The Bharatiya Janata Party’s fondness for a muscular approach to resolve nearly every issue, from food, faith to security, is well known. That is because the overwhelming motive of political parties, be they regional or national outfits, as well as platforms created by dissidents, seem to be to prioritize power over people. A classic example of such opportunism was the decision on the part of the BJP to enter into an unstable alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party that has, over the years, been its ideological adversary. The collapse of the government may have precipitated the erosion of faith of Kashmir’s citizens in democracy. Political parties should first work to reclaim their right to speak on behalf of the people for democracy to function in Kashmir.

Source: The Telegraph December 18, 2018 03:00 UTC