Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
The Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party is a socialist and secular state political party in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The party was founded on 23 March 1982 by husband and wife Prof. Bhim Singh and Jay Mala,[6][7] Its aim is to "demolish corruption, communalism, criminalization, drug menace" and to establish a real democracy through ultimate revolution.[1][2] Panthers party has maintained power at assembly and the local level for over four decades in its stronghold within the mountainous Udhampur constituency,[8] where in the vicinity 5.9 million tonnes of Jammu and Kashmir lithium reserves, the 7th largest known reserve in the world, with an estimated value of $500 billion,[9][10] was discovered in February 2023.[11]
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | JKNPP |
Leader | Ankit Love |
President | Harsh Dev Singh |
Founder | Bhim Singh and Jay Mala |
Founded | 23 March 1982 |
Headquarters | 17 VP House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001 |
Newspaper | Voice of Millions |
Student wing | National Panthers Student Union |
Youth wing | Young Panthers |
Women's wing | Women Panthers |
Labour wing | Panthers Trade Union |
Peasant's wing | Farmers Panthers Union |
Ideology | Democracy[1][2] Anti-corruption[1][2] Secularism[3] Women's rights[4] |
ECI Status | State Party[5] |
Alliance | Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (2023–2024) |
Seats in District Development Council | 2 / 280 |
Seats in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly | 0 / 90 |
Election symbol | |
Website | |
jknationalpanthersparty | |
Panthers Party had campaigned for over three decades for the abolition of Article 370 and Article 35A,[12][13] demanding that the special status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir be revoked,[14] and for it to be fully assimilated into the Republic of India. These demands were finally met by a presidential order in August 2019 that revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status. Panthers Party campaigns for a further division of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the recognition of Hindu-majority Jammu Division as a new and separate state of India.[15][16]
In 2017, Ankit Love, the son of Bhim Singh and Jay Mala, announced his candidacy for Prime Minister of India for the 2019 Indian general election.[17][18] He became the party's leader on 28 May 2017. On 23 June 2021, Panthers Party President Prof. Bhim Singh was reported in the media as a potential candidate for the 2022 Indian vice presidential election,[19] as recommended for nomination by Ankit Love, just prior to meeting Prime Minister Modi at his residence for special dialogue in regards to the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.[20][21]
In 1996, the party was notable in moving the Supreme Court and the Election Commission to return the democratic process to militancy-torn Jammu and Kashmir, when elections were held again in the state after a nine-year hiatus.[6][22][23]
The party formed a part of the coalition government of Jammu & Kashmir along with the Congress and PDP after the 2002 Jammu & Kashmir elections, winning all the seats in the Udhampur district, with Harsh Dev Singh serving as education minister in the cabinet,[24] and Yash Paul Kundal as the minister of animal and sheep husbandry.[25][26]
The party is a strong proponent of secular values in Jammu & Kashmir and across the region plagued by the terrorist insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.[3] As a strong advocate of women's rights the Panthers Party women's wing works to protect women from domestic abuse in Jammu and Kashmir and female foeticide.[4] The Women Panthers have called for a 33% reservation of seats for women in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.[27]
Prof. Bhim Singh who is locally known as Sher-e-Jammu (Lion of Jammu)[28] is the party's Chief Patron and served as the Panthers Party chairman for 30 years till 2012, when his nephew Harsh Dev Singh became Chairman. Balwant Singh Mankotia has served as party's state president since 2010.[29][30]
The Panthers Party has been a long-time advocate of a sovereign statehood for Palestine.[31] It strongly condemned Israel in reaction to the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid that left nine humanitarian aid workers dead, and called on the Indian central government to support Palestinians inside and outside the UN.[32][33] In 2014, Panthers Party activists burned an effigy of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at protests held in New Delhi, calling for UN intervention under Chapter VII, and terming Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide."[34]
By December 2015, the Panthers Party's membership drive had reached a target of 100,000 members.[35]
Panthers Party has fielded candidates in other Indian states, including Delhi in 2015,[36] Uttarakhand in 2012,[37] and in 2007 contested all MLA seats in Himachal Pradesh. In 2017, Panthers Party contested elections in Punjab,[38] and Uttar Pradesh,[39][40] and reconstituted its branch in Rajasthan, headed by Ashok Bapna.[41] Panthers Party branch in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu,[42][43] is led by state president Naresh Ambedkar.[44]
1982-2022 Bhim Singh Era
editFounding
editThe party was founded by Bhim Singh in 1982 as a split from the Indian National Congress. At the time, Bhim Singh was a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly with the Congress party. Bhim Singh had differences with the Congress party's alliance with the National Conference party of Sheikh Abdullah. In particular, the Panther's Party was founded in reaction to Sheikh Abdullah's Resettlement Act.[45][clarification needed]
The manifesto of the party focused on secular, nationalist and democratic principles, while seeking to respect the diversity of cultures and religions in the state including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
A month after its formation, in April 1982, the name of the party was questioned in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly by Chief Minister, Sheikh Abdullah who had asked "Bhim Singh you were all right as a human being. Why you chose to be an animal?" Prof. Bhim Singh had then responded that "the people of State were terrorized by a big animal, known as Sher-e-Kashmir (Lion of Kashmir was Abdullah's nickname). They needed safety and protection from that lion. It was necessary to become an animal (Panther) to resist the lion."[45]
J&K general elections, 1983
editOn its formation in the 1983 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections the Panther's Party contested 50 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The Panthers Party won only one seat, that of party founder Bhim Singh. He retained his seat with 7,690 votes (34.37%), a slender margin of 262 votes over his Congress Party rival.[46] In reaction to his split from Congress, its ruling Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, had given Bhim Singh stiff opposition in his constituency of Chenani-Ghordi.[45]
In the neighbouring constituency of Udhampur, Panthers Party co-founder Jay Mala, placed third against sixteen other male candidates with 3,768 votes (13.75%), and polled the second most votes amongst all women candidates in the 1983 J&K general elections.[47] She was one of only seven female candidates that contested out of a total 512 candidates.
