In the disputed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, there is a political vacuum since June 2018. It was then that the poles-apart coalition of BJP and PDP came tumbling down like a pack of cards. No new Legislative Assembly elections were held and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir went under Governor’s rule. Satya Pal Malik, the Governor, later left for Goa in 2019. In August 2019, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories, that of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. For the first time, the post of LG came into existence in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The first LG, Girish Chandra Murmu, was replaced by Manoj Sinha within a year.
There still exists, however, a political vacuum because democracy is all about government chosen by the people. When the common people feel powerless, what is the fun in replacing one leader with another?
In this political vacuum, there are many problems being faced by common people. Let us look at some difficulties here. Firstly, people have lost faith in democracy. When in the garb of democracy dictatorship reigns, people no longer believe in democratic processes. When a sane voice is choked on the basis of so-called nationalism, there remains no space for dissent and democracy dies. Dissent is the safety valve of democracy. Since 1951-52, the common people of Jammu and Kashmir have never been taken into account. They are for name’s sake only. Their numbers matter only in the times of elections. After that, they are worthless. But since 2018, people are more disgruntled than before. They can’t believe how they have foolishly been deceived by the ideals of democracy.
Secondly, the Constitution of India has become unconstitutional. The charming slogans of the Constitution have fallen flat. Vested interests have taken over and the Constitution has been kept aside. Constitutional principles have been trampled upon in J&K. The way Article 370 was abrogated, it shows that all constitutional morality has been lost. A whole region was placed under one of the most severe forms of restrictions. Amid the communication blockade, the fear of death loomed large in the air. All constitutional remedies were thrown into the dustbin. Habeas Corpus petitions were given the shortest shrift. There is no difference now between a political prisoner and an “anti-national”. Bails take inordinate time to be granted. The courts have become like kangaroo courts. A trial goes on and on for decades without any verdict on the horizon. Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court have also come under the undue influence of the Parliament and the Prime Minister. Federalism has become a unitary system instead of a collaborative one.
The third effect is that development has been lost somewhere. There is no social development, economic development, or moral development. Grievances are growing with each passing day. The common people want solutions of their problems but there seems no end to their sufferings. No elected government means no representation. People find themselves in the wilderness. Educational system is in ruins. Continuous shutdowns have taken heavy toll of students. Precious years are getting wasted. Schools and tuitions are shut since long, syllabus is incomplete, teachers are fed up with the continuous shutdowns. Many people related to the educational sector other than teachers are bearing the brunt. They have been neglected. Their lives have become difficult.
The fourth effect is that diseases are on rise. Mental diseases are spreading in every nook and corner of the valley. Encounters, stone pelting incidents, CASOs, etc., have made our lives hellish. Depression is common here. Suicides have become the order of the day. Adolescents commit suicide on a large scale due to the emptiness in their lives. Sane voices are not listened to while insane voices rule the roost. Remaining away from near and dear ones during the lockdown periods has made the youth, in particular, subject to many diseases.
The fifth effect is that we feel neglected and biased. We are at the receiving end. On the international level everyone is heard but us. Our so-called leaders are indifferent to us. They are only interested in money and fame. They never bother about the common masses. Our human rights violations are taken up by other people.
The need of the hour is to fill this political vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir. Resistance is in our veins. Suppression and repression will never work here. “Healing touch” is the need of the hour. “The sky is the limit” should be implemented in letter and spirit. We need balm on our wounds. Our wounds bleed every day. How long shall we die like this? Is there an end to our sufferings? The question remains.

Syed Mustafa Ahmad