||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 25, 2024||

Anantnag,Jammu and Kashmir — In a dramatic turn of events on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti staged a sit-in protest on the streets of Anantnag, vehemently opposing the alleged arrest and harassment of her party’s polling agents and workers. As the region prepares to vote, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister’s public dissent has cast a spotlight on concerns about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.

*Key Points:*

1. **Protest Against Arrests**:

Mehbooba Mufti, accompanied by PDP leader Waheed-Ur-Rehman Parra, took to the streets to protest against what she termed as the “illegal confinement” of her party’s polling agents. These actions, according to Mufti, are aimed at disrupting the democratic process in South Kashmir.

2. **Allegations of Harassment**:

The PDP has accused local police in Anantnag, Shopian, and Kulgam of initiating a “campaign of terror” against their polling agents. Reports have emerged of agents being forcibly taken from their homes or summoned to police stations, where they are allegedly being detained to prevent them from performing their electoral duties.

3. **Appeal to Election Commission**:

In an urgent plea to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the PDP has sought immediate intervention to ensure free and fair elections. A letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the “grave matter” of intimidation and harassment faced by their workers, alleging a deliberate attempt by the state administration to rig the polls in favor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

4. **Social Media Outcry**:

Mehbooba Mufti took to social media platform X to voice her concerns, questioning the punitive measures against the people of South Kashmir for their democratic participation. Her post tagged prominent officials, including the ECI and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, demanding accountability and action.

5. **Historical Context**:

The PDP’s fears are rooted in the infamous rigging of the 1987 assembly elections in Kashmir, which many believe sowed the seeds for the prolonged insurgency in the region. During those elections, widespread electoral fraud was reported, leading to disillusionment and unrest among the populace. The PDP’s current allegations evoke memories of this dark chapter in Kashmir’s political history.

6. **Call for Release**:

The PDP’s letter to the Election Commission also demands the immediate release of all detained polling agents and an assurance that no further hindrances will be created by the state administration. The party insists that these actions are crucial to maintain the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.

As voting commences in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, where Mehbooba Mufti is a candidate, the political climate is charged with tension. The PDP’s allegations and Mufti’s protest underscore the fraught nature of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, where the shadow of past electoral malpractices looms large. The outcome of this electoral battle will not only determine the political future of the region but also test the robustness of India’s democratic institutions in ensuring a free and fair election.

*The Shadow of 1987: A Brief History*

The 1987 assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are often cited as a turning point in the region’s history. Marked by widespread rigging, these elections saw the National Conference-Congress alliance win a majority, amid allegations of fraud and voter manipulation. Many Kashmiri youth, frustrated by the blatant electoral malpractices, felt disenfranchised and subsequently turned to militancy as a form of protest. This period is widely considered the genesis of the armed insurgency that has plagued the region for decades.

Today’s allegations by the PDP resonate with the memory of these events, stirring fears of a repeat scenario. The party’s call for the Election Commission’s intervention is a plea to prevent history from repeating itself, ensuring that the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are respected and upheld.