For the first time in almost 40 years, Bashir Ahmad Thokar, a 75-year-old apple farmer, cannot wait to cast his vote.
In the Himalayan valleys and mountains of Kashmir, elections have long been deemed a tainted affair, marred by rigging, boycotts and violence.
But as Kashmiris go to the polls on Wednesday to vote for their first regional assembly in a decade, this time there has been a palpable buzz.
- ran a piece in 'The Guardian', London
“This is the first time since 1987 that the people of Kashmir are excited about the elections,” says Thokar.
The election, which will continue in phases until October 1, is being described as the most significant in the region for years.
It is not only the first time since 2014 that Kashmiris will be able to vote for their own regional representatives, but is also the first vote since the region was stripped of its statehood by prime minister Narendra Modi in 2019.
AFP report:
Voters queued under heavy security in the three-phased elections, which will be staggered geographically due to security arrangements and logistical challenges in the mountainous region.
“After 10 years we are allowed to be heard,” said Navid Para, 31, among the first to vote in the cool morning mountain air of Pulwama, near the main city of Srinagar. “I want my voice represented”, he added.
About 500,000 Indian troops are deployed in the region, battling a 35-year uprising in which tens of thousands of civilians, fighters and soldiers have been killed, including dozens this year. PM Narendra Modi urged people to vote in “large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy”.
 |
| snap : AFP/Dawn newspaper |
Many in the Muslim-majority territory of 8.7 million registered voters remain bitter over the 2019 order by the Hindu-nationalist government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose control from New Delhi. -
AFP
'The Guardian' reports :
“This election is important because there is utter disillusionment amongst people,” said Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, whose party was once in alliance with the BJP. “We are at a crossroads in our history, people have not felt such deep alienation before. They feel disempowered and dispossessed.”
Historically, Kashmiris have reason to be wary of local elections.
India and Pakistan since 1947 have fought three wars.
It was in 1987 that the Indian government, fearful of the sensitive region falling into the hands of those sympathetic to Pakistan, was accused of meddling in Kashmir’s elections to prevent pro-independence candidates from taking power.
In response, a coalition of popular parties boycotted the elections. Several leaders crossed the border into Pakistan, where they went on to launch an armed revolt against India. It plunged the region into waves of violence and militancy from the 1990s onwards that continue to this day.
This time, however, the election has not been met with calls for boycotts, even by separatist and terrorist outfits.
Instead, candidates from a multitude of parties, including those who favour greater independence for Kashmir, are taking part and many believe it could be the highest turnout in years.
Political rallies have been packed, with many people turning up to demand that family members detained under authoritarian laws since 2019’s crackdown are released.
New Delhi has been projecting the enthusiasm as a vindication of their policies and an indication that Kashmiris have given up their aspiration for independence.
“The way people are coming forward in huge numbers, aspiring to cast their vote, speaks about the success of India’s democracy and India’s constitution,” said Nirmal Singh, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of the region.
“We have been able to finish terrorism … What could not be done in seventy years has been achieved in the last five years under the vision of prime minister Narendra Modi.”
 |
| Modi visiting forward areas during Covid Lockdown days of 2020 |
Economic woes: Cost of living has reached the sky.
Many Kashmiris are resentful of the restrictions on civil liberties imposed after 2019, and the BJP is only fielding candidates in a minority of seats concentrated in Hindu-majority areas.
Critics accused the BJP of encouraging a surge of independent candidates in Muslim-majority areas to split the vote.
A lack of jobs is a key issue. The area has an unemployment rate of 18.3 percent, more than double the national average, according to government figures in July. (AFP)
Critics said that the central government has awarded major contracts, such as construction and mineral extraction, to firms outside the territory.
“My biggest concern is unemployment,” said Madiha, 27, a jobless graduate who gave only one name. She added, “The cost of living has reached the sky. “
 |
| Tradtional movers and shakers of Jammu and Kashmir: Will they be sidelined ? |
Mohammad Rafiq, 45, a shopkeeper in the town of Bijbehara, was among those intending to vote for the first time, to send a direct message to the Modi government. In the autumn of 1993, his brother was among the 51 civilians who were killed by India’s border security force after they opened fire on protesters.
“When I saw the bloodied body of my brother, I promised that day to myself that I would never participate in these sham elections,” said Rafiq. “But now there is such a major assault on our identity that I am going to vote to keep the BJP away.” -- 'The Guardian'
BBC:
On a bright September afternoon, a caravan of colourful cars, festooned with flags, arrives at a village in Indian-administered Kashmir for an election rally.
Iltija Mufti, a politician from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), slowly rises from the sunroof of one of the cars.
“Yeli ye Mufti (When Mufti will be in power)," she shouts at a crowd that has gathered to hear the third-generation leader of one of the most influential political dynasties of the region.
“Teli Tch’le Sakhti (Then the repression will end)," they respond in unison.
From a distance, army personnel in bulletproof jackets, armed with automatic rifles, stand watch, tracking every movement.
Reuters report:
In the past, pro-independence militants have targeted elections in Kashmir, and voter turnout has been largely weak.
The territory, however, recorded its highest turnout in 35 years in national (Lok Sabha) elections held in April and May, with a 58.46% participation rate.
The contest this time is between regional parties promising to restore the special status, India's main opposition Congress party which has allied with a prominent regional group, as well as the BJP, which is pitching development and a permanent end to militancy.
The legislative assembly will have powers to debate local issues, make laws and approve decisions for governing the territory but cannot restore special status as that is the remit of the federal government.
No comments:
Post a Comment