The international community and institutions of justice must take note of the unwavering commitment of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to raise their voices against the BJP-driven Hindutva policies. As these elections indicate, their yearning for a return to their special rights and a democratic process remains steadfast.

In a resounding message to the world, the recent elections in Kargil district, located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, have underscored the people's deep discontent with the central government's decision to abrogate Article 370 and 35A. These elections, which witnessed an overwhelming rejection of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in favor of more liberal political parties like the National Conference and Congress, serve as a powerful testament to the simmering unrest in the region and the desire to restore democratic rights.
Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A: Illegal and Undemocratic
Article 370, which granted the erstwhile state of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) a unique status, allowing autonomy in all matters except defense, currency, and foreign affairs, was abrogated by the Indian government in August 2019. The revocation of Article 370 and 35A not only stripped the region of its special status but also raised concerns among the local populace.
Under Article 35A, the state had the authority to define 'permanent residents' and provide them with special rights and privileges. However, the BJP's decision to abolish Article 35A was perceived as a move aimed at affecting demographic changes and promoting Indian rule in the disputed region. Kashmiris feared the establishment of settler colonies, mirroring an "Israeli model," which could potentially alter the region's demographic composition.
Additionally, the Indian government introduced several land laws to facilitate what has been referred to as "demographic flooding," a policy that further fueled apprehensions within the region.
The recent elections in Kargil, the first held after Ladakh was carved out as a Union territory in 2019, witnessed a substantial turnout of 77.61 percent. This high participation rate directly highlights the discontent among the local populace with the central government's decisions.
In a region where 77 percent of the population is Muslim and only 17 percent practices Tibetan Buddhism, the discontent against the scrapping of IIOJK’s special status was palpable. The elections were held for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, with the National Conference winning 12 seats, Congress securing 10 seats, and the BJP managing only two seats.¹ Two independent candidates also emerged victorious. The BJP's humbling defeat, despite substantial investments in development work, serves as a glaring rejection of their policies.

These elections, which witnessed an overwhelming rejection of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in favor of more liberal political parties like the National Conference and Congress, serve as a powerful testament to the simmering unrest in the region and the desire to restore democratic rights.

The landslide victory of the National Conference and Congress alliance in Kargil reflects the people's desire for a return to their special rights and a rejection of divisive Hindutva-driven ideologies. The results demonstrate that the people of Kargil want to reclaim their democratic rights and autonomy.
Senior leaders and political figures, including Hanifa Jan, Issa Ali Shah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, have congratulated the people of Ladakh for their resounding message against the BJP's policies. These election results have sent a strong signal to the BJP, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the genuine aspirations of the people for a democratically elected government.
Hanifa Jan, the National Conference District President, declared, "This is undoubtedly a referendum. The people of Kargil fought for this issue. Our primary demand is the restoration of the democratic system in Ladakh. It's up to the government how they choose to do it, whether by granting full statehood to Ladakh or by reinstating our previous position [within Jammu and Kashmir].”² Senior Congress leader Issa Ali Shah remarked, "The people of Kargil have consistently opposed the abrogation of Article 370, and the results signified that.”³

The BJP's decision to abolish Article 35A was perceived as a move aimed at affecting demographic changes and promoting Indian rule in the disputed region. Kashmiris feared the establishment of settler colonies, mirroring an "Israeli model," which could potentially alter the region's demographic composition.

National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah congratulated the people of Ladakh for the result and said this should be a wake-up call for the BJP. "It is time to cease hiding behind the Raj Bhawan and unelected representatives and, instead, acknowledge the people's rightful desire for a democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. Democracy demands the voices of the people be heard and respected," Omar tweeted.⁴
People’s Democratic Party Chief, Mehbooba Mufti said, "[It is] heartening to see secular parties like National Conference and Congress register their victory in Kargil. It's the first election post-2019 and people of Ladakh have spoken," Mehbooba Mufti posted as the early trends showed a big win for the alliance.⁵ Political commentator, Siddiq Wahid said, “The people of Kargil have unequivocally rejected the BJP’s divisive, fear-driven politics. There is palpable anger among the people over the BJP’s absolute control of Ladakh following the Centre’s unilateral actions in August 2019.⁶
As Sajjad Kargili, a social activist, aptly puts it, "The results convey a clear message that the BJP's concentration of power in a few hands, which undermines democracy, is not acceptable." According to Kargili, it is a “vote against their decision to revoke Article 370 and divide the undivided Jammu & Kashmir State”.⁷ The Kargil elections have not only reflected the will of the people but also exposed the growing discontent with the central government's decisions.

The recent elections in Kargil, the first held after Ladakh was carved out as a Union territory in 2019, witnessed a substantial turnout of 77.61 percent. This high participation rate directly highlights the discontent among the local populace with the central government's decisions.

A Call for International Support
In conclusion, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council Elections in Kargil serve as a robust expression of the people's dissatisfaction with the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, as well as a rejection of the BJP's policies. The landslide victory of more liberal political parties underscores the desire for restoration of democratic rights and autonomy in the region, making it a significant development with far-reaching implications.
The international community and institutions of justice must take note of the unwavering commitment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to raise their voices against the BJP-driven Hindutva policies. As these elections indicate, their yearning for a return to their special rights and a democratic process remains steadfast. It is imperative that international bodies and influential nations recognize the need to facilitate a just and lasting resolution for the long-standing Kashmir conflict. 

The landslide victory of the National Conference and Congress alliance in Kargil reflects the people's desire for a return to their special rights and a rejection of divisive Hindutva-driven ideologies. The results demonstrate that the people of Kargil want to reclaim their democratic rights and autonomy.

The results of the Kargil elections should serve as a reminder that the people's voices in the region are powerful and must not be ignored. Their quest for justice and a democratic future deserves the attention and support of the international community. This is not only a matter of regional significance but one that impacts the broader global context, and as such, it requires a collective effort to ensure a peaceful and just resolution to this long-standing conflict.

The author is a member of the staff.
E-mail: [email protected]

1.   Bhakto, Anando. 2023. “Ladakh Hill Council Election Results Send Strong Message to BJP and Modi Government.” Frontline. October 9, 2023. https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/ladakh-kargil-hill-council-election-results-bjp-modi-government-in-trouble-in-ladakh/article67399564.ece.
2.   “Ladakh Poll Result a ‘Referendum’ of Article 370 Scrapping: Congress-NC Alliance.” n.d. India Today. Accessed October 23, 2023. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-nc-alliance-ladakh-election-results-referendum-article-370-abrogation-centre-2446488-2023-10-09.
3.   “Opinion: What Ladakh Election Results Mean for BJP and INDIA Bloc.” n.d. NDTV.com. Accessed October 23, 2023. https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/what-ladakh-election-results-mean-for-bjp-and-india-bloc-4469815.
4.   “Https://Twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/Status/1711040824811937964.” n.d. X (Formerly Twitter). Accessed October 23, 2023. https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1711040824811937964.
5.   The Economic Times. 2023. “‘People of Ladakh Have Spoken’: Mehbooba Mufti on LAHDC Election,” October 9, 2023. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/people-of-ladakh-have-spoken-mehbooba-mufti-on-lahdc-election/articleshow/104258580.cms.
6.   Bhakto, Anando. 2023. “Ladakh Hill Council Election Results Send Strong Message to BJP and Modi Government.” Frontline. October 9, 2023. https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/ladakh-kargil-hill-council-election-results-bjp-modi-government-in-trouble-in-ladakh/article67399564.ece.
7.   Ibid.