Election in an occupied land

After ten years, all is set for a three-phased election in the heavily militarized Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Electioneering is in full swing, and the results will be declared on October 4.

The electoral process in Occupied Kashmir has always been marred by controversy, manipulation, and a lack of transparency. Additionally, since 1990, pro-Azadi political parties and militant groups have strongly opposed and boycotted several election rounds, which significantly affected the election process and existing political institutions.

However, unlike past practices, no significant anti-election sentiment has been reported so far in this election. Several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami and former activists of pro-Azadi parties, who once led election boycott campaigns and denounced the electoral process as illegitimate, are now contesting the polls, which has greatly increased public interest in the election.

Nearly nine million people are registered to vote in the upcoming elections for the 90-member legislative assembly, starting tomorrow on September 18. In April and May this year, Kashmiris turned out in large numbers at polling stations, casting their votes in an overwhelming manner that stunned everyone. Many Kashmiris voted to ensure that the BJP’s proxy candidates did not gain access to the national parliament.

The Muslims of Kashmir and other secular elements have been deeply concerned about stopping the BJP’s relentless push to seize political power in Kashmir through elections. In this context, the National Conference and Congress have joined forces, fielding joint candidates, which has significantly boosted their chances of electoral success compared to other parties. Together, the National Conference and Congress can make notable electoral gains in the Jammu region, traditionally considered a stronghold of the BJP.

The BJP is also facing anti-incumbency sentiment in Jammu. The lukewarm response to BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections forced the party to contest only 19 of the 47 assembly seats in the Kashmir Valley.

Kashmiri priorities have shifted dramatically since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The people of the Kashmir Valley feel humiliated and threatened by the BJP's nationalist and Hindutva agenda, which it is determined to impose on Occupied Kashmir by any means necessary.

Rather than boycotting the election process, there is now a broad consensus in Occupied Kashmir that people should participate in the political process to prevent the BJP from gaining any foothold. Despite being fully aware that the resulting assembly will be weak, with limited legislative, administrative, and financial powers, many feel blocking the BJP is essential. In fact, the Lieutenant Governor appointed by Delhi will retain more administrative and financial authority than the Chief Minister who will be elected in the upcoming elections.

The BJP has placed its affiliated individuals in key positions across various institutions, with the primary aim of erasing Kashmiri identity, its Islamic character, and cultural heritage, in an attempt to ‘Hinduize’ the region. Kashmiris are determined to counter this by engaging in the political process and asserting control over political institutions, no matter how limited their power may be.

The election process has sparked renewed activity in Kashmir, and the restrictions imposed by India – such as those on freedom of assembly, expression, and public mobilization – have been eased due to the election campaign. People are now participating in rallies, marches, and public gatherings, which is helping to restore confidence among Kashmiris. This may pave the way for them to once again express their aspirations through peaceful means.

In recent years, especially after August 2019, the BJP has sought to suppress all political activity by pro-freedom individuals in Occupied Kashmir. Anyone who advocates for freedom, even if it’s just through social media, faces imprisonment.

Human rights defenders like Khurram Parvez, who gained international recognition for his work, and many journalists are languishing in Indian prisons simply because they disagree with the Indian government’s stance or report human rights violations. In this context, the current elections in Kashmir offer a rare opportunity to break through the atmosphere of repression imposed by India to some extent.

Apart from the BJP, all political parties participating in these elections are constantly reminding people of their promise to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, which was downgraded to a union territory in 2019. While no party is explicitly discussing the restoration of Article 370 during the campaign, some parties, particularly the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Engineer Rashid, a member of parliament, issued statements about resolving the Kashmir issue and restoring autonomy.

As a result, unlike in the past, this election campaign is less focused on national issues. Instead, discussions are centered on governance problems, the growing rift between Kashmir and India, and the mistreatment of Kashmiris by the BJP government.

In this election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also campaigning, claiming that he has transformed Kashmir into a land of "milk and honey”, restored peace and order, and created a "new Kashmir". However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Fear still grips the region, militancy persists, and hundreds of pro-freedom political leaders and activists, including Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmed Shah, are languishing in Indian jails without trial.

Kashmiri media has been stifled, and human rights organizations are not allowed to function. The Bar Association and other trade groups have been silenced by the state. No dissenting voices are permitted. Real development remains absent in Occupied Kashmir; instead, Modi's government has turned the region into a graveyard for the living.

The writer is a freelance contributor. He tweets @ErshadMahmud and can be reached at: ershad.mahmud@gmail.com