The Lok Sabha election in India concluded its term on June 4, with the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi being sworn in on June 9. Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) falling short of the majority mark with only 240 seats, Modi formed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government along with smaller parties.
In the Baramulla parliamentary seat in Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid of the Awami Ittehad Party emerged victoriously with 472,481 votes, defeating prominent candidates like Omar Abdullah and Sajid Ghani Lone.
The results came as a surprise to many as Rashid’s victory was unexpected, even though his campaign was short on funds and less systematic compared to Abdullah’s. Despite being in jail, Rashid’s victory resonated with the youth who supported his campaign fervently.
Abdullah expressed his disappointment with Rashid’s win and its potential implications on Kashmir’s political landscape. He cited an article by Praveen Swami that argued Rashid’s victory would empower separatists in Kashmir.
Rashid’s political journey dates back to his teenage years when he joined the People’s Conference, later transitioning into mainstream politics and winning assembly elections in 2008 and 2014. His mass popularity stems from his advocacy for common issues faced by the people of Kashmir.
Despite facing legal challenges, Rashid has always advocated for peaceful democratic processes as a means to address the grievances of the Kashmiri people. His electoral success signifies a shift towards mainstream politics for separatist movements, similar to other regions in India.
The declining trend of separatist movements in India, including Kashmir, highlights the opportunity for such groups to engage in formal electoral politics and contribute to the democratic process. By encouraging their participation, India can gradually integrate separatist sentiments into mainstream politics.
Rashid’s win signifies a potential shift towards mainstream politics for separatist movements, offering a new narrative of representation for marginalized communities in Kashmir.
His election victory symbolizes a democratic voice challenging the existing oppressive system, representing the aspirations of the disgruntled youth in Kashmir who seek meaningful participation in the political process.