Even though the central government had banned the Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) in 2019, it puzzlingly allowed the banned hardline group to contest elections on multiple seats in Kashmir valley. Many experts are of the opinion that the JeI was allowed to contest elections and run a communally vitriolic campaign by the BJP so as to scuttle the chances of the India Alliance candidates, and thereby give advantage to the BJP and its proxies. However, as the result shows, the people have rejected the BJP and its proxies besides the Jamat, and have overwhelmingly given the mandate to the India Alliance which ran on the promise of restoration of constitutional rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Coming to the Kulgam constituency which turned out to be a real ideological battleground with two sharply opposing ideologies in the fray, the electorate there has shown the way to everyone in the country especially at a time when reactionary or far right forces seem to be capturing the public imagination everywhere. Through electing a leftist candidate in the face of a communally vitriolic campaign by Jamat-e-Islami, they have preferred secularism, democracy and sanity, and have out rightly rejected the regressive and reactionary politics of far-right Jamat-e-Islami like they have been doing since 1996. They have put people’s politics over everything including appeals to the hardline Islamist identity as Jamat-e-Islami did. Jamat-e-Islami freely used the pulpit and appeals to Islamist identity to garner votes even though the law of the land prohibits the use of religion for electoral gains. Jamat kept repeating that it is fighting the election for the sake of Islam and to defeat secularism. Despite fighting elections in a secular country like ours and under a secular constitution, Jamat, in its rallies, kept projecting their opponents as “enemies of Islam” and equated secularism with “kuffur”(anti-Islamic).  For instance, in a campaign rally at Kulgam Fruit Mandi on 12-09-2024, Sayar Ahmad provocatively stated, “If, God forbid, I lose tomorrow, people won’t say that Sayar Ahmad lost, but that Islam lost. It will be said that the followers of Islam, those who recite Azaan lost. It’ll be said that Islam lost, and followers of Allah and Hazrat Muhammad SAW lost.” Just prior to the voting day, he called upon his followers to celebrate another Eid on the Election Day after voting for him. There have been accounts indicating that activists and members of Jamat-e-Islami visited numerous homes in the region, carrying copies of the Holy Quran. They requested individuals to pledge by the sacred text that they would exclusively cast their votes for Jamat-e-Islami. Minority sects were also targeted and cajoled to vote for the Jamat for “restoring Islamic glory back in Kulgam.” In certain instances, individuals who have been charged by law enforcement agencies as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and terror recruiters, and who were convicted under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and are currently out on bail, have been observed actively campaigning for Jamat-e-Islami. Reports also indicate that numerous Jamatis persuaded the extremists who questioned the Jamat’s abrupt shift on elections by asserting that their participation in the elections was merely a “tactical maneuver” and that Jamat-e-Islami would steadfastly uphold its foundational ideological principles.

It is important to note that Jamat-e-Islami had refrained from participating in elections for the past three decades due to its association with the Secessionist movement and its pro-Pakistan stance. Numerous scholars and government officials have alleged that the organization has supported Hizbul Mujahideen, which is considered its militant faction. A significant portion of the population in Kashmir, along with members of the security establishment, accuses Jamat of facilitating militancy and the assassination of political activists, particularly those affiliated with the secular formations like National Conference, Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), during the tumultuous period of militant violence in the 1990s and 2000s, which was heavily endorsed by Pakistan.

