In Kashmir nowadays, the eye capturing headline is Lok Sabha polls. The confused person is a common civilian, who is waiting for orders. From one side, the rebels of Kashmiri freedom movement along with Hurriyat leaders has pleaded not to participate in the elections, on the other side, the mainstream parties pleading people to cast their votes to save Kashmir from fascist forces. The question arises can we boycott or participate in the upcoming elections. The Valley of Kashmir is most Muslim populated state. However, the people claim Kashmir as secular state in which minorities are living happily. The roots of the secularism were strong in the valley right from the past. In the modern period, Prem Nath Bazaz called it the Kashmiriyat. The question arises again that what is the legitimacy of a secular state, when judged according to Islam? Is it permissible or prohibited for Muslims to vote in elections of the modern secular state? An Egyptian Islamic scholar based in USA circulated a fatwa (legal opinion), that it is compulsory (Wajib) for Muslims to vote in elections of modern secular state. This fatwa laid its impacts on Muslims not to refrain from voting, otherwise they have committed sin. On the other hand, Dr. Israr Ahmad, a Pakistani Islamic scholar has categorically declared that it is Haram (Prohibited) for Muslims to participate in the electoral politics.
Muslims are reminded all over the world for the conception of political organization and of state there was no kufr and shirk, which was known as Islamic caliphate. The caliphate was destroyed by Europe, which was grabbed in Christianity for materialism. It was strangely armed with scientific and technological power that appeared to be in destructible. Such power was used to eliminate the roots of Islamic Caliphate. The relentless and merciless attacks on Islamic civilization continued for more than one thousand years and which witnessed the destruction of caliphate in 1924. The whole Muslims come under the influence of European political control. Not only Islamic civilization was disarrayed, but also a fast approaching a state of total economic enslavement though capitalism emerged. Western rule imposed the new godless political system based on kufr and shirk. The ottoman caliphate emerged into the modern secular Turkish state. The Dar-ul-Islam of Arabian Peninsulawas destroyed. The states devised a system of electoral politics for constituting parliament, government and judges. The elected governments were to be constituted in a system in which all had to oblige, they had to accept such a government as lawful, legitimate and authorized to rule over them. There is nothing in the revealed scriptures (Torah, Gospel and Quran) or in the Sunnah (way of life of Prophets) that can justify participating in such elections in which they freely vote for such a government as lawful to govern over them. On the contrary, there is very clear prohibition of such conduct.
Nor does he share his command (i.e. sovereignty, supreme authority, governance, rule etc.) with anyone who so else (Al-Kahf 18:26). Praise to Allah, who has no partner in his sovereignty (Bani-Israel 17:111, Al-Furqan 25:2). However, in the present scenario, the valley is trapped in a such way that the life of a common individual is breathless. Chaos, confusion, human rights violations are common there. The state served mostly under governor rule, which changed the scenario of the state. Now people were not given the religious freedom which article 25 of the Indian Constitutions guarantees them. After the killing of Burhan Wani in June 2016, the Jamia Masjid of Srinagar was closed for 19 weeks. In 2017 and 2018. It was locked 18 times and 12 times respectively. In 2019, two organization were banned under UAPA Act 2006. Most of the schools related to these organizations were closed. In such chaos and confusion, it is tough time for Kashmir, whether to boycott or participate. Keeping in view the weakness of Indian democracy, even single vote can decide the political setup in Kashmir as we have seen in municipal and panchayat polls. However, checking the profile of our politicians, then to be better to boycott the polls. Their atrocities and decisions had made the valley hell. The power politics of Kashmir is responsible for the bloodshed that is going in Kashmir. While on the other side, it is important to form a government for the stability of the state. If any party would be in power, then it becomes easier to defend the fascist forces.
( The author pursuing post doctoral research at Centre for Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies School of Social Sciences Central University of Gujarat Gandhinagar. Views are his own)
