In the land of Kashyap, where the Valley cradles history as old as the Himalayas, the march of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir has been both fraught and enduring. Once a Princely State, a State under the union of India and now a Union Territory, its contemporary democratic history begins in 1934 with Praja Sabha elections—an Assembly meant to give voice to the ‘subjects’ of the State under Maharaja Hari Singh’s princely rule. However, in this land of ancient mountains and timeless wisdom, self-representation found its full expression with Bharat’s Independence from colonial occupation in 1947.
Democracy Vs Islamic Fundamentalism
As the region was drawn into Bharat’s embrace, Jammu and Kashmir became a stage upon which the ideals of democracy collided with the forces of division and violence, its political landscape marked by trials of Pakistani and Chinese aggression, forceful occupation, Islamist radicalisation and the sinister specter of terrorism from beyond its borders.
The land became a battleground not just for Bharat’s territorial sovereignty amidst neighbouring aggressors and occupiers but of ideas and ideologies, scarred deeply by Islamist radicalisation, communist expansionism and State-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan’s borders. It became a place where democracy flickered like a candle in a storm, always vulnerable yet never extinguished.
In 1951, the first legislative Assembly elections were held, steering the region through 11 such Assemblies over the years. Parallel to this, parliamentary elections—12 in total since 1967—saw its people engaged with Bharat’s national political pulse, embedding the idea of democratic choice, even as the ground beneath their feet remained fraught with extremism. Municipal elections, though less frequent, marked moments of reasserting local governance.
Five times since 1947, the people were called upon to shape the future of their towns and villages, the most recent in October 2018, a fragile yet resolute reaffirmation of local democracy. The 2018 elections were not mere formalities; they were battles fought at the ballot box, against the backdrop of a region that had become synonymous with corruption and terrorism.
New Political Dawn
Then came August 2019, when the landscape of Jammu and Kashmir was irrevocably altered. Like a river redirected, wherein Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies amended Article 370, dismantling the old State structure, carving the region into two Union Territories— Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. It was a moment of profound reorganisation, as the bicameral State legislature dissolved and the lines of Assembly constituencies were redrawn in a fresh delimitation process beginning in early 2020. The old corrupt order had fallen, but with it came the promise of a new political dawn. By late 2020, the first elections as a Union Territory were held—by-elections to District Development Councils, municipal bodies and Panchayats. These local elections, held between November 28 and December 19, marked the reclaiming of people’s voice in a region that had so often felt voiceless. Democracy, fragile as it was, endured. Each ballot cast was a testament to the will to move forward, to rise from the clutches of past strife.
And now, as the people of Jammu and Kashmir look beyond 2024 Parliamentary Elections and focus on ongoing Assembly elections to determine their representatives, the stakes have never been higher. The air hangs heavy with anticipation, the mountains once again bearing witness to a region poised on the brink of change. The old wounds of Islamist radicalisation, anti-Bharat and anti-Hindu sentiment along with the constant threat of cross-border terrorism remain, but so too does the unyielding spirit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, determined to shape their own destiny. Jammu and Kashmir, a land that has weathered both the storms of history and the tempest of the present. The question now is not whether democracy will endure, but how brightly it will shine in the shadows of its past.
Since the dawn of Bharat’s independence, the story of Jammu and Kashmir has often been one of hope entangled with shadows. For decades, it was a stronghold of the Indian National Congress and regional dynastic parties—like the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and, later, the People’s Democratic Party—whose reign, far from nurturing democracy, saw it wither. Under their watch, the land known for its saints and sages along with unparalleled beauty became a theatre of unspoken tragedies. The scars of occupation ran deep, with portions of Jammu and Kashmir’s unfortunately still under Pakistan and Chinese occupation, while the devastating ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus etched a dark chapter in the region’s history. While the ethnic cleansing of Kashmir’s Hindus unfolded like a dark chapter that history has yet to reconcile. The Jammu region, found itself marginalised, its voice diminished. Minorities across the state were quietly pushed to the fringes, their cries unheard amid the din of political maneuvering. And there were deeper wounds still—accusations that linger like a bitter aftertaste. Two generations of Kashmiri Muslims, many believe, have been lost, trapped in a cycle of fear and fury. Terrorism, allegedly fostered by those in power at times, bred overground workers (OGWs) and stone-pelting youths, whose rage became their voice of protest, filling the streets with violence that concealed a deeper undercurrent of drug abuse. Bharat’s brave soldiers paid the ultimate price protecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, with tragic incidents like Pulwama Terrorist Attacks defining the terror-stricken landscape. The Valley, once a cradle of harmonious coexistence, was nearly torn apart by the twin forces of politics and terror—where intimidation, corruption, and threats drowned out the whispers of hope.
