Muslims demand justice, not appeasement: U Nisar Ahmed
Bengaluru: Retired IPS officer U Nisar Ahmed has called upon the new state government to develop both short-term and long-term plans to gain the trust of the Muslim community. Ahmed emphasized that Muslims should not be appeased but instead granted their rightful rights and justice. Speaking exclusively to Varthabharati, Ahmed highlighted several crucial steps that the new Congress government should take for the overall development of Muslims.
According to Ahmed, the secular party was elected to power because Muslims voted rationally, and the Congress party's election manifesto promised justice for all. He urged the new government to rectify the wrong decisions made by the previous administration as a priority. Specifically, Ahmed demanded the reinstatement of the reservation granted to Muslims under Category 2 'B' and the lifting of the ban on hijab in educational institutions.
Furthermore, Ahmed called for suitable amendments to the National Education Policy, the revival and strengthening of schemes and programs for minority welfare, and immediate intervention to protect innocent individuals who have been falsely accused and arrested.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the appointment of politicians as chairpersons and members of various minority-focused commissions and boards, Ahmed advocated for the appointment of experienced professionals, retired IAS, and IPS officers to these positions. He argued that the community would benefit greatly from their expertise.
Ahmed emphasized the urgent need for Muslim representation in key institutions such as the State Human Rights Commission, State Information Commission, and State Public Service Commission. He also stressed the importance of expediting the issuance of caste certificates to Muslims, warning officials who intentionally cause delays of possible suspension.
Another concern raised by Ahmed was the delay in issuing OBC certificates to Muslims, which hampers their job opportunities in central government positions. He urged authorities to verify eligible candidates promptly and issue the necessary certificates, emphasizing the need for strict instructions to prevent indifference in such cases.
Addressing the misuse of waqf properties, Ahmed proposed that the revenue department should register ownership rights of gazetted Waqf properties under the Wakf Board's name. He also called for cooperation between the police, revenue department, and the Waqf Board to reclaim encroached waqf properties.
In terms of educational and social initiatives, Ahmed suggested the allocation of government land to Muslim-owned institutions and utilizing the Haj Bhawan for coaching programs aimed at preparing Muslim youth for various competitive exams.
Regarding recruitment in government departments, Ahmed recommended prioritizing the appointment of honest and efficient officers from minority and backward classes, especially in crucial departments like the police and revenue departments. He also stressed the importance of considering Muslims for chairperson and member positions in the numerous corporations and boards under the government.
For example, the State Housing Board, Slum Development Board, Bangalore Development Authority, BMRDA, KIADB, KSIIDC, KSTDC, KSTDC, KSFC, MML, BMTC, Food Civil Supplies Corporation, Forest Development Corporation, Pollution Control Board, KPTCL etc.
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Suspected drones observed along IB in Jammu's Samba, being engaged: Army
Jammu, May 12 (PTI): Security forces are engaging suspected drones observed along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu region on Monday, an Army said.
This fresh incident of drone activity along the borderline comes barely hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first address to the nation following Operation Sindoor and the meeting of the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.
The Army, however, said there is no need to be alarmed.
“A small number of suspected drones have been observed near Samba in J&K. They are being engaged,” it said.
In the backdrop of the situation, several areas witnessed blackouts in Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Jammu.
Lights were switched off at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and along its track as a precautionary measure, sources said.
On Monday, talks between the DGMOs were held during which issues related to the continuing commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive or inimical action against each other were discussed, the Indian Army said.
It was also agreed that both sides would consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction along the borders and in forward areas, it added.
The situation remained largely peaceful across Jammu and Kashmir, with no incidents of ceasefire violation reported along the Indo-Pak border Sunday overnight — marking the first calm night after 18 days of hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people — mostly tourists — dead.
India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea with immediate effect, following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war.
Eighteen days of intense hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war, ended with a ceasefire that restored calm along the Line of Control, the International Border, and the hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army thwarted Pakistan’s Hamas-style kamikaze drone attacks during the escalation.
Since the night of April 24, hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops repeatedly targeted Indian positions along the LoC — beginning in the Kashmir Valley and quickly expanding to the Jammu region.
The latest hostilities began in the northern districts of Kupwara and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley, before spreading southwards to Rajouri, Poonch, Akhnoor, and the Pargwal sector along the International Border in Jammu district. The firing affected five border districts — Baramulla, Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu.
The recent round of cross-border firing further undermined the ceasefire agreement reached in February 2021, which has largely been seen as ineffective due to Pakistan’s frequent violations along the 740-km-long LoC.
The April 22 terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people — mostly tourists — in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley, triggered a strong response from the central government.
The India-Pakistan border stretches over 3,300 kilometers, divided into three segments: the International Border (IB), spanning about 2,400 km from Gujarat to Akhnoor in Jammu; the 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir; and the 110-km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), which separates the Siachen Glacier region.
WATCH: OP Sindoor continues. Minutes after PM Speech.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) May 12, 2025
A small numbers of suspected drones being observed near Samba in J&K. Being engaged . pic.twitter.com/jmGmRkmQ26
