Peace and participation illusion in Kashmir

As the first two phases of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections concluded with a voter turnout of nearly 60%, a narrative of peace and acceptance is being woven by the Indian government and their mainstream media. The bustling polling stations and enthusiastic voters paint a picture of an abnormal normalcy that, on the surface, seems to validate the BJP’s policies, particularly the controversial abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. However, this shallow interpretation fails to capture the complex realities of a region scarred by decades of conflict and recent upheavals.

The Indian mainstream media is buzzing with a mix of confusion and excitement: Is the peace in Kashmir genuine, or merely an illusion concealing deeper unrest? This is a topic that warrants deeper exploration.

Recent developments show that Kashmiris have matured in their own way and now view the electoral process as a pragmatic choice rather than leaving the playing field solely to the status quo. With basic services and local governance at stake, voting becomes a necessity, which should not be misinterpreted as a sign of normalcy. In reality, they are also voting to express their frustration and anger, as demonstrated in the recent Lok Sabha elections where, to the ruling system’s disappointment, they overwhelmingly voted for a jailed separatist leader, Engineer Rashid. All the signs are pointing in one direction: the Kashmiri aspiration for self-determination is deep-rooted, and they have decided to demonstrate a new democratic patience and maturity in dealing with it.

For the first time in the history of India, a state has been demoted to a union territory, contrary to many union territories which were promoted to independent states. This regression to a centrally controlled administration through a Lieutenant Governor (LG) harkens back to an ugly colonial past, with Delhi holding the remote control. The almost 150-day lockdown by the LG administration that followed the 2019 decision saw a complete communication blackout, mass detentions under the Public Safety Act, and violent suppression of protests. The jailing of 6,000 political leaders, journalists, and youth deepened the sense of alienation among Kashmiris and their need for an elected administration.

In a modern democracy, there’s no place for centrally controlled governance. The LG administration’s actions to sell land to non-locals without consultation have not only angered Kashmiris but also alienated people in Jammu, traditionally considered a BJP stronghold. Development works are causing conflict rather than bringing prosperity to both Jammu and Kashmir.

The stone-pelting has ended in Indian-held Kashmir, as proudly celebrated by the Modi government and Indian media. But this “peace” has been achieved through mass arrests of youth, intimidation tactics, the deployment of an overwhelming number of 900,000 troops creating an atmosphere of fear, and an almost 550-day internet shutdown. The transition from stone-pelting protests to voting for a jailed separatist, Engineer Rasheed, is ridiculously downplayed as a “return to normalcy” by the Indian media.

They tell a grim joke in J&K: “There is freedom of expression, but no freedom after expression.” A chilling example is the case of well-known journalist Irfan Mairaj, who faces terrorism charges. Many believe he will eventually be cleared, but the process under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) is designed to be a punishment itself. Journalists are routinely harassed, imprisoned, and pressured to reveal sources. Sajjad Gul remains behind bars despite his Public Safety Act (PSA) case being quashed. Mussarat Zahra faces charges for “anti-national” Facebook posts. The Kashmiri newspapers now resemble BJP pamphlets. The lack of real stories from J&K cannot be mistaken for the absence of dissent. These actions have led to widespread self-censorship and a loss of public interest in Kashmiri media.

The suggestion that Kashmiris have simply “forgiven and forgotten” the trauma of past atrocities is both misleading and insensitive. Over 100,000 deaths since the 1990s, widespread allegations of torture, forced disappearances, and sexual violence need a healing touch from the government, which is still nowhere to be seen. The use of the draconian Public Safety Act (1978), which allows detention for up to two years without trial, has increased sevenfold since 2019, according to Amnesty International. The persistence of such laws does little to heal a traumatized population.

Contrary to the narrative of development, Jammu and Kashmir’s economy has taken a significant hit. Once among the best-performing states in 2012 and 2013 according to the government’s own figures, it is now among the worst performers. The promised economic opportunities and government jobs are going to non-locals, while the local bureaucracy is perceived as ignorant, disconnected, and inaccessible. Mining rights and tourism ventures are being awarded to non-local entrepreneurs, further alienating the local population. At the top of the list of issues is the lack of jobs for the youth.

The intensification of anti-Muslim rhetoric nationally and in mainstream media has further hindered the healing process. The footage of Indian Muslim houses being bulldozed in Gujarat and Muslims being lynched for beef consumption in India cannot possibly help Kashmiris simply “move on” and incorporate themselves into the Indian identity.

The BJP’s gloating and triumphalism over Kashmiri humiliation have only added insult to injury. While some attribute the potential resurgence of militancy to groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and Engineer Rashid’s party, many argue that the real catalyst lies in the hands of the Indian government. The scars of conflict and the shock of losing special status cannot be erased by a few elections while the underlying issues remain unresolved.

As the election process continues and results loom on the horizon, the international community and Indian civil society must look beyond voter turnout statistics. The real measure of progress in Kashmir will be the restoration of fundamental rights, the addressing of historical injustices, and the creation of a political framework that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Until then, the peace in Kashmir remains fragile, more an illusion created by suppression than a reflection of genuine reconciliation and acceptance.