More than 1,300 people including dozens of elected representatives were detained around the Centre’s abrupt move that bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
This detainment is still continuing no even after 15 weeks since the incident.
What is the current situation?
Among the detained representatives is a member of the Lok Sabha, Farooq Abdullah, who also happens to be the former Chief Minister.
Senior functionaries of the government have repeatedly said the situation is normal in J&K.
But the indefinite preventive detention of people is difficult to justify under any circumstances.
With continuing restrictions on communication, gauging the mood of the people may be tricky.
But some signs of normalcy are visible as more businesses open and vehicular traffic increases in the Valley.
The government cannot possibly see merit in undermining mainstream political leaders in J&K.
What was the reaction in the Parliament?
Prime Minister (PM) spoke about the Constitution Day and the role of the Rajya Sabha (RS) in sustaining India’s federal structure in the winter session of Parliament.
And there was a stark about the paradox of continuing detentions and restrictions in J&K.
Parliament is for giving meaningful voice to the people.
But, those prevented from attending the House are denied the right to speak for the people they are elected to represent.
The PM’s call for frank discussions and dialogues in the current session would ring hollow when some of them remain in detention.
The government has refused to make any commitment on Mr. Abdullah’s release.
The non-deliberative manner in which a full-fledged State was reduced into two UTs in one stroke was an unprecedented assault on federalism.
Disruption by the Opposition is a marginal challenge to the role of Parliament at present.
The real and graver trial of the legislature is the executive’s refusal to be scrutinised by it.
By undermining parliamentary committees and labelling any Bill as a money Bill in order to bypass the RS, the government has shown inadequate regard for parliamentary precedents and processes.
What could be done?
Now that the first Lieutenant Governor has also taken charge in J&K, immediate steps must be taken to open up political and civil society space.
Instead of trying to hard sell an improbable portrait to the outside world, the Centre would do well by engaging with those most affected by its decisions - the people of J&K.
