The Battle for Kashmir

The situation in Indian-held Kashmir reflects deep political divisions, with many Kashmiris feeling disappointed with the aid of traditional events.

Shabbir Hussain Imam

Elections in Indian-held (occupied) Jammu and Kashmir are taking place for a total of ninety assembly seats—43 in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir. The first section covers 24 seats, which include areas in which Kashmiri militants are robust. India has deployed substantial army forces to ensure the elections proceed, with over 3,200 polling stations set up for greater than 2.3 million eligible electorates.

In the primary phase, elections are being held for 24 seats: sixteen in Kashmir and eight in Jammu. The constituencies consist of Pampore, Kulgam, Shopian, Pahalgam, and Anantnag, wherein Kashmiri militants are taken into consideration very robustly. India has deployed tens of millions of soldiers and paramilitary forces to conduct these elections. A total of three,276 polling stations had been installed for the elections, which might be held after a decade, with 2,327,580 eligible citizens.

Local political parties collectively with the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, People's Conference, Awami Ittehad Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami, are taking part in the elections, although Jamaat-e-Islami and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference have been boycotting elections.

India regularly pretends to keep elections in occupied Kashmir to convince the world that the Kashmiris are part of India. However, consistent with United Nations resolutions, Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory. Occupied Kashmir also had a unique reputation beneath the Indian Constitution, however, India’s ruling birthday celebration, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), exceeded a bill in Parliament on August 5, 2019, led by Prime Minister Modi, which abolished this unique status below Article 370. The authorities also revoked the provision of Article 35A, which prohibited the acquisition of assets by using non-Kashmiris in Kashmir and divided occupied Jammu and Kashmir into two elements: Ladakh and Jammu.

This move by the Modi government was rejected by Kashmiris, leading to a long-term strike that highlighted India's illegal actions. However, can strikes and protests alone prevent India from using illegal tactics? In the current situation, one must either boycott the conspiratorial elections, thereby giving a golden opportunity to the BJP, Congress, or pro-India parties to form a government, or participate in the so-called assembly elections in an attempt to restore Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Perhaps in light of this situation, anti-India political parties have decided to participate in the elections in some capacity, indicating their intent to fight the Kashmir case both politically and on the ground.

Omar Abdullah's pro-India National Conference has allied with the Indian opposition party, Congress, with plans to win 15 seats from Hindu-dominated areas, while the National Conference aims for over 30 seats to secure a simple majority in the assembly with 45 votes. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded candidates for 19 seats in the occupied valley and all 43 seats in occupied Jammu, striving to establish its own government in Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti's India People's Democratic Party is also contesting, with Mufti regularly invoking the reminiscences of Kashmiri martyrs in her political rallies to garner public assistance.

Now, let’s discuss the Awami Ittehad Party, led by Engineer Rashid, who was arrested via India in August 2019 on allegations of cash laundering and terror funding and changed into imprisoned in the notorious Tihar Jail. He won through a margin of over 2 hundred,000 votes. Engineer Rashid has been granted a period in-between bail and is actively campaigning, having fielded applicants in about 30 seats. It seems that Engineer Rashid is currently resonating well with the humans of Kashmir.

Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir has been boycotting all styles of so-referred elections in Kashmir for decades. If the party's policy is perceived as aligned with Pakistan, India considers it a giant threat. Jamaat became banned in February 2019 and has recently been banned again for five years. However, the birthday party has fashioned an alliance, with around 10 applicants supported using Jamaat-e-Islami contesting the elections as independents. There are also reports of candidates who are in the main from Jamaat-e-Islami but have separated from the celebration due to inner differences, yet they share the party's ideology. It’s really worth noting that neither the Awami Ittehad Party nor Jamaat-e-Islami is registered with the Election Commission, so all their applicants are contesting as independents.

The political parties led by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have maintained their impact on the occupied valley largely through the aid of the Indian authorities. However, their leadership has been marked by a troubling push aside for the aspirations of the neighborhood populace. Many Kashmiris have long sought separation from India and a capability union with Pakistan, yet those demands have in large part long past unaddressed. This forgetting has fostered deep dissatisfaction among human beings, who experience increasing alienation from the very leaders who are supposed to constitute their pursuits.

In contrast, Engineer Rashid has placed himself as a more responsive alternative. He has made a clean dedication to addressing the wishes of the Kashmiri humans, prioritizing their required freedom from Indian oppression and the urgent resolution of the Kashmir issue. His willingness to engage immediately with the general public and acknowledge their grievances has resonated with folks who are pissed off by the status quo and yearn for significant representation.

BJP and Congress are working hard to strengthen their presence in Kashmir. Both events recognize the area's strategic significance and are eager to garner the support of its diverse populace. Their engagement goes beyond mere governance; it reflects broader national objectives and geopolitical dynamics. As these parties compete for impact, the destiny of Kashmir hangs in the balance, making it an important area for political maneuvering. The outcomes of these struggles will no longer decide the region's governance but also substantially impact the Kashmiris, quest for identification and autonomy. Both events recognize the strategic significance of the place and are vying for the help of the local populace to strengthen their political effect. This effort comes amidst ongoing tensions and the aspirations of many Kashmiris for extra autonomy and self-determination.

The human beings of Kashmir are getting an increasing number of politically conscious, and aware of the consequences their participation in the elections ought to have. Many see their votes as a means to assert their identification and specify their desires for a future that aligns with their aspirations, probably beginning the door to extra autonomy or even independence from Indian management. Engaging inside the electoral process gives a platform for his or her voices to be heard and their needs to be articulated. However, the effects of this electoral workout remain uncertain. The real impact of the elections will be regarded as soon as the results are announced on October 8. Until then, the political landscape stays fluid, and the choices made by way of the Kashmiri voters ought to profoundly shape the destiny of the region, influencing both local governance and the wider quest for self-dedication.

Ends.