Two out of three phases of ensuing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls have seen very good turnout and have passed off peacefully. This shows that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted for peace and prosperity.
The second phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections saw a voter turnout of over 56 per cent on Wednesday.
While there was significant participation in key constituencies in 26 seats spread over six districts with long queues of voters at polling stations since early morning, 20 of these segments recorded a marginally lower turnout than in the 2014 assembly elections, when the overall voting was 60 per cent.
The first phase of polling, held on September 18, saw an estimated 61.38 per cent voter turnout, while the final phase is set to take place on October 1 in the crucial elections being held after 10 years.
There’s a heightened sense of relief, optimism and hopefulness with the ongoing Assembly polls.
What is most unprecedented in the 2024 Assembly elections is the participation of former separatists, religious leaders, militants and Jamaat-e-Islami cadre who make up a significant chunk of more than 350 independents currently in the election fray. Former militant and JKLF leader Farooq Ahmad Dar is contesting on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Prominent JeI-backed candidates are Seyar Ahmad Reshi, Talat Majid, Dr Kalimullah Lone, etc.
The daughter of Sarjan Barkati, who led virulent anti-India campaigns in South Kashmir in the wake of Burhan Wani’s killing in 2016, is also contesting the elections.
Others are joining mainstream parties and contesting on their tickets. The return of these political forces to electoral politics might lead to the ‘overturning of the 1987 moment’ in the history of Kashmir.
The 1987 Assembly elections which were allegedly rigged in favour of the National Conference-Congress alliance, had witnessed the participation of Islamists, pro-Pakistan elements and religious groups under the banner of the Muslim United Front.
This was the last time the currently banned Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the electoral process. This was also the last time that the separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani took part in elections. Syed Salahuddin who later became a militant leader and now heads the United Jihad Council in POK had also contested in 1987 elections from Srinagar.
But the alleged rigging of the elections seemed to have shaken their faith in the electoral process. What followed next was the rise of violent unrest and militancy, leading to a large number of Kashmiri Pandits leaving their homes in the Valley.
So the participation of former separatist elements or JeI in the elections is a great opportunity for New Delhi to capitalise on. While there is no guarantee of their success in the current elections, they should be given a fair opportunity to participate and reach out to their constituencies.
Their faith in the system should be restored and their participation in the elections holds a huge potential for the peace and progress of Kashmir. If they are embracing democracy, this is in the interest of New Delhi and the people of Kashmir.
A lot of soldiers have lost their lives in their effort to ensure peace in the restive State so that democracy could return once again. Their sacrifice should not go in vain. For that the Centre should ensure that it doesn’t meddle into the daily affairs of the new government, especially if BJP fails to come to power.
Since long, the Centre has meddled into J&K’s administration and has tried to have proxy governments in the State, thereby fuelling fire to the separatist movement. Pakistan, which has been supporting separatist movement in Kashmir, is on the wane. But it is desperate to keep Kashmir on the boil.
The Centre and the incoming State government should work in unison and not indulge in petty politics.