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Hello,
Last week’s headlines were dominated by the Centre’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ outreach, with the Prime Minister meeting leaders of political parties in Kashmir, including the ‘Gupkar alliance’. This comes after Article 370 was abrogated, the State relegated to a Union Territory, a majority of Kashmiri leaders put under detention and the imposition of a general clampdown on political activity in the state.
The Centre’s rapprochement was unexpected and took many by surprise. ThePrint tells us why the Union government’s outreach was embedded in geostrategic imperatives. With the exit of the US from Afghanistan, India needs strategic space in the region, which entails stabilising relations with Pakistan, even talking to the Taliban, and untying the political knot in Kashmir.
Mojo Story too delves deep into the Kashmir overture and debates if the talks just amounted to a mere photo-op or if substantive outcomes are expected; and if any pressure from the US to calm nerves in the region, was really at play. Kashmir Observer decried the meeting as an “opportunity lost” by the ‘Gupkar alliance’ to collectively put across the real Kashmiri sentiments for restoration of Article 370.
Down To Earth reports how a spate of recent administrative decisions threatens both the fragile ecology and livelihoods of people in the Lakshadweep islands, who are out on the street protesting an “existential threat”.
And, Max Maharashtra's impactful reporting on the distress and struggles of the residents of Barad settlement in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra without electricity, forced the administration to electrify the settlement in two weeks. The first time that people had electricity in their homes in thirty years!
For more such stories this week, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
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