How ‘Apni’ will the ‘Apni Party’ prove for Kashmir
(Mushtaq Hurra)
Erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has been experiencing a political deadlock since the abrogation of its special status, on August 5, 2019. Government of India had enforced curfew and clampdown to avert any probable protests or loss of life in the erstwhile state.
The curbs continued for months together. Communication lines were down, schools and other educational institutions remained shut for prolonged periods. Business transactions had almost evaporated. Separatist and mainstream politicians were either house arrested or jailed. Even many were booked under PSA. But, amid this entire chaotic situation, there was almost no loss of life compared to the unrest periods in 2010 and 2016.
Then, the curbs were gradually reduced. It took authorities almost four months to ease out some restrictions. Voice calling on landlines and mobile phones was restored. Even, after the intervention of Judiciary, internet services were also restored though with restricted speed. Print media resumed its functioning after many days of clampdown. Business and other services were also restored. Educational operations were resuscitated, and with the passage of time, life returned to normal in Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision to repeal the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and its reorganization evoked mixed response from different quarters of the country. Opposition parties of India castigated government on the floor of the house, and went on to call it a political murder. Anyways, many commoners across the country, welcomed it while as some expressed their resentment and anguish. Even, some went to file law suits in the apex court of the country. Media houses of the country remained abuzz with this issue for many days. Even, the echoes of the decision were reverberating in the UN Security Council.
Amid all this vacillation, the political vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir deepened. With political leaders under detention, no political development took place. But, for last two months or so, the scenario has begun to change.
Many political stalwarts have been freed, and many are about to be freed. During the last month, former PDP legislator and finance minister of BJP-PDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, Altaf Bukhari initiated a political resumption in the erstwhile state. He came up with a new political party, ‘Apni Party’ on 8 March 2020. The new party is an amalgamate of different political leaders.
Most of them are the former legislators of people’s democratic party ( PDP ). The likes of Ghulam Hassan Mir, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Hakeem Yaseen, Choudary Zulfkar and others seem to be good enough to make a new political beginning in the erstwhile state but can they vie National Conference ( NC ) which is the oldest party of the erstwhile state, and the latter had shone brightly in the parliamentary elections of 2019 in Kashmir division.
No doubt, Shah Faesal led People’s Movement party can also pose a serious political competition in North Kashmir but I believe, that NC is still at the top of the present political hierarchy in Kashmir. As for Jammu is concerned, we know that it is still a strong BJP bastion. With PDP decimated to a handful of people, the new party led by Altaf Bukhari, has to lock horns with National Conference to earn some space in the political arena of Jammu and Kashmir.
But, for full resumption and restoration of political process in Jammu and Kashmir, all those leaders should be released who are still under detention. It will add colour and aroma to the political activities in the erstwhile state. Politician turned civil service topper, Shah Faesal, is the prominent detainee who can initiate the beginning of a new political era in the state.
No doubt, there is no space for violence in any law but it can’t deny space to political activities within the ambit of constitution. Government of India should release all the political detainees of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. A political process should be initiated. No doubt, many political detainees have been released but it is not enough. Everyone should be freed. There should be a political initiation from government of India. Diversity of opinion is the beauty of democracy. It grows stronger amid political dissent and strong opposition.
Bukhari led Apni Party could have initiated a political process on the horizon of Jammu and Kashmir but the rage of COVID-19 diminished the possible resurrection of political activities, here.
We, probably, have to wait further, for the restoration of political activities in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. And, during this chaotic situation, the ministry of home affairs, government of India had recently introduced the domicile law in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir which evoked criticism from commoners and different political quarters.
This time, Jammuitees also registered their resentment against the new law. Panther’s party leader Harsh Dev Singh registered a solo protest, asking government of India to amend the law. Fortunately, the new law was amended within a few days. Here, Altaf Bukhari tried to earn some brownie points, and he succeeded to some extent. Many called it a fixed game because Bukhari is believed to be the favourite of ruling regime in India. Congress stalwart, Ghulam Nabi Azad called Bukhari a puppet of BJP. Well, can Bukhari rise to the occasion or not, it is a billion dollar question which can’t be answered prematurely.
But, one thing is clear; Bukhari has a difficult path to tread on. During BJP-PDP regime, these legislators had won a lot public wrath for their different narratives and administrative decisions.
Will people forget their previous follies, will people forgive them so easily, is indeed a question, haunting the brains of many. Here, I am reminded of a famous quote “Old wine in new bottles”. Will people accept this new brand of politicians so easily? Bukhari Sahab has to produce some magic, otherwise, change in nomenclature won’t produce a miracle.
BJP and National Conference are looking favourites in the two divisions of the state viz Jammu and Kashmir. The new party of Altaf Bukhari has a long way to go before it can make any impact on the political map of the erstwhile state. National conference lured people with the slogan of autonomy, PDP with self rule. Can Apni party do it with the slogan of “restoration of statehood “? Time will unfold every mystery and will answer every query. Let’s hope the COVID-19 pandemic ends very soon, and we may witness the restoration of political activities to get our different issues resolved.
(The Writer is a Teacher and can be reached at [email protected])
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