Mad Hatter

When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary

- Naseer Ganai in Ganderbal and Budgam

"N the Kashmir election, the topi (skull cap), rather than a flag, has become the emblem of the electoral battle I this time. When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while seeking votes, it signals something extraordinary. This happened in Kashmir last week.

Omar Abdullah, scion of the Abdullah family and grandson of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, filed his nomination for the Ganderbal constituency on September 4. He then addressed his supporters, starting his speech in Urdu with, "I want to tell you one thing," before switching to Kashmiri. "My turban, my honour," Omar said, his voice cracking as he removed his topi, which featured Kashmiri craftsmanship.

Holding it in both hands, he displayed it to the crowd. The gesture was met with an outpouring of emotion. Some supporters, in tears, vowed to lay down their lives for him.

"Protect my turban," Omar said, pausing for effect. "Protect my skull cap. Protect my dignity. Give me one chance." Then, regaining his composure, he switched to Urdu and invoked God, telling voters that if they worked together, victory would be theirs.

A leader of Abdullah's stature removing his topi to appeal for votes reflects the intense pressure of the current political climate. Despite Ganderbal being a historic stronghold of the Abdullah family, with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Omar himself having contested from this seat, Omar appeared uncertain. A party worker says, "Our party and our leaders are facing attacks from all sides. The National Conference (NC) is in danger." He was echoing the widespread sentiment within the NC.