Sidhra

Last updated

Sidhra
Town
Tawisidhra.jpg
Tawi River as seen from Sidhra
India Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sidhra
Coordinates: 32°46′N74°53′E / 32.76°N 74.89°E / 32.76; 74.89
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir
District Jammu
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyJammu Municipal Corporation
Elevation
400 m (1,300 ft)
Population
[1]
 • Total≈3,000–5,000
Languages
 • Official Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri
 • Spoken [2] Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, Gojri
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration JK02

Sidhra is a town and municipality in the city of Jammu in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Contents

Geography

Sidhra is located on the foothills of the Shivalik Hills and is situated on the banks of the Tawi River. Jammu–Srinagar National Highway or NH-44 goes through this town. The Tawi Bridge connects it with Old City, while the highway from the opposite direction connects it with the new city.

Demographics

Sidhra has mixed demography, where people from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Sikh community have lived peacefully. People from across J&K and Ladakh have settled in Sidhra. Many people from Kashmir Valley have settled here because of unrest in the valley, whereas others from Chenab valley and other far-flung areas of Jammu Division have settled here for better environment, educational facilities and infrastructure available in Jammu city. People from Jammu as well have moved into suburban areas like Sidhra. Some Kashmiri & Ladakhis have made this area their second home or winter home. They settle here for six months during winters and go back during summers. [3]

As of date, there is no official census available to ascertain the religious distribution of population of Sidhra.

Illegal Settlements

Over the years, people from Kashmir, Chenab Valley, Poonch and Rajouri districts have settled in Sidhra on the outskirts of Jammu, as part of land allocations under Roshni Act. Inasmuch as it provided better opportunities of education and other facilities, it also led to accusations of change in existing demographics [4] in the region, with the claim that 90% of the beneficiaries being from Muslim community. [5] [6] Questions were raised on the legality of land granted under Roshni Act. After a campaign by Ikkjutt Jammu to highlight the alleged grab [7] of forest land under Roshni Act, in 2018, the then governor of erstwhile state J&K Mr. Satya Pal Malik repealed the act on the grounds that it had failed to realize the desired objectives and there were also reports of misuse of some its provisions. [8]

On 9 October 2020, a division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal held in its judgement that the Roshni Act was completely unconstitutional, contrary to law and unsustainable, [9] thereby declaring all land allocations done under it as null and void. [10] The court declared all transfers of land done even before the repeal of Roshni Act are invalid, [11] holding that J&K State Land Act 2001 [12] (vesting of ownership to Occupants) was void ab initio from its very inception, thus rendering the settlements in Bathindi, Sunjawan, Sidhra and elsewhere under Roshni Act as illegal. [13] Further, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on 9 October 2020 ordered a CBI probe in the Roshni land scam case, stating it to be the biggest ever in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, and allegedly involving a loss of Rs 25,000-Crores for the State exchequer. [14] [15]

Sri Venkateswara Balaji Temple

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has constructed Sri Venkateswara Balaji Temple in Majeen area of Sidhra [16] in Jammu, making it the sixth [17] Balaji temple constructed outside Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It cost Rs 30 crore [18] to construct the temple and it was completed in a period of two years. The temple was inaugurated by Lieutenant governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, Union ministers Dr Jitendra Singh and G Kishen Reddy on 8 June 2023. [19] The temple is spread over 62 acres [20] of land, making it one of the largest temples in the Jammu region. Temple falls on the route [21] between Jammu and Katra, where Mata Vaishno Devi temple is located and is expected to boost religious tourism [22] in the region. The temple has been crafted in a Dravidian architectural style and showcases influences of the ancient Chola dynasty. [23] The next phase of development is expected to include Kalyana Mandapam, Veda Patashala and a health center. [24] [25]

Major colonies and settlements

Sidhra comes under Ward No.71 of Jammu Municipal Corporation. It falls under the Jammu east constituency replacing the Nagrota constituency. Tawi Vihar is the most developed Colony of Sidhra and home to bureaucrats, ministers and other high-ranking officials of J&K. It provides the residents with good electricity facilities, provisional store and greenery. The colony also has well lit roads and ample parks for leisure and exercise. The colony houses many people from Srinagar and Ladakh and is connected with the highway as well as the old city. Asrarabad is the most populated colony of Sidhra but lacks maintained roads and other basic facilities.[3] Following are some colonies of Sidhra.

