Some introspection, mostly denial

The results for the state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are but a few hours away. While some people must be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this incredibly long (and surprising) election season, others have got to be wondering about what this election really means to Kashmiri politics.

As we have now gathered from newspaper and eyewitness accounts, people participated in large numbers in these elections. This in spite of the boycott call by the myriad separatist groups that operate in Kashmir. Many separatists and their sympathizers have argued that these elections are a sham perpetrated by the Indian government. The presence of a large number of Indian troops facilitated the conduct of this election and people were really not voting for India or its democracy but for every day governance issues. Besides, the separatists argue, they weren't allowed to actively spread their message of poll boycott, their leaders were imprisoned etc. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to the separatists that more people voted in Srinagar district this time than have done in the past twenty or so years. There are some separatists who are initiating some "introspection" on why people voted at a time when the "nation" was engaged in a "struggle" for self determination. This latter group is still in a minority. Those in denial continue to dominate separatist groups. They must have shut their eyes and ears as reports kept pouring in of people waiting in long lines in cold temperatures to cast their ballot. Barring minor incidents, most observers and newspapers reported that people came out to vote without facing any coercion from the military forces or officialdom. Arguments to the contrary are ludicrous.

While I don't believe that Kashmiris have suddenly turned into India lovers, their participation in elections suggests to me that they are being pragmatic. It has been clear for almost two decades that Kashmiri separatists are for the most part an unimaginative bunch of self serving politicians who have failed completely in put forward a coherent framework for Kashmir's future. We should also not lose sight of the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is a very diverse region, with Kashmiris the largest ethnic group but even among them there are divisions about what direction to adopt. So, it seems that the separatists have been squeezed into a corner because they could never put forward a strategy for broadening their base. Their vision was so small that they are now grateful that Srinagar and its surroundings saw "only" about a 20 percent voting rate. It is my opinion that in this election, Kashmiri Muslims (forget for the moment people from Jammu or Ladakh or Kashmiri Hindus) have rejected the current crop of separatists, each and every one of the 30 or 40 or however many groups parade around as leaders of the "nation".

Indian democracy has many failings and perhaps it cannot assure the kind of future that Kashmiris (or others) may want. However, for the moment, Kashmiris and the rest of the people in the state deserve good governance, a war on corruption, and accountability at the highest levels. Jammu and Kashmir also needs a vision for the next 25 years to see how it can develop into a progressive region that can contribute in a positive way to helping resolve the more thorny, long-term political issues that have confounded the subcontinent for almost 6 decades.

Until next time...