||Black and White Digital News||

||Tejveer Singh August 26,2024 ||

Srinagar : In a major political move, the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has announced its decision to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir from three key constituencies in the Kashmir valley. The committee, a prominent voice for the Sikh community in the region, is set to field its first candidate from the Tral constituency in Pulwama district, with other candidates for Shalteng in central Kashmir and Baramulla to be declared in the coming weeks.

Chairman of the APSCC, Jagmohan Singh Raina, in a statement, emphasized the committee’s reliance on the support of the majority community for the success of their candidates. He called on the majority Muslim community to stand with the Sikh candidates, asserting that such unity would not only secure victory but also project a strong message of communal harmony and national integrity from the valley.

Raina noted that their candidates’ success, supported by the majority community, would counter the long-standing narrative of separatism and anti-national sentiments often associated with Kashmir. “A victory for Sikh candidates with the support of the majority will send out a message of inclusivity, defying the perception that Kashmir is solely driven by separatism. It will be a testament to the peaceful coexistence and national loyalty of the people of the region,” he said.

The APSCC’s decision to enter the political fray comes at a critical juncture for Jammu and Kashmir, with the region awaiting the first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. By stepping into the political arena, the APSCC is making a calculated effort to ensure that the voice of the Sikh minority, which has often been sidelined, is heard and represented at the legislative level.

The APSCC is particularly optimistic about the prospects of S. Pushvinder Singh, their candidate for Tral, a constituency that has historically been a flashpoint for militancy. The committee believes that Singh’s candidacy, bolstered by cross-community support, can help foster a more harmonious political environment and offer a fresh narrative for the region. His selection underscores the APSCC’s strategy of appealing to both Sikh and Muslim voters, demonstrating that their politics is not confined to sectarian lines but aims at broader inclusivity.

While the APSCC has yet to reveal its candidates for the Shalteng and Baramulla constituencies, Raina hinted that the selections would reflect the same principles of unity and cooperation between communities. “We are confident that our candidates, once announced, will resonate with the people and contribute to a new chapter in Kashmir’s political landscape,” he added.

The APSCC’s call for majority community support has also struck a chord with many in the valley, as a potential bridge to overcoming communal divisions that have long plagued the region. The committee’s entry into mainstream politics, particularly at this time, signals a shift in the aspirations of Kashmir’s minority communities, seeking more substantial political representation and advocating for policies that promote development, peace, and unity.

As the region braces for elections, the APSCC’s campaign will be closely watched as a test of communal collaboration and the potential for a new political direction in Jammu and Kashmir. Whether the Sikh community’s foray into politics with the backing of the majority community will indeed reshape the political narrative in Kashmir remains to be seen, but the APSCC’s ambitions are clear: to champion a politics of inclusivity, challenge old stereotypes, and ensure that Kashmir’s minorities have a significant stake in the future of the region.