In response to the highly vitriolic campaign and communal slurs of Jamat targeting him and his party, Comrade Tarigami stood his defiant ground. His campaign reflected decency even while Jamatis and their ally Engineer Rashid, were hurling vilest of abuses at him in the public. Tarigami was civilized and refined in his campaigning as ever, and continued to talk about Kashmiriyat, pluralism, farmers’ and working peoples’ rights especially Apple farmers as he has done in the past. He continued to talk about the constitutional rights and federalism which have come under assault in J&K as a result of BJP’s actions and policies. He was no way going to be caught in the communal trap which was being set by BJP through its unholy proxies like Jamat. Since August 2019, Comrade Tarigami has taken an unequivocal stand against the anti-people policies of BJP and against the unjust dilution of the special status of the state. He continued to raise voice against the unjust policies of BJP on the campaign trail in a fearless manner. Recently, he led a protest of his followers in Srinagar against the genocidal actions of Israel in the Middle East, the sole politician to undertake such a protest in the state. Comrade Tarigami continued to talk about the statehood which has been deprived in the most unconstitutional and brazen manner. On his campaign trail, he continued to talk about the people who had been left at the mercy of the bureaucratic rule which was creating immense hardships for them. In this scenario, the people of the state were facing problems from all corners as there was also a stagnation happening on the front of livelihood and development. The Governor administration with its apathetic bureaucratic raj had completely failed to address the issues of the people of the state. All this had resulted in a deep sense of anger and betrayal among the people in the state in general and valley in particular. While Comrade Tarigami campaigned on these most pressing issues, his opponents like Jamat-e-Islami avoided talking about issues like special status abrogation, downgrading of statehood and even assault on the fundamental constitutional rights of the people of J&K. They had no concrete programme to offer and their only talking points were brazen communalism and sectarianism besides attacks on the secularist stance of Tarigami. It appears that JeI was merely adhering to the script of the RSS-BJP which led to their rejection by the people of Kulgam. Despite the Takfiri (radical extremism) ideology espoused by Jamat-e-Islami, majority of the people of Kulgam, like in the rest of valley, continue to follow the humanistic and pluralistic ethos of revered Sufi figures such as Lalla Ded, Sheikul Alam, Syed Simnan, and others.

Born into a farmers’ family in 1949, Tarigami became drawn to communist ideology at the age of 18 when he and his friends organized a protest advocating for an increase in the intake capacity at Anantnag Degree College. Influenced by prominent Kashmiri leftist figures such as Abdul Kabir Wani and Chaman Lal Kantroo, he subsequently engaged in numerous farmers’ movements throughout Jammu and Kashmir. His first imprisonment occurred in 1967, following his leadership in a protest against the forced procurement of rice, and he faced incarceration again in 1975 while advocating for the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people. During his time in prison, he suffered the loss of his wife. The residents of Kulgam continue to regard Comrade Tarigami as their genuine representative, recognizing his lifelong commitment to fighting for their basic rights both within the legislative assembly and beyond. By electing Comrade Tarigami for an unprecedented fifth consecutive term, they have reaffirmed their support for pluralistic and people-centered politics, simultaneously rejecting the communal and sectarian agenda of Jamat-e-Islami. They have thus shown the way to the rest of the world where unfortunately far-right reactionaries seem to be increasingly swaying the peoples’ imagination.

Aqib Inshaab, Research Scholar, University of Kashmir

Courtesy: Counter Currents

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Hindutva forces, as allies of Western imperialism, are unleashing everyday street violence against Muslims in India in the name of creating an exclusionary Hindu state (Hindu Rashtra) by dismantling the egalitarian citizenship rights granted by the Indian Constitution.

Amidst the backdrop of the othering and ghettoisation of Muslims, the victory of Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate and communist leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami in the Kulgam constituency of Kashmir in the recently concluded elections offers hope, as it shatters both imperialist propaganda on the international stage and Hindutva campaigns within the country.

Despite the dominant narrative of religious and majoritarian identity-based political campaigns, the communists managed to retain their electoral victory in Kulgam, largely due to people’s trust and political efforts led by the Communist Party under the leadership of Tarigami, who focused on addressing the everyday issues of the people.

Although the majority of people in the Kulgam constituency are Muslims, they did not vote along religious lines. Instead, the Muslims of Kulgam rejected religious polarisation by defeating the hardline, Jamaat-e-Islami-supported candidate. This marks Tarigami’s fifth victory in Kulgam, having also won the constituency in the 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2014 elections. By voting for communist leader Mr. Tarigami, the people of Kashmir have rejected the religious politics of the Hindutva-PDP alliance, instead choosing secular politics.

The victory of the CPI(M) candidate reflects the fact that the Muslims of Kulgam opted for class politics over majoritarian religious identity politics of dominance. This election result offers hope for the future of class-based politics in Kulgam, Kashmir, and India as a whole.

