MIAN TUFAIL
As the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir gains momentum, it brings to light the complex and often contentious dynamics of caste and community in the region’s political landscape. The party which was noted for consistently playing and capitalizing upon the caste and community factor in Kashmir is People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led earlier by former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and now by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti.
This concentration of power among a small, well-connected community is reflective of a broader trend in Kashmir’s political landscape. The dominance of the Mullah community is not limited to the PDP alone; it extends across other political parties which also exhibit a similar caste-based bias in their organizational structures and electoral strategies.
The Role of the Mullah Community in PDP
A critical analysis of the party’s candidate selection and broader political strategy reveals a pattern that reflects the intricate and deeply rooted caste and community considerations that have long influenced Kashmir’s politics.
The PDP, under Mehbooba Mufti’s leadership, has been noted for its perceived favoritism towards members of the Mullah community – a group that despite constituting only about 3.4% of the population, has come to exert significant influence over Kashmir’s political and bureaucratic spheres. The Mullah community, traditionally comprising clans such as the Bukharis, Andrabis, Shahs, Qadris, and Naqashbandis, has seen a disproportionate representation in the PDP’s ticket distribution. This is evident from the recent allocation of electoral mandates where a significant number of Mullah candidates have been favoured.
Case Studies in Candidate Selection
The recent distribution of PDP tickets offers several illustrative examples of how caste and community considerations have shaped political decisions. In Zainpora Shopian, Ghulam Mