An optimist's view is perhaps, yes. Elections will give the people of Kashmir an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives. Apart from governing the state, these elected representatives will also form a medium through which to express their grievances to appropriate forums with a view to finding a lasting avenue towards fulfilling their aspirations. During the last five decades, various political dispensations in India have tried different methods to influence the lives of Kashmiri people. The general consensus seems to be that mistakes have occurred in the past and that the people of Kashmir should be given a chance of free expression sans modern political doses administered by political parties in India during elections.

Insurgency is a violent form of expression by people when they fail to express themselves in a more peaceful manner. In Kashmir, the insurgency emerged from within but it is now sustained from outside. How much from outside is a matter of speculation, but people of all hues inside and outside Kashmir have been affected by the ongoing violence. There is an apparent consensus among all interest groups (except those extreme fringe groups, who believe in medieval solutions for modern political problems) that the ultimate solution lies in the peaceful resolution of the issue through dialogue. In this entire spiraling process of violence, it has become murkier as to who actually represents the Kashmiris.

A pessimist's view is that the elections will definitely not lead to peace in Kashmir. Citing the example of such exercises in the past (such as rigged elections), protagonists of this view say that the election process under the present Indian political system will not provide them justice. And then there is the realist's viewpoint, according to which free and fair elections in Kashmir are a necessary precursor for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan. Supporters of this viewpoint have even suggested that international observers oversee the elections to ensure fairness and impartiality. The Indian government has rejected the suggestion of international observers, but government sources say that media and international representatives will be allowed to visit Kashmir in their individual capacities.

An alternative to peaceful and credible elections is the continuation of violence and anarchy in Kashmir. This is the time for decisive action for all those people, institutions, and groups, who have stakes in the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue. If Pakistan's people and its government are, indeed, well-wishers of Kashmiris, as they have always claimed, then let the true representatives of Kashmiris emerge. For those Kashmiri political groups having grievances against the present political dispensation in Kashmir, elections are a medium to redress their grievances, and also for asserting their democratic rights. For the international community, this is an opportunity to understand and influence the dynamics of the security situation in South Asia which, due to its dangerous dimensions, has affected regional and global security. An ambiguity will remain on the question whether elections will or will not usher peace in Kashmir. At the same time, it is very certain that no elections or failed elections will only mean a continuation of violence and misery in Kashmir.

Surinder Rana

Research Fellow at the Center for Contemporary Conflict

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA

Masterly Das


I wholeheartedly agree with Gurcharan Das' laconic statement that "less is more." Verbosity and loquaciousness in all its variegated forms have become a veritable menace in modern-day society, and something must be done about it. But how does one go about breaking such a pernicious and deeply ingrained habit? That is the truly difficult question, and Das does a splendid and admirable job of suggesting how to streamline one's day-to-day linguistic activities.

Amit Patel

Orlando, FL

Saad inspires


Your profile of Dr. Saad of Impath was very inspiring. It shows that it's possible to combine our technical expertise and career goals to work on a worthwhile cause. If you can move up in your career and help improve cancer treatment, it seems like a dream job.

Rajni Khanna

Dallas, TX