World
Kashmir to Hold Legislative Elections After a Decade of Suspension
Kashmir is set to hold legislative elections after a decade-long suspension, marking a significant political shift in the region. Discover the implications and what this means for local governance and the future of democracy in Kashmir.
Upcoming Legislative Elections in Kashmir
For the first time in a decade, the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir in India is set to hold elections for its regional legislature, with polls scheduled to begin next month, as announced by the country’s election commission on Friday. This significant development marks a crucial step towards restoring a degree of self-governance to Kashmir, following the controversial revocation of its semiautonomous status by the Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, which also led to the suspension of democratic processes in the region.
In a landmark ruling last December, India’s Supreme Court addressed a case challenging the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status. While the court upheld the government’s decision, it mandated the initiation of a process to elect a democratically constituted government and to work towards restoring statehood to what is officially designated as Jammu and Kashmir.
“Everyone we met wanted elections,” stated Rajiv Kumar, India’s chief election commissioner, during a press conference in New Delhi, referencing his recent visit to the troubled region. This sentiment underscores the desire among the local populace for a return to democratic governance.
Kashmir has long been a focal point of a protracted and contentious dispute between India and Pakistan. The Indian-administered territory has been plagued by decades of political instability and unrest. The conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of tens of thousands of lives, including militants, Indian soldiers, and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of an ongoing insurgency.
The legislative election that was originally slated for 2019 was postponed after the federal government in New Delhi assumed direct control over the region, which remains unique in India due to its Muslim majority. The upcoming elections hold the promise of re-establishing a political framework that reflects the will of the people in Kashmir.