Author: Ava

Its turbulent 14-year rule came to an end due to a significant anti-incumbency sentiment, as the Labour Party won resoundingly in the legislative elections. Disgruntled voters toppled the Conservatives due to a combination of economic hardships, political scandals, internal party strife, and obvious shortcomings in providing public services.  “We’ve tried the patience of traditional Conservative voters with a propensity to create an endless political soap opera out of internal rivalries and divisions,” plainly stated defence minister Grant Shapps, who was among the notable losers. Source: Euronews.com Over the last five years or so, the ruling party has been toppled by…

Although it is easy to see this statement as a breakthrough, the issue is that other similar claims have been made recently during the protracted impasse in eastern Ladakh. It also appears that the two leaders, who met in Kazakhstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, believe that stabilising and mending bilateral ties is essential.  Once more, the buzzwords are peace and calm, but there is little desire to move past the clichés and really accomplish real development.The border communities’ competitive development serves as an example of the trust deficit. In an attempt to match China’s efforts, India has reportedly…

India is much below the worldwide average, scoring 64.1% on parity, having dropped two spots from the previous year. It is ranked 142nd globally in the economic parity and opportunity sub-index, which is one of the lowest. With women receiving an average of Rs 39.8 for every Rs 100 earned by men, it is ranked 120th in the world for income equality for identical employment. The issues of school enrollment and political empowerment are two uncommon advantages, but they do not convert into practical advantages for women. Higher schooling experiences a dramatic decline in enrollment. China, South Africa, Brazil, Vietnam,…

Over 120 people have died in the stampede that occurred at a “satsang” in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh; the dead were members of the audience that had assembled to hear a preacher. In addition to being accused of refusing to assist the police with traffic control and hiding evidence after the incident, the FIR claims that the organisers obtained permission for the congregation based on a false promise about the true number of devotees who were expected to attend. It is regrettable and ironic that crowd control frequently falls short of expectations in a nation where religious sites are frequented by…

This acceleration highlights India’s potential and durability as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. According to PMI data, manufacturing activity has been rapidly expanding, supported by both ongoing government spending on infrastructure and domestic demand.  The PMI for manufacturing increased by roughly five points over its long-term average at the end of the June quarter, led by output and new orders. The future output index dropped slightly to a three-month low, but it is still above historical averages, indicating that the industry is still optimistic. Source: Zee Business The record rate of job creation is one of the most notable features…

These comments have since been removed. He shot back, “I said what I had to say, and that is the truth.” Truth is truth. Parliamentary procedures are often characterised by animated statements and contentious disputes. The Opposition’s increased confidence during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is one obvious shift.  With a LoP and a robust number after a decade, the leaders appear committed to demonstrating a clear objective and establishing a level playing field. Although it’s too soon to make judgments, the first few sittings have been very different from the past, when the Treasury Benches would…

While the latter charged the administration of forcing the laws through Parliament following the suspension of 146 MPs, the former hailed the measures as a testament to India’s progress and resiliency.  The Congress has proclaimed that the legislative system will not tolerate the implementation of “bulldozer justice” by the INDIA group. The government has emphasised time and again that the primary goals of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam statutes will be upholding rights and delivering justice, possibly in opposition to the harsh colonial laws that placed a greater focus on punishment.  Source: Team-BHP…

He succeeds Gen. Manoj Pande, who was appointed Vice Chief in February and had his term unexpectedly extended by one month. In light of the quickly shifting geopolitical scene, Gen. Dwivedi has called for a quicker adoption of new technologies and a stronger emphasis on independence.  He has assured the Army’s capacity and readiness while acknowledging the particular security challenges. The Army Chief’s primary focus would be on addressing the surge in terror attacks in the Jammu region while the standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh continues. As the commander of the Northern Army,…

