Restoring Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir
Context
Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped J&K of its special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories, the region has not seen an Assembly election since 2014. The coalition government of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) collapsed in 2018, leaving J&K without a representative government. Despite the complexities and challenges, the recent visit by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Supreme Court’s directive for holding elections by September 30, 2024, underscore the urgency of reestablishing a participatory democratic setup in J&K.
- This situation presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the central government, as it navigates the intricate balance between security concerns and the need to restore political processes in the region.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and intervention)
Dimensions of the Article
- What is the Issue?
- J&K’s Need for a Participatory Democratic Setup
- Suggested Measures
- Implications of the Proposed Changes
1. What is the Issue?
- Election Delay:
- J&K has not had Assembly elections since 2014, leaving it without a local representative government since 2018.
- The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 judgment on Article 370, directed the Election Commission to conduct elections in J&K by September 2024, emphasizing that legislative assembly elections cannot be postponed until statehood is restored.
- Political Vacuum:
- The absence of a representative government has led to growing demands from regional parties and local populations for the restoration of democratic processes.
- The situation is further complicated by recurrent militant attacks, which underscore the ongoing security challenges in the region.
- Voter Participation:
- Despite previous trends of election boycotts, especially in the Kashmir Valley, the Lok Sabha elections in April-May 2024 saw a historic voter turnout of 58%.
- This shift in voter behavior reflects a growing desire among the people of J&K to participate in the democratic process.
2. J&K’s Need for a Participatory Democratic Setup
- Restoration of Political Processes:
- Holding Assembly elections in J&K is crucial for restoring and building up political processes in the region.
- A participatory democratic setup would enable the local population to choose their representatives, addressing the accusations against the Centre of curtailing democratic processes since 2019.
- Addressing Local Issues:
- J&K faces several pressing issues, including growing unemployment, electricity crises, and poor health infrastructure.
- A representative government is essential to effectively address these challenges and ensure that the needs of the people are met.
- Mitigating Alienation:
- The absence of political representation can amplify feelings of alienation among the local population.
- Assembly elections can serve as a democratic instrument to prevent these sentiments from being exploited by anti-national elements.
3. Suggested Measures
- Conducting Elections Despite Security Concerns:
- The Centre must not allow the security situation to dictate the timing of elections, as this could make the government appear subservient to militant threats.
- Instead, elections should be conducted as scheduled to reaffirm the Centre’s confidence in the democratic process.
- Enhancing Security Efforts:
- While political processes are reinitiated, the Centre must continue to strengthen its efforts to combat militancy and ensure the safety of the population during elections.
- Building Confidence Among Voters:
- The historic voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections indicates a renewed faith in the democratic process among the people of J&K.
- The Centre should leverage this momentum by ensuring free and fair Assembly elections, which could further bolster voter confidence.
4. Implications of the Proposed Changes
- Reinforcement of Democracy:
- Holding Assembly elections in J&K would be a significant step towards reinforcing democracy in the region.
- It would counter accusations of democratic curtailment and demonstrate the Centre’s commitment to restoring normalcy in J&K.
- Potential for Healing:
- The elections could serve as a healing process for a region that has been scarred by over three decades of conflict.
- A participatory democratic setup would empower the people of J&K to have a say in their governance, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
- Challenges and Risks:
- While the elections are necessary, they also pose challenges, particularly in ensuring that they are conducted smoothly in a region with ongoing security concerns.
- The success of the elections will depend on the Centre’s ability to manage these risks while maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.
Way Forward
- The Centre must strike a balance between addressing security concerns and promoting democratic processes in J&K.
- A phased approach, with careful monitoring of the security situation, could ensure that elections are conducted without compromising the safety of the population.
The Centre should engage with regional parties, civil society, and other local stakeholders to build consensus on the election process. This could help mitigate any potential backlash and ensure that the elections are seen as legitimate by the local population.
- Long-Term Commitment to Development:
- Beyond the elections, the Centre must commit to the long-term development of J&K, addressing key issues such as unemployment, infrastructure, and public services.
- A stable and representative government in J&K will be crucial in driving these development efforts forward.
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