00:00 At this election rally, feverish excitement defines the mood.
00:11 Because of him, Waheed Parra is contesting elections in Srinagar city.
00:18 He is a member of People's Democratic Party, one of the main regional parties in J&K.
00:28 This party is advocating for self-rule instead of autonomy.
00:33 Nearly ten years ago, it was even allied with the ruling BJP of Prime Minister Modi.
00:41 It's the final days of campaigning, and Waheed Parra is canvassing in the town of Pulwama,
00:46 once a separatist stronghold.
00:47 We are trying to heal people.
00:48 We are all traumatic in many ways.
00:49 Everyone of us has lost something, personally, politically, socially, emotionally, but there's
00:50 just no way to heal.
00:51 For decades, Kashmir has seen protracted conflict, insurgency and state repression.
01:09 Thousands of people have been killed, many more injured or arrested.
01:16 Because of its violent history, the people of Kashmir have mostly boycotted general elections.
01:22 But at this rally, Parra is urging them to cast their vote.
01:26 For us, this election is about giving voice to the people of Kashmir.
01:29 There's a complete cycle of suffocation in J&K from last five, six years.
01:34 There's thought policing, people are not speaking, media is not talking, and people are feeling
01:39 completely silenced.
01:41 In 2020, Parra was himself arrested for allegedly supporting an Islamist terror organisation.
01:50 He has denied all the charges.
01:52 Currently on bail, he now seeks to represent Kashmir in India's parliament.
02:00 But in downtown Srinagar, once at the heart of the separatist movement, there is still
02:05 resistance to participation.
02:09 This young man, Hushal Khol Imad, agreed to speak to us on the condition of anonymity.
02:18 In 2016, he took part in protests against Indian rule.
02:23 Imad was hit by pellets, fired by security forces.
02:30 He lost sight in one eye and was partially blinded in the other.
02:35 For him, to vote in Indian elections would be to legitimise Indian rule.
02:42 These elections do not hold any meaning for us.
02:45 Previously, Kashmiris participated in elections, but they were betrayed.
02:49 The regime of torture continued for us.
02:51 For me, voting in this election means selling my soul.
02:58 At the BJP's headquarters in Srinagar, the party spokesman tells a different story.
03:04 He maintains things have only changed for the better since Kashmir's autonomy was revoked.
03:10 In Kashmir, after 2019, there have been no shutdowns, which is the change you will see
03:17 here.
03:18 In 2023, more than 25 million tourists visited the valley, which is another significant change.
03:26 Tourists only go to places where there is peace.
03:30 Despite his claims, the party has not fielded a single candidate in Kashmir in this year's
03:35 election.
03:42 Back in Pulwama, Waheed Parra is rallying the people to vote.
03:48 His message, winning a seat in parliament, could give back a voice to those Kashmiris
03:53 who have felt disempowered.
03:56 This India's sole Muslim-majority region lost its autonomy.
04:01 (audience applauding)
