Shuja-ul-Haq

Owaisi's rise is simply an answer to the "secular" parties who have traditionally seen Muslims as a given vote bank.

From how it looks today, the process of mainstream politics is going to be difficult for quite some time in the Valley. How that plays for this trouble-torn region is what we need to watch.

At midnight on August 5, our phones went silent. We have still not been able to break that silence.

No talks with separatists. No soft touch for established political parties. No rush for Assembly elections. Kashmir is seeing a tough new approach from the Centre. What results will this yield?

The Kathua gang-rape and murder case was appalling enough in its brutal hate. But our behaviour as a society since has been shocking and disturbing as well.

The Congress in its manifesto has claimed that it will reexamine the AFSPA provision in Kashmir, which human rights activists have called 'draconian' for many years. However, Kashmiris are taking such promises with a fistful of salt.

The assault came just days after the horrific terrorist violence on mosques in New Zealand. NZ has shown how to soothe such pain. Will India follow its lead?  

In Kashmir, doctors turned away a pregnant woman who then delivered a dead baby. India claims to be a global leader in healthcare. Then why is it failing its own people so brutally?

Faesal has touched many hearts by his sacrifice of a promising career as a top bureaucrat ahead. We need to listen to this unusual young man.

There is no sign of any effort being made to resolve the conflict and end the cycle of violence.

After 34 years, the victims of 1984 get justice. For others, the wait continues.

What exactly is integral, the land, or the lives of its people too?

Many of these attacks are systematic and well-planned rather than being random.

The BJP has been in alliance with both J&K parties in the recent past. Were they anti-national then? Or only now?

Sources say, taking Sajjad Lone by surprise, PDP leader Altaf Bukhari could well be the next chief minister of J&K.

A lot of recalibration would be needed by the forces to tackle this new challenge in front of them.

Many experts believe there is a serious risk of poor voter turnout which would be seen as a referendum against the Indian state.

With the Valley on edge, it will be a challenge to conduct the elections peacefully.

While they have a duty to fulfil their professional commitments, they also have to attend to their families' needs.

The ground situation in the Valley is grim. There has been a spurt in the number of militant attacks.

The people and politicians of J&K loved Vajpayee for his commitment to them. There were sore points, including Article 370, but the former PM knew how to treat these gently.

According to the petition that challenges Article 35A, J&K's special status is 'discriminatory'.

As the demand grows to evict illegal immigrants in India, the persecuted community from Myanmar shivers in their refugee settlements.

Even though the Hurriyat still enjoys considerable support, the anxiety and frustration among the people cannot be dismissed.

Women in Farooq Ahmad Dar's village feel the Valley is cursed and the suffering of the people will never end.

It isn't about making sure people should suffer in Chennai too, but one can't wish away the feeling of being treated with deep bias.

The Dangal child-star is in a war of words with BJP leader Vijay Goel.

And makes us squirm.

2016 left hundreds of hearts pained, scores of lives bruised and many minds scarred.