Politics of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a region administered by India as a union territory with similar setup as Puducherry.[1] Until 2019, it was one of the states administered by India.

BJP's Jitendra Singh (left), PM Narendra Modi (centre) and NC's Omar Abdullah (right)

Location
Main articles: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and List of constituencies of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly

Jammu, in the south, borders the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the union territory of Ladakh, and the nation of Pakistan. The Kashmir Valley, in the northwest, borders Ladakh and the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are administered by Pakistan but claimed by India. Ladakh was formerly a part of the Jammu and Kashmir state and became a union territory on 31 October 2019.

Governance system
Main article: Mayor of Srinagar

Like the union territory of Puducherry, Indian administered parts of Jammu & Kashmir have a multi-party democratic system of governance. The primary political parties include the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC), the Indian National Congress (Congress), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)[2] and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

History

In 1947, Jammu and Kashmir (princely state) signed Instrument of Accession and became integral part of India.[3] Historically, some sections of Kashmiri Muslims from Kashmir Valley area have preferred greater autonomy and sovereignty for the region and have even proposed an independent Kashmir. However the significantly populated community of the Muslim Bakarwals, Jamwals of Jammu, Dogras, Sikhs, Ladakhis and Buddhists who live in the region liked to see the state fully integrated into India. Some of radicalized Kashmiri Muslims[4] also have inclination towards Pakistan since a small part of Kashmir is under Pakistan Control after tribal invasion from Pakistan in 1947.[5] There has also been a number of separatist movements, both political and militant, mostly led by hardline Muslim leaders. However, in recent years a growing number of Kashmiri Muslims have been leaning towards remaining in India for economic and cultural reasons.[6][7]link dead [8][9][10]

Special Status

Jammu and Kashmir was the only Indian state that had its own flag. The state flag of Jammu and Kashmir consisted of the native plough on a red background which is a symbol of labour. The three stripes represented the three administrative divisions of the state, namely Jammu, Valley of Kashmir, and Ladakh.[11] However, as a temporary Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which granted Jammu and Kashmir autonomy, was abrogated in August 2019, the flag has lost its official status.

Furthermore, a 2008 report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that State of Jammu and Kashmir is one and only 'Partly free' state in India.[12]

Reorganisation in 2019

In August 2019, the Government of India introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha and moved resolution to scrap the Article 370 from the Constitution of India and bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir with a legislation like Delhi, and Ladakh with a legislation like Chandigarh.[13]

Election issues
Main article: Elections in Jammu and Kashmir

Main election issues are:

Kashmir division
Development

Several development issues in Kashmir are like electricity supply, road/rail connectivity and education reach.[14][15][16]

Return of Kashmiri pandits

Issue of return of Kashmiri Hindus especially Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir Valley or Panun Kashmir after 1989 Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus.[17][18]

Security and end of insurgency

Security volunteer citizen forces like Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen[19] and Village Defence Committees have pending salary issues.[20] Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir are an ongoing issue. The abuses range from mass killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and sexual abuse to political repression and suppression of freedom of speech. The Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Personnel (BSF) and various separatist militant groups[21][22] have been accused and held accountable for committing severe human rights abuses against Kashmiri civilians.[23][24][25]

Jammu Division

Voters of Jammu demand greater representation as per their population in state legislative assembly.[26][27][28][29][30]

Political parties of Jammu & Kashmir
PDP's Mehbooba Mufti

Major Political parties are:[31]

See also

References
  1. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/new-jk-to-be-like-puducherry-here-is-how-indias-new-union-territory-jk-will-function/articleshow/70532687.cms
  2. "BJP launches website ahead of Modi's rally in Jammu & Kashmir".
  3. Tripathi, Rahul (6 August 2019). "Instrument of Accession: From 1947 till date". The Economic Times. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. Das, Shaswati (13 January 2020). "Infiltration down to a trickle in J&K, but radicalization rampant among locals". Livemint. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  5. Khan, M Ilyas (22 October 2017). "How tribesmen took on a maharaja's army". BBC News. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. "A growing peace constituency - Times of India". The Times of India.
  7. "Welcome to Frontline : Vol. 29 :: No. 13". Hinduonnet.com. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  8. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/over-a-dozen-activists-from-north-kashmir-join-bjp-in-jammu/article30770894.ece
  9. https://kashmir.today/joining-bjp-act-jihad/amp/
  10. https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/meet-the-kashmiri-muslims-who-back-the-hindu-nationalist-bjp-25967/amp
  11. http://jkgad.nic.in/statutory/Rules-Constitution-of-J&K.pdf
  12. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2 July 2008). "Refworld | Freedom in the World 2008 - Kashmir [India]". UNHCR. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  13. "Govt introduces J&K Reorganisation Bill 2019 in Rajya Sabha; moves resolution revoking Article 370 | DD News". www.ddnews.gov.in. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  14. "Opinion - India Is Building a More Prosperous Kashmir". The New York Times. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  15. "These Shopian villages get electricity for first time in 70 years » Kashmir.Today". Kashmir.Today. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  16. "Hopeful of completing Katra-Banihal rail link by Dec 2022: Railway Board chairman - India News". The Times of India. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  17. "Lok Sabha elections 2014: Over 1,80,00O Kashmiri Pandits entitled to vote in Baramulla". The Economic Times. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  18. Latief, Samiya (7 April 2014). "BJP manifesto: Narendra Modi's plan for Kashmir". India.com. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  19. "Lost generation of Kashmir's Ikhwanis looks at politics to revive relevance in 'new J&K'". ThePrint. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  20. "VDC members demand fixation of wages". Daily Excelsior. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  21. "Ten Killed In Kashmir Bomb Blast". abc NEWS. 10 August 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2015. Cite news requires |newspaper= (help)
  22. "Four killed in Kashmir bomb blast". BBC. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2015. Cite news requires |newspaper= (help)
  23. "23 years on, Kashmiri Pandits remain refugees in their own nation". Rediff News. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  24. Hindwan, Sudhir (1998). Verma, Bharat (ed.). "Policing the police". Indian Defence Review. 13 (2): 95. ISSN 0970-2512.
  25. Hartjen, Clayton; S. Priyadarsini (2011). The Global Victimization of Children: Problems and Solutions (2012 ed.). Springer. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-4614-2178-8.
  26. Hassan, Aakash (26 January 1992). "How BJP Broke The Kashmir Jinx". News18. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  27. "At 46% BJP gets highest ever vote share in J-K, leads in 27 assembly segments". The Economic Times. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  28. "Of 41, BJP led in 28 Assembly segments in Jammu, Ladakh". Deccan Herald. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  29. Observer, Kashmir (3 July 2019). "Analysis: In Kashmir assembly polls, BJP could well emerge as the largest party". Scroll.in. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  30. India, Press Trust of (25 May 2019). "People of Jammu, Ladakh want immediate removal of Articles 370, 35A: BJP". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  31. "Jammu and Kashmir Elections and Results - News and Updates on Chief Ministers, Cabinet and Governors". www.elections.in. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  32. "BSP leaders and activists staging protest dharna in Jammu on Monday". Daily Excelsior. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

Further reading
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