The much-discussed constitutional right to protest needs to be understood with greater clarity.
The right of peaceful protest is universally considered an essential part of fundamental Human Rights. However, looking upon the practical manifestation of this particular right more deliberately in the backdrop of a few unpleasant incidents, some bitter facts reveal sheer misuse and exploitation on the part of the leadership calling the shots in any protest.
Violent protest is a clear violation of constitutional rights, as democratic constitutions exclusively protect the right to peaceful assembly, not rioting or destruction. It all depends upon the intentions of the group of organisers or leadership involved in staging a protest.
As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words”; categorisation of any protest activity cannot be made merely on the basis of ‘slogans and lofty claims’. Overall impact of protest on the society should be weighed on the scales of peaceful manifestation, validity of demands, fairness of means, public support and above all, the selection of timings.
Unfortunately, recent past episodes of protest called by JAAC in AJK were neither peaceful nor beneficial for the common masses. Amplification of sentimental slogans via social media platforms was meaningfully provocative as well as damaging to the larger interests of Kashmiris living on either side of the Line of Control (LoC).
The ill-conceived protest plan of JAAC should not spoil the overall scheme of the general elections.
JAAC, the flag bearer of the protest movement, has surfaced on the political landscape of AJK very swiftly with the demands for the solution of standard issues of public interest like inflation, energy resources, taxation, governance and development of communication infrastructures, etc.
The government has so far adopted a very rational approach towards the demands floated by the JJAC. Repeated calls for a shutdown and wheel jam strikes made by JAAC were handled in a democratic way.
Despite violent protest activities and the derogatory tone of firebrand supporters of JAAC, government authorities of AJK had refrained from responding in the same coin.
After satisfactory resolution of all demands, contrary to expectations, JAAC is not reverting to the normal course of life. Fresh calls for protest across AJK on 9 June seem a well-thought-out course to disrupt the peace. Unbiased quarters in AJK are expressing serious concerns about the obvious inclination of JAAC towards agitation and irrational, hateful rhetoric against the state authorities.
Repeated calls for strikes and forced lockdown in AJK should be viewed in connection with the prevailing geo-political situation.
For decades, AJK has remained the base camp for the ongoing movement for the rights of Kashmiri brethren suffering in IIOJK. Any sort of unrest in the so-called rights movement in AJK will definitely harm the larger Kashmiri cause.
The question rightly arises, why is JAAC so obsessed with the idea of violent protests? The June 9 protest call by the JAAC is disrupting peace in AJK by triggering economic shutdowns, impeding the vital tourist season, and sparking fears of renewed violent clashes.
The planned wheel-jam and shutdown strikes paralyse daily life, while the looming threat of political instability threatens to disrupt scheduled election preparations.
AJK is heading towards the general elections. Contrary to the oppressive environment of IIOJK, here in AJK, Kashmiri people form the government through an elected assembly.
The ill-conceived protest plan of JAAC should not spoil the overall scheme of the general elections. Manifestation of disruptive activities, wittingly or unwittingly, would serve the purpose of hostile elements.
Weaponisation of protest from the platform of JAAC is being seriously questioned by the concerned Kashmiri masses. Obviously, any effort to destabilise the AJK on the vague pretext of the rights movement will be scrutinised for potential linkage with hostile foreign powers. JAAC has yet to justify the rationality behind much of the obvious ill- timed protest plan.
The writer is a student.