Raman Suri
In the wake of recent peaceful elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, a significant transformation has unfolded, reflecting a resounding victory of democracy and a stark exposure of Pakistan’s failed narratives. The massive voter turnout witnessed in the parliamentary elections signifies a decisive shift towards peaceful political engagement over violence. The participation of all sections of society, including three generations of the Abdullah family, highlights a collective desire for progress and stability, rejecting the politics of separatism advocated by some.
PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC ENGAGEMENT
Massive voter turnout in Kashmir in the ongoing parliamentary elections wherein three generations of Abdullah family, who often advocate talks with a failed state like Pakistan or threaten of Pakistan having nuclear bombs, also voted and proudly showed their inked fingers after exercising their right to vote, has established that people are sick of violence and want the ‘battle of ballot’ to persist over the ‘battle of bullet’.
Highest ever turnout of voters in Kashmir last Monday since past 28 years that touched a mark of 38.30 percent, especially after the abrogation of Article 370, is testimony to the fact that democracy has won in Jammu and Kashmir. The undying efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Election Commission of India (ECI), state election authorities, paramilitary forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Government officials on election duty, SVEEP authorities, NGOs besides voters especially youngsters, first-time voters, women, aged and disabled, all ensured that elections are held in J&K peacefully without any sign of violence. This is a stamp on democracy and a goodbye to the politics of separatism.
This achievement is not merely a triumph for electoral processes but also a testament to the resilience of people against divisive forces. As the electoral process unfolded, mainstream politicians ventured into areas previously considered volatile, symbolizing a shift towards inclusivity and dialogue. The peaceful conduct of elections, even in once-troubled areas like Maisuma or Shopian, underscores the rejection of violence and the embrace of democratic values by the populace.
This was for the first time in the last 35 years that peaceful electioneering was held in Kashmir without any fear or favour, especially when women showed their enthusiasm by thronging at pink polling booths. This is the picture of a changed Kashmir, which politicians of Congress, National Conference (NC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won’t digest easily for the reason that they were tuned to get elected amid calls of boycotting elections by separatists. But that era is gone now.
PoJK UNREST
Pakistan, a rogue state which has always tried to portray a wrong picture of Kashmir, could be seen losing its grip on Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Uprising against the Government in PoJK by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee because of rising prices of food and essential commodities besides unaffordable civic amenities like water and electricity exposed Pakistan. The streets of Mirpur and Dadyal became areas of confrontation, which also gripped other districts such as Tata Pani, Rawalakot, Khuiratta, Hattian, Bala, Sehansa and Samahni, and witnessed the worst ever violence, thereby killing a security personnel and injuring hundreds of others.
One security person was killed and over a hundred were injured, many of them seriously, when the rowdy mob of sufferers in PoJK clashed with police in Rawalakot. Protesters also destroyed a military vehicle, establishing that the situation there is volatile. Protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Rawalakot have been attacked after posters emerged there demanding merger with India. This is what our Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too had said that there’s no need of using force as PoJK will automatically crave for merging with India.
The stark contrast between the tranquil progress in Indian-administered Jammu &Kashmir and the turmoil in PoJK underscores the failure of Pakistan’s propaganda. While Jammu and Kashmir embraces democratic processes and embarks on a path of development, PoJK grapples with discontent and economic hardship, further exposing the hollow promises of Pakistani solidarity.
The recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir, held peacefully after the abrogation of Article 370, mark a significant milestone in the region’s journey towards stability and progress. The participation of voters, including those advocating for dialogue with Pakistan, reaffirms the importance of democratic engagement in shaping the future of the region.
As Kashmiris celebrate the dawn of a new era of peace and prosperity, Pakistan finds itself increasingly isolated, and grappling with the consequences of its own divisive policies. With separatist organizations banned and militancy on the decline, Jammu and Kashmir is poised to embrace a future defined by democratic values and inclusive development.
In contrast, PoJK stands as a reminder of Pakistan’s failure to address the aspirations of its own people, underscoring the urgency for genuine autonomy and accountability. As Kashmiris exercise their democratic rights and reap the benefits of progress, Pakistan’s influence in the region continues to wane, further exposing its hollow rhetoric and oppressive tactics.