1.Tawi Vihar Colony

2.Jamwal Mohalla

3.Chinar Enclave

4.Shivram Enclave

5.Nehar Colony

6.Asrarabad Colony

7.Umar colony

8.Rajput Mohalla

9.Fatehbad Colony

10.Manhas Mohalla

11.Majheen

12.Rangoora

13.Ramdasia mohalla

14.Ram Singh Enclave

15.Green Enclave

16.Bhagwati lane

17.Peerbagh Enclave

18.Gulshan Nagar

19.Dwara

20.Nikki mohalla

21.Waliabad mohalla

22.Hari Singh Nagar (chib mohalla)

Notable people who have residence in Sidhra

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkateswara</span> Form of the Hindu god Vishnu

Venkateshwara, Venkatachalapathi, Balaji, or Srinivasa, is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu and is the presiding deity of the Venkateshwara Temple, located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Venkateshwara is also known by various other names. Lord is famous for North Indians as 'Balaji'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams</span> Hindu organization in Andhra Pradesh, India

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is an independent trust which manages various temples, including the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. The trust oversees the operations and finances of the richest and the most visited religious center in the world. It is also involved in various social, religious, literary and educational activities. TTD is headquartered at Tirupati and employs about 16,000 people. Srivani trust was set up by TTD in 2019 to promote Sanātana Dharma by constructing temples in SC-ST-BC habitations, renovating ancient temples, and providing funds under Dhup-Deepa-Naivedyam Scheme to those temples facing financial difficulty. By January 2023, TTD has taken up construction of 2,068 temples in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Pondicherry and Karnataka. TTD's main source of income is Srivani darshan tickets which earn Rs 1 crore per day in January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhaderwah</span> Town and Tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir

Bhaderwah or Bhadarwah is a town, tehsil, and sub-district in the Doda district of Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, India.. The ancient name of Bhaderwah is Bhadravakasa as mentioned in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. For its high literacy rate it is known as Kerala of Jammu and Kashmir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bijbehara</span> Town in Jammu and Kashmir

Bijbehara (Urdu pronunciation:[bɪd͡ʒbɪhaːɽaː], known as Vejibror in Kashmiri, is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on NH 44, and jehlum bank. Bijbehara town is also known as "Town of Chinars" because of a number of Chinars there especially two Chinar gardens. Bijbehara is the home to oldest chinar tree in the region. The town is situated about 45 km from the summer capital of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaudhary Lal Singh</span> Indian politician (born 1959)

Chaudhary Lal Singh is an Indian politician from Jammu and Kashmir. He was Minister for Forest, Environment, Ecology of J&K in PDP-BJP coalition government in J&K. He represented the Basohli in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala</span> Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh, India

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the place has also got the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government. The temple is one of the Pancha Kshethram where Maha Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi - the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The other four temples of the Pancha Kshethram are Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam, Oppiliappan temple, Nachiyar Koil and Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Konetirayala Temple, Keelapatla</span> Hindu temple in India

Konetirayala Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateswara in the town of Keelapatla, Palamaner, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahu Fort</span>

The Bahu Fort is a historic fort in the city of Jammu, the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Constructed on the banks on Tawi River, the ancient fort is believed to have been constructed by Bahu Lochan - brother of the traditional founder of Jammu, Jambu Lochan. It is believed that the first renovation of this fort was undertaken during Dogra Rule in 18th century. The fort is a religious place, and within its precincts has a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The temple is known locally as the "Bawe Wali Mata temple".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association</span> Governing body for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) is an organisation that governs and manages cricket in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It fields the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team in the Ranji Trophy domestic tournament. It is a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu division</span> Administrative division in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Jammu division is a revenue and administrative division of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is bordered by the Kashmir division to the north. It consists of the districts of Jammu, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Samba. Most of the land is hilly or mountainous, including the Pir Panjal Range which separates it from the Kashmir Valley and part of the Great Himalayas in the eastern districts of Doda and Kishtwar. Its principal river is the Chenab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu</span> City in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It is the headquarters and the largest city in Jammu district. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi, the city of Jammu, with an area of 240 km2 (93 sq mi), is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north and the northern plains in the south. Jammu is the second-most populous city of the union territory. Jammu is known as "City of Temples" for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirmal Kumar Singh</span> Indian politician (born 1956)

Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh is an Indian politician and was the last Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State. He is a former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party. On 1 March 2015, he assumed the charge of the Minister for Power Development and Housing and Urban Development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akingam</span> Village in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Akingam is a village in South Kashmir in the Anantnag district, in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is at a distance of approximately 14.2 kilometres (8.8 mi) from the Lal Chowk along a route passing through the tourist resorts of Achabal and Kokernag. In revenue records, the village of Akingam is still called Maqan Shiva Bhagwati. The adjacent villages are Mohripura, Hiller, Badasgam, Hardpora and Badoora.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Media in Jammu and Kashmir</span>

Media in Jammu and Kashmir comprises a diverse landscape of print, electronic and digital media outlets. The region is served by a variety of newspapers, television channels, radio stations, and online news platforms, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G. M. Saroori</span> Indian politician

Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, also known as G. M. Saroori, is an Indian politician and the former legislator of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, who represented Inderwal constituency of Kishtwar district from 2002 to 2018 until the coalition government was ended in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) Limited was formed in 2018 to speed-up pending, unfunded or languishing infrastructure development projects in Jammu and Kashmir. JKIDFC is a registered corporation under the Companies Act that is mandated to raise funds up to ₹8,000 crore, which are guaranteed by the state government, for funding infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir. Some of the projects which JKIDFC is undertaking have been pending for 25 years old.