Indian general elections, 1984
editBhim Singh stood in the 1984 general elections for Indian parliament, from the Udhampur constituency. He came second, to the Indian National Congress from which he had recently split to form the Panthers Party. He received 95,149 votes (26.24%).[48]
Bhim Singh, MLA v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, 1985
editOn 17 August 1985 Bhim Singh was suspended from the opening of the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that was scheduled for 11 September. He subsequently challenged the suspension in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. After his suspension was stayed by High Court on 9 September, Bhim Singh was illegally detained and arrested by the police en route to Srinagar. After attempts to locate him proved futile his wife and advocate Jay Mala then moved the court to locate Bhim Singh. The court ruled that there "certainly was a gross violation of Shri Bhim Singh's constitutional rights" and condemned the "authoritarian acts of the police." The judges stated that they were in no doubt that the top levels of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir where ultimately responsible.[49]
The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement that impacted tort law in India, awarded Bhim Singh a compensation of fifty thousands rupees for his illegal detention and false imprisonment by the police.[50][51] Bhim Singh had left jail with a fractured leg and claimed during his false imprisonment the police and state agencies had made an attempt on his life.[52]
J&K general elections, 1987
editPanthers Party in the 1987 J&K general elections, contested 21 out of 76 seats for the legislative assembly. They lost in all constituencies, and received a total of 46,043 votes (6.85%) across the seats they contested.[53]
Thakur Dass Chantora was runner-up from Chenani-Ghordi, with 10,462 votes (36.99%). Sat Pal was runner-up from Marh, with 11,818 votes (35.97%). Girdhari Lal was runner-up from Ramnagar, with 6,807 votes (27.95%). Bhim Singh came in third from Reasi, with 5,534 votes (16.73%).
Bhim Singh accused Farooq Abdullah's government of rigging the elections,[54][55] which led to insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus.
Udhampur MP By-Election, 1988
editAt the conclusion of the count on 19 June 1988, Panthers Party leader, Bhim Singh was announced as the winner of the Udhampur by-election by 32,000 votes. However, the Union Home Minister of India, Buta Singh had dispatched Dr. Bhalla, Secretary of the Election Commission by a Home Ministry aircraft to Jammu. Dr. Bhalla ordered the Returning Officer, S.P. Kazal to refer the count result to the Election Commission of India in New Delhi. On 25 June 1988 Peri Shastri the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi declared the Congress Party candidate Mohd. Ayub Khan instead as the winner by 2,376 votes.[56] The Returning Officer was later found to have committed suicide with no known motive.[57]
Bhim Singh filed a review petition against the order of the Election Commission of India, stating the declared result was rigged at the instance of Rajiv Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah, leaders of the ruling coalition parties. Atal Behari Vajpayee joined Bhim Singh on hunger strike in front of the Election Commission offices in protest to the vote rigging.[52] The Jammu and Kashmir High Court ruled in favour of Bhim Singh, however when Justice K.K. Gupta delivered the judgement four years later on 15 October 1992, the relevant session of parliament stood dissolved already.[58]
Bhim Singh later wrote in his book, Murder of Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, that he had intervened to pacify a crowd of his supporters at the time, despite it costing him the result. As he feared an outbreak of violence at the count venue could have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, by the heavily armed police present there, due to an escalation of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.[57]
Indian general elections, 1989 & 1991
editWith his court battle still ensuing against the Election Commission over the rigging of the previous election, Bhim Singh contested again for the Panthers Party, from Udhampur in the 1989 Indian general elections. He polled fourth, with 22,625 votes (7.23%).[59]
In the 1991 Indian general elections, Panthers Party contested two seats from National Capital Territory of Delhi, in protest to the 1991 Hawala scandal, that broke out after an arrest of Kashmiri militants revealed evidence of money corruption by senior Indian politicians, including leader of the opposition, L. K. Advani.
Bhim Singh contested against BJP leader, L. K. Advani in New Delhi.[60] He came sixth out of 63 candidates, with 396 votes (0.18%). Ishwar Chand contested for the Panthers Party from South Delhi, against the BJP's Madan Lal Khurana. Chand came 26th out of 74 candidates with 191 votes (0.05%).[61]
Indian general elections, 1996
editThe Panthers Party in the 1996 Indian general election contested five out of the six parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The Panthers Party candidates were Dil Jeet Singh in Baramulla, Mohammad Akbar in Srinagar, Mohamad Yousf Ganai in Anantnag, Navin Baksi in Jammu, and Bhim Singh in Udhampur.
