THE announcement that the municipal elections were likely to be held in Jammu and Kashmir in the middle of May must have surprised the people across the state which has been witness to an unabated turmoil over a couple of decades past. With the announcement of the poll schedule, most mainstream political parties will launch their campaigns to woo the voters. No matter what percentage of people comes out, or how many stay away, the electoral exercise is apt to overtake every other activity, be it business, education or development.
Obviously, the timing of the municipal elections is perhaps the most inopportune as well as intriguing. One wonders how it could not strike the government that it is only after spring that Kashmir’s markets come alive. Not just that, the academic activity too has resumed after an extended winter vacation. Further, it is not merely the usual business that enlivens around this time, but it is particularly marked by the eagerly awaited spurt in tourism related activity. Holding municipal elections at a time that attracts tourists from far and wide is bound to play the spoilsport in a place where the distractions are even otherwise numerous.
Given the situation that has obtained in Kashmir for long, large-scale electoral exercise can disastrously impact business, education and even social engagements. The anxieties deepen further when one takes into account the past two years. The entire summer of 2008 was consumed by massive protests over the Amarnath land row and its aftermath. Come 2009 and it went wrong the day Bomai erupted. The rest of the year was about Shopian and the rage that followed. Indeed, business and education got terrible beating. At a time when the valley was preparing for a heavy rush of tourists amid the expectations of brisk business, it ended up with a trickle and extremely diminished commerce.
As if the business and education of Kashmir were jinxed, the government made the unimaginative announcement of municipal polls to be conducted in May. Does that mean third year in a row to be a disaster for children in schools and for bread earners in the markets! How inescapable is the urgency for the government to hold it at the peak business time! It’s stupefying for Kashmiris. Is there a divine command that no matter what happens summer has to be consumed in ways contrary to the larger interests of people! Who is to blame if things take an ugly turn during the electoral exercise! If on the one hand the government tirelessly speaks of reviving tourism, why is it not mindful of the consequences that an electoral exercise can bring along. It doesn’t need a scientist to figure out that elections in Kashmir entail tension and even violence. And then no such urgent public welfare is on hold for the councilors to be elected.
If all is going on well, don’t throw in a spanner. By embarking on the precipitate exercise, the conspiracy theories that some invisible hands were active against Kashmir’s economy and education, get bolstered. Towns and cities in Jammu and Kashmir can wait for some months, but don’t give us a disastrous summer yet again. Let the government take heed and give precedence to public interest over narrow party interests.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST