Political discussions and debates in the Union Territory were absent as the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” led by Rahul Gandhi reached J&K. The leaders of the major regional parties are participating in the yatra, but there is no discussion around the problems that the people of J&K are facing. Certainly, we have heard discussions on Rahul’s jacket and t-shirt, which he wore even after setting foot in the Kashmir Valley. In contrast, those who welcomed him in Banihal changed their attire and accompanied Rahul while donning a t-shirt despite the bitter cold. There is enough political messaging that happened right at the Kashmir entry.
The fact is that when it comes to the politics of the UT, which have been essentially dormant for the past more than 3 years, even the regional parties in J&K have been left with nothing to support. By conversing and bringing up political topics, the dormant politics were supposed to be thawed out, but hardly anyone is doing so at the moment. History tells us that the Congress, a party with a less-than-stellar track record in Kashmir, was the force behind the gradual weakening of Article 370, which the Modi administration finally repealed in 2019. They find themselves in a challenging position to discuss its abrogation and its implications for Kashmir politics in J&K.
Although the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” may have national political aims and goals, it has nothing to do with J&K. Actually, Kashmir will only provide a pleasurable climax to the yatra amid the bitter cold. The regional leaders, in particular, will also have a sizable crowd for the first time in a while, and they will work hard to make themselves seem relevant once more. In reality, all of the parties involved in the yatra—including Congress—have suffered losses, and they consider the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” as a chance to regain popularity and importance at its culmination in Kashmir.
Intriguingly, Congress has already issued a warning that its leaders won’t debate the political issues of J&K, with a focus on Article 370 in particular, as the yatra is arrived in Srinagar. That says it all. As usual, Congress has nothing to do with the issues that the people are facing. Instead, in addition to ensuring the revival of the Gandhi party, it is trying to carve out a place for itself in the national opposition by serving as a “fulcrum,” as Jai Ram Ramesh put it, and projecting itself as a unifying force in the “united opposition” across the nation. Coming back to Kashmir, along with Rahul, the political leaders of J&K are pleased with their return to the spotlight. In the days to follow, we may see the conversation move from t-shirts to Pheran, but we won’t see the raising of issues affecting the J&K population.