Collectively the Panthers Party received a total of 99,599 votes (5.05%) across the seats contested.[62]
J&K general elections, 1996
editPanthers Party defeated the Election Commission in the Supreme Court of India,[22] forcing it to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by order of chief justice J. S. Verma.[52] Democratic elections had not been held for nine years, with the state placed under the Indian President's rule, due to a break down in law and order resultant from the terrorist insurgency.[63]
Panthers Party contested 45 out of 87 seats in the 1996 J&K general election. It received a total of 55,885 votes (4.33%) across the seats it contested.[64] Harsh Dev Singh won from Ramnagar with 9,049 votes (24.56%).[65]
Indian general elections, 1998 & 1999
editPanthers Party in the 1998 Indian general elections contested eight seats in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The party received a total of 24,638 votes (0.59%) across the seats they contested.[66]
In the 1999 Indian general elections held a few months after the Kargil war, the party contested from four constituencies in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and received a total of 15,888 votes (1.38%) across the seats they contested.[67]
Jammu and Kashmir state assembly 2002-2008
editIn the 2002 Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Panthers Party stood candidates in 36 out of 87 seats, gaining a total of 101,830 votes (7.24%) across the seats they contested. The party won in four constituencies, which included all three seats in the Udhampur district.
Udhampur was won by Balwant Singh with 24,679 votes (40.39%). Chenani was won by SH Faquir Nath with 17,118 votes (37.42%) and Ramnagar by Harsh Dev Singh 29,914 votes (50.40%). Samba was won by Yash Paul Kundal with 11,079 votes (25.31%).[68]
Harsh Dev Singh served as the education minister in the coalition government,[69] under his tenure as minister, English was made a compulsory language from first grade in state schools.[70] Yash Paul became the minister of animal and sheep husbandry. Panthers Party leader, Bhim Singh became member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.[71] In 2007, Bhim Singh withdrew support to the Congress Party lead coalition, citing differences with the Peoples Democratic Party. The government fell soon after when the PDP itself withdrew their support from the Congress Party during the Amarnath land transfer controversy, placing the state under direct rule of the Indian central government for a few month prior to the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections, 2008.[72]
Indian general elections, 2004
editIn the 2004 Indian general elections, the Panthers Party fielded seven candidates from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Delhi. Ravinder Kumar Jassi stood for the party in Ludhiana, Ved Prakash in New Delhi, R. Ravicandran in South Delhi, Syed Mohammed Rafiq Shah in Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad in Srinagar, Kuldeep Singh in Jammu, and Bhim Singh in Udhampur.
The party received 70,078 votes (2.00%), across the seats contested.[73]
Protests as opposition in state assembly 2008-2014
editIn the 2008 J&K general elections, Panthers Party contested 73 out of 87 seats, and received a total of 131,944 votes (3.33%).[74] They retained three seats in the legislative assembly, and formed part of a fragmented opposition along with the BJP and PDP.
While in opposition they led a series of theatrical protests. In March 2013, Balwant Singh climbed onto his seat and hurled his microphone across the assembly house, leading a protest with the BJP. He demanded a resolution against Pakistan who had condemned India's hanging of Parliament attack terrorist Afzal Guru.[75] The month after in April 2013, Balwant joined another opposition disruption in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly condemning the death of Indian prisoner Chamel Singh in a Pakistani jail who had been allegedly tortured before his death.[76]
In May 2013, Panthers Party held another protest in the assembly demanding that chief minister Omar Abdullah resign, claiming his order was responsible for the deaths of five Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Srinagar.[77] Harsh Dev Singh led a walk out protest in October 2013 from the assembly house with the BJP.[78] They had wanted the Ganaie Committee Report scrapped.
Balwant Singh lead protesters in violent clashes with armed police in his constituency of Udhampur on 16 August 2014.[79] They were protesting against what they claimed was discrimination against youth from Jammu in favor of people from the Kashmir valley in regards to employment opportunities with the Railway Police.
On 24 August 2014 Speaker of the House, Mubarak Gul ordered security guards to forcibly evict Balwant Singh from the assembly when he disturbed proceedings against a bill by Omar Abdullah that had urged India to resume dialogue with Pakistan,[80] instead Balwant wearing a black bandana hawkishly demanded that the assembly condemn ceasefire violations by Pakistan, claiming they were leading to deaths of innocent villagers.[81]
A few days later on 28 August, Harsh Dev Singh lead protests disturbing proceedings in the assembly house with placards demanding that the word secular be inserted into the Jammu and Kashmir constitution to bring it to parity with the Constitution of India.[82] In the protest they also claimed that the BJP who had recently come into power in the Indian national government in May 2014 were destroying the secular fabric of the country.