The victory of class politics in this Kashmir constituency also reflects the democratic resilience of the communists, who are fighting against all odds in the contemporary political landscape of regional and national politics in India. However, mainstream media portrays this victory as the isolated success of a leftist leader, aiming to undermine the political consciousness of voters and their support for the Communist Party in the elections.

Such a ruling-class agenda serves to perpetuate stereotypes against Muslims. This victory of the communists in Kulgam dispels two dominant myths about Muslims: first, that Muslims vote along religious lines, and second, that Muslims are not secular.

Mr Tarigami has always believed and argued that “the tradition of Kashmir has always been the sacrifices of the working class, and we are hopeful that it will continue. The Zaldagar martyrs of 1865 laid the foundation of a struggle against the exploitation and atrocities on the artisans, a prominent section of the working class. The Shawlbaff protest launched at Zaldagar against the ruling class has given vent to numerous movements of the working class which are awaiting successful culmination.”

Such a political approach underscores the historical foundations of working-class politics represented by Mr. Tarigami, rooted in a legacy of solidarity and radical struggles for livelihoods, human rights, and better working conditions in Kashmir and beyond.

The victory of class politics in Kulgam demonstrates that the struggles of the working class are central to various communities and their efforts for effective political mobilisation for democratic, secular and scientific transformation aimed at achieving social, economic, and political justice and equality. Religious politics domesticates individuals and their creative labour, serving to uphold the interests of both ruling and non-ruling elites.

Voting for religious politics within an electoral democracy often facilitates capitalist interests, which are contrary to the needs of the working masses. In contrast, working-class politics can truly uphold and realise the aspirations of the people while promoting the sustainability of the planet.

The rise of class politics is essential for defeating imperialist geopolitics, religious fundamentalism, and terrorist violence in Kashmir, which undermine peace in the region. Grassroots activism focused on the everyday issues faced by people can ensure peace and prosperity while deepening democracy and empowering inalienable and universal citizenship rights as outlined in the Indian Constitution.

For now, it is time to celebrate this significant victory of class politics in the Kashmir elections.

Author is Scholar based in UK

Courtesy: CounterView

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Srinagar: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of regional political parties, on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in New Delhi had left the people of Jammu and Kashmir high and dry by choking breathing spaces.

“After taking away the constitutional right of Article 370, other means of survival are also being choked gradually. There is no civil liberty, freedom of press or freedom of speech that are under assault while police stations and jails are being filled with innocent people,” PAGD spokesperson M Y Tarigami told reporters in Srinagar.

The members of the PAGD, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Muzaffar Shah of the Awami National Conference (ANC) and other National Conference leaders, met at the Gupkar residence of Dr Farooq Abdullah following which the grouping, formed to advocate the restoration of pre-August status of J&K, lashed out at the BJP for pushing the region into ‘deterioration’. 

Tarigami said that the alliance leaders discussed the present political scenario following which it expressed concern over what they termed as “fast deteriorating situation in Kashmir as well Jammu.” The PAGD spokesperson also called for the unity amongst the people to put a united stand against the incursions being carried out by BJP and also urged people and the political parties to raise a collective voice against the “present onslaught of New Delhi on people here. He also argued that “silence of intelligentsia” across the country was damaging not only for J&K but for the whole country.

Tarigami, a CPI(M) leader, also added that many in the Valley were being jailed by the authorities which has caused concerns amongst their parents often seen waiting outside police stations. “So many people are being arrested that the jails have no capacity anymore. Outside jails have now no capacity given the number of people being jailed from Kashmir,” he alleged.

“These ministers are coming to ensure suppression is tightened further and whosoever raises a voice is put behind bars,” he said.

PAGD president and NC leader Farooq Abdullah also lashed out at BJP for not fulfilling its promise of providing jobs to the youth. “Where are those 50,000 jobs that were promised. The situation is grim as the number of unemployed youth is rising,” he said.

Saturday’s meeting comes in the midst of concerns about the ongoing revision of electoral rolls as authorities made way for non-locals to register as voters, something that the parties have opposed. The regional parties, including from the PAGD, on October 8 formed a 14-member joint committee against the move.

