The reality of elections in J&K.

Indian decision to hold elections in jammu & kashmir against the wishes of the people at this point of time demonstrates its ill motives as the people there are yet to overcome recent brutalities incurred on them during recent Amarnath Row & the subsequent economic blockade of the valley. Elections in Kashmir ensure the continuity of a political engagement with India which bears a democratic patina, but essentially thwarts the efforts for addressing the demand for self-determination. In spite of unabated elections, the Kashmir conflict remains alive. The process of elections and campaigning has a different mood in Kashmir. Candidates contesting elections usually function under maximum security. Although there may be token banners and placards announcing candidates, the routine fanfare accompanying such events is missing as is the attendance of mainstream masses. The election exercises have shown in the past, the extremes, to which India went to hold the fraudulent elections. It was common to see election candidates campaigning amongst people who were forced to listen with bayonets pointed at them. During the election the people were herded to polling stations to cast their votes at gunpoint. Elections in kashmir have always been, a mere eye-wash, by the occupier Indian regime to counter the demand of "Right to self-determination" by the local populace. Elections can in no way hamper the struggle of kashmiris against the illegal occupation of their homeland by India and the "oppression & suppression" by the Indian forces as for decades now, Kashmir and elections have shared a tense and confusing history. It is a history where some men take to opportunist politics, some are reluctant to participate and the majority steer clear. The process of elections in Kashmir has historically entailed rigging and suppression of dissent, which even well-known Indians have criticized. Kashmiri people are being subjected to a new wave of oppression and atrocities by the Indian authorities, and human rights abuses by Indian occupation forces are on the increase, perhaps with a view to forcing the masses not to oppose the elections in the occupied territory. The election boycott calls by the various outfits and the decision of the coordination committee for long marches on the polling days has forced the government to devise a “comprehensive strategy” to counter the Coordination Committee’s proposed marches on election days. The government is likely to isolate the constituencies going for polls while restricting the movement of people in rest of the Valley by imposing an undeclared curfew. In view of all this, i feel that every single soul in kashmir must come out of their homes on polling days & march peacefully towards polling stations. They must tie black badges, ribbons, flags on their arms, head & vehicles to register their protest at polling stations. It will not only help in keeping black-sheep away from voting but letting the world discover the reality. ashfaq zehgeer new delhi