The Farce That Democracy Has Become in Kashmir
Image for representational use only.Image Courtesy : NDTV
Almost a week ago, when Election Commission of India (ECI) visited Jammu and Kashmir, to review the preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the local regional parties had had high hopes. In a meeting with ECI on March 4, the local political parties had pitched simultaneous assembly polls. But on Sunday, after the Lok Sabha poll schedule announcement, the political parties in J-K found themselves in a quagmire.
The decision has, once again, shattered the illusion of normalcy and democracy in the state. While the decision has elicited criticism from regional political parties, political experts are calling it a “paradox.”
Speaking to Newsclick, Sheikh Showkat, a political expert said, “It’s a paradox! On the one hand, they say that the situation is under control in Kashmir, while on the other hand, they are scared of holding elections. It becomes more complicated when they say that the situation is conducive for parliamentary elections, but not right for assembly elections. We are unable to understand what their intentions are. Probably, the governor is here for some assignment and they want to extend his tenure, and do many things without any concurrence or intervention of a so-called elected government. The pace at which government is going on in regard with Article 35-A and other issues, it seems like they feel it may get impeded, and there may be roadblocks towards the agenda if an elected government comes.”
He added, “They have failed in the sense that they kept on saying to the world that things over here are normal. Now, it’s obvious that things are not normal. Or, may be, they want to leave the Kashmir situation to the new government at the Centre.” Currently, Jammu and Kashmir is under President’s rule, after six-month governor’s rule was concluded on December 19, 2018.
A top police officer from South Kashmir told Newsclick, “If the government declares war tomorrow, we are ready. We have been dealing with the security scenario for the last three decades. I think the move has more to do with politics than the security situation. In addition, the administration wants to remain in power for some time. These officers know if the elected representatives come to power, they will get sidelined. Yes, assembly elections are more challenging owing to the outreach and the number of constituencies. We need more troops as political activity increases. The elections here are unlike any other Indian state.”
Locals react
Meanwhile, the locals in Kashmir region, who are disillusioned by the ruling party at the Centre, seem to believe that the cloak of democracy has fallen. For them, the series of betrayals by the Centre over years, has instigated the entire generation of politically driven youngsters to seek refuge in the culture of vengeance, pushing the entire state into the vortex of uncertainty.
Speaking to Newsclick, Habil Iqbal, a local from South Kashmir’s Shopian district said, “The policies of New Delhi don’t change with respect to Kashmir, and not conducting elections won’t affect people here. In 2016, we had an elected government but it was not able to stop the mass blinding or killing of Kashmiris.”
Another local, Nissar Ahmad, said, “With this move, the Centre wants to continue with its iron fist policy here. Whether it is our day-to-day problems or restoring political stability, the leaders have failed on the both fronts.”
The locals from Jammu region say that they have faith in the Centre, but are also demanding an elected government. A local from Jammu, Sushil Pandita, currently residing in Bangalore, said, “We should have an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We have many small and large issues in Jammu and Kashmir which only the local representative can resolve.”
Failure of BJP?
However, political parties are looking at the ECI’s decision as a machination orchestrated to alienate Kashmiris and further push Kashmir to the wall. Ghulam Ahmad Mir, President J&K Congress Committee, Jammu and Kashmir told Newsclick, “Right from the beginning, BJP wanted to keep Kashmir boiling to make electorate happy and the decision is aimed at furthering the agenda. Otherwise, it was the best time to conduct elections here as people were ready for the first time, in the recent past, for the elections.”
PDP supremo and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called the decision a “sinister design of GOI.” In her tweet, Mufti wrote, “Decision to hold only Parliamentary elections in J&K confirms sinister designs of GOI. Not letting people elect a government is antithetical to the very idea of democracy. Also a tactic of buying time to disempower people by pushing an agenda that suits their ulterior motives.”
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