In October 2014, party leader Bhim Singh heavily criticized BJP leader Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, stating he was not "able to play the role of the prime minister," and on his visit should have first met terrorism effected people as opposed to those effected by the recent 2014 Kashmir floods.[83] In November 2014, he condemned the BJP as a party of "shop keepers" run from Nagpur by Hindu paramilitary group RSS.[84]
Next month in December, the Panthers party lost all their seats in the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.[26]
Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah remained as the sole Panthers Party representative in government until March 2015, as a Member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.[85] Earlier in April 2013, Shah had been marshalled out of the upper house after creating a ruckus in protest to discrimination against Urdu, an official state language. During his protest he highlighted news reports that a government official from the Doda district had refused to place signs in the Urdu language.[86]
Indian general elections, 2009
editThe Panthers Party contested ten seats across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir in the 2009 Indian general elections. The party candidates were Mohammad Iqbal Jan in Baramulla, Bhim Singh in Udhampur, Gurinder Singh Sood in Ludhiana, Vijendra Singh in Churu, Shiv Kumar in Alwar, Om Prakash in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Gurdan Singh in Jodhpur, Harsh Malhotra in Delhi, Raj Kumar Nagar in Sirsa, and Ramesh Kumar in Gurgaon.[87]
The Panthers Party received a total of 87,502 votes across the ten seats, losing each election.
Condemnation of Israel's attack on Gaza flotilla, 2010
editThe Panthers Party strongly condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza flotilla raid,[32] during which nine activists carrying humanitarian aid for Palestine were killed by Israeli armed forces. Balwant Singh Mankotia, Panthers state president accused Israel of religious suppression at the time, as residents of Ramallah, Anata, Hebron and Jericho were denied from offering prayers at Al-Aqsa. Balwant Singh in reaction to the incident said "Israel should pullout its troops from Palestine and lift all barricades," as he believed that "the settlement of Jewish community in Occupied Palestine is a grave threat to international peace and security."[33]
The party at the time had called on the Indian central government to support the sovereign statehood of Palestine both in and outside the UN, stating that the USA and Israel were in violation of UN Resolution 181.
Life sentence for Iqbal Jan overturned, 2012
editIqbal Jan who was candidate for parliament for Baramulla constituency for Panthers Party in May 2009, was given a life sentence after being convicted for waging war against the country in September 2009.[88] On 28 February 2012, Delhi High Court overturned the judgment and called for immediate release of Jan from Tihar prison, who had been represented by Panthers Party founder Bhim Singh as his advocate.[89]
Indian general elections, 2014
editIn the 2014 Indian general elections, Panthers Party fielded 13 candidates in Delhi, Punjab, Bihar, and Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Mohammed Rafiq Shah in Baramulla, Mohammad Maqbool Malik in Srinagar, Syed Abid Ahmad Shah in Anantnag, Bhim Singh in Udhampur, Hari Chand Jalmeria in Jammu, Kishan Kumar Sharma in Ludhiana, Lakhvir Singh in Fatehgarh Sahib, Shaminder Singh in Bathinda, Mohammad Hasnan Khan in North East Delhi, Jai Ram Lal in East Delhi, Sunita Chaudhary in New Delhi, Mohan Kanuga in South Delhi, Moqim Ansari in Purvi Champaran.[90]
They received a total of 57,103 votes across the 13 seats. They lost each election, and saved five deposits.[91]
J&K general elections, 2014
editIn the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir general elections, the Panthers Party contested 60 out of 87 seats. They lost all their three MLA seats, and 56 deposits polling a total of 95,941 votes (1.99%).[92] It was the first time in 18 years that the Panthers Party had no elected representative in the J&K legislative assembly.[93]
Demand for President's Rule 2016
editIn reaction to the escalating violence and blindings from anti-riot pellet guns in the valley during the 2016 Kashmir Unrest, the Panthers Party through the Supreme Court of India had attempted to dissolve the government by imposition of Governor's rule.[citation needed] On 22 August, while the court denied the party's attempt, it ordered the solicitor general to arrange a meeting between the Panthers Party leader, Bhim Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issue.[94][95] During the case Bhim Singh had stated that "pellet guns from Israel are used against the Kashmiris. This is a crime."[96] Three days later, Home Minister of India, Rajnath Singh traveled to Kashmir and met with a three-member delegation of the Panthers Party promising to end the use of pellet guns.[97] On 19 September, Bhim Singh meet Narendra Modi for the first time since the latter had become prime minister.[98] A day after, the Supreme Court asked its Registry to consider listing Bhim Singh's second demand for President's rule for an earlier hearing.[99][100]
Farooq Abdullah Guest of Honor at 39th Panthers Party Anniversary Event 2021
editOn 23 March 2021, Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was the surprise guest of honor and main speaker at the Panthers Party's 39th anniversary event in Jammu's Dogra Hall,[101] and shared the stage with Prof. Bhim Singh and former minister Harsh Dev Singh.[102][103] Previously, Panthers Party had stood in fierce opposition to Farooq Abdullah, and his father Sheik Abdullah for nearly four decades. Abdullah had been detained under house arrest for 220 days in the previous year, after the Government of India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and Prof. Bhim Singh had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India in February 2020, demanding Farooq Abdullah's release, as well as the release of his son Omar Abdullah and 600 other political activists who had been detained for six months.[104] Prof. Bhim Singh aged 79, had also just returned to active leadership when he was elected President of the Panthers Party the month before on 14 February 2021,[105] when his nephew Balwant Singh Mankotia resigned from the post citing family issues.[106]
Prior to being elected President of the Panthers Party, Prof. Bhim Singh was briefly expelled from the Panthers Party by his nephew and party chairman Harsh Dev Singh in Nov 2020, when he had met with Farooq Abdullah at his residence and the rest of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration in Srinagar, Kashmir.[107]
At the Panther Party event, Abdullah had commented that the "Congress which is a national level party has become weak", and that the recent division and removal of Jammu and Kashmir's special status was "an attack on our honour." In reference to Prof. Bhim Singh and Harsh Dev Singh, Abdullah hoped that "these lions will stand up to the challenge posed by the divisive forces."[102]
Bulgari Hotel London Incident 2021
editFollowing a fight and dispute with a Pakistani businessman in relation to the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, Ankit Love was removed by London metropolitan police from the Bulgari Hotel & Residencies,[108] one of the most expensive apartment buildings in the world, where in 2012 an apartment sold for $157 million (INR 1200 crore).[109] Love had been invited to the hotel as a guest by Ariana Ghani, niece of then president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani in July 2021,[108] just a month prior to the Fall of Kabul to the Taliban.
