Kashmir’s democratic dream is betrayed as elected power is held hostage by unelected authority. Despite promises of revival, Jammu and Kashmir remains under a dual system of power, with the Centre’s unrestrained control eroding public trust.
The morning of July 14, 2025, unveiled a painful truth for the people of Jammu and Kashmir: their long-awaited return to democracy was only symbolic. What was supposed to be a routine, respectful visit by the newly elected Chief Minister to the graveyard of martyrs in Srinagar turned into a moment of national concern and local humiliation. Prevented by the police, allegedly mishandled, and placed under house arrest along with his cabinet, the Chief Minister was denied even the basic dignity that an elected public servant deserves. This incident wasn’t just about security. It was a public display of who truly holds power in Jammu and Kashmir, and it’s not the people.
A Decade Without Democracy
The last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014. Since then, the region has been under prolonged central control first through President’s Rule, and eventually through the Lieutenant Governor’s administration after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. In 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation but laid out a three-step roadmap for restoring democracy:
- Delimitation of constituencies
- Assembly elections
- Restoration of statehood at the earliest
While the first two steps have been completed, the third statehood remains missing. And until that is done, true democracy in Jammu and Kashmir remains an illusion.
The Incident That Betrayed The Mandate
The Chief Minister, elected after ten years of political silence, sought only to pay homage at a symbolic site. He was met with barricades, blocked roads, and a heavy police presence. The justification is “security concerns.” But to the people, this was something else entirely: a message that elected authority in Kashmir is secondary to unelected command. Visuals and eyewitness reports suggest not only a denial of permission but also alleged physical mishandling of the Chief Minister. This wasn’t just an act of bureaucratic excess; it was a blatant betrayal of the democratic mandate given by millions of Kashmiris.
A Dual System Of Power
What governs Jammu and Kashmir today is not a unified democratic administration, but a split between two powers: One elected by the people, but denied real authority. One appointed by the Centre, but wielding unchecked power. The Home Department, Law & Order, and intelligence, the crucial organs of governance, are still under the LG’s control. How can an elected Chief Minister serve his people when he can’t even step out without permission from an unelected official?
The Psychological Cost Of Disempowerment
What happened on July 14 wasn’t just a political insult; it was a psychological wound. Young voters who participated in the elections for the first time believed in the promise of peaceful politics. The sight of their elected leader being restrained like a criminal, while unelected officials run the state, damages their faith. In a region that has suffered from years of alienation, the danger isn’t just political instability; it’s the complete erosion of hope.
Centre’s Failure To Win The People’s Trust
Despite ruling the region administratively for years, the BJP failed to win a single seat in the Kashmir Valley, not in the assembly, not in Parliament. The people have spoken clearly: they do not align with the party’s ideology or policies. And yet, through the LG administration, the same party continues to exert control over governance, bypassing the elected leadership and deepening the democratic vacuum. This is not national integration. This is political denial.
Constitutional Obligations Ignored
The Supreme Court’s directive to restore statehood was not optional. It was a legal duty. Yet, there has been no timeline, no roadmap, and no urgency from the Centre. Kashmiris are being governed without statehood, without real autonomy, and now, without the dignity of respecting their elected leaders. What happened on July 14 was not merely an administrative act. It was a violation of the constitutional spirit. Would any other Indian state tolerate this? The answer is a resounding no. Why should Kashmir be treated differently?
Respect The Vote, Restore The State
The right to vote is sacred. The people of Jammu and Kashmir participated in these elections not out of habit, but out of hope. Hope for peace, development, and dignity. The Chief Minister and his Cabinet represent not a party, but the people. To deny them movement, authority, and respect is to deny the people their power. If democracy is to mean anything in India, it must start with honouring the people’s will. That means restoring statehood, empowering elected institutions, and ensuring that never again will the police stop an elected CM from performing his duties.
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call For The Nation
July 14 should be remembered not just in Kashmir, but across India. It exposed a bitter truth that elections mean nothing if the elected are powerless. Let this be a moment of reflection: for bureaucrats, for politicians, and for every Indian who values the Constitution. Real democracy begins not with the counting of votes, but with the counting of people’s will.
Let Kashmir breathe. Let democracy lead.
The writer, a Law student, is the spokesperson of the Students Union at the Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal
Yasir Ganderbali
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