Ever since the inaugural debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, which was viewed by over 70 million people, these in-person meetings on television have the power to swing elections. The US presidential election is currently being observed globally due to its potential to affect the future of the entire planet. In these interactions, American voters assess candidates not just on the policies they intend to propose but also on their appearance, voice, awkward moments, and nonverbal cues.  President Joe Biden, the current nominee, seems to have already lost the race based on these indicators. The Democratic Party is…

The Indian cricket team has felt both the excruciating pain of loss and the exhilaration of success. The Caribbean offers redemption following Ahmedabad’s grief. Emotions were running high as Rohit Sharma’s team maintained composure to defeat South Africa in an exciting final and win the T20 World Cup.  At last, the monkey had been removed from their back. The ghosts of the 50-over World Cup defeat to Australia in November of last year are buried. Despite it being their first international title in 13 years, India won their second T20 international Cup. The team captained by MS Dhoni had won…

This catastrophe highlights a flagrant failure in structural construction and architectural planning, as it also impeded air traffic and resulted in huge financial losses for both airlines and passengers. Rainwater building up until the collapse is a sign of a basic error that cannot be disregarded.  This tragedy is identical to one that happened at the airport in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, a few days ago. There, a newly installed roof collapsed owing to similar defects, but luckily no one was killed. Because of the poor structural design in both instances, there are grave concerns regarding the skill and moral character…

Though the history of cigarette labelling says otherwise, this may seem like a smart idea. The previous attempt to alert customers serves as a reminder of how readily these well-meaning actions can wind up furthering the interests of the companies they were designed to control. In the 1950s, a number of studies, some carried out with support from the country’s Public Health Service, demonstrated a strong link between smoking and lung cancer, leading to a definitive consensus among scientists regarding the risks of tobacco.  However, the industry retaliated, casting doubt on the study and using medical professionals to vouch for…

The President stated that the government has passed legislation like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and implemented other reforms over the previous ten years to safeguard India’s banking industry. The non-performing assets (NPA) of public sector banks, according to her, were steadily declining.  The FSR, which states that at the end of March of this year, the net non-performing asset ratio (NPA ratio) of scheduled commercial banks dropped to 0.6% and the gross NPA ratio down to 2.8%, supports this. As per the RBI, banks’ gross bad loan ratio has dropped to its lowest point in twelve years.This notable…

The most crucial task for President Biden was allaying worries regarding his greatest weakness, which was his age-related suitability for office. He was a complete failure. Biden wavered and stammered through his responses as Trump made his case for a second term with little opposition.  Trump was restrained, as if allowing own goals, for someone who frequently criticises Biden for his age. I actually don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, Trump quipped at one point as Biden faltered when defending his record on border security. He may not even be aware of what he said,…

It was reported in the research that hiring agencies had informal directives to hire single women, even in the absence of a formal policy. The reasons given are that ladies wear ornate jewellery, which can impede the production process, and that they may be away from work, particularly after giving birth. The Ministry of Labour and Employment requested a thorough report on the matter from the Tamil Nadu government one day after the report was released, on June 26.The company notified the Union government on June 27 that 25% of its new workers are married women and that its policy…

During the unveiling of the US State Department’s 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Blinken mentioned that Christian organisations in India had received reports of attacks by crowds who were reportedly working with the authorities, because they were accused of engaging in “conversion activities.”  According to the research, rules that forbid forced religious conversion led to the arrest of both Christians and Muslims. The exceptionally harsh criticism was delivered just a few weeks after the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took office for a third term in a row.It will undoubtedly have an impact on US-India relations,…

Numerous inconsistencies in the NEET-UG’s behaviour have been exposed, and some people have been taken into custody. Important tests such as the CSIR-UGC NET, National Common Entrance Test (NCET), and National Eligibility Test (NET) were cancelled or rescheduled. The administration has reasoned to believe that the cancelled tests damaged the integrity of the examination process. It has requested a CBI investigation into the alleged malpractices and fired the chairman of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting the examinations. It has also established a committee to look into how the NTA operates and provide recommendations for how…