Aam Admi Party Defection 2022
editIn 2022, over a hundred Panthers Party members, including three former MLAs and two ex cabinet ministers merged into the newly formed Jammu and Kashmir branch of AAP party.[110][111] AAP had just recently won the Punjab assembly election. Prof. Bhim Singh had expelled all members who had defected to the AAP, stating their exit thus had no effect.[112]
2022-2023 Jay Mala Leadership
editPanthers Party founder Bhim Singh died in office as President of Panthers Party on 31 May 2022, following which his wife and co-founder Jay Mala took effective full control of Panthers Party as its leader, Chairwoman and de facto president. She nominated Vilakshan Singh working under her authority as an acting interim president until the party's official presidential elections scheduled for 23 March 2023.[113]
Lithium Discovery
editIn February 2023, following the discovery of 5.9 tonnes of lithium in Reasi, Jammu, Ankit Love took over as Chief Patron of the Panthers Party, a role previously held by his father Prof. Bhim Singh. Jay Mala commented that Love due to his international perspective was the best person to manage the $500 billion worth of lithium discovered in the Udhampur parliamentary constituency where the Panthers party won the election previously.[114]
Ankit Love stated at the time: "There is more Lithium in Jammu, than oil in Dubai! Almost half a trillion US dollars worth of it. So we must make sure our people will now be the richest in the world. We must have the best infrastructure, libraries, hospitals, art galleries, theatres, sports teams, shopping malls, five star hotel resorts, airports and the creation of a brand new world class Prof. Bhim Singh University which was always my father’s dream, to build the world’s greatest university here.”[114]
Eviction by government from secure accommodation
editOn 20 February, Government of Jammu and Kashmir withdrew Jay Mala's secure accommodation by sealing the Panthers party office in Jammu.[115] She subsequently on a TV appearance asked that Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, launch a probe into her husband's death. Jay Mala at the time had stated "there was a certain plot to assassinate her too, and that she may not survive for much longer".[116]
Harsh Dev Singh Rejoins Panthers Party
editOn 16 Feb 2023, Harsh Dev Singh resigned as Chairman of J&K Aam Aadmi Party, and rejoined Panthers Party in the presence of Jay Mala.[117]
Harsh Dev elected state President
editSupported by Jay Mala, former education minister Harsh Dev Singh[118] was elected state president of Panthers party by the working committee on 4 April 2023.[119]
2023- Post-Founders
editJay Mala Death
editJay Mala died 26 April 2023, at age 64, after fighting for her life on a ventilator at Government Medical College Jammu.[120] Her dead body was kept in the mortuary for ten days amidst a power struggle for control of the party between her late husband Bhim Singh's nephews ex minister Harsh Dev Singh and advocate Vilakshan Singh.[121][122]
Following which, her son Ankit Love, who was in London at time for her death, requested a post-mortem on Jay Mala's body, which was conducted on 5 May 2023.[123] Mala had previously stated that she feared there was a plot to assassinate her.[124]
Love expelled Vilakshan Singh from primary membership of the Panther Party on 17 May 2023.[125][126][127] Jay Mala had died after suffering a fatal injury to her head while visiting the home of Vilakshan Singh's sister.[128][129]
Harsh Dev Singh presidency 2023
editHarsh Dev Singh was nominated by former Panthers party president Bansi Lal Sharma, and on 3 April 2023 elected by majority vote of the party's working committee as president,[130] for a term of 3 years.
Supreme Court petition for holding of delayed Assembly elections
editOn 25 May, Harsh Dev Singh filed a petition with the Supreme Court of India, seeking to move the Election Commission to hold elections in J&K as soon as possible, that not been conducted for 9 years[131] The assembly stood dissolved for four years, with no elected representation of the people at the executive level.
