Farmers Receive Positive Assurance on Two Key Demands: Sarwan Singh Pandher
Chandigarh, July 21: Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader of the Farmers Labor Struggle Committee, announced that a minister from Haryana has assured them that discussions will be held with the Union Agriculture Minister in the coming days. A letter regarding this matter will be provided within 8 to 10 days, paving the way for dialogue. ... Read more Farmers Receive Positive Assurance on Two Key Demands: Sarwan Singh Pandher
No allegation that Punjab CM Mann exhorted protesting crowd in 2020: SC
The Supreme Court questioned the allegations against Bhagwant Mann and others. There was no specific charge that Mann exhorted the protesting crowd. The court fixed July 30 for hearing the Chandigarh administration's appeal. This appeal challenges the High Court's order quashing the FIR. The High Court had found no prima facie case against the AAP leaders.
Chandigarh University Student Develops E-Commerce Platform to Promote Heritage Products of Indian Artisans
Extensive security for a farmers' march caused a massive traffic jam on Tuesday. Traffic was diverted from the Amritsar-Delhi GT Road to the Ambala-Chandigarh National Highway. This diversion led to significant congestion on the Lehli-Lalru stretch for several hours. Thousands of commuters, including office-goers and students, were severely affected by the prolonged delays. Emergency services also faced difficulties navigating through the heavily congested highway.
Intelligence, self-reliance biggest lessons from Kargil: Ex-Army Chief
Blood shed for our country should inspire: Youngest PVC awardee
Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav, a Kargil War hero, remembers fallen comrades twenty-seven years later. He dedicates his life to mentoring India's youth with discipline and integrity. Yadav has interacted with over nine lakh children across the nation. He believes every citizen is a soldier performing duties with honesty and ability. His mission ensures the sacrifices of fallen soldiers continue to inspire future generations.
The illusion of governance in J&K
The recent call by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to organise public protests for the restoration of statehood presents one of the most unexpected moments in the history of Indian democracy. It is expected in a democratic regime that generally citizens protest against governments when they realise their aspirations are not being fulfilled. Contrary to a democratic essence, in Jammu and Kashmir the elected government is preparing to exercise the constitutional right of protest to assert more constitutional power. This reversal of roles compels us to ask a fundamental question: if a government itself must protest to secure the powers necessary to govern, who is actually governing, and who truly represents the people? The strength of democracy lies not just in conducting elections but in ensuring that elected representatives have the authority to represent their voters. Elections create governments, but governance often requires the institutional capacity to translate public mandates into policy. When this ability is significantly constrained, democracy begins to operate more as a procedural exercise than as a system of actual representation. The demand for restoring statehood is often discussed as a constitutional or political issue. However, it is a social question because it is associated with the relationship between citizens, state and political authority. Ideally, democracy survives only when citizens believe that their elected representatives effectively articulate and protect their interests. Representation is not just about occupying elected office; it is about possessing the authority to make political decisions that reflect the public mandate. The present situation in Jammu and Kashmir exposes a contradiction between electoral legitimacy and governing authority. The people have elected a government expecting it to address their aspirations. However, the government itself publicly acknowledges that it lacks the adequate powers to fulfil the peoples expectations. They are expected to receive support from the very citizens who elected them to join protests for the restoration of statehood. This creates a paradox rarely evident in representative democracies, even among the weak democracies of South Asia. Generally, citizens protest when they start to realise their governments fail to represent them. Here, the government plans to protest because it lacks adequate authority to represent its citizens within the existing constitutional framework of India. The situation creates a paradox for the people of Jammu and Kashmir; it may gradually reshape their understanding of democracy itself. Citizens may start asking uncomfortable but legitimate questions. If their elected government cannot represent their aspirations, who truly represents them? If ministers become protesters themselves, where should citizens direct their expectations and demands? Such questions reveal a deeper crisisnot necessarily of democracy as an ideal, but of democratic representation in practice. Political