Commitment of people is intact

Rather than showering choicest of abuses on ‘Kashmiri gene’ we should peep into the history which bears testimony to the fact that Kashmiris have kept flame of struggle alive from more than 423 years in one way or other and are fully committed and wedded to the cause of independence

This refers to the seven phased elections which are over reportedly with 60% voter turnout and would be Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who will head NC-Congress coalition is likely to take oath on 5th January. These elections have given rise to the new debate about the character of Kashmiris, many term Kashmiris as fickle minded, peculiar having double standards, a different breed from the rest of homosapiens, though they themselves belong to this nation. It is true that those who were waiting in long queues to cast their vote were those who were in fore front in the agitation against land transfer and in the long marches. But the approach of many among us towards elections is more emotional rather than logical. We waste no time in cursing our own nation and point fingers towards our own country men simply because they voted for formation of new government, actually just to have their basic needs met, we behave as if they voted against popular sentiment and against majority national aspiration.

We should rethink about the approach we are following about the elections from many decades and think about its merits and de-merits. Though majority of voters voted for only developmental related issues and not against the sentiment and even those seeking votes delinked it from resolution but still we mix it with our sacred cause and count it as treason. While we fight for implementation of U.N resolutions which provide international legs to our struggle for right of self determination we simply ignore and forget its resolution about the said matter which clearly states “Administration of Jammu and Kashmir cannot take any decision which may change the status of territory of Jammu and Kashmir”. So it is clear that those getting elected after seeking votes from people have no mandate for resolution of Kashmir rather only for administrative purposes. How we forget that it is this boycott call which provides credibility and infuses fresh blood in the election campaign by “mainstream” leaders and allows Delhi to sell this to outside world as rejection of “separatist” ideas and acceptance of its ‘democracy’.

If we turn the pages of history we see that Muslim League and Indian National Congress fought elections under British rule still they remained committed to their cause and got Pakistan and India respectively free from occupation. Here we have more leaders than followers part of amongst them can take reins of administration for undoing the wrongs which “mainstream” leaders have committed and provide some relief to the suffering masses while others can carry forward mission to push for resolution of Kashmir. Rather than showering choicest of abuses on ‘Kashmiri gene’ we should peep into the history which bears testimony to the fact that Kashmiris have kept flame of struggle alive from more than 423 years in one way or other and are fully committed and wedded to the cause of independence, it is for others also to comprehend our resilience rather looking only for cosmetic measures to sideline real dispute. We should also understand that boycott call provides free license to some sycophants to remain in prominence and sell our land, honour and dignity as and when it suits their vested interests. They follow script prepared by their masters sitting at Delhi and act accordingly and inflict wounds on this already bruised nation. Whether we vote or boycott these opportunists come into power without any real fight from any quarter and enjoy privileges and perks without caring for people.

Further more the authorities silenced the voice of dissent with iron fist by putting entire top leadership behind bars thus preventing them to propagate their ideas and gagged the media and didn’t allow it to carry its professional duties freely by beating, arresting media men and by issuing written statements baring them to issue statements from Pro-freedom camp about elections and authorities turned Kashmir into garrison and kept entire populace hostage during this exercise of elections, there were reports of bogus voting particularly in Srinagar on large scale and forced voting in some places like dadsar, kuchmulla etc. which puts question mark on the claims of authorities regarding elections being ‘free and fair’.

We shouldn’t leave any space vacant for those who have sold their conscious to Delhi and allow them to prosper on our miseries, and if pro-freedom camp can provide some people who after getting elected can deliver in turn they will learn to run the administration efficiently which will help us in running our affairs smoothly when we will achieve independence. So we should adopt a rational approach towards elections and delve deep into pros and cons of poll boycott.