Rahul has been involved in politics for the previous twenty years or so, but this is his first constitutional role. The fact that the Congress, the single largest opposition party, has been appointed to this position after a ten-year break is also significant. This is a result of the party’s strong showing in the most recent Lok Sabha elections, which followed two disastrous elections in 2014 and 2019.  Rahul had quit as the president of the Congress soon after the defeat in 2019. He has been hesitant to accept any party positions after then. It can now be definitively said…

Australia, the 2023 ODI World Cup champions, were eliminated by the Afghans during this process. They surprised New Zealand in a group-stage match two weeks prior, and they upset the Aussie applecart in a Super Eight match on Sunday (the Kiwis did not even make it to the Super Eight stage).  It has been an incredible run for Rashid’s team in an odd competition that has seen perennial bridesmaid New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—all past world champions in the T20 and ODI formats—leave early. Source: Cricket Times Afghanistan’s outstanding performance is encouraging for a nation experiencing a severe humanitarian…

An Internet publisher who detested official secrets, he became well-known after secret documents about US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were leaked in 2010. He posted the content on his website, which featured a video of Iraqi civilians being killed by fire from a helicopter.  Prior to President Obama commuting the sentence, one of his accomplices, US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, was given a 35-year prison term. The 52-year-old Assange, who has been battling extradition for the previous five years in a British prison, is relieved to have reached a plea agreement with the United States. He had previously…

According to the Russian foreign ministry, US engineers designed the missiles using intelligence data from US satellites and a nearby US spy drone. Around 150 people were injured in the attack on the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where residents were taking vacation time, leaving four people—two of them children—dead. The event has caused the Russia-Ukraine war, which is already in its 29th month, to erupt into new hostilities. Even while the Russian President has been accusing Washington of using Kyiv to undermine Moscow’s security and sovereignty, the civilian casualties have left Ukraine and the US in a difficult situation.  Source:…

A dispute has already arisen over the selection of seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro tem Speaker, which disregarded the seniority of eight-time Congress member K Suresh.  Despite the shifting dynamics in the Lower House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no indications of a concession in his statements prior to the commencement of the first Parliament session of his third term. “The new generation will not forget how the Constitution was scrapped by the Indira Gandhi government,” he remarked, referring to June 25 as the anniversary of the Emergency lasting 50 years.  Source: Times Now Copies of the Constitution…

However, the last-minute cancellation of the NEET-PG exam highlights an aspect of the procedure that hasn’t changed: insensitivity. Only a few hours before the candidates were scheduled to take the test, something that may have been communicated a day or two beforehand was done.  The difficulty, stress, and psychological damage that these choices cause were scarcely taken into consideration. The UGC-NET was cancelled a day after it was held, and the CSIR-UGC-NET test was postponed.It has long been clear that a review of the testing protocols and a new approach were necessary, and this is now being handled.  Source: NDTV…

Following the inauguration of the new NDA government led by the BJP, this was the first bilateral state visit by a foreign leader. The agreements that New Delhi and Dhaka inked addressed a wide range of topics, including digital partnership, healthcare, defence manufacturing, space sector, railway connectivity, maritime cooperation, and the blue economy. Recalling the role played by the Indian government and people in her country’s 1971 freedom, she described India as a reliable friend and big neighbour of Bangladesh. Over the past ten years, Modi and Hasina have gotten along well, going beyond their shared past. As a result,…

In two more illicit liquor-related tragedies that occurred in the state in 2023, seventeen individuals perished. The tragedies of last year happened after a 15-year lapse in which there had been no significant instances. Thus, it was thought that Tamil Nadu had rather successfully combated the problem of clandestine brewing and consumption. The rules have been changed to limit the distribution and supply of methanol, which is used when alcohol that isn’t legal is drunk. However, the deaths in Kallakurichi demonstrate that the issue still exists, even though fortunately there were no fatalities. Source: Business Standard Administrative failure is the…