representations often depend upon both legitimacy and authority. In Indian democracy, legitimacy comes from elections, while authority comes from constitutional structure that equip elective governments to govern. When the elected government experiences a lag between authority and legitimacy, representative government begins to lose its substantive meaning. Government structurally may exist, legislative assemblies continue to function, and ministers continue to hold office. However, citizens increasingly perceive that actual political authority lies elsewhere. This is what may be described as the illusion of governance. The structure of democracy remains visible. Elections are conducted. Cabinets are formed. Policies are announced. Administrative machinery functions. However, many citizens may feel that the governments ability to determine the larger political future of the region remains limited. Governance therefore appears to exist structurally while remaining incomplete politically. The consequences extend beyond constitutional debates. Democracy ultimately depends upon public trust. Citizens participate in elections because they believe that political participation can produce meaningful outcomes. If that belief shrinks, democratic participation itself begins to lose its transformative potential. The implications are particularly significant in Jammu and Kashmir because the region is characterised by extraordinary social diversity. Jammu and Kashmir is not a homogeneous ethnic society. It comprises multiple linguistic, religious, regional and cultural communities whose coexistence depends upon shared democratic institutions rather than a single collective identity. In such a context, representative institutions become the principal mechanism through which diverse aspirations are reconciled. Any perceived weakening of those institutions therefore affects not only governance but also the broader sense of political belonging. The chief ministers decision to mobilise public protests can certainly be viewed as a legitimate democratic strategy. Every citizen, including elected representatives, possesses the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Therefore, the symbolism cannot be ignored. When the head of an elected government must rely upon public mobilisation to demand the powers necessary to govern, it inevitably raises questions about the nature of political authority in the region. The issue, therefore, extends beyond the restoration of statehood. It concerns the meaning of democratic governance itself. Can democracy be considered fully representative when elected governments possess electoral legitimacy but limited governing authority? Can citizens continue to trust in the effectiveness of representation if their representatives themselves acknowledge institutional constraints? These questions deserve careful public reflection because they concern the future of democratic confidence in Jammu and Kashmir. Electoral rituals are not enough for democracy. It demands institutions capable of making elected governments legitimate in their actions towards the people who elected them. If not, representation becomes symbolic instead of substantive. But the statehood debate is not only a constitutional one. It is a matter of putting back the integrity of representative democracy. The focus for the people of Jammu and Kashmir is not just on elections but on their ability to generate governments which can govern. However, until this lack of legitimacy is addressed in a meaningful way, many citizens will feel they are living in a form of illusion of governance that involves the presence of governments, but the ability to fully represent citizens is not assured. The author is teaching sociology at UILS, Chandigarh, University, Punjab.
PM Modi Approves Projects Benefiting 12 Districts: Punjab BJP Chief Dhillon
Chandigarh, July 21: Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Keval Singh Dhillon announced on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Jalandhar marked a significant achievement for the states infrastructure. Projects worth over 5,470 crores will directly benefit 12 districts through modern railway stations, new rail services, expressways, and greenfield highways. Dhillon emphasized ... Read more PM Modi Approves Projects Benefiting 12 Districts: Punjab BJP Chief Dhillon
UT eases rules for govt house allottees
Maloya man held for theft at Sector 42 temple
PU students detained during protest against RSS-linked symposium
Farmers block road over power cuts, say paddy fields drying up
Cong protests over law & order, civic issues in Mohali
New walking tracks coming up in Sector 46 parks
Four die after entering well to rescue calf in Jhajjar village
Mayor pitches for longer tenure, showcases Dadumajra transformation at nat'l meet
Draft electoral roll for Chandigarh to be published today
Minister orders suspension of inspector, ASI over dowry case probe
2027 Punjab poll: Cong to hold key meeting in Delhi today
Weapons symbol of justice, self-defence, says Gargaj
Farmers assemble at Beas, march to Delhi for July 21 rally against proposed IndiaUS trade deal
