The Contours of Delimitation

June 24 marked a watershed moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as the Centre and representatives of the region’s political parties met in New Delhi, 22 months after the BJPled government unilaterally scrapped Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union territories (UTs).

- Moazum Mohammad

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi was the first real attempt to re-engage the political mainstream of J&K after the events of August 5, 2019. Three former chief ministers who, with many others, had been detained for many months, also participated.

Since June 2018, when the BJP pulled the plug on its alliance with the Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), J&K has been directly or indirectly ruled by the Centre. The current attempt at a rapprochement is believed to have come after international pressure, especially from the US, which wants to see electoral democracy return to the region. Radha Kumar, the academic and former government-appointed interlocutor for J&K, says the pressure from the US “is undeniable”. “Restoring human rights and democracy was an issue in the run-up to the elections for President Joe Biden. There would have been quiet conversations and reminders (from the Biden administration) to take some steps,” she says.

But before that happens, the government wants another round of delimitation, an exercise meant to redraw the boundaries of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies and increase the number of seats. “Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K,” Prime Minister Modi said after the meeting. “Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K can get an elected government that gives strength to its development trajectory.”