Say We are Part of India but We Want to Live in Peace
SUHAIL KHAN
BARAMULLA, Oct 1: The villages in north Kashmir, once a hotspot of militancy and a separatist stronghold where people had always refrained from participating in the electoral process, saw no more boycott as they actively took part in the final and third phase of assembly elections on Tuesday.
Talking exclusively to Kashmir Despatch, a group of people from different north Kashmir villages which in the past had been affected due to militancy and separatism, however, after casting their vote said we are not against India, we are part of India but we want peace and for that, today we have ended the boycott trend and cast our votes.
They said Kashmir has been going through a very difficult phase for the past 5 years, facing many challenges, and people have been deprived of basic facilities, so to get rid of all these difficulties, today these village has cast its vote so that along with development, peace and tranquility may also prevail here.
The most interesting part was seen among the women of these villages of north Kashmir who were quite excited to cast their votes and believe that these villages have endured a lot of oppression, so they have come to vote this time to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.
In Doru village, the native village of Syed Ali Shah, which has always been sidelined in elections, however, a change in scenario has been witnessed on the ground, and people have cast their votes for the changing circumstances.
The Kashmir Despatch team on the ground interacted with many people who cast their vote for the first time in the village. They said that they don’t want to be victims for a lifetime, “How long will our children be unsafe? How long will we be deprived of development? How long will we be counted among the so-called separatists? Enough is enough, we don’t want to see the life of suffering which we had seen so far.” They said today they cast their votes by their own will for a better future, at least for their children.
Usman Ahmad, who cast his vote for the first time, told Kashmir Despatch, “I cast my vote for the safe future of my children, for their well-being, and I am hopeful this vote will definitely change their scenario and will make them counted among reasonable and responsible citizens.”
Saja Begum, an elderly woman, talking to this newspaper said, “Kashmir has endured a lot of suffering, a lot of oppression, especially if we talk about this Doru village, but now we don’t want our upcoming children to be seen with a negative lens. For their safe future, we have cast our votes today.” She said, “Good things take time, but better late than never.”
In another once hotbed of militancy and a separatist stronghold area, Pahallan village which was also known as ‘Khandhar’ on Tuesday saw a celebration of democracy, and people actively participated in these assembly elections.
Many voters interacted with the Kashmir Despatch team after casting their votes. They said that for a long time, this village has only been highlighted for its negative aspects and reasons, as we never participated in the electoral process. However, with the changing circumstances, our mindset has also changed, and today we all have come forward to cast our votes for our new future.
They said this vote is dedicated to our young generation for their bright and safe future. Following the changing trend, the residents of old Town Baramulla yet again came in large numbers to cast their vote for a new beginning and for development.
Umar Khaliq, a youth student leader, told Kashmir Despatch that it’s old town in name, but not anymore, as our mindset and understanding have changed, and now we are coming forward for our own well-being to see a new future and a new dawn where there is progress, peace, and development, and today we have cast our votes for the same.
In this changing situation, the fathers of two active militants, Umar and Bilal from Brath Kalan, also made a heartfelt plea for their sons to renounce violence and return home.
The emotional appeal was made as both fathers exercised their right to vote, hoping to set an example of reconciliation and peace. Both fathers expressed deep anguish over their sons’ involvement in militant activities. They urged Umar and Bilal, who have been on the run for years, to give up arms and choose a path of peace. “Our doors are always open for you. Please come back, live a life of dignity and peace with your family,” one of the fathers said with tears in his eyes.
In other villages of the northern region of Kashmir, including Kupwara’s Trehgam and Langate, people also set new records by participating in the assembly elections in huge numbers and became so enthusiastic during election rallies and campaigning for their favorite candidates.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, many voters said that we can’t be far from reality, and the reality is that the situation has changed on the ground. People are happy and are enjoying the true colors of democracy now across Kashmir, which is indeed a great sign for peace, prosperity, and development.
They said that in the past, we had been victimized, and perhaps one reason for staying away from the electoral process. But now, we won’t go back to that era where people were fooled. Now, we are all concerned about our future and our areas, and for every development, the vote is the solution.
Pertinently, people in Kashmir have become politically mature, which explains why this election was different from previous ones and demonstrates healthy competition among the contestants.
