The 2018 J&K local bodies elections boycott remains a pivotal moment in Kashmir's political resistance narrative and electoral history.

Separatists And National Conference To Boycott The Upcoming Elections

Elections are the beauty of the democracy, which provides an opportunity to understand the essence of politics. Jammu and Kashmir are all set to hold the urban and local body elections in the upcoming next month, however, various groups and political parties have decided to boycott the forthcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections.

The separatist groups in the Kashmir valley have come up with an alliance called ‘Joint Resistance Leadership‘ with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik to boycott the Panchayat and Municipal polls which are scheduled in October.

Separatist leaders stated that the Indian government is trying to deploy more security forces in the name of elections and under the excuse of lack of development. JRL leaders firmly asserted that they want to give a clear message that the people of Kashmir will boycott any participation in the upcoming election and they demand right to self-determination.

JRL said that the agenda of local body election is a trick “to assault on people and to harass and create more trouble and torture them.” They added that any participation will declare the verdict on India’s side and will undo the holding of a referendum.

On the other side, Shafiq Mir, the chairman of All J&K Panchayat Association expressed his views which were different from the Hurriyat. He said that he believes that Panchayat is a community institution and it is entirely concerned with governance.  Assembly and parliamentary elections should be a boycott, not the Panchayat elections.

After the declaration by the separatist groups to boycott the local bodies election, The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has stated that they will boycott the Panchayat and Municipal elections in the state unless the New Delhi take some operative directive to safeguard the article 35-A.

The national conference’s core members have taken the decision that they will not partake in the upcoming local bodies election unless and until the union government and the state government elucidate their positions regarding 35-A and take some useful steps to fortify the article in and outside the courts.

Farooq Abdullah said that the state administration’s decision to hold urban local body polls and Panchayat elections were taken in a “hurried manner” and without considering the situation that prevails as far as the Article 35-A is concerned.

Abdullah blamed that the decision of holding local body elections next month by state administration is a “hurried decision” and is to escape the present condition of the Jammu and Kashmir State and concerns of the people regarding the article 35A.

He further said that the people in the positions of power are needlessly trying to show the piddling with the article 35A. He stated that tampering with the article would bring the disastrous results not only for the Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country. He added that the core members of the party after a long detailed discussion have decided not to take part in the Municipal and Panchayat elections which are going to be held in October and November-December this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Joint Resistance Leadership in Kashmir?

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) is an alliance of three major separatist leaders in Kashmir: Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Mohammad Yasin Malik. Formed to coordinate resistance activities, JRL represents the unified voice of Kashmiri separatist movements opposing Indian administration in the region.

Why did separatists boycott J&K panchayat elections?

Separatist groups boycotted J&K panchayat elections in October 2018 to protest Indian governance and demand self-determination. They viewed elections as a mechanism to legitimize India’s control and called participation a betrayal of Kashmir’s independence struggle, urging citizens to reject democratic participation.

What is National Conference’s stance on J&K elections?

While the article title mentions National Conference’s boycott, regional political parties like NC often participate in local governance elections despite broader political tensions. NC typically views panchayats as essential community institutions separate from sovereignty questions, making their participation strategic and nuanced.

What is the role of panchayats in Kashmir governance?

Panchayats are grassroots community institutions responsible for local governance, development projects, and public services in Kashmir. According to local officials like Shafiq Mir, panchayats focus on practical governance and community welfare rather than political or sovereignty issues, making them distinct from state-level politics.

Did Kashmir people support the separatist election boycott?

The 2018 panchayat elections witnessed significant voter participation despite separatist boycott calls, indicating mixed public sentiment. While some Kashmiris supported the boycott movement, others prioritized local governance and development, suggesting divided opinion on whether national politics should override community administration needs.