J&K lithium mining rights auction
editOn 29 May, JKNPP president Harsh Dev Singh, addressing a press conference in Jammu, stated "People of J&K have exclusive right over lithium reserves.", and that the central government's announcement to auction the lithium by December, was interfering with matters that under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 fall within the lawful domain of state and union territory governments.[10] He stated the central government was attempting usurp lithium rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.[132][133]
Protest leader and contender for coalition Chief Minister
editWith the serious possibility of a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, former Minister of Education Harsh Dev Singh rose to prominence and as a potential candidate for Chief Minister[134] after being falsely arrested while leading a series of protests against corruption in the police,[135][136][137] mining, sanitation, pension, education, roads, power and water departments.[138][139]
J&K legislative assembly elections, 2024
editIn the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir general elections, the Panthers Party contested 4 out of 90 seats. The I.N.D.I.A alliance supported them in one seat. They lost all the seats that they contested and their vote share was reduced to 1.16% of the total votes.
Members of Legislative Assembly
editMembers of Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Assembly | Portrait | MLA | Constituencies | Margin |
2008 | 11th | 1 | Balwant Singh Mankotia | Udhampur | |
2. | Harsh Dev Singh | Ramnagar | |||
3. | Yash Paul Kundal | Samba | |||
2002 | 10th | 1. | Balwant Singh Mankotia | Udhampur | |
2. | Harsh Dev Singh | Ramnagar | |||
3. | Yash Paul Kundal | Samba | |||
4. | Faquir Nath | Chanani | |||
1996 | 1. | Harsh Dev Singh | Ramnagar |
References
edit- ^ a b c "History". JK Panthers Party. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ a b c PTI (9 November 2010). "SC upholds freeze on delimitation in J&K till 2026". The Hindu.
- ^ a b "Headlines Today". Panther party MLAs disrupt house in Jammu and Kashmir assembly. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2015 – via youtube.com.
- ^ a b "Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP)". elections.in. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ "List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013" (PDF). India: Election Commission of India. 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) – Party History, Symbol, Founders, Election Results and News". www.elections.in. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
It was the Bhim Singh-led JKNPP which moved the Supreme Court to hold elections in the militancy-torn Jammu and Kashmir in the historic year 1996. The Chief Election Commission of India was persuaded to conduct elections in the state, only due to the efforts of JKNPP.
- ^ "Bhim greets Atal Bihari on his 84th birthday - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". www.scoopnews.in. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ Staff, The Dispatch (23 March 2023). "In Udhampur, Dr Farooq, Raman Bhalla attend Panthers Party rally". The Dispatch. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Congress working president Raman Bhalla on Thursday turned up at a rally organized by the Panthers Party on its foundation day in its stronghold of Udhampur.
- ^ "J&K: Bhim Singh's son takes over his Panthers Party to explore Lithium". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ a b "People of J&K have exclusive right over lithium reserves: JKNPP president Harsh Dev Singh". The Times of India. 29 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
Even with the present inferred lithium resources discovered in J&K, it is already the 7th largest known reserve of lithium in the world, and worth over Rs. 40 lakh crores or USD$500 billion, when lithium spot prices had hit a record high of $86,207 per tonne on 17 November 2022.
- ^ Pahwa, Nitish (28 February 2023). "One of the World's Most Dangerous Places Is About to Have One of Its Most Important Mines". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "JKNPP releases manifesto, promises amendment in Art 370". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "'I Have Been Fighting In Supreme Court For Many Years For Removing Article 35A', Bhim Singh Tells PAGD". Kashmir Life. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "NPP pleads for one flag from Kanyakumari to Kashmir". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "NPP demands statehood for Jammu". Deccan Herald. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ "'Dogra State Ka Darja Bahal Karo': Protests In Jammu For Separate State". Kashmir Observer. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ Ganai, Naseer (24 February 2017). "Prime Minister Modi To Face Love Challenge In 2019 Lok Sabha Elections". Outlook India. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Ankit Love has announced he's running to be India's next PM". London Live. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Ankit Love wants nomination of Dr Karan Singh & Bhim Singh for President and Vice President of India". News - Cross Town News, a Leading Newspaper of J&K. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Restoration of Statehood was demanded in the meeting: Bhim Singh, Leader, Panthers Party, tells Madhavdas G on India Upfront". Twitter - Times Now TV. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Approval of Instrument of Accession by Parliament essential : Bhim Singh". News - Cross Town News, a Leading Newspaper of J&K. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Bhim Singh, President J&K ... vs Election Commissioner Of India ... on 4 April, 1996". indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Sheila Dikshit releases Bhim Singh's book". The Hindu. 10 April 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Panthers Party feeling heat as BJP goes all out in Udhampur". Tribune News. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "KV Nagrota organizes 29th National Youth Parliament Competition". Daily Excelsior. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Panthers fall flat". Daily Exelsior. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
Party's two-time MLA and former Minister Yash Paul Kundal
- ^ "Panthers women wing held demonstration for 1/3rd reservation". UNI India. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ^ "NPP condoles death of Yash Sharma - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". Scoop News. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Young Bites : Daily | Leading News Paper of Jammu Kashmir". youngbites.in. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Outlook India News : Bhim Singh's JKNPP splits, former ministers to form new party". www.outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Tame Israel in Gaza, Bhim Singh to Kerry". Kashmir Watch. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b "JKNPP demands withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestine". DNA. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Pro-India party condemns Israeli aggression in Palestine". National Turk. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Gaza Genocide: Panthers Party demands UN intervention under Chapter-VII". Kashmir Watch. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "NPP launches membership drive in Jammu distt". Daily Excelsior. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ^ "When somebody else rode the 'bicycle' in elections". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "Parties having no support base in Uttarakhand contesting too". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "After Election Commission prod, number of parties jumps by 40%". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "Election Commission allocates symbols to independents". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "NPP holds emergency meeting in Delhi, decides to contest Assembly Polls in five states". Voice of Millions. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "Rajasthan PP reconstituted with a mission to strengthen National Integration". Brighter Kashmir. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "NPP pleads for one flag from Kanyakumari to Kashmir". 28 October 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "National Panthers Party of Tamil Nadu". tnnpp.in. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Bhim Singh to attend J&K Accession Day function at Kanyakumari" (PDF). Greater Jammu. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "South Asia Mail". www.southasiamail.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1983 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 62. 1983.
