“Democracy is not the law of the majority but protection of the minority.”
Democracy gives the right for people to choose their government. It enforces faith and confidence amongst the people by providing stable and effective governance. However, the democratic process in J&K has seen many ups and downs regarding elections, like boycotts organized by separatist groups, irregular elections, and low voter turnout during elections. The local at ground level has often been alienated from the electoral process, as the same was evident from low voter turnout and limited persons contesting for available seats. It was thus imperative to focus at the grassroots level of democracy which will further strengthen the democratic process.
There was a significant mismatch between Panchayat Elections and Municipality Elections. The Panchayat Elections have only been conducted thrice, with an erratic time gap between them. It becomes evident that the people of J&K have been kept away from the grassroot level democracy for a considerable time, thus affecting the entire democratic process. The democratic process was, therefore, very superficial, and the fate of the local populace played in the hands of regional political parties and various separatist groups affiliated with them. It has led to frequent corruption, a slow pace of development and continuous unrest in the area by sheltering the anti-national elements in the state.
According to J&K Panchayat Raj Act 1989, Panchayat Elections for the posts of Panch and Sarpanch are held as part of the Panchayat Raj system. The conduct of these elections in J&K has been an erratic process. The local populace has distanced itself from participating in these elections under the influence of various separatist leaders and militancy in the area. The democratic process, or the sense of governance, never reaches grassroot levels to include villages, towns and remote places, thus hiding the correct perspective of grassroot democracy from the limelight. The fate of the people rested with very few separatist leaders who could quickly call for a boycott and zero participation in such elections. However, the recent conduct of the Panchayat Election (2018) has seen a paradigm shift in local participation.
A new concept of ‘Block Development Council’ (BDC) has been initiated in the Panchyat Raj System of J&K. The Panchyat Election of 2018 launched this initiative, and it gives ‘BDC’ Chairpersons additional power and responsibilities in their respective ‘Blocks’. They can supervise all kinds of work proposed. It will further facilitate food and effective grassroot governance, instilling the local populace’s faith in the democracy and electoral process. Proper administration at grassroot levels will pay tangible dividends to the entire UT of J&K, which will assist in further development and normalcy.
This system comes with many advantages. It makes the locals accountable for governing their respective villages and empowers them to bring positive changes. It will establish a mechanism to take full advantage of the central scheme faster without corruption. The elected representatives feel a sense of importance as they are now empowered to bring changes, and their views are valued. In addition, the satisfaction that their contribution will make a difference in executing government plans and policy raises the stature of individuals with self-pride and motivation. Involving as many people from the village level in the democratic process will bring people close to democracy. The actual fruits of the ultimate step will pay dividends as the area will be more stable, and the development pace will get momentum.
Grassroot level democracy, with time, will create many job opportunities at a lower level which will facilitate addressing the unemployment amongst the youth. Moreover, the central government schemes will reach the villages faster, eradicating unemployment. A few examples are skill-based businesses, including poultry farms, sheep husbandry and horticulture. This step will channelize the energy of youth in a positive direction. As a result, it will bring more peace and harmony to the area and will result in sources for development and other positive initiatives. When locals are close to mainstream politics, separatist groups will find it hard to let local militancy sustain. Moreover, the interests of the Nation as a whole will surpass the myopic interests of a few separatist groups, thereby making local militancy breathless in such an environment.
The government has already covered halfway, and the local population must cover the remaining half with complete deliberations to achieve victory in establishing effective grassroot level democracy. We need to motivate people to participate in the democratic process and be a part of it. Particular emphasis must be placed on villages that have shown low interest in the past concluded Panchayat Election. The elected representatives are to be held accountable for ensuring peace and development in the area and simultaneously be empowered the same way.
The security forces are to play an essential role in establishing this form of democracy. They will have to continuously and ruthlessly undertake anti-militancy operations with zero collateral damage and hardships to the local populace. The conduct of security forces and police at these testing times have to be very professional and cordial with the local population. It will facilitate and automatically bring people close to the democratic process.
Establishing practical grassroot level democracy will facilitate maximum participation of people in the democratic process, which will assist them in self-governance and establishing peace and harmony in the area. We must work together to preclude these challenges and bring people close to the democratic and electoral process. It will automatically subside the problems of militancy and negate the influence of separatist groups. Therefore, the future course of action needs to be more synergized and focused on achieving the total victory of grassroot democracy in J&K.
