In the battle between democratic forces and separatist gangs, overwhelmingly Kashmir has chosen the former. But there is a warning in the voting and victory. The people of Jammu & Kashmir want basic necessities to be delivered within the possible timeframe. For the past sixty years Jammu & Kashmir has become the global flashpoint. More bullets were fired than buildings for schools and hospitals were developed. A lot of time has gone waste in fighting against the anti-national forces. Although those who were in the ruler’s seat were passionate to develop the state and keep the people with all facilities, terrorism has killed their interest. Along with terrorism national and local politics too dwarfed “Switzerland of the East”.
The Indian government was accused of rigging the polls and putting puppet regimes in the past. This half true complaint and few odd cases of army excesses dented the image of India. Using these separatists has craved a strategic space in the Kashmir valley. Support for them came across the border. To strengthen their hands, government in the valley had ignored the developmental aspirations of the people for a very long time. The central government too bothered less about the development.
The lesson is crystal clear. Development and empowerment of people paves rich dividends. Whether in Kashmir or North East, a serious concentration on the local development and pulling people from the morass of ignorance can help the country. Not only the day to day international bickering can be avoided but also a fair amount of the resources can be used for the overall growth of the country.
There is a visible change in the outlook of Jammu & Kashmir today. I can credit this situation to the peace process initiated by various governments. Election process has helped the people of the state to be one with India. There were cutoff in the election process due to the terrorist threats. The coalition compulsions at the centre have also helped Jammu & Kashmir to benefit. Omar Abduallah and Mehbooba Mufti arrived to vociferously argue for their state’s growth. In the give and take scenario centre was compelled to address their grievances.
In fact the arrival of coalition era since 1991 totally redefined the politics of development and governance altogether. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari there were voices for the development politics rather than just power enjoying politicians. Mushrooming media channels took the knowledge to the bedrooms of the common people. Continuous information empowerment of the people by the media played a very crucial role. Cheap and frequent air transport facilities too facilitated regional politicians to get connected with national politics. In short the liberalization of the economy since 1991 and loosening of the license raj were two main factors ushering these changes countrywide.
A window was opened in 1991 to receive new technological inputs. In another five years mobile phones and Internet arrived to change the face of India forever. The replacement of agriculture and manufacturing economies with service brought in huge cash in hands of people in the urban areas. The rural to urban migration increased never before. Among these changes happening in the rest of India, Jammu & Kashmir was still struggling for the basic amenities along with frequent terrorist attacks.
Now with a new assertion of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through popular votes it is significant to strengthen the state. Despite snow and fog, 61% of the state population came and asserted their democratic rights in the ballot box.
KASHMIR’S POLL HISTORY
1962 1967 1972 1977 1983 1987 1996 2002 2008
Electorate 18.4 20.1 23.0 26.6 31.0 35.6 47.6 61.7 64.8
(lakhs)
Turnout(%) 72.8 58.8 66.3 67.7 73.2 74.9 53.9 43.7 60.5
Seats 75 75 75 76 75 76 87 87 87
Candidates 174 206 342 409 512 528 547 709 1354
Source: Times of India, 29 December 2008, P.11
The compulsion to deliver is clear from the words of Omar Abdullah to his father. “This time he must deliver. There is no excuse. Past mistakes should not be repeated and development must take the priority.” If this warning is taken seriously and rulers play a constructive role in changing the scenario then there is no reason for Kashmiris to listen to the separatists forever.
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