Political Activism, Democracy And Kashmiri Youth
By Imran Khan
05 January, 2015
Countercurrents.org
Youth are an important force in any society and throughout history much of the burdens of war and violence have been placed on young people, they have been the prime life-blood source feeding the machinery of war, and continue to play that role even today.
Throughout world Youth politics has an extensive history and has made a significant impact on the political scene. American Youth Congress of 1930s, Free German Youth founded in 1936 as a communist alternative to the Nazi Youth movement etc are few to mention. In the UK there is a strong youth politics movement, consisting primarily of the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Youth in India too are actively involved in Politics at college and University level. College and university union election provide a good platform for these youth to launch their political carriers and to join mainstream politics. Also in Indian freedom struggle youth played a significant role and many great leaders in India evolved from such political activism of Indian youth.
In we look at the recent history of Kashmir, the emergence of leaders like Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah has been attributed to student activism and reading room environment in early 1930s. Unfortunately however from last two and a half decade such movements are not allowed even on college and university campuses in Kashmir. We all know that from 90s till now all the college and university unions in Kashmir are dysfunctional, so the platform for political involvement from educated youth seems missing. Such blockage of democratic channel makes the youth feel alienated, hopeless and push them to walls and the result of such a sorry state is in front of everybody.
History is witness to the fact that when genuine democracy is not given a chance it leads to more extreme reactions by the people, as in case of Kashmir the same youth took arms against India who had earlier taken an active part in 1987 rigged elections. Even the recent reactions from Kashmiri youth in the form of street protests and stone pelting can be understood as the reaction to not being allowed to enjoy their democratic right of forming unions, holding assemblies and holding peaceful protests.
Although there are other problems for Kashmiri youth to face but I feel that choked political and breathing space in their own land remains the biggest hurdle in their growth. This story of Kashmir’s youth is directly linked to the special version of democracy we are enjoying here.
One may argue that the youth of today may not be interested in politics but in Kashmir we have seen in the past that youth have actively been involved in uprising, armed struggle and stone pelting and protests. So the only understanding remains there is the absence of opportunities for political activism, choked political space, ban on college and university unions ,monopoly of old leaders in almost all the major political parties of the state and family politics.
In a democracy people have a right to form unions, associations and groups, hold assemblies, protest peacefully, question government actions, express views without hurting others etc, so it is worth asking why in a so called largest democracy Kashmiri youth studying in different colleges and Universities in Kashmir are not allowed to enjoy this democratic right.
Though people have participated in large numbers in the recently held elections in Kashmir and but considering it as a sign of youth getting involved in politics is definitely an extreme interpretation, considering the fact that handful of educated youth without political family background contested elections.
Further what we have witnessed in the recent elections is the politics of elite in Kashmir with former bureaucrats, or influential businessman mostly getting the party mandate and almost no political party encouraging educated youth. Genuine young educated leadership evolving out of student unions or social service/social work and with no political influence or not belonging to the elite class was missing. However what not missing was the political inheritance prevailing in present political system, that is children of politicians apart from inheriting the genetic makeup from their parents continued to inherit political carriers as well. What was more disappointing was that no political party talked about the necessity and importance of involving youth in politics and no political party promised of taking initiatives in this regard, like no political party talked about lifting the ban on student unions in colleges and universities or reservation of youth in assemblies.
Youth political activism here should not be considered as teens leaving their education and getting in gunda culture and doing all that mess, but well educated youth at university level contributing to welfare of the state. Genuine politics with free fair elections in colleges and universities unions can help youth to have experience in leadership, social work and organisational management etc. Also my opinion is not that experienced elderly people should leave the political scene and rest. But what I mean is that they should be there for guidance and there should be a mixture of youth and elderly in politics without one dominating the other. And further such an initiative would be to give our youth more opportunities to engage in nation building, policy making, and administration. They should not be used only as tools in election campaign and voter mobilization but their intelligence, energies and creativity should be encouraged and valued.
Though democracy is considered as the best form of government of the people by the people and for the people, but I wonder what the present democracy has to offer us other than kingship, ruling of elite, party system or just counting of people.
The feelings of political alienation in Kashmiri youth I believe has taken a sever toll on the wellbeing, happiness and growth then resort to extreme steps like armed struggle, street protests and in some cases drug addiction. What can possibly resolve much of youth unrest and problems at least in the minds of Kashmiri youth could be a free democratic space with larger youth participation along with reforms in the present political set up. And the first step in this regard would be to lift the ban on college and university unions and thus allowing youth to engage in constructive and positive politics. Without addressing this democratic demand, the youth cannot be won over only by doling out economic largesse.
Apart from taking concrete steps for larger youth participation in politics many political and democratic reforms are needed to make democracy the best form of government and not just kinship, dictatorship or tyranny with a different name. Such reforms may include minimum qualification requirement for contesting elections and voting, some retirement age for politicians, fixed term for a person to contest elections and hold a ministerial and chief ministerial positions, reservation of seats in legislature for youth. Ban on people with criminal charges to contest election etc.
On the other hand youth too on their own in Kashmir need to show larger political participation and have to start from somewhere, discussion groups, social service/welfare groups, reading room culture, student newspapers, and constructive unions at college and university level are some options. I feel like there is no dearth of youth possessing qualities required to become a good Leaders/Politician/Reformer etc. So it is a matter of intention, motivation and will from the educated youth of Kashmir. With an honest intention, genuine motivation and strong will the rise of young educated leaders and not just politicians is inevitable.
“Uqaabi Rooh jab baidar hoti hai jawano may
Nazar atii hai oun ko apni manzil aasmaano may”
Imran Khan is a Kashmiri Psychologist
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