As the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections approach on September 18, 2024, a crucial question looms large for the displaced Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community: Should they participate in these elections? The issue is far from straightforward, as it touches upon deep-seated concerns about representation, fairness, and the practical realities of their displacement.
For over 35 years, the displaced KP community has been living in exile, far from their ancestral homes in the Kashmir Valley. Despite being voters in these constituencies, they are not physically present to benefit from the elected representatives’ work. The funds allocated to these constituencies, meant for development and welfare, cannot serve the needs of those living hundreds of miles away in different states of the Indian nation. This disconnect raises the question: What real benefit do displaced KPs derive from participating in an election where they have no voice or stake in the local issues?
Politicians, political parties and agencies are urging displaced KPs to shift their votes back to the Valley, despite knowing that the community lives outside the region in practical and physical terms. This insistence on their participation in the Valley’s electoral process is not just a logistical challenge but also raises ethical and democratic concerns. Voting for candidates who cannot address their immediate needs, or whose constituency they do not reside in, goes against the principles of fair representation and democratic integrity.
The argument for participation in these Assembly elections is often framed as a matter of maintaining a connection to the Valley. However, this connection is symbolic at best, as the displaced KP community remains cut off from the benefits of their vote.
The upcoming elections in J&K are unlikely to bring any tangible benefits to the displaced KP community. Voting in constituencies they do not live in, and for candidates who cannot serve their interests, is neither democratically fair nor ethically sound. The community must carefully consider whether participation in these elections truly serves their long-term interests or if it’s time to demand a more just and representative system. The choice to participate or boycott must be made with the understanding that their voice, when united, can challenge the current electoral framework that fails to accommodate their reality.
.It is imperative to adopt an honest and proper approach that truly addresses the unique circumstances of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, rather than treating them as mere electoral pawns.
This is also the right time for displaced Kashmiri Pandits, who are currently residing outside the valley in various parts of the country, to reconsider being pressured to vote for unknown candidates from the Valley. As responsible and true citizens of India, we must question whether it is appropriate to vote under these circumstances. The community must seriously consider whether to vote, abstain, or boycott the upcoming elections to send a powerful message of dissatisfaction and displeasure to both the Government of India and the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for ignoring and isolating them.
[ Kundan Kashmiri]
Kashmir watcher & President Kashmiri Pandit Conference ( KPC) Email-kundankashmiri@gmail.com –Mobile No.880 2167955