Jammu and Kashmir, a region steeped in cultural and historical richness, has endured significant political and social unrest for decades. The abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has further complicated its governance. Effective democracy requires the active participation of its citizens. Administratively, managing a region as expansive and complex as Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory without a democratically elected government is impractical. Given the region’s unique geopolitical significance and historical complexities, the urgency for elections, statehood and an elected government is paramount.
For the past seven years, Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government, and no assembly elections have been held in the last decade. Despite directives from the Supreme Court and repeated assurances from ruling party leaders, the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been indefinitely delayed, leading to political disenchantment among the populace. Public trust in government policies in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly eroded due to the absence of political representation, centralisation of power, lack of local involvement, security concerns and economic challenges.
During his recent visit to Srinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at preparations for upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. However, his statement did not lead to any notification from the Election Commission of India, and political parties in Srinagar have largely ignored it. This lack of response stems from past instances where similar announcements were made without any concrete actions.
In a contrasting move, during his recent address in parliament, Prime Minister Modi discussed forthcoming elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Haryana but made no mention of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, deviating from his earlier remarks in Srinagar.
The preparation of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir has indeed been an ongoing process, yet it has not culminated in the holding of assembly elections for several years. This repeated cycle of updating and verifying voter lists without proceeding to actual elections has led to frustration and skepticism among the populace.
According to the Union government, several factors have contributed to this delay, including security concerns, political instability, and administrative challenges. But if normalcy was indeed a factor, then how was it possible to conduct elections for District Development Councils (DDCs) and Block Development Councils (BDCs) in 2020, as well as the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, in Jammu & Kashmir, while assembly elections remain postponed?
While terrorism and violence are serious concerns, they should not be used as reasons to postpone or deny the democratic process. Similar situations in states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, North East or Delhi did not lead to the suspension of elections. Establishing and strengthening democratic institutions is crucial for the region’s stability, development and the well-being of its citizens.
Recent updates suggest a renewed commitment to finally holding these long-overdue elections. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has highlighted the importance of ensuring favourable conditions before finalising the election dates, which underscores a cautious yet hopeful approach. The government’s current stance appears more resolute, but only time will reveal if these efforts will translate into tangible electoral outcomes.
Since 2019, there has been noticeable dissatisfaction among the electorate towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its local leadership in Jammu and Kashmir. The region has witnessed frequent protests in Jammu concerning various government policies such as installation of toll plazas, opening up of wine shops, recruitment policies, scams, domicile law for land and jobs etc.
Consequently, it becomes imperative for the party to secure a decisive electoral victory to further substantiate among the masses, the central government’s decision to bifurcate and downgrade the erstwhile state and abrogate Article 370 and 35A. Despite initiatives like the Pahari Reservation, the BJP has encountered challenges in making inroads in Kashmir and parts of Pir Panjal, highlighting a decline in its political influence. Many political parties contend that so far this factor has significantly contributed to the postponements of elections.
The consequences of excessive bureaucratisation in Jammu and Kashmir without democratic framework
In the absence of a political mandate, the central government has increasingly concentrated power in the hands of administrators and bureaucratic offices, even bringing in bureaucrats from outside Jammu and Kashmir, and encroaching on traditional political domains.
Bureaucratisation, the reliance on administrative systems to manage public affairs, has notably intensified in Jammu and Kashmir following the state’s reorganisation into two Union Territories in August 2019. However, bureaucracy cannot substitute for democracy or an elected government, as it fails to reflect the aspirations of the people.
While bureaucratisation can bring efficiency, accountability, and standardisation to governance, it has significant drawbacks, especially in a complex and sensitive region like Jammu and Kashmir. Accountability is crucial for addressing local issues effectively and ensuring that governance aligns with the people’s needs and aspirations.
In the Union Territory, bureaucratisation has alienated the local populace, with new policy frameworks reflecting a disconnect from local needs. Additionally, 60% of the top bureaucrats in Jammu and Kashmir are from other states and lack an understanding of the ground realities, exacerbating the bureaucratisation of bureaucracy.
To address grassroots grievances, the Jammu and Kashmir administration implemented schemes like “My Town My Pride” and “Back to Village” programmes. However, due to the absence of a democratically elected government, these grievances are often registered but not resolved.
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Numerous mountainous villages in Jammu and Kashmir still lack road access. How can a bureaucrat effectively engage with them? Despite the positive impact of the Lieutenant Governor’s “Awaam Ki Awaaz” initiative, it is yet to address the issues of majority of the people of the Union Territory thus cannot act as a substitute to elected government.
