News Analysis |
Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhary has once again urged India government to pay attention to what is going on in Indian occupied Kashmir. Mr. Chaudhary grilled the Indian government over the security crisis in Kashmir on Monday and claimed that it does not have the nerve to hold elections in the occupied territory despite “military presence”.
As a matter of fact, military personnel roam around the valley and ensure the usage of all possible violent measures to counter the indigenous freedom movement. Federal Minister pointed out the same and reminded India that “700,000 troops have been deployed in Indian held Kashmir [with] one soldier to every 10 civilians”.
A political crisis in June last year led to the Governor rule in IoK as the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of 25-member BJP support in the state.
India is going to hold the general elections next month. This is going to be the largest democratic exercise where more than 900 million citizens will utilize their right to vote. However, the Indian Election Commission (IEC) on Mar 10 announced that assembly elections in IoK (India-occupied Kashmir) would not be held along with Lok Sabha (national assembly) elections.
Keeping the same context into view the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) grilled the Indian political elite saying “despite [the military presence], you do not have the guts to conduct [fair] elections in the occupied territory.” The minister further urged the Indian government to stop being stubborn and give the Kashmiri populace their long-due right to self-determination.
Read more: Pulwama Attack: Modi’s master plan before the upcoming election?
The decision of IEC attracted criticism and highlighted the failure of Modi’s policy in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister of IoK took it to the Twitter to condemn the decision and said, “Decision to hold only Parliamentary elections in J&K confirms sinister designs of GoI. Not letting people elect a government is antithetical to the very idea of democracy. Also a tactic of buying time to disempower people by pushing an agenda that suits their ulterior motives.”
Decision to hold only Parliamentary elections in J&K confirms sinister designs of GoI. Not letting people elect a government is antithetical to the very idea of democracy. Also a tactic of buying time to disempower people by pushing an agenda that suits their ulterior motives.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 10, 2019
An Indian journalist, Suhasini Haider remarked that the Governor’s rule itself has been demonstrative of the failed democratic practices; she wrote, “Failure to hold J&K Assembly elections along with General elections is an unfortunate message to send out. Governor’s rule, which in itself denotes a failure of the democratic process, has been compounded by a failure to stem violence, leading up to intelligence failure at Pulwama.”
Failure to hold J&K Assembly elections along with General elections is an unfortunate message to send out. Governor's rule,which in itself denotes a failure of the democratic process, has been compounded by a failure to stem violence,leading up to intelligence failure at Pulwama
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) March 10, 2019
Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of IoK accused Modi of the situation and wrote on Twitter, “First time since 1996 Assembly elections in J&K are not being held on time. Remember this the next time you are praising PM Modi for his strong leadership.”
First time since 1996 Assembly elections in J&K are not being held on time. Remember this the next time you are praising PM Modi for his strong leadership.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 10, 2019
“In 2014 we had Lok Sabha elections on time & assembly elections on schedule even after the most devastating floods. Shows how badly the BJP & earlier the BJP-PDP mishandled J&K,” he went on to say.
In 2014 we had Lok Sabha elections on time & assembly elections on schedule even after the most devastating floods. Shows how badly the BJP & earlier the BJP-PDP mishandled J&K.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 10, 2019
Indian political leader Mayawati of Bahujan Amaj Party (BSP) also criticized Modi and said, “Denying J&K assembly’s simultaneous poll with the Lok Sabha is poor reflection & indicative of Modi Govt’s failure of Kashmir policy. Forces are surely capable of holding poll for both on the same day much to relief of people. Centre’s logic is poor & BJP’s excuse is childish.”
Denying J&K assembly's simultaneous poll with the Lok Sabha is poor reflection & indicative of Modi Govt's failure of Kashmir policy. Forces are surely capable of holding poll for both on the same day much to relief of people. Centre's logic is poor & BJP's excuse is childish.
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 11, 2019
Indian occupied Kashmir has been under President’s rule since Dec 2018 after the Governor Rule expired. A political crisis in June last year led to the Governor rule in IoK as the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of 25-member BJP support in the state.
The decision of not holding elections now in IoK have set off avalanche of criticism in India. It reflects the failure of Prime Minister Modi’s policies and suppression of Kashmiris; exactly the reason youth in Kashmir has been opting extreme measures like Pulwama attack to be heard for their self-right.
PM Modi and Indian media quickly blamed Pakistan for the attack but internationally, media and political analysts pointed out that India needs to look into their Kashmir policy which has forced Kashmiri youth take arms instead of peace talks.
Pakistan has always been the proponent of Kashmiris right to self-determination. Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi have repeatedly stated that Pakistan wants a permanent solution to Kashmir dispute where gross violations of human rights are being committed by Indian armed forces. Following the same line, United Nations, European Parliament and international human rights organizations have shown severe reservations over the use of indiscriminate force in Kashmir where several women have been raped and innocent children killed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be the man who has used unprecedented force in India Occupied Kashmir to suppress the ongoing freedom movement. Many of his critics point out that PM Modi’s policy of force has largely proven counterproductive. Recently, a young Kashmiri blew himself up on the road targeting Indian soldiers.
Read more: ‘Fake news’ barrage raises fear ahead of Indian elections
The attack claimed the lives of more than 40 paramilitary personals. PM Modi and Indian media quickly blamed Pakistan for the attack but internationally, media and political analysts pointed out that India needs to look into their Kashmir policy which has forced Kashmiri youth take arms instead of peace talks.