- ^ "Key Highlights of General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 8. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1984" (PDF). National and State Abstracts & Detailed Results: 38. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Bhim Singh, MLA vs State Of J&K And Ors. (Supreme Court 22 November 1985) ("There certainly was a gross violation of Shri Bhim Singh's constitutional rights under Articles 21 and 22(2).") Full Text
- ^ Khosa, Aasha (2 May 2006). "Bhim Singh seeks damages from Pathak panel". The Indian Express. The Indian Express Group. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ "Trespass to person | Law Teacher". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Handoo, Bilal (3 February 2016). "Devil's Advocate". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1987 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi. 1987.
- ^ "Bhim accuses 'Coalition' of rigging LC polls". Daily Excelsior.
- ^ Singh, Bhim (10 July 2001). "J&K situation: the genesis and the resolution". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 February 2017.[dead link ]
- ^ Chopra, Joginder Kumar (1989). Politics of Election Reforms in India. Delhi: Mittal Publications. p. 282. ISBN 817099103X.
- ^ a b Singh, Bhim (2002). Murder of Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications PVT LTD. pp. 27–30. ISBN 9788124108642.
- ^ "Bhim meets CEC, demands re-poll in Udhampur". Kashmir Times. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1989" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 183. 1989.
- ^ "Panthers founder Bhim Singh files nomination from Udhampur". Hindustan Times. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
Singh also contested Lok Sabha elections from New Delhi, with LK Advani and Rajesh Khanna in opposition, and lost badly.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1991 TO THE TENTH LOK SABHA" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 314, 316. 1991.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1996" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 101, 273, 274, 275. 1996.
- ^ "Tributes to Justice J.S. Verma who brought back democracy in Kashmir". Voice of Millions. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF GENERAL ELECTION, 1996 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi. 1996.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1996 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 198. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1998 TO THE 12th LOK SABHA" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 107. 1998.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1999 TO THE THIRTEENTH LOK SABHA" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 105. 1999.
- ^ "Statistical Report on General Election 2002 to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- ^ "English will be medium of instruction in Govt. schools". The Hindu. 16 February 2003. Retrieved 2 November 2016.[dead link ]
- ^ "English will be medium of instruction in Govt. schools". The Hindu. 16 February 2003. Retrieved 1 January 2017.[dead link ]
- ^ Puri, Luv (21 August 2004). "Other States / Jammu & Kashmir News : Kashmir women oppose 'move' to amend Bill". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 January 2017.[dead link ]
- ^ "Panthers Party withdraws support to J-K coalition". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 2004" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 111. 2004.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2008 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi: 8.
- ^ ibnnewslive007 (16 March 2013), J&K Assembly BJP, Panthers Party MLAs protest against Pak resolution, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ New Tang Dynasty Television (3 April 2013), Politicians Denounce Death of Indian Farmer Imprisoned in Pakistan, retrieved 20 December 2016[dead YouTube link]
- ^ Headlines Today (14 March 2013), Panthers party demands resignation of J&K chief minister, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ Kashmir Monitor (6 October 2013), Panthers party supported by BJP protested and walked out of JK Assembly, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ Headlines Today (16 August 2014), J&K: Panthers Party clashes with cops in Udhampur about Railway Recruitment, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ NewsX (27 August 2014), 'Treacherous' resolution passed by Jammu and Kashmir assembly, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ TIMES NOW (25 August 2014), Ruckus in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ Headlines Today (28 August 2014), Panther party MLAs disrupt house in Jammu and Kashmir assembly, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ NNIS - News (23 October 2014), Panthers Party Raps Modi's Kashmir Visit, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ NNIS - News (6 November 2014), Hindustan's Govt Does Not Run From Delhi Bhim Singh, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 20 December 2016
- ^ "BJP announces candidates for five Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council seats". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "JKNPP MLC marshaled out amid ruckus in LC". Business Standard India. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "CONSTITUENCY WISE DETAILED RESULTS" (PDF). Election Commission of India, General Elections, 2009 (15th LOK SABHA). 2009.
- ^ "Life imprisonment to Panthers Party leader". The Indian Express. 20 September 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Delhi High Court set aside life sentence against Kashmiri boys - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". www.scoopnews.in. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "CONSTITUENCY WISE DETAILED RESULTS" (PDF). Election Commission of India, General Elections, 2014. 2014.
