicians, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who referred to Nasrallah as a martyr and by JKNC MP, Agha Ruhullah Mehdi. The BJP criticised these politicians for their response to his killing by an Israeli strike.
SRINAGAR
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps in Kashmir, highlighted the sustained ceasefire between India and Pakistan since February 2021 along the Line of Control (LoC), attributing its success to the consistent communication between the two sides via hotlines and military channels. He also acknowledged some infiltration attempts but credited the strong counter-infiltration grid, particularly in the Jammu region, for minimising their success. Ghai emphasised the need to maintain the counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism grids to ensure lasting peace in Kashmir, where militant numbers have significantly dropped to about 80. He stressed the importance of modern technology in operations and the Army’s vigilance in countering any infiltration attempts, particularly in the Pir Panjal range. Besides, he also addressed concerns over American-origin weapons reaching Kashmir from Afghanistan and confirmed ongoing efforts to document and trace these arms. Ghai expressed confidence in breaking the encrypted communication systems used by insurgents, noting that this would further weaken their networks.