The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, taking place in three phases are notable for several reasons — they mark the first election since the abrogation of Article 370, the first to see a record number of independent candidates, the first post-pellet culture unleashed by the para-military forces and the first occurring amid a radical shift in separatist politics post-1987 rigged polls.
The 1987 imbroglio was not the first instance of rigging, a similar situation occurred in 1951 during the elections for the first constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.
It has been a roller coaster electoral ride since 1951. Let’s take a closer look at the events that have shaped Kashmir’s tumultuous political landscape over the decades.
In the first constituent assembly election, all 75 seats were won by the National Conference (NC) with many candidates elected unopposed due to rigging. The Jammu Praja Parishad boycotted the elections after authorities cancelled the nomination papers of their candidates. And, Sheikh Abdullah was appointed as the prime minister of J&K.
Next, the 1977 elections are often regarded as the valley’s “first free and fair election” largely due to the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s strict instructions to ensure transparent polls.
The NC emerged victorious in the 1977 polls and Sheikh Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister.
It proved to the people, “that they too have the same fundamental rights which the people in the rest of the country enjoy and exercise,” according to eminent historian Ramachandra Guha (India after Gandhi).
Now, the watershed 1987 election, which was widely believed to be massively rigged, shattered the faith of Kashmiris in the democratic process, thereby sowing seeds of militancy in the valley, consuming thousands.
The state’s two largest parties joined hands to form an election cartel so that the discontent in the state remained invisible, according to Sten Widmalm (Kashmir in Comparative Perspective: Democracy and violent separatism in India).
Cut to 2024 assembly polls, which has witnessed the rhetoric to ostracise ‘three families’ but no attempt made to reach out, to assuage outrage post-abrogation, when the erstwhile state of J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories, further alienating inhabitants of the valley.
From the first election in 1951 to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, it has been the common Kashmiri who suffered the most. Various regimes whether elected or not have overseen violence that has deeply impacted daily life. Notable incidents include the 2010 protests following the killing of Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, which left over 100 dead as well as the widespread use of pellet guns in 2016 that blinded hundreds. The scrapping of special status in 2019 resulted in an internet shutdown and mass arrests further exacerbating the hardships faced by the people of the valley.
Yes, the NC, Congress, People’s Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — all have a case to answer.
The BJP has implemented a muscular policy in the valley. The NC and Congress bear responsibility for past rigging and violence during their tenure. Meanwhile, the PDP must address the pellet injuries inflicted during its rule.
Do not steal Kashmir’s mandate
As cited above, it is the first assembly polls after a decade, occurring amid a radical shift in separatist politics post-1987 imbroglio.
Separatist and banned Jamaat mainstreaming is a silver lining, and also an indicator that 1987 can never be replicated, but messaging has to go above and beyond expectations.
That post polls, be it a fractured mandate or otherwise, the sanctity of people’s mandate will be respected and no effort made to steal the mandate by any jiggery-pokery.
It is being alleged that a split verdict will benefit the BJP, struggling to find a foothold in the valley or install its own chief minister, in the only Muslim-majority state, according to political analysts.
The fractured verdict can be attributed to over 300 independents, including candidates backed by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, perceived as BJP’s proxies. However, this allegation is denied by AIP’s newly elected leader and parliamentarian, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, who is currently out on bail.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who lost to Rashid in the Lok Sabha polls, has raised questions regarding the bail granted to Rashid, facing serious charges under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Also read: J&K Polls: What the Historic Voter Turnout in Kashmir Means for the Region
Will the ‘communal’ BJP, if it falls short of numbers, seek support from banned Jamaat and Rashid booked under UAPA and vice versa?
It’s only a matter of time before it shall be revealed, if they are the saffron party’s surrogates or not, but the big question arises, is the entire exercise being undertaken to ostracise three families or to empower Kashmiris?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing election rallies in Srinagar and Doda, accused three families (Abdullah, Gandhis and Muftis) of destroying J&K through decades, by promoting separatism, terrorism, corruption and nepotism.
And, if ‘three families’ are isolated, will there be a ‘jor tor (coercion)’ post-elections?
Dr Talat Majid, Jamaat candidate contesting from Pulwama, when asked by ANI on alliance with the BJP, said that ‘politics is the art of the possible.’
NC gained from boycotts and low turnouts, but now people have options. The 1987 rigging was a conspiracy to deny space to us, which can not happen now, mentioned Majid in the ANI interview.
In ‘Naya Kashmir’, scrap Public Safety Act, Armed Forces Special Power Act and release Kashmiri youth languishing in jails
Prime Minister Modi in an election rally, referred to high voter turnout, as indicative of ‘Naya Kashmir,’ which has faith in the democratic process.
But respect and dignity for Kashmiris are a prerequisite, before any bluster on ‘Naya Kashmir’ is viewed seriously.
According to Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a newly elected MP from the constituency of Srinagar, the huge turnout in the Lok Sabha polls was a mandate against the abrogation of Article 370 and the incarceration of hundreds of youth by the government at the Centre.
In an interview with The Hindu, Mehdi said:
“Peace will only return when people in J&K have a sense of empowerment and achievement. The way this regime has dealt with them, they feel a sense of defeat, it is a forced calm.”
A sense of empowerment and dignity will emanate when Kashmiris have their own elected government and a full-fledged state, a legitimate right of Kashmiris.
To use a cliche, actions speak louder than words, start by revoking the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) and release Kashmiri youth held in jails outside Kashmir, as demanded by several political parties.
Furthermore, ‘Naya Kashmir’ should see a reduction in the intimidating presence of security forces in civilian areas, along with the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). This Act grants broad powers to military personnel in disturbed areas, and any violations should be met with strict punishment.
Earlier, in March this year, home minister Amit Shah in an interview with Gulistan News channel had indicated that the government is considering the revocation of the AFSPA since the situation is getting normal.
The ongoing conflict, pervasive gun culture and the intimidating presence of security forces have severely affected the mental health and emotional well-being of Kashmiris. Additionally, drug abuse and unemployment have emerged as critical issues that require urgent attention and effective solutions.
So, it’s time to move beyond the political rhetoric about three families destroying Kashmir and the false promises surrounding Article 370, which is now a matter of the past. It’s time to shift to tangible actions that deliver real change.
Ajmer Singh is a journalist.