Kejriwal, Mann condemn action against Jantar Mantar protesters
Dhami reviews preparations for Miri Piri Khalsa march
Himachal cabinet approves 7,500 govt jobs, raises honorariums
Centre rules out runway expansion at Shimla and Kullu airports
Rain triggers flash floods, disrupts traffic in Himachal
Opposition slams Centre over CJP crackdown
Governor attends 44th AGM of Haryana Scouts & Guides
Haryana Police trace 281 missing persons in 6 months
Haryana pushes 21 of 28 deregulation reforms to improve ease of doing business
Haryana nod to Rs 2,892cr plan to modernise 60 ITIs
Haryana sets deadlines for key Ayush projects, Hisar college to be inaugurated on Aug 15
Haryana clears Rs 360cr infra push, gives nod to Gurgaons 2nd waterworks
Monsoon set to intensify in Haryana, rain likely during July 21-24
Husband strangles wife, dies by suicide in Hisar village
Farmers to participate in Delhi meeting against US trade deal
Amritsar, Jalandhar lead Punjabs PM10 reductions
After Bluetooth cheating scam, Faridkot varsity plans exam jammers
Truck driver killed, another critical as collision sparks blaze in Bhiwani
Chandigarh University Offers 270+ Value-Added-Courses in Emerging Fields; to Boost Multi-Disciplinary Learning & Employment
Punjab secured 22nd place in NITI Aayog's inaugural Investment Friendliness Index. The state performed below average in government policy and financial health metrics. Strong regulatory and institutional environments were noted as key strengths for investors. Political parties exchanged barbs over the state's economic performance and investment climate. NITI Aayog recommended improving education spending and addressing financial liabilities.
Sukhbir Singh Badal to Appear Before SIT in Punjabs Sacrilege Case
Chandigarh, July 20: Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, is facing increasing challenges. He is scheduled to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday for questioning related to the sacrilege case. Badal has been summoned to the Punjab Police Officers Institute ... Read more Sukhbir Singh Badal to Appear Before SIT in Punjabs Sacrilege Case
4 die after entering well to rescue calf in Haryana; toxic gas suspected
Four individuals tragically died in Jhajjar, Haryana, after entering a well to rescue a calf. Police suspect toxic gas trapped inside the confined space caused the fatalities. The deceased included three local residents and one migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh. A sub-inspector who entered the well also faced breathing difficulties but is now stable. Legal proceedings have been initiated as authorities await post-mortem results.
Pen-cams in spy-style exam cheating racket busted by Punjab cops
First-of-its-kind Kashmir Theatre Conference from Aug 1-3 in Sgr
Srinagar, Jul 19: A first-of-its-kind Kashmir Theatre Conference will be held at Tagore Hall in Srinagar from August 1 to 3,2026, bringingtogether renowned theatre practitioners, scholars, artists and enthusiasts from across the country to deliberate on the past, present and future of theatre in Jammu and Kashmir. The three-day conference is being organised by the non-governmental organisation ACT: For a Better Tomorrow with support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL). Speaking to Rising Kashmir, ACT Chairman Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan said the conference would be the first event of its scale dedicated exclusively to theatre in Kashmir. This conference is unique in many ways. It will provide a platform for young minds to learn, perform and celebrate the art of theatre while also facilitating meaningful dialogue among theatre practitioners, scholars and enthusiasts, he said. Khan said the conference will feature panel discussions, debates and lectures tracing the evolution of Kashmiri theatre from 1947 to the present, examining its artistic journey, achievements and contemporary challenges. The conference will bring together theatre practitioners, lovers and scholars from Kashmir and other parts of the country who have contributed significantly to the growth of theatre. Together, they will deliberate on ways to strengthen the theatre movement in Kashmir, improve the quality of productions and encourage greater youth participation so that the legacy of theatre continues, he said. Among the prominent speakers to address the conference are M K Raina, Ayash Arif, Mohammad Amin Bhat, K K Raina, Nisar Naseem, Ravi Khemu, Bashir Bhawani, Kamal Razdan and Muzamil Bhawani, besides several other noted theatre personalities. Participants and guests are expected to travel from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh and Aligarh, making the conference a national gathering of theatre professionals. The organisers have invited schools, colleges, universities, theatre groups and aspiring young artists from across Kashmir to participate in the event. Educational institutions and theatre groups with stage productions will also be given an opportunity to perform during the conference. The organisers further said they are exploring the possibility of inviting prominent Bollywood actors from Mumbaihavingcontributed to Kashmir theatre, subject to government support.
