LISTEN | Amit Baruah in conversation with Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami

The CPI (M) leader says this election was the only option for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to express themselves. 
| Video Credit:
Interview by Amit Baruah; Editing by Samson Ronald K.; Produced by: Jinoy Jose P.

In a conversation with senior journalist Amit Baruah, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, a veteran CPI(M) leader and MLA from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam, offers a candid and nuanced perspective on the region’s recent Assembly election—the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Speaking after securing his fifth term as an MLA, Tarigami paints a complex picture of a populace eager for democratic expression yet constrained by years of political turmoil and centralised control.

He describes the elections as a watershed moment, where citizens across all demographics seized a rare opportunity to voice their concerns through the ballot, breaking a long spell of enforced silence. However, Tarigami’s optimism is tempered with caution as he outlines the challenges ahead: a polarised political landscape, diminished local autonomy, and the delicate balancing act required in dealing with the Central government.

Amit Baruah is a senior journalist.

Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, currently serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for his involvement in a terror funding case, has recently submitted an affidavit to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal.

In this document, Yasin Malik asserts that he has renounced violence and embraced a peaceful approach to resistance. He stated, “I gave up arms, I’m a Gandhian now,” highlighting his transformation since 1994.

According to India Today, Yasin Malik in his affidavit has explained his decision to abandon violence was aimed at promoting a “united, independent Kashmir” but through peaceful means.

Embraced the Gandhian Philosophy: Yasin Malik

As the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-Yasin (JKLF-Y), Malik played a significant role in advocating armed militancy in the Kashmir Valley during the 1990s.

In his affidavit, he expressed a commitment to following the “Gandhian way of resistance,” indicating a profound shift in his ideology. This statement aims to reflect his current stance on conflict resolution and political activism.

Yasin Malik, currently serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail following his conviction in a terror funding case, is a key accused in the 1990 murder of four Indian Air Force personnel in Rawalpora, Srinagar.

Earlier this year, witnesses identified him as the primary shooter in that incident. Furthermore, in May 2022, he received a life sentence related to a terror financing investigation conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In his affidavit, Malik asserted that during the early 1990s, several state officials guaranteed him that the Kashmir issue would be addressed through “meaningful dialogue”, India Today reported.

Yasin Malik claimed he was promised that if he called for a unilateral ceasefire, all charges against him and members of JKLF-Y would be dismissed.

UAPA Review of JKLF-Y Ban

Yasin Malik‘s affidavit comes as the UAPA tribunal reviews the ban on JKLF-Y, which has been a prominent player in the armed struggle in Kashmir. His declaration of non-violence seeks to influence the tribunal’s assessment, potentially impacting the future of the organization.

In a recent order published in the official gazette, the UAPA tribunal classified JKLF-Y as an “unlawful organization” for the next five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. The ruling highlighted the group’s connections to prominent political and governmental figures since 1994, raising concerns about its legitimacy.

The members of a foreign delegation who are here on Wednesday to observe the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir expressed satisfaction over the conduct of polls. Some of them said the process looks comparable to how it happens in their own countries,

Jammu and Kashmir is voting in the second phase of assembly elections in which 26 seats in six districts are going to polls. The Ministry of External Affairs has invited a delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway and Singapore, to observe the exercise.

The voting process looked healthy and democratic, said US deputy Chief of the Mission in Delhi Jorgan K Andrews said

“It is great to see the enthusiasm; it’s great to see Kashmiris out voting after a pause for 10 years. We are very excited to see the results. It looks very healthy and very democratic,” Andrews told news agency PTI at a polling station here. He said the process here was similar to how it happens in his country.

Phase 2 voting underway

Voting is underway in 26 seats across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir in the second phase of assembly elections today, September 25. The second phase covers 15 seats in Kashmir Valley and 11 seats in the Jammu division of the Union Territory (UT).

Voting commenced from 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.

“It is very comparable. In my country, we use schools as well for voting. So it looks very similar,” Andrews added

South Korea diplomat Sang Woo Lim liked the idea of Pink polling station, an initiative of the Election Commission of India where polling stations are managed by all-female staff.

“It is my first time here in Kashmir. I am happy to be here as a part of the MEA delegation. I see it is a beautiful place and people are very nice. It is special to witness how democracy works. This idea of a pink polling station is very ingenuous. It is a great way to attract more people to come to vote,” Lim was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Singapore deputy head of the mission in Delhi Cheng Wei Wei Alice said it was wonderful to be part of the delegation observing the polls here.

Process Similar to Singapore

“I am glad that all the voters showed up. That’s wonderful to see. The process is very similar to how we conduct elections in Singapore. We use government buildings for polling stations so that it is easily accessible to voters,” she said.

Alice said the delegates were “very thankful to the MEA for organising this trip and allowing us to visit the polling stations”.

It looks very healthy and very democratic.

Jammu and KashmirArticle 370 in the erstwhile state in August 2019.

A.G. Noorani is remembered as an intellectual who upheld the principles of democracy and constitutionalism throughout his long and distinguished career.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives

Renowned lawyer, constitutional expert, and prolific author who made significant contributions to legal scholarship and political discourse in India for over six decades, A.G. Noorani is no more. A long-term contributor to Frontline, Noorani was widely respected for his insightful analysis on constitutional and human rights issues.

Born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1930, Abdul Ghafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani began his career as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court in 1953. Though he practised law, Noorani devoted much of his time to writing on legal, political, and historical topics. His sharp intellect and deep knowledge of constitutional matters made him a sought-after commentator on Indian politics and jurisprudence.

Noorani was a regular contributor to leading publications like Economic & Political Weekly, The Hindustan Times, and The Statesman. However, it was his association with Frontline magazine, which began in the 1980s, that brought his incisive writing to a wide audience. His column “Constitutional Questions” ran for over three decades and was known for its meticulous research and balanced analysis of complex legal issues.

As an author, Noorani penned over a dozen books on various aspects of Indian constitutional law, politics, and history. Some of his notable works include The Kashmir Question (1964), Ministers’ Misconduct (1973), Constitutional Questions and Citizens’ Rights (2006), and The RSS: A Menace to India (2019). His writings often took a critical look at government overreach and erosion of democratic norms.

Noorani was known for his strong advocacy of civil liberties and secularism. He was a vocal critic of laws that he believed infringed on fundamental rights, such as preventive detention laws and restrictions on freedom of expression. His legal expertise made him a respected voice in debates on judicial reforms and accountability.

Though he never held any official position, Noorani’s opinions carried weight in legal and political circles. He was often consulted on constitutional matters and his writings were cited in academic works and even Supreme Court judgments.

Noorani leaves behind a rich legacy of constitutional scholarship and political commentary. He is remembered as an intellectual who upheld the principles of democracy and constitutionalism throughout his long and distinguished career.

While revered in progressive and liberal circles, Noorani was not without his critics. Some felt his views were too idealistic or out of step with changing political realities. Nonetheless, his commitment to constitutional values and rigorous analysis earned him respect across the political spectrum.

Here’s a curated list of articles Noorani wrote for Frontline. We have kept them outside the paywall to honour the genius that he was. Please read them and share your comments.