AR Bhat
Year 2019 was a landmark year in the history of Jammu & Kashmir as well as India as a nation as it saw the abrogation of age-old draconian legislations like Article 370 and Article 35A. This historical step resulted in a major transformation with the erstwhile state being divided into two Union Territories (UTs) namely Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The abrogation of these laws and subsequent division of state into UTs was taken with mix feelings by the political class and the local population. Although the reactions in Kashmir Valley was effectively reduced to silence mostly owing to the suspension of communication and imposition of curfew however the people from Ladakh and Jammu were rejoiced as their long pending demand were finally met. Certain section was unhappy with the status being downgraded to a UT while the majority yearned for the much-needed change to transform the economy of the region. Article 370 was a temporary provision included in the Constitution to cater for the specific requirements of the troubled times immediately after India’s independence and the Jammu & Kashmir’s accession to India. It was meant to remain in operation during the existence of the State’s Constituent Assembly. As time passed, the vested interests within Jammu and Kashmir and the compulsions of various political parties outside the state to appease their vote banks ensured its retention. No thought was spared by the votaries on ‘The Retention of Article 370’ for the enormous potential this would have to wreak havoc on the unity and integrity of the country in the near future.
As anticipated Article 370 built an emotional and psychological barrier between the people of Kashmir and the rest of India, thus fostering a psychology of separatism. This existence of this statute was also used time and again by Pakistan and its proxies in the valley to mock at the very concept of ‘India being one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari’. Retention of Article 370 has kept alive the two-nation theory. Over a period of time, the separatist lobby in the state has used this barrier to build a mindset of alienation. The vested interests in Kashmir, be these politicians, bureaucracy, businessmen, judiciary, etc., have misused Article 370 for their own nefarious purposes, by exploiting the poor and the down-trodden people of the state. The rich have consistently used Article 370 to ensure that no financial legislation is introduced in the state, which would make them accountable for their loot of the state treasury. This has further ensured that the rich continue to grow richer and the common masses are denied their legitimate share of the economic pie. The Article has also helped create power elites and local Sultans, who wielded enormous power, which was used to trample upon the genuine demands of common people for public welfare. As no outsider could settle in the state and own any property there, the politically well-connected people gained enormously by making the rules, deciding the price and determining the buyer, as the outside competition was ruled out completely.
To the gullible people of Kashmir, the abolition of Article 370 was projected as a catastrophic event at will sound the death knell of Kashmiri Muslim culture, but in actual fact, this argument is a ploy to prevent assimilation of Kashmiris into the national mainstream. That way, these power brokers continue to expand their fiefdom, perpetuate their hold on political and economic power and build a communal and obscurantist mindset, which in due course serves as a breeding ground for creating a separatist mentality. The bogey of threat to the Kashmiri identity, that the abolition of Article 370 will pose, is merely a ploy to camouflage the political ambitions of the leaders. Actually, these very people caused a great damage to Kashmiri culture, as no culture can survive without the stimulus of outside contact and opportunity to cross-fertilise. It was this very mindset that was responsible for creating the violent communal upsurge of 1989, which finally led to the wide scale exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.
The valley has seen so much turmoil and unrest in the past yet its will, strength and determination to keep the evolution going is what makes it what it is. The concept, notion and execution of the ideals of democracy has been challenged and re-implemented for the general good of the masses, in the valley.
People across the world have known Kashmir as a problem that the Indian subcontinent has been afflicted with for more than 60 years. In this context, Kashmir is being seen as a region with divergent claims from India and Pakistan with a degree of international recognition, reinforced by the two nation-states’ actual control of portions of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The state has been mostly seen as a sort of territorial dispute between the two contending nuclear powers, which makes it one of the most dynamic places in the world. The voting gas became more peaceful and the voter turnout has significantly increased. The local masses have become conscious of their rights and duties as voters and citizens. The general increase in awareness gas led more people to come out in greater numbers to choose the future of their region. The increase in education and opportunities has seen an improved phase and face of the democracy in Kashmir. The youth is more aware and exercising their rights as they perform their duties.
Many analysts and Kashmir-watchers feared that the political logjam, wherein all political activity remained suspended for over a year, would have disastrous consequences for the region. The ongoing polls have de-frozen politics in the new Union Territory and have unleashed an enervated streak of positivity for the democratic project. As usual, the voter turnout in the Kashmir region of the UT remained high, and in fact was one of the highest recorded in recent years. olling numbers have seen a relative surge in many districts. South Kashmir is however slightly different. The low polling in South Kashmir is also an indication of the levels of alienation and indifference that the people are showing to the democratic process.
Political aspirants are no longer deterred from or fearful of contesting the election and this, in itself, will help to bring in more young people into the mainstream of Jammu and Kashmir politics. The other significant trend in this election is the number of candidates. In places where the mere mention of the word ‘election’ was taboo, multiple independent candidates were in the fray, including candidates of the BJP.
It is a changing era in the times of evolving ideals of democracy, the best feature of which is that Kashmir is now an active part integral to national politics. Phases keep changing but the evolution is consistent and constantly happening in the direction of change and development. As the UT sees more elections, stepping in of young political leaders from the local masses, it is bound to see a significant and important change in the future.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of Daily Gadyal