Bureaucratisation typically results in a top-down governance approach, where decisions are made by central authorities without adequately considering local contexts and needs. This can lead to policies that do not address the region’s unique socio-economic and cultural realities.
In Jammu and Kashmir, this has resulted in centralisation of power and limited public participation in development. For instance, the central government’s decisions to implement domicile laws for jobs, shift service matter cases to the CAT bench in Chandigarh, introduce domicile laws for land, and install toll plazas were met with strong objections from the people of the Union Territory, forcing policy rollbacks and amendments. These interventions in local land laws and domicile rules have faced significant local opposition, as many residents feel that allowing non-residents to acquire land threatens their unique demographic and cultural identity.
While bureaucratisation in Jammu and Kashmir has aimed to bring about order and efficiency, it has largely resulted in a disconnect between governance and the people’s aspirations. The centralisation of power, lack of local representation and exclusion of civil society have led to significant challenges and corruption, highlighting the urgent need for democratic processes and locally elected governance to truly address the region’s unique needs and complexities.
Meanwhile, the parallel models of local self-governance, such as District Development Councils and Block Development Councils, have failed to effectively address local issues, making the reinforcement of grassroots democracy a distant goal.
Eroded trust in government policies in Jammu and Kashmir
The detrimental impact of the new excise policy exemplifies this erosion. Local traders were severely affected, with many facing bankruptcy. The new excise policy devastated the local economy, prompting hundreds of wine traders to stage protests against the e-auction of liquor vends. The cultural and religious sentiments of the people were also disregarded, as new wine shops were opened near temples, transforming Jammu, a city of temples, into a hub of wine shops and toll plazas.
Illegal sand mining continues unchecked in the Tawi and Raavi riverbeds, with sand being sold at exorbitant prices. Our rich forests, including Raika — often referred to as the lungs of Jammu — are being cleared for poorly planned projects.
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While the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET UG) scam is currently under national scrutiny, Jammu and Kashmir has faced its own recruitment scams. The last four major recruitment processes conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) were fraught with corruption, where candidates involved in the scam paid large sums to secure positions as sub inspectors in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, account assistants and junior engineers. Despite these issues, the national media showed indifference and largely ignored the situation in the Union Territory. In addition, the situation in Ladakh has worsened and no one is paying heed to the concerns and demands of the people of Ladakh and the prolonged climate fast by Sonam Wangchuk.
Due to the absence of a robust private sector, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir predominantly rely on government jobs. However, without significant employment initiatives, highly qualified young people are struggling to find work, resulting in rising unemployment rate in the region.
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have borne the brunt of these policies. According to an Economic Times report, the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir was at 15.89%, the lowest in the country, in June 2019. However, after five years and without any substantial employment policies, the number unemployed youth has surged.
A region once boasting the lowest unemployment rate in India is now grappling with pervasive joblessness. A majority of the highly qualified youth are unemployed due to political turmoil in the Union Territory. Consistently, they have fervently advocated for enduring reforms, seeking relaxation in age criteria and a revamp of the recruitment policy. Yet, the absence of an elected government has seen their pleas dismissed, leaving them feeling disregarded and humiliated.
The persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir
Although the situation in Kashmir has improved, with no recent incidents of stone-pelting, terrorism has once again struck the Jammu region after two decades of peace. The recent terror attacks in Reasi occurred well within Jammu’s borders. The targeted killings in Dangri, Rajouri, and the recent terror attack on a military vehicle in Kathua demonstrate the central government’s failure to address the situation in the Union Territory.
Similar security challenges worldwide indicate that, in a political vacuum and without layers of political representation and social trust, reliable human intelligence cannot be developed. Without local support, counter-terrorism operations become exceedingly difficult, highlighting the critical need for an elected government.
The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on restoring democratic processes, full fledged statehood and ensuring active public participation in governance. Establishing an elected government is paramount to addressing the region’s unique geopolitical and historical complexities. Effective democracy will not only empower citizens but also foster accountability, trust and local representation.
Additionally, restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is crucial for several reasons. Statehood would provide greater autonomy, allowing for more nuanced and locally informed decision-making that reflects the region’s unique cultural, social and economic landscape. It would also enhance the legitimacy of the government in the eyes of the local populace thereby rebuilding trust and ensuring more effective governance.
Statehood would facilitate better resource allocation, local part’icipation and accountability, which are essential for sustainable development and peace. By prioritising grassroots democracy, restoring statehood and ensuring timely elections, Jammu and Kashmir can move towards a more inclusive and prosperous future, where the voices of its citizens are heard, and their needs are met with transparency and responsiveness.
Kanwal Singh is a columnist and policy analyst from Jammu and Kashmir.