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other staunch proponents of China were invited in the seven-person group headed by Republican Michael McCaul. Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan had a major role in the sharp rise in US-China relations. A week had passed since the US Congress passed the Resolve Tibet Act before the visit to Dharamsala. Now, the bill is awaiting ratification by the president. As expected, China fiercely objected to the visit, calling the Dalai Lama the leader of a “separatist” Tibetan group and requesting that the US stop adopting the legislation. Beijing’s claim that Tibet was a part of…

A team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) discovered up to 58 kids, including 19 girls, working in horrible conditions at a booze factory last week. Many had suffered horrendous burns from chemicals. 39 of the people that were saved have since vanished.  According to the chairperson of the NCPCR, human trafficking is also a factor in this case. Serious concerns have been made regarding egregious negligence and the complicity of dishonest officials. The regulatory agencies are being scrutinised. Strict action must be taken against the proprietors of the factories. Source: The Hindu Any leniency will…

He not only announced that the nation would celebrate International Yoga Day at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre, which is located on the banks of the Dal Lake, but he also gave the people of Jammu and Kashmir assurances that Assembly elections would take place soon and that efforts were underway to bring back J&K’s statehood.  During his maiden visit to the Valley as the PM for the third time, Modi said that India would teach the recent terror acts a suitable lesson and referred to them as the “last-ditch efforts of the enemies of Kashmir’s progress.”Days after the attacks…

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that since the monsoon began on June 1, the nation has had 20% less rainfall, and that there was little improvement between June 12 and June 18. In Maharashtra, it appears to have reached a standstill. While the southern peninsula received above-average rainfall, there was a 15–70% shortage in other parts of India. Numerous regions, including some in North Karnataka, have had lower-than-normal rainfall even in the south. According to the IMD, June rainfall may be less than usual. The majority of the kharif crop’s seeding occurs in June and July, making these months…

It has been suggested that certain inputs may have endangered the integrity of the examination, which is why there was a surprising cancellation. A possible explanation for the prompt action could be to prevent a recurrence of the intense uproar over the purported anomalies in the NEET-UG exam.  There will inevitably be a feeling of betrayal in the public conscience after this. Following the consecutive blunders, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is experiencing a growing crisis of legitimacy. The investigation has been assigned to the Central Bureau of Investigation. This indicates how seriously the issue is being taken, yet the…

According to the Chief Minister, severing the link between drug dealers and law enforcement is a crucial component of the operation. He has threatened to have police officers fired right now and have their property seized if a connection is found.  This development coincides with a political maelstrom brought on by a Tribune investigation detailing 14 drug-related deaths in 14 days. The police are at the forefront of an ineffective plan to deal with those engaged in this illicit commerce because of their admission that complaints are not being addressed and their preference for treating the accused. Source: Times of…

Since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed in September of last year that investigations were being conducted into the purported involvement of Indian government operatives in the Nijjar case, the two countries’ relationship has collapsed.  On June 18, of last year, the extremist Sikh leader—who had been labelled a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency—was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.Even though Canadian police have detained four Indian citizens in relation to the murders, New Delhi has been putting pressure on Ottawa to provide hard proof of a “Indian hand” in the crime. Source: The Indian…

The goods train’s pilot and co-pilot were among the dead. Three hours before the incident, at approximately 5.50 am, there had been a malfunction in the automatic signalling system connecting the Chattar Hat intersection and the Ranipatra railway station.  According to Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, the goods train ignored the signal, which is why there was an accident. As per normal, an investigation is being conducted to find the mistakes and assign responsibility, and the Center has declared that the deceased’s relatives will receive Rs 10 lakh apiece. Source: Deccan Herald There had been expectations following the Balasore…

In the Wayanad bypoll, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was named Congress general secretary in 2019, will run for office for the first time. In coalition with the Samajwadi Party (SP), the venerable party, which had been reduced to a nonentity in Uttar Pradesh, returned in the 2024 parliamentary elections.  Raebareli and Amethi, strongholds of the Gandhi family, were among the six seats won by the Congress.The party is thought to have gained the two prominent seats thanks in large part to Priyanka, particularly in Amethi, where Rahul faced a stunning loss in 2019. Source: India TV News It’s…

Although they have been read to apply to all public figures and political workers, it is clear that the allusions are meant specifically to the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite the RSS’s belief that it is above politics, the BJP is its primary political organisation and has given it both organisational and intellectual backing. Bhagwat’s remarks represent the first public release of an internal assessment of the BJP’s performance and behaviour.  The BJP and the RSS are known to have had disagreements, as evidenced by party president J P Nadda’s recent statement that the party is…

Nine passengers were killed in Reasi when terrorists attacked the bus they were riding on. Following the driver’s fatal shooting, the passengers perished when the careening bus plunged into a ravine. Because of the collapse, many people on the bus survived, albeit with injuries.  It is just too horrible to imagine what may have happened if the bus had continued on and was left at the mercy of the assailants. The fact that this attack occurred during the swearing-in ceremony for Narendra Modi and his new cabinet raises the possibility that the perpetrators were trying to refute the government’s assertion…

Within one week, terrorists have carried out attacks in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians and a CRPF jawan. The incident in Reasi involved gunmen opening fire on a bus transporting pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Sunday, which coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.  The security situation is concerning and presents a significant challenge to the Modi administration, especially as plans are underway to conduct Assembly elections in the state-turned-UT later this year. Source: Mint The restoration of J&K’s statehood and the reconsideration of the withdrawal of the…

In addition to an infrastructure update, the transition to a biannual admissions procedure necessitates a number of administrative and faculty readjustments. Given that it’s an optional feature, most colleges will probably take a wait-and-see stance for the time being.  M Jagadesh Kumar, the head of the UGC, hopes that the scepticism would pass quickly. His claim that the decision will provide students and institutions more flexibility has some validity. Similar to most international universities, admissions to Indian universities are now available from January to February in addition to July to August.  Source: X According to the UGC chairwoman, students who…

Following that, officials from over ninety nations are expected to gather in Switzerland for a second “peace conference” that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called; Russia is not expected to attend. Now, over 28 months have passed since Russia began its war on Ukraine.  Contrary to what was previously thought, it is evident that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia on the battlefield. It requires greater resources, more weapons, and maybe even the presence of armed forces from other nations. It desires a global assembly against Russia amid the Swiss Alps. Zelensky’s bad news is that the Global South, along with the…

Upon visiting the location, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah attributed these instances on the avarice of real estate developers, even though an inquiry had been started to identify the errors and establish responsibility.  In addition to providing ex gratia compensation to the families of the deceased, India’s urgent priorities are the identification of the bodies and the return of the victims’ mortal remains. Simultaneously, New Delhi must fully participate in the investigation to guarantee that those accountable for the catastrophe face severe consequences. Source: The Indian Express Apart from travel agencies who help with recruitment,…

Even though the Supreme Court declined to stay the counseling requirement for medical college admissions, uncertainty and fear still exist. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has an obligation to disclose any information that compromises the integrity of the entrance exam, as noted by the Bench.  It needs to respond to all of the inquiries about the purported anomalies. The exam, which is seen as a starting point for a career in medicine, was taken by almost 22 lakh applicants. An exercise of this size requires a great deal of responsibility and caution.  Source: English Jagran Thousands of candidates can be…

He took the oath of office as chief minister on Wednesday in front of senior BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the southern state’s simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the alliance consisting of the TDP, BJP, and Janasena Party emerged victorious, capturing 21 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats and 164 out of 175 Assembly seats.  Notably, with 135 MLAs, the TDP holds the majority in the Andhra House by itself. Because of Naidu’s advantageous position in the grand scheme of things, there have been rumours that he may put pressure on Modi to follow through on…