J&K AFTER ABROGATION OF ARTICLE 370
Strong advocates of ‘Talk to Pakistan’ were seen casting their votes in the most peaceful conduct of elections here in Kashmir. This established that instead of stones, votes were thrown in ballot boxes and a clear message was sent across the nation that democracy stands strengthened in this part of India. This was for the first time after decades that people queued up on booths and even spoke to media persons,expressing their feelings on how votes change lives.
Assembly segments like Chadoora, Charar-e-Sharief, Ganderbal, Khansahib and Shopian witnessed more than 45 percent voter turnout, where voters without hiding their identities spoke openly and said that poll boycotts used to increase their melancholies rather than solving them. Many claimed that after 1987, this was for the first time that people in large numbers came out to vote and celebrated the festival of democracy without any fear. Their presence at polling booths established that the issue of abrogation of Article 370 was a passé and people have realised that the controversial law hindered their progress and empowered only a selected few families.
When Article 370 was abrogated, Pakistan painted a bleak portrait of Jammu and Kashmir. However, four years down the line, Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is suffering, while Jammu and Kashmir on this side of the fence is voting peacefully. This is the difference which people have now realised and are seeing with their own eyes. In Jammu and Kashmir, the tranquil conduct of elections illuminated a lively celebration of democracy, marked by a notable voter turnout, symbolizing a robust endorsement of civic participation. However, on the other side of the border, simmering tensions and mounting unrest tarnish the landscape, casting a shadow over the region’s stability.
CHALLENGES IN PAKISTAN OCCUPIED JAMMU AND KASHMIR (POJK)
Contrary to the peaceful elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, protests erupted in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), highlighting the governance failures and economic hardships faced by its inhabitants. The unrest underscores Pakistan’s inability to address the grievances of its own people, further exposing the hollowness of its claims of solidarity with Kashmiris.
Amidst the disruption of normalcy in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) due to clashes between civilians and law enforcement agencies, a sobering realization emerges: the once-dominant narrative propagated by Pakistan, portraying Indian Kashmir in bad light, now pales in comparison to the urgent need of addressing the escalating crisis within the illegally occupied territories by Pakistan.
In today’s age of rapid information dissemination through social media, the residents of PoJK witness a remarkable metamorphosis unfolding across the border in Jammu and Kashmir. Once a hotbed of terror, our Jammu and Kashmir has transformed into a thriving tourist destination, while people in PoJK are yearning for peace and basic civic amenities.
Oppressive politics of PoJK has come to the forefront with people spilling on roads and seeking their land’s merger with India.In the heart of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, discontent has erupted into a fiery inferno, exposing Pakistani authorities miserably. The capital city of Muzaffarabad has become a battleground for grievances ranging from exorbitant taxation to soaring inflation and crippling electricity shortages, exposing the false promises of democracy that onlyperpetuate a charade.
In the present day, Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is engulfed in turmoil, serving as a powerful example of the consequences of oppressive policies and the justified anger they ignite. Pakistan, long accustomed to instigating unrest across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, now faces the repercussions of its actions. The flames of discontent that it once fuelled, now consume the very region it sought to dominate, highlighting the irony of its predicament.
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
Today, the influx of tourists to Kashmir is on the rise, which is indicative of the region’s burgeoning appeal. Development efforts are breaking records, with a notable empowerment of grassroot institutions such as Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies, a departure from past neglect by politicians. However, across the border in PoJK, basic necessities remain elusive, highlighting the striking disparity in governance.
Furthermore, the establishment of internationally renowned institutes in Jammu and Kashmir, coupled with milestones such as hosting the G20 summit in Srinagar and promoting sports activities in Dal Lake, highlights the region’s new-found prominence on the global stage. Massive infrastructural developments spanning Ladakh, Kashmir, and Jammu, alongside enhanced connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari via rail and road, signify a transformative era where citizens stand poised to reap the benefits of comprehensive central and state-sponsored initiatives, bringing pride not only to themselves but to the entire country.
Gone are the days of threats from separatist boycotts, and terrorist intimidation looming over the electoral process. Instead, a vibrant atmosphere of democratic fervour pervades the air today, particularly in Srinagar, where the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 has heralded a new era of peaceful elections. This shift sends a resounding message that violence has no place in this paradisiacal region, thus marking the dawn of a promising era characterized by peace, prosperity, and progress.
(The writer is Bharatiya Janata Party J&K Executive Member)
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