Kashmir Ready to Vote After Decades of Boycotts to Limit Modi’s Power

For many years, residents in Indian-controlled Kashmir have used election boycotts as a powerful form of protest against Indian governance. However, as a local election approaches on Wednesday, a significant number of residents are prepared to cast their votes as a means to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party from establishing control in the region.

This election marks a pivotal moment, being the first held in a decade and the first since Modi’s Hindu nationalist government revoked the region’s special status in 2019, reducing the former state to a union territory governed directly by the central government. This controversial move was celebrated by Modi’s supporters in India but was largely seen in Kashmir as an attack on the region’s identity and autonomy.

Abdul Rashid, a Shangus village resident, stated, “Boycotts will not work in this election. There is a desperate need to end the onslaught of changes coming from there (India).” His sentiments reflect a collective desire among many in the region to reclaim some degree of self-governance and representation.

This election will enable Kashmir to establish a local government and assembly, replacing the direct rule that has been in place. The last assembly elections took place in 2014, when Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party formed a coalition government with the local Peoples Democratic Party. However, that alliance collapsed in 2018, leading to an extended period of centralized control.

While past elections have often been marred by violence, boycotts, and allegations of rigging, the Indian government positions this election as a step toward restoring democratic principles after decades of turmoil. Locals view the polls as an opportunity to not only elect their own leaders but also to signal their discontent regarding the 2019 changes.

The election will unfold in three phases, with the second and third phases scheduled for September 25 and October 1. Vote counting will take place on October 8, with results expected to be released that day.

The region of Kashmir has long been a point of contention between India and Pakistan. Since their independence in 1947, the two nations have fought two wars over Kashmir, with both claiming the territory in full. The Indian-controlled section of the region was reorganized into two separate territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, under direct control from New Delhi. This shift led to significant anxiety and discontent among the local populace.

Pro-India parties from Kashmir are now contesting the elections, many of whose leaders were jailed during the political upheaval in 2019. These parties aim to restore the changes made in 2019. Additionally, some former separatist leaders are participating in the elections as independent candidates.

The Indian National Congress, advocating for the reinstatement of Kashmir’s statehood, has formed an alliance with the National Conference, the region’s largest political entity. In contrast, the BJP enjoys substantial backing in the predominantly Hindu regions of Jammu, while it has less support in the Kashmir Valley, a hotspot for anti-India sentiment.

Chuni Lal, a shopkeeper in Jammu, expressed a concern for governance through local representatives and noted that a BJP-led government in the region would align with its central position in New Delhi.

Despite this local election granting some measure of power, the assembly will still function as a “Union Territory,” with its chief minister and council of ministers operating under supervision from the federal government. This means that while topics like education and culture can be managed locally, the assembly will lack control over law enforcement. Full statehood must be reinstated for the local government to have comparability with other Indian states, but it will not regain the unique powers previously held before the 2019 reforms.

Following a Supreme Court ruling last year, local elections were mandated, and the central government promised to restore Kashmir’s statehood post-elections—although the timeline remains unclear.

Election integrity has long been questioned in Indian-held Kashmir, with many alleging that past votes have been manipulated to favor the pro-India politicians who then served to undermine Kashmir’s special status, reinforcing New Delhi’s presence in the region.

The political landscape shifted in the mid-1980s when pro-independence groups emerged, fueled by widespread claims of rigging during the 1987 elections. This spurred a backlash, with some activists taking up arms to call for either a united Kashmir or independence from both India and Pakistan.

Political scientist Noor Ahmed Baba noted that while the electoral results may not significantly alter the Kashmir conflict, they have substantial implications for local governance and representation. A victory for local parties could apply pressure on the central government while also questioning the legitimacy of the changes made since 2019.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP is perceived to be backing certain independent candidates and parties. National Conference candidate Tanvir Sadiq has openly accused the BJP of attempting to sway election outcomes by dividing the vote through independent runners.

For many residents, this election represents an opportunity to choose representatives who can address numerous pressing concerns. While it may not resolve the wider dispute over Kashmir, local voters view this as a necessary chance to voice their frustrations regarding direct Indian rule.

“We need some relief and end to bureaucratic rule here,” expressed Rafiq Ahmed, a taxi driver in Srinagar.