The parties expressed their wariness about the move terming it as “manipulation” in the electoral process that the PAGD reiterated in today’s brief. “In the name of the electoral revision, there is manipulation going on. One day the administrative official Jammu issues an order and the next day this order is cancelled verbally. It is a kind of Jungle Raj going on here,” Tarigami added.

The PAGD’s concerns over diminishing liberties come at a time when the Lt. Governor-led administration sacked five employees under Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their alleged involvement in “anti-national” activities. This is the third such dismissal of government employees since March this year in which a group of individuals were sacked for their alleged links to militancy, a charge that most of them have denied.

The sacked employees are Tanveer Saleem Dar, a constable in Auxiliary Wing of J&K Police, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, a Village Level Worker in the Rural Development Department (Panchayat Secretary), Irshad Ahmad Khan, Orderly cum Chowkidar in Jal Shakti Department, Baramulla and Afaq Ahmad Wani, Manager, Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. and Abdul Momin Peer, Assistant lineman, PHE Sub Division Handawra. 

Since last year, more than 40 employees have been sacked under the same provision. This comes a day after 36 policemen were forced to retire prematurely for allegedly being involved in “corruption, criminal and anti-national activities.”

Courtesy: Newsclick

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Close on the heels of the three-hour meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his core team held with leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said was aimed at removing “Dilli ki Doori as well as Dil Ki Doori” there seem to be a further distancing move underway.

The Delimitation Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, is set to visit the Union Territory from July 6 to July 9. According to media reports confirming this visit, the EC  and his team will “interact with all stakeholders” this includes political parties, administrative officials, and “public representatives”. A meeting was held recently that was chaired by Delimitation Commission Chairperson Justice (retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra, where the decision to visit Jammu and kashmir was finalised, stated media reports. According to Indian Express “the commission will interact with political parties, public representatives and Union Territory administration officials including district election officers/deputy commissioners of 20 districts of the UT to gather first hand information and input concerning the ongoing process of delimitation as mandated under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.” It added that it was “expected” stakeholders will “cooperate” so that “delimitation is completed timely.”  

At the meeting with the PM  J&K politicians Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, Kavinder Gupta, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Nirmal Singh, Tara Chand, Mohd Altaf Bukhari, Sajad Gani Lone, Ravinder Raina, Gulam Ahmed Mir, Mohd Yousuf Tarigami and Bhim Singh had attend and most had sought the restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. “We kept 5 demands in the meeting- grant statehood soon, conduct Assembly elections to restore democracy, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in J&K, all political detainees should be released and on domicile rules,” said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad after the meeting. Then, PM Modi, had said J&K’s statehood would be restored “at an appropriate time” and asked the political parties to get on board with delimitation or the redrawing of assembly constituencies to enable elections. He had said:  “Our democracy’s biggest strength is the ability to sit across a table and exchange views”

Our democracy’s biggest strength is the ability to sit across a table and exchange views. I told the leaders of J&K that it is the people, specially the youth who have to provide political leadership to J&K, and ensure their aspirations are duly fulfilled. pic.twitter.com/t743b0Su4L

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2021

Amit Shah echoed the PM, saying “peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament.” 

Today’s meeting on Jammu and Kashmir was conducted in a very cordial environment. Everyone expressed their commitment to democracy and the constitution. It was stressed to strengthen the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/oa6ZYQVz9J

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 24, 2021

However, it is now clear that it is the delimitation exercise and subsequent polls in J&K that are the priority for the Centre. No Commitments have been made on restoration of statehood at all. Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader  Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, who is Convenor and Spokesperson of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration spoke exclusively to SabrangIndia on the issue, and also on the Sikh community’s concerns in the state. Here are excerpts from the conversation:

The talks with the Prime Minister have not worked?