“That is not a good neighbour’s policy,” he continued. His remarks follow posts on X by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulating PM Narendra Modi on his reelection.  Shehbaz limited himself to a single, succinct statement, but Nawaz made a broad call for eschewing hatred in favour of hope and grabbing the chance to influence the fate of South Asia’s two billion inhabitants.Modi thanked Shehbaz with the same brevity and reminded Nawaz that Indians have always stood for peace, security, and progressive ideas. Source: India TV News The message exchange is important because after…

President Biden’s plan, which was unveiled on May 31, outlines a process that starts with Hamas returning all remaining Israeli hostages and ends with Israel’s eventual withdrawal from Gaza.  However, this plan faces a number of diplomatic challenges, as neither Israel nor Hamas have fully endorsed the proposal, reflecting the deep-seated mistrust and competing interests that have prolonged the conflict. The Biden administration’s consideration of a separate deal with Hamas, which avoids Israel, emphasises the complexity of the situation.  Source: ABC News – The Walt Disney Company Although controversial, this approach highlights a shift towards diplomacy rather than military action.The…

The bus plunged into a ravine as the assailants, brandishing M4 carbines and AK-47s, took aim at the driver. According to intelligence assessments, there has been a change in the type of terrorism in the Valley from domestic to foreign, with approximately 80 foreign terrorists active in the region.  Because of the additional savagery and sophistication brought by the foreign elements, security personnel have a huge task. The Reasi attack’s employment of cutting-edge weapons is a sign of this growing menace. This act has far-reaching consequences since it disturbs the peace and stability of J&K and causes fear in the…

This is the first time that Modi has led a true coalition government. Of the thirty Cabinet ministers under the PM’s leadership, four hail from Bihar. This is hardly surprising given that the BJP has three significant allies in that state: Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United).  One Cabinet seat each has been awarded to Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party and HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal (Secular), two allies in the southern states.Three former chief ministers—Shivraj Singh Chouhan of Madhya Pradesh, Manohar…

The former actor turned politician was slapped by the latter last week at the Chandigarh airport. This seemed to be a reprisal for some contentious remarks made by Kangana, who said that farmers were getting paid as little as Rs 100 or Rs 200 to demonstrate at Delhi’s borders.  The actress had also made fun of the female participants in the historic uproar. It is likely that Kulwinder’s mother was one among the demonstrators who besieged Delhi for a year in protest of the three Central agricultural regulations.These were finally repealed, but not before almost seven hundred agitators died. Source:…

This case brings to light the structural shortcomings that have beset the state and serves as a terrifying reminder of the terrible times of unchecked police violence in Punjab.  The frequency of extrajudicial executions, unauthorised incarcerations, and arranged meetings had alarmingly increased. This case’s specifics are terrifying. On June 22, 1993, a police team headed by Dilbagh and Gurbachan abducted Gulshan along with his brothers and father.  Source: Hindustan Times Gulshan was detained illegally for a month before being slain in a staged encounter, while the others were freed. As “unclaimed,” his remains were cremated—a common tactic used at the…

Prior to this, the NSO and the RBI had predicted growth rates of 7.6% and 7%, respectively. The greater growth rate for the entire year was explained by the predicted 7.8% growth in the fourth quarter. 5.9% was the NSO’s first estimate for the quarter.  According to the revised growth estimate, the nation now leads all other major economies. After three years of economic growth exceeding 7%, the real GDP is currently valued at Rs 173.82 lakh crore, up from Rs 160.71 lakh crore the year before. For the entire year, the Gross Value Added (GVA) increased by 7.2%, with…

Another contender emerged victorious, dubbed a religious extremist. All of them emerged victorious against candidates from mainstream and established parties while running as Independents.  Punjab Waris Amritpal Singh, the chief and religious preacher, defeated Khadoor Sahib in Punjab and is currently detained in Dibrugarh jail. Sarabjit Singh Khalsa became victorious from Faridkot. He is the son of Beant Singh, the man who killed former prime minister Indira Gandhi. In Baramulla, Engineer Rashid—who is being held in Tihar jail on terror funding charges—overcame Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of J&K. Their successes demonstrate how conventional parties have been unable to…