Mohali F&CC formed, Congress objects to exclusion from panel
Mohali plans tough policy on stray cattle, dogs
Civic Body To Fix Accountability Of Dairy Owners, Overhaul Animal-catching System As Menace Worsens
Mother shields infant from pack of stray dogs, suffers injuries
UT admn spends Rs 1,915 cr in Q1, capital outlay slows
Nearly onethird of UT budget spent in first quarter
Woman promised job in Berlin, duped over Rs 10L
Chandigarh heritage stool set for auction in USA, advocate seeks govt intervention
Stray packs and monkey troops leave PGI workforce vulnerable
Rain brings relief but humidity keeps Chandigarh muggy
PU students hold hunger strike backing Sonam Wangchuk
Mixed train service back on Kalka-Shimla heritage route
Daily train resumes after holiday special service ends, offering relief to tourists
Chandigarh Judokas Win Bronze at Junior Asian Championship
UP Challengers win 6th Wheelchair Cricket Championship
Water shortage, waterlogging top residents concerns at ward meeting
Truck driver held with 22kg poppy husk brought from Rajasthan
In UK, jathedar cautions sangat against conspiracies
Residents threaten stir over water crisis in Hansi
Monsoon deficit widens in Punjab, Haryana; revival likely today
Mann reviews preparedness for national badminton cship
Lubana community vows to fight bid to remove OBC status
6 held in Fazilka, arms, heroin seized
Rain alert: Kangra admin orders closure of all schools & colleges on June 20-21
HP to roll out new industrial policy with lower power tariffs: Sukhu
HP plans to roll out One District, Three Products programme
Haryana announces Rs 10-lakh reward for top govt school panels
Haryana records highest-ever power demand; Vij claims uninterrupted supply
Aarti Singh Rao elected Haryana para sports association president
Haryana declares 1,128 villages tobacco-free
Saini pushes for digital overhaul of revenue services, sets Aug 15 deadline
Congress launches campaign to strengthen party at grassroots level in Haryana
Haryana BJP to hold tiffin meets at 4,729 Shakti Kendras
Cop injured as police team attacked during drug bust in Sirsa
Patiala villagers set up donation box to help Satluj producers
Bluetooth in socks: 30 caught cheating in Punjab pharmacy job exam
Irshad Kamil and Satinder Sartaj to Share Experiences with Punjab University Students on July 26
Chandigarh, July 19: Punjab University in Chandigarh will host a special conversation event titled Lafz, Sur Aur Safar on July 26, featuring two of its distinguished alumni: lyricist Irshad Kamil and Sufi singer-poet Satinder Sartaj. According to a statement released by the university on Sunday, the event is organized in collaboration with the Punjab University ... Read more Irshad Kamil and Satinder Sartaj to Share Experiences with Punjab University Students on July 26
Punjab BJP President Critiques AAP Governments Investment Claims Following NITI Aayog Report
Chandigarh, July 19: Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon, the Punjab President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stated on Sunday that the NITI Aayogs Investment Friendliness Index-2026 has exposed the hollow claims of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, led by Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, regarding investment and industrial development in Punjab. Dhillon remarked that ... Read more Punjab BJP President Critiques AAP Governments Investment Claims Following NITI Aayog Report
Punjab cop who tried to extort $400,000 from US family in AAP worker murder case arrested
Punjab Police arrested inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, former Tanda SHO. He faces charges of extortion and corruption linked to a US family. The US justice department seeks his extradition for conspiracy to commit extortion. Nagra allegedly extorted Rs 16 lakh from the US-based family. This case is connected to the murder of an AAP worker.
Grappling with 60% vacancy, MC gets nod to fill 276 posts
PGI centre welcomes first moms & infants
Unbeaten in Europe: Minerva Academy lifts Gothia Cup
Youth killed, another injured in SUV crash
Pedestrian underpasses planned at busy Chandigarh junctions as traffic surges
Rain to return, heavy showers likely early next week