The talks would have worked. Should have worked. Had there been some sort of a response from those who matter. Mere listening and hearing is not sufficient. Mere talking is not sufficient. Of course we went with little expectation that some response would be there. Delimitation was already going on. Elections are not a favour! The least should have been some sort of a positive signal towards restoring full fledged statehood as home minister, Amit Shah had committed to in Parliament. They (Centre) again ‘reassured’ us that statehood can be restored but at an appropriate time. My point is if we can wait for statehood for an appropriate time then we can wait for elections as well. 

Without statehood elections will be symbolic?

The exercise will not have any credibility. The process itself will get affected. During Panchayat elections, the electoral process are different. For elections to the Legislative Assembly, people expect the restoration of political rights. 

What is your response to allegations of forced conversions by the Sikh community in Kashmir?

As far as the relation [between] the minority Sikh community and the majority Muslim community in Kashmir, even in the hard times there were no problems at such except that unfortunate incident of Chittisinghpura where Sikhs were killed. That might have been the handiwork of terrorists, milliants, one does not know. This massacre should have been investigated thoroughly and the facts should have been put in the open.

But as far as day to day life is concerned, even in areas like Tral, which is said to be a hotbed (of militancy), Burhan Wani hailed from there. Even in those times in 2016 and before, ask any Sikh citizen who lives here, how was the behaviour of the majority community?

Tell me can the majority community or its leadership afford to go in for such things? Who will it help? Only those who want to divide people. Maybe extremists elements, from this side as well. This type of a situation does suit those who hold power, who have a divisive agenda in my view, who will try and make use of this. 

You are saying divisive, as well as a diversion? Because there is nothing concrete to give to the people?

This is my hunch, I don’t have anything substantial to prove it yet. But see the track record. Such episodes are required by them… some sort of a diversion. 

The phrase ‘love jihad’ has never really been heard so loudly from the Sikh community… 

Never ever. They are [now] giving two instances. One of the girls has said on video that this is not the case. It was in 2014, they were classmates and they got married. Such things happen sometimes. 

The second case however is different, abduction, conversion has been alleged. No one is talking about the victim, but only about politics and ‘love jihad’. What is the solution?

Yes. There is politics, there is little concern for the victim. That is not seen. I will certainly meet the victim and her family. I cannot expect anything from the administration, but I can expect something from the community leadership. That is important.

What about the Sikh communty’s fears now?

Who does it serve now? Those who are seeking relief from the government of india? Who feels victimized? Why will they go for this? Sikhs have been friendly, it is not as if any animosity was there. Even politically there was no divide. Sikhs have never done anything  to irritate any section of the majority. I appreciate their very dignified conduct, during this whole turmoil we have faced as a community. 

Should not the majority muslim community speak up?

Yes, the majority community should speak up. They must do it more vocally. Our Sikh brethren must come out and feel reassured that, like before, we can live in peace [in Jammu and Kashmir] and we will continue to do so. And also that such unfortunate incidents cannot divide us and our age-old relationships.. If the BJP has something to offer to the people let them, they have the mandate to rule, let them. My only appeal to the leadership is that they must not encourage tendencies which can divide people. I have already spoken to the administration. Besides administrative measures, the Muslim majority must re assert itself and come forward in defence of the genuine  concerns, if any, of the Sikh community.  

Comparisons will also be drawn with what happened to Kashmiri Pandits…

That is why I am saying this. Kashmiri Pandits have left, in the same atmosphere when I was forced to leave. I was the first person in 1989 who succeeded in escaping and reaching Jammu. Kashmiri Pandits also opted to escape, leave, not out of choice, it was fear. They had no other option expected to take shelter elsewhere. 

I have this apprehension and concern that the ruling dispensation has an agenda, the political direction –as such laid down –that is divisive. My guess is more and more division, more and more divisive approaches will be adopted vis a vis Kashmir, Jammu. That seems to be the only thing they can offer to the people. 

Related

Farooq Abdullah is not a terrorist, I am not a foreigner: CPI(M) leader Tarigami on detention 

Kashmir Bleeding, expected BJP to end alliance after Amarnath Yatra: Yusuf 

Yusuf Tarigami – Kashmir’s Communist 

Bloodstains | SabrangIndia

Aftermath of the massacre

All rights snatched from us should be returned: People’s Alliance in J&K 

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