Though restrictions on non BJP mainstream leaders have been gradually eased in Kashmir valley but discrimination in freedom of political activities do not head to any dead end even after one year of completion of the withdrawal of special status to Jammu & Kashmir and subsequently it’s downgrading to a union territory. The arrest of PDP workers after protests against the detention of their leader and freedom to carry out political activities to leaders of J&K BJP and a couple of smaller mainstream parties shows that the government does not tend to end discrimination in the conduct of political activities by mainstream leaders. Continuing restrictions on the political activities of the leaders of major mainstream parties’ and giving full freedom to the workers of BJP and a couple of smaller mainstream parties shows that government still fears the launch of public protests by the leaders of frontline mainstream parties against last year’s August 5 decisions announced and implemented to bifurcate the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state into two union territories and withdrawal of special status to the erstwhile state. Not discrimination in the freedom of political activities but a process of political reconciliation is the only way to restore the faith of the people in the working of the democracy and henceforth the government. Though silencing critics and rivals is an insult to democracy but unfortunately the governments both in Jammu & Kashmir and as well as at the centre take pride in enforcing crackdowns on leaders of the major mainstream parties and yet again claim that “ not a single soul cried for the detention of leaders for one year”.
Political alternatives can’t be neither imposed nor denied to people in any part of the country and same holds good for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Consequently rules and laws can’t be imposed from the centre but the elected representatives of Jammu & Kashmir as promised by Home Minister of the country on the floor of the parliament have to be given the right to take decisions on basic citizenship rights, institutional working and constitution status of Jammu & Kashmir since downgraded from a state to a union territory. A non discriminatory freedom of political activities is the only key to restoration of democracy, peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir.
When hapless populations are put under severe lockdown how come the people would dear to come out to protest against the detention of leaders. Even if the official argument that people did not bother to cry for detained leaders due to their misconduct and betrayals is to be believed but it is also an irrefutable fact that people of Kashmir don’t also endorse the government’s policy of lockdowns and crackdowns. If people are angry with one class of mainstream parties, they are at liberty to strive for a political alternative that may work for the accomplishment of their wishes and aspirations. Political alternatives can’t be neither imposed nor denied to people in any part of the country and same holds good for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Consequently rules and laws can’t be imposed from the centre but the elected representatives of Jammu & Kashmir as promised by Home Minister of the country on the floor of the parliament have to be given the right to take decisions on basic citizenship rights, institutional working and constitution status of Jammu & Kashmir since downgraded from a state to a union territory. A non discriminatory freedom of political activities is the only key to restoration of democracy, peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir.
