Opinion | Youthful Elections in Kashmir

Election Josh Reminds Us of Kashmir in 1990
Nakli Shera Yetti Vat Dhara, Asli Shera Aagaya

Witnessing huge rallies, campaigns, and speeches during the election process is very new to those who came of age after 1990. These youth, who have not seen different colours of flags, songs, and huge rallies in support of their political representatives, are now experiencing a changing face of democracy in Kashmir. Many of these young people, especially from towns, cities, and areas influenced by separatist movements where boycott calls led to zero voter turnout, are now embracing all the slogans.

Kashmiri ruffs, drums, bands, and flags hanging from vehicles with loudspeakers appealing for their representatives are revealing a changing face of Kashmir. People in their 60s may recall and aspire to the same enthusiasm and passion they experienced during their days of campaigning. It is truly a festival of democracy being celebrated in parts of Kashmir that have not seen such an environment in 30 years, having lived through an ideological deadlock.

Leaving politics aside, it is the success of democracy over separatism, over violence, and over the influence exerted by the Indian government, which has finally won Kashmir through its prominent institutions and democratic values. This transformation is evident as former stone-pelters and critics of elections and boycotts are now embracing democracy with open arms. Most importantly, seeing people carrying flags of political parties and hearing speeches about democracy in the hotbeds of Hurriyat and separatist-influenced villages is a testament to the success of democracy.

There are several reasons for this shift, with the primary reason being that those who incited violence and drew Kashmiris into conflict have now undermined themselves and are facing immense criticism in their part of Kashmir. It is due to new initiatives, people-oriented programs, and other policies that Kashmiris have finally come around to supporting democracy.

The remarkable aspect of this election is that it involved stone-pelters, Hartal observers, Jammatis, and separatists in the electoral process, which bodes well for the future of democracy. There are several reasons for the involvement of non-voters in this historic electoral process.

First is the post-abrogation peace, prosperity, and development. Second is the decentralization of power during the governor’s rule, which was implemented for the first time by forming village Panchayats, Block Development Councils (BDCs), and District Development Councils (DDCs) that worked at the grassroots level for more than four years. Third is the continuous programs under SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) at the governmental level to provide awareness about the importance of voting, enroll new voters, and ensure easy access to the voting process. Lastly, there is the four years of inner enthusiasm (“Josh”) among the voters.

Practically, there were no boycott elements available in society. People were afraid of guns, threats, and the hijacking of peace by two percent of the population in the past during turmoil, who nourished sentimental narratives and produced threats. Despite this, people still voted during tough times. Hundreds of political workers were killed during elections in Kashmir over the last thirty years of violence, but governments were still formed, and people were given proper local representation and were well addressed.

Elections are the festival of democracy and equal rights. These elections are special because the youth are participating, empowering themselves, and taking the lead as voters as well as public representatives. This is the election for the youth, who hold a significant share of 46% of the votes. The youth, who were alienated, isolated, and segregated by false propaganda, are now realizing their power in all sectors. Surely, credit goes to all the stakeholders who built a platform for the youth and provided them the space to be game-changers, future leaders, and key contributors to the nation. It is often said that “Uqabi Roh Jab Bedaar Hoti Hai Jawano Mai, Nazar Aati Hai In Ko Manzil Aasmano Mai” (when the spirit of the eagle awakens in the youth, they begin to see their destination in the skies), and Kashmiri youth are seeing their future in the largest democracy of the world.

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