Recent public uprising and upcoming Elections

Students of Ghandi Memorial College speak on the present political scenario and the recent public uprising:

Waseem Mukhtiyar
“As far as the question regarding the upcoming elections is concerned, the most important among all is whom should we vote. The Kashmir history should be an eye opener for all of us as everybody of them especially mainstream has betrayed Kashmiris.  I believe that the state government is an eye wash to a larger extent and in state elections there remains the upper hand of the center government. The dubious nature of government has yet again raised questions in recent protests. In Kashmir the protestors were ruthlessly beaten and killed by the police whereas those who protested in Jammu against our genuine movement were given a good treatment. We cannot afford to be slaves anymore and after people’s movement it has to be people’s government.Comming elections must be boycotted by all of us if want to do some good to ourselves.”

Fouzia Maqbool
“The main issue is the political uncertainty prevailing in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and by any means it needs to be solved first, rest will follow. We have been seeing these people contesting elections and pre polls while keeping resolution of Kashmir as their priority, but once they are in power they fail to meet our expectations regarding the same.
They only talk of resolution! Present government is merely wasting money on the construction of parks while sidelining the important issues. As per the definition of the democracy it says government by the people, for the people, of the people, but it’s not relevant in our state as we are living under occupational forces and policies are being sketched to sell out the land which became clear recently.
I strongly believe that whether it is employment, development, quality education, health care, so and so forth, these problems will be resolved once the core issue of political uncertainty is solved.”

Syed Majida
“We should not boycott elections rather people of Jammu and Kashmir should cooperate with each other and live in total communal harmony. Nevertheless, I would like to question the dual policy of Indian government .If it claims that Kashmir is its integral part why does it discriminate with the people of Kashmir. Those who contest elections to form the new government should make it one of the important points to address once they are in power .I shall vote provided my parents allow me to do so as we have strikes during elections and the daily movement is hampered.”

Mudasir Majeed
“We Kashmiris are helpless. If we do not vote still government will be formed, instead if we cast vote at least there is hope that best among worst will form the government. It would be better if elections are held under some third party like United Nations (UN).The people of Kashmir have been suffering for so many years. Now politicians have paid attention to the issues concerning masses. We are maltreated in all the states of India and nothing substantial has been done by the state government regarding this serious concern. If I vote, I will vote for Awami National Committee who claims to revoke ‘Armed forces special powers Act’ in first five minutes after forming the government.”

Owais Rashid
“We should boycott elections and come to streets peacefully and ask for freedom. This is the time when we should send our message across. I have no expectations either from India or Pakistan but Kashmiris have to frame their own strategies as the leadership has miserably failed. We can do wonders when united. The recent cancellation of Forestland transfer order is our first victory and it has become clear that people have the power. I believe in the same manner if we stand united we can surely win in near future. Expecting anything from the state government is sheer nonsense as they cannot take proper care of our rich socio cultural heritage, what big can we expect from them? I want the government of free Kashmiris in an independent Kashmir.”

Adil Nazir Mir
“I was happy with the coalition led government but they have shown their real face. In the coming elections I shall thoroughly analyze who is speaking what and will vote accordingly.”

Yawar Yaqoob
“I think one should vote and I will vote.”

Mohammad Jaffar
“Till today we have seen so many politicians and so many elections, but there has been no sincerity and no positive change on the grass roots. The continuous 9 day efforts to pressurize the government to repeal the land transfer orders bore some fruit, so we should protest and try to tell the whole world about our sufferings. At the same time we should sketch some strategies to meet our goal which is nothing less than freedom.”