On August 8, 2018, when rumours about the Supreme Court hearing a batch of petitions challenging Article 35-A spread across Kashmir, crowds surged onto the streets and\u00a0clashed with security forces, armed to the teeth, in various parts of the Valley, leaving more than 30 people injured.<\/p>\n
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Although people did not protest on August 5, 2019, the actual day when Article 370 was scrapped amidst elaborate security arrangements and a stringent communication blockade, the Valley has witnessed a notable shift in violence since then.
\nThe recently concluded LoK Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are the most tangible reflection of this gradual shift towards democratic preferences from violent resistance.<\/p>\nIn contrast to the past chants like \u201cone solution, gun solution\u201d\u00a0that echoed\u00a0\u00a0through the narrow streets of Kashmir, there is now an inclination towards embracing democratic means.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nViolence to democratic inclination
\n<\/h5>\nSince the 1987 assembly elections, widely perceived as rigged polls which spurred\u00a0militancy in the region, people\u00a0leaned towards\u00a0violent resistance as means to address issues.\u00a0\u00a0From demand for\u00a0Azadi\u00a0<\/i>to\u00a0basic needs like\u00a0Bijli, Pani and Sadak,<\/i>\u00a0violence was a common recourse.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past 35 years of turmoil in Kashmir, there has been a significant political socialisation of violence. Even to address issues of common concern, people would\u00a0turn to violence as a means of highlighting their grievances,\u201d said a political observer.<\/p>\n
However, during these LS polls, there seemed to be a pronounced change in this established pattern of violence, he pointed out.<\/p>\n
The large participation of people, particularly youth, in the electoral process is symptomatic of a shift towards a more inclusive and democratic approach.<\/p>\n
\nVenting anger\u00a0
\n<\/h5>\nAfter the Union government stripped J&K of its special status and split it into two Union Territories (UTs)\u2014J&K and Ladakh \u2014 people of Ladakh took to the streets in favour of their demands for statehood and inclusion of the region in the Constitution\u2019s sixth schedule. An eerie silence, on the other hand, enveloped the Valley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While some\u00a0leaders of Kashmir-headquartered political parties termed this silence as an enforced one, citing\u00a0strong arm methods adopted by the government as the reason, people saw the\u00a0polls as an opportunity to vent their anger\u00a0and register their protest against the policies pursued by the government since August 5, 2019.<\/p>\n
In their rallies, the principal political parties like the National Conference and the People\u2019s Democratic Party repeatedly said that they were not fighting the elections for improving amenities like\u00a0Bijli and Pani,<\/i>\u00a0but to safeguard their distinct identity land and other constitutional rights.<\/p>\n
The popular \u201cgun solution\u201d slogans once hanging heavy in the air on the streets of the Valley were replaced by \u201cjail ka badla vote se<\/i>\u00a0(the answer to jail is our vote)\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is not only about venting out our frustration or breaking the silence. It is also about resolving issues democratically,\u201d said Tariq Ahmad, an unemployed youth.<\/p>\n
He said that had it been for expressing anger only, he could have chosen the NOTA option. Interestingly,\u00a0businessline\u00a0<\/i>during its election coverage, did not find people, particularly\u00a0youth, polling for NOTA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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