The Pahari people or Pahari-speaking people is a cover term for a number of heterogeneous communities inhabiting in Jammu and Kashmir and also some parts of Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir who speak Pahari languages/dialects.

Jammu and Kashmir State Land Act, 2001 commonly known as Roshni Act was promulgated during Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's government in 2001. The law granted ownership of Jammu and Kashmir state lands to unauthorised occupants of those lands with the aim of raising money for power projects upon payment of a sum to be determined by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The cut-off year was set as 1990 by the Government of Farooq Abdullah, which was extended to 2004 and again to 2007 by the PDP-Congress Government. The act got the unofficial name of "Roshni Act" from the J&K Government's said plan of using the funds raised from this to fund power projects in the state.

Rajesh Kumar Chhibber is an Indian banker and was the former CEO and managing director of Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

References

  1. ↑ "Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract". 2011 Census of India . Government of India.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  2. ↑ Yasir, Sameer (24 April 2018). "Kathua rape puts Sidhra, one of few remaining Muslim settlements in Jammu, at focal point of communal rift". Firstpost.
  3. ↑ Yasir, Sameer (24 April 2018). "Kathua rape puts Sidhra, one of few remaining Muslim settlements in Jammu, at focal point of communal rift". Firstpost.
  4. ↑ "IkkJutt Jammu releases findings of its 'Commission on Demographic Change'". Daily Excelsior . 7 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Padha, Sachin (16 March 2020). "J&K's Roshni act is the tool misused by politicians to change Jammu demography". The Times of India . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  6. ↑ Joshi, Swati (22 June 2022). "How Roshni Became Dark in Kashmir". Kashmir Observer. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  7. ↑ Sharma, Gopal (9 May 2015). "Over 1200 kanals retrieved Forest, JDA land at Sidhra Golf Course re-grabbed". Daily Excelsior . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  8. ↑ Sharma, Arun (3 December 2018). "J&K Roshni Act: what it aimed to do, what happened until it was repealed". Indian Express . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Dar, Javed (19 December 2020). "Roshni Act : Unconstitutional, Contrary to law, and Unsustainable". Brighter kashmir. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Bhat, Sunil (4 November 2020). "J&K administration declares Roshni Act as 'null and void'". India Today . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  11. ↑ Sharma, Arun (14 October 2020). "'Loot to own': J&K High Court hands Rs 25,000 crore land scam probe to CBI". Indian Express . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE LANDS (VESTING OF OWNERSHIP TO THE OCCUPANTS) ACT, 2001" (PDF).
  13. ↑ Khajuria, Ravi Krishnan (2 November 2020). "Roshni land scam: CAG report was trigger behind petition, says HC lawyer". Hindustan Times . Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Rs 25000 Crore Roshni Land Scam handed over to CBI". The Straight Line. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Dar, Mohsin (12 October 2020). "Roshni Act has worked to facilitate illegal vesting of State lands: J&K HC while ordering CBI probe into Roshni Land scam". Bar and Bench. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "Tirupati Balaji Temple in Jammu". Daily Excelsior . 11 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ↑ Nayak, Sanjeev (9 June 2023). "Sixth Tirupati Balaji Temple Opens in Jammu For Devotees". Oneindia. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "Tirupati Balaji temple opened in Jammu". The Economic Times . 8 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  19. ↑ "Tirupati Balaji Temple in Jammu nears completion, set to open on 8 June". Daily Excelsior . 21 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  20. ↑ "LG Advises Construction of Gurukul, Health Centre at Upcoming Venkateswara Swamy Temple". Daily Excelsior . 11 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  21. ↑ Sharma, Mahima (8 June 2023). "Tirupati Balaji Temple in Jammu: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple". The Times of India . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "Tirupati Balaji temple opened in Jammu". Deccan Herald . 8 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. ↑ "Tirupati Balaji temple opens door to devotees in Jammu". The Siasat Daily. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  24. ↑ Shukla, G.P. (8 June 2023). "TTD's Lord Venkateswara temple in Jammu opens for darshan". The Hindu . Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  25. ↑ "Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Jammu". Newsmeter. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.