- ^ "PERFORMANCE OF REGISTERED (UNRECOGNISED) PARTIES" (PDF). Election Commission of India, General Elections, 2014. 2014.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2014 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF Jammu & Kashmir" (PDF). Election Commission of India New Delhi. 2014.
- ^ "JKNPP routed in J&K Assembly polls". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ Vishwanath, Apurva (23 August 2016). "Jammu and Kashmir unrest cannot be dealt with by courts: Supreme Court". Live Mint. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Kashmir issue can be resolved politically, not judicially: Supreme Court". The Indian Express. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Supreme Court promises all help to Kashmiris, seeks report". The Economic Times. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "No more pellet guns, so chill(i)!". Daily Pioneer. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Bhim Singh meets PM Modi first time as Indian Prime Minister". U4U Voice. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Supreme Court for early hearing of PIL seeking Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir". India. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ ANI (3 September 2016). "President's rule only solution to Kashmir unrest: NPP". Business Standard India. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Farooq shares stage with Congress, JKNPP, Dogra leaders; fuels speculations about united front against BJP". Greater Kashmir. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Congress leaders need to stand up to challenges instead of staying at homes: Farooq Abdullah". The New Indian Express. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ "Farooq makes appearance at NPP's function, asks all parties to fight jointly for justice". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Bhim Singh files plea in SC on PSA". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ "Bhim Singh elected JKNPP President: His message to all for haq & insaaf". www.pakistanchristianpost.com. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "JKNPP president Balwant Singh Mankotia resigns from party membership". The New Indian Express. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Bhim Singh's removal from post of NPP patron 'unfortunate': Omar Abdullah". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ a b Bharati, King. "Ankit Love Escorted out of Bulgari Hotel by Met Police, following Bust up with Pakistani Businessman". The Gypsy. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Knightsbridge Penthouse in Bulgari Development Sells for $157 Million". Haute Living. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ Hussain, Masood (16 May 2022). "Dwindling Panthers'". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yash Paul Kundal, drove to Delhi with 100 others and joined the AAP.
- ^ "Former J&K minister Harsh Dev Singh, several leaders join AAP". Greater Kashmir. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "JKNPP for early restoration of statehood to J&K". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "Prominent lawyer named new J&K Panthers Party president, weeks after Bhim Singh's demise". The Hindu. PTI. 19 June 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ a b "J&K: Bhim Singh's son takes over his Panthers Party to explore Lithium". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Panthers Party office sealed, Harsh Dev alleges BJP-LG nexus". Hindustan Times. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Staff, The Dispatch (2 March 2023). "Ankit Love requests PM Modi to launch inquiry into Prof. Bhim Singh's death". The Dispatch. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Harsh Dev quits AAP, says wants to revive J&K Panthers Party". Hindustan Times. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Bhim Singh's wife pledges support to Harsh Dev". Daily Excelsior. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Working Committee of JKNPP unanimously elects Harsh Dev Singh as State President for 3 years | Take One". www.takeonedigitalnetwork.com. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "JKNPP supremo Bhim Singh's widow Jay Mala on ventilator in Jammu". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Now caught in Panthers Party tussle, body of founder Bhim Singh's wife". The Indian Express. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (2 April 2023). "Another split in JKNPP as Harsh Dev declares himself as President". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Manhotra, Dinesh (13 May 2023). "Tussle among Panthers Party leaders: Bhim Singh's family members washing dirty linen in public [details]". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Ankit Love requests PM Modi to launch inquiry into Prof. Bhim Singh's death". The Dispatch. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Expelled Vilakshan Singh from primary membership of Panthers Party: Ankit Love". News - Cross Town News, a Leading Newspaper of J&K. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Panthers Bickerings, Bhim Singh's Son Sacks Party President". Kashmir Life. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Amid tussle over control of JKNPP late founder's son expels party president". The Week. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Power tussle among leaders takes ugly turn in Panthers Party - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". www.earlytimes.in. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Late Jammu politician Bhim Singh's son alleges mother's murder, names BJP leaders". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "JKNPP Working Committee elects Harsh Dev as State President - Jammu Links News". www.jammulinksnews.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Suryam, Shagun (25 May 2023). "Non-signatory to agreement can be subjected to arbitration without prior consent only in exceptional cases: Delhi High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (29 May 2023). "Centre attempting to usurp J&K lithium resources: Harsh Dev". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Centre accused of attempting to usurp Lithium resources worth Rs 40 lakh crores - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". www.earlytimes.in. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "J&K: Panthers Party's Harsh Dev Singh Emerges As Strong Contender for CM; Praised For 'Courageous Leadership' In Udhampur Protests". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Ex-minister Harsh Dev Singh alleges torture on him and his wife by Jammu police". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "SHO threatened to hold my encounter: Ex J&K Minister". News - Cross Town News, a Leading Newspaper of J&K. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (23 May 2023). "NPP submits memo to DC, SSP; seeks FIR against Police". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Serious possibility of coalition Govt in J&K with Harsh Dev Singh as CM". News - Cross Town News, a Leading Newspaper of J&K. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (24 June 2023). "Power, water crisis compounds miseries of people: Harsh". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 29 June 2023.