Anando Bhakto

Anando Bhakto, Special Correspondent, reports on Kashmir and politics in the Hindi heartland. He has a special interest in covering human rights issues in Kashmir. In a career spanning nine years he has authored well-researched stories on custodial killings, arbitrary detentions under the Public Safety Act and juvenile detainees for Al Jazeera, Dawn , Asia Times and The Wire , besides Frontline . Prior to joining Frontline , he worked with The Hindu , the IANS and The Sunday Guardian . He has a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, U.K.

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The Supreme Court on September 5, the last day of the hearings on Article 370.

Article 370 in Supreme Court: Will Kashmir’s special status be restored?

The ruling, anticipated around November-December, will be a critical moment in India’s constitutional history.

A protester from Ladakh in New Delhi on February 15.

Ladakh’s struggle for identity and survival

With the Centre increasingly alienating Ladakhis, is this another storm waiting to burst?

Sajjad Kargili.

‘Centre’s stance on Sixth Schedule and the demand for statehood is unclear’: Sajjad Kargili

Residents in both Leh and Kargil districts realise that unity is the way forward in Ladakh’s struggle for statehood, says the political activist.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during a public meeting in Kargil on August 25. The BJP’s recognition of him as a threat has the potential to shatter the “TINA” (there is no alternative) factor in 2024, something on which Modi’s invincibility as an executive has majorly relied.

Is Rahul Gandhi ready to lead the Congress to victory in 2024?

The Congress leader has been on a charm offensive in recent months, but that might not be enough to topple the BJP.

The Forum’s latest report, titled “Five years without an elected administration: Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir”, took on the Election Commission for its inability to justify the delay in holding elections.

Civil society, opposition leaders demand Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir

A report by The Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir calls for withdrawal of unsubstantiated charges against civil society members.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with Rahul Gandhi during a press conference at AICC in New Delhi on August 4.

Stay on Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in ‘Modi’ surname case puts BJP on the defensive

The Supreme Court’s ruling in the “politically motivated” defamation case could allow Rahul Gandhi’s return as Lok Sabha MP.

People protest in Srinagar in February against the demolition drive that was launched by authorities in all districts.

Jammu and Kashmir’s land endowment scheme stokes fears of demographic change

Is the administration’s new land scheme an attempt to realign the region’s dynamics before the next Assembly election?

G20 delegates take part in yoga session as a part of G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at Kashmir Valley in Srinagar on Tuesday

G20 Tourism Working Group meet in Kashmir sparks debate on realities of the region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “normalcy narrative” faces scrutiny as G20 spotlight shifts to Kashmir’s tourism potential.

Jammu and Kashmir police entering a journalist’s residence to conduct a search, in Srinagar on November 19, 2022.

Journalists, human rights defenders in Kashmir face increasing assaults

A playbook that closely restricts press freedom is playing out, which has seen journalists being harassed through a variety of means.

Protesters clash with police at Awantipora in Pulwama district in March 2019, following the death of school teacher Rizwan Pandit in police custody.

Torture, custodial killings continue to haunt lives in Jammu and Kashmir

Immunity for security personnel has dimmed prospects of free and fair justice for the victims of extra-judicial killings.

Experts believe the recent raids at the BBC headquarters in India, coupled with the generally restrictive environment in which reporters operate, contributed to this decline.

India’s press freedom ranking dips sharply, according to analysis by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders

The report criticises the corporatisation of the Indian media and claims that all mainstream media are now owned by businessmen close to PM Modi.

A view of the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, where authorities disallowed Friday congregational prayers on April 14.

Why the maths is not working out for the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir

The longer it delays the election, the more space the BJP is likely to cede to its rivals in the PAGD.

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