As the 2024 Assembly elections unfold, with false promises of reviving the bygone and discriminatory Article 370 by the same dynastic parties, challengers to this entrenched political order are seizing the moment. This election has seen over 40 per cent of the 908 candidates standing as independents, one of the highest numbers in recent history, signalling a dramatic shift in the region’s political climate. Alongside them, several new and revived political parties have entered the fray, all aiming to capitalise on the newfound political space in a region once overshadowed by dynasties, corruption, and terrorism. These fresh faces and independent voices represent a growing dissatisfaction with the status quo, and their campaigns have made the failures of the old political dynasties the centrepiece of their message. The call is for an end to a legacy tainted by violence, corruption, and neglect, a plea for a clean break from a past defined by political manipulation and violence. They are urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to turn the page, to embrace a new era of true self-representation—one where democracy is not just a distant promise but a lived reality. This movement goes beyond mere electioneering; it is a call for the region to reclaim its voice, to step out from the shadows of its past, and to begin writing a new chapter in its history, one that reflects the aspirations of its people rather than the ambitions of a few.
Under the watch of Congress, National Conference and PDP, the land known for its saints and sages along with unparalleled beauty became a theatre of unspoken tragedies. The scars of occupation ran deep, with portions of J & K under Pakistan and Chinese occupation
As I walk through the back lanes of my hometown, Srinagar, a city once shadowed by its dark past, the outward changes in its aesthetics are undeniable. Streets are cleaner, buildings restored, but beneath these physical transformations lies a deeper complexity, reflected in the people I meet. The air hums with mixed energies—hope, uncertainty, and, for some, lingering cynicism. On one side are the first-time voters, brimming with enthusiasm and optimism, ready to embrace what they see as a new era of peace and stability, much of which they credit to Prime Minister Modi and his administration’s efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. Their hope is palpable, a belief that the valley is turning a corner. Then, there are those whose experience with democracy has been clouded by the shadow of dynastic rule, unsure of what the future holds. Their hesitation is a reminder that while the landscape may have changed, the scars of the past have not entirely faded. And finally, there remains a dwindling minority, disillusioned and distrustful, who see democracy as a ploy, a farce imposed upon them, with the amendment of Article 370 and the banning of Jamaat-E-Islami as symbols of an Indian agenda against their faith. For them, the only vision of governance lies in Sharia, and their discontent lingers in the background, quietly unnerved by each development.
Refreshing Wave of Political Engagement
This tension is mirrored in the city’s political participation. As Phase II of the elections unfolded, Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded one of the lowest voter turnouts, reflecting the uncertainty that continues to grip portions of its populace. But as I move beyond the city, into the rural towns and villages of Pulwama, a different story emerges. Here, in the rural heartland, there is a refreshing wave of political engagement. Young, first-time candidates are stepping forward, and the participation in Phase I earlier this month has been nothing short of historic. The enthusiasm here feels raw and unfiltered, a sharp contrast to the urban hesitance. In the towns of the Jammu region, the election fever burns even brighter, with voting percentages reaching highs unseen in decades. The energy is vibrant, driven by a population eager to participate, eager to be heard. Moreover, specialised polling booths set up across the country to ensure that those forcibly displaced from the valley, primarily Kashmiri Hindus, have a fair chance to help shape the political future of their homeland. These booths have seen an unprecedented turnout, with many Kashmiri Hindus returning to their hometowns and villages to cast their votes in person. This election represents a reckoning—a critical moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their future after years of uncertainty. From the complex streets of Srinagar to the vibrant villages of Pulwama and the energised towns of Jammu, the region stands on the cusp of transformative change.
The 2024 elections in Jammu and Kashmir are more than just a political exercise; they are the culmination of a long and tumultuous journey. From the early days of the Praja Sabha in 1934, to the dark decades of dynastic politics, corruption, and terrorism, democracy in this region has often felt fragile, like a flickering flame. But despite the scars left by decades of occupation, radicalisation, and political manipulation, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are proving that democracy can find its voice even in the most difficult of circumstances. As the Assembly elections progress, the landscape is changing. The rise of independent candidates, the entry of new political voices, and the unprecedented levels of participation all signal a dramatic shift. These elections are not just about choosing representatives—they are about reclaiming the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The people are stepping out of the shadows of corruption and violence, and into the light of self-representation. The ghosts of the past—whether they be the remnants of dynastic rule, Islamist radicalisation, or external aggression—are still present, but they no longer dominate the narrative. For the first time in decades, there is a sense that the people, not the powerful, are shaping the future. Democracy has found its voice in the cities, towns, and villages of Jammu and Kashmir. And while the road ahead may still be fraught with challenges, there is a sense that this time, the voice of the people will be the driving force in charting a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir.
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