Dawn of Development Elusive in Kashmir Politics

By: Minya Tufail, Asstt. Bureau Chief, ICN J&K

SRINAGAR:With the blow of poll bugle by Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir mainstream parties have started their election campaigning throughout the State. Amid turbulence in South Kashmir, valley is witnessing huge rush in election rallies this time.

In the ongoing process, politicians don’t talk about development of three regions of the State instead sentimental issues are being evoked throughout the valley.

In a recent public gathering at Baramulla constituency, National Conference (NC) Parliamentary candidate Mohammad Akbar Lone shouted slogans in favour of Pakistan. In his speech Lone said, “Pakistan should prosper, successful and may Indo-Pak friendship remain intact. I am a supporter of that friendship. If someone hurls one abuse at them (Pakistan), I will hurl ten slurs from here.  Pakistan is a Muslim nation. This means that if I abuse them, I am abusing myself.”

Although Akbar Lone has received show cause notice from EC’s Returning Officer about his anti-national comments, he’s yet to furnish his reply before the Magistrate.

People’s Democratic Party Chief and former CM of the State Mehbooba Mufti while addressing party workers at her home in Srinagar said, “Revoking of article 370 will automatically scrap the temporary accession of India with Jammu and Kashmir”.

She lambasted Union Minister Arun Jaitley for his Facebook blog in which the later advocated repeal of J&K’s special status and said Article 35-A, which restricts non-permanent residents from buying property in Jammu and Kashmir is, “Constitutionally Vulnerable” and also hampering economic development of the State.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah in a gathering at Pulwama said that, “If NC comes to power, we will ensure the revocation of Public Safety Act from the Constitution book”. It is pertinent to mention here that, Public Safety Act (PSA) is a controversial Act under which a person can be detained without trial for six months. Omar made these remarks in the militant hotbed Pulwama town.

Independent legislator Engineer Rashid towing the same sentimental line & is asking people to vote for him so that he can articulate in Parliament before Sonia Gandhi & Narendra Modi that “Kashmir aapki jageer nahi hai”. He is promising people the right to self determination under the ambit of United Nations.

As youth of Kashmir are loggerheads with mainstream politicians , they reacted sharply to these poll promises made by political parties.

Anisa Farooq, a female student from Department of Law – University of Kashmir said, “Politicians remember us during elections only. They are exploiting the sentiments of common Kashmiris. They promise sky which is not in their domain”.

She further added, “Yesterday two kids got drowned in a stream due to lack of concrete bridge in Rafiabad area of Baramulla. Who is  responsible for their death? It’s these politicians who could not built a single bridge in that area”.

Sheikh Abid, a mass communication researcher said, “Where are the jobs? Why not these politicians talk of employment? It is their seven decade old rhetoric which people of Kashmir are well aware of”.

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