Upset over Centre Government decision, Shehla Rashid dissociated with electoral mainstream politics in Kashmir
New Delhi| On Wednesday former JNU student leader Shehla Rashid pronounced her decision to quit electoral politics in Kashmir saying that she can’t be a party to legitimizing the “suppression” of people.
In a statement, the former JNUSU vice-president said she was compelled to dissociate “with the electoral mainstream in Kashmir” due to central government discussion to hold block development council elections later t his month in Jammu and Kashmir, where there is a restriction on communication.”
This restriction was imposed when the centre government scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under article 370 of the constitution and bifurcate the state into two union territories.
Shehla called the Block Development Council polls as a “sham electoral exercise”.
“I cannot be a party to the exercise of legitimizing the brutal suppression of my people. I would, therefore, like to make clear my dissociation with the electoral mainstream in Kashmir”, she said.
Her statement further added, “I will continue to be an activist and raise my voice against injustice on all fronts that do not require a compromise and I’ll continue to put my energies behind the Supreme Court petition seeking the restoration of special status of the state, and the reversal of bifurcation of the state”.
I'd like to make clear my dissociation with the electoral mainstream in Kashmir. Participation in the electoral process in a situation where even the election rhetoric is to be dictated by the centre will only amount to legitimising the actions of the Indian govt in #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/7PMi2aIZdw
— Shehla Rashid شہلا رشید (@Shehla_Rashid) October 9, 2019
Rashid said she had joined politics as she believed it was “possible to deliver both justices as well as good governance, and also work for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
She claimed political leaders in the state are being forced to contest elections only on the issue of restoration of statehood and asked to keep quiet about Article 370 and bifurcation of the state.
Also Read: Restrictions have been lifted in 92% of Jammu and Kashmir
“It is clear that participation in any political activity in Kashmir requires a compromise, she claimed. Rashid said the government keeps inviting the youth to join the mainstream but alleged its actions have only served to push people out of the mainstream.
Shehla Rashid announced her decision to quit the mainstream politics on the day when Congress party said it would not contest the Block Development Council polls.
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