When separatism goes mainstream

As a Kashmir watcher for more than 30 years, I must talk about the shifting sands in the valley where the first elections are being held in over a decade. This is also the first poll since the abrogation of article 370. But the fascinating development is the ‘mainstreaming’ of separatist elements in this election.

- BARKHA DUTT

The banned socio-religious organisation, the Jamaat-e-Islami, shut down by the Modi government in 2019 under the anti-terror law, has backed at least 10 candidates across the valley. Engineer Rashid, jailed in a terror funding case and out on bail, did not just win a Lok Sabha seat by a record margin; he has now fielded or backed at least 30 candidates. In some way, it is the ‘mainstreaming’ of separatism and an electoral moderation of extremist politics.

The last time we saw this on a smaller scale in Kashmir was in 2002, when Sajad Lone, then a separatist, fielded a proxy candidate. Today, Lone is regarded as mainstream and there is a new generation of experimental leaders dipping their toes in election waters.

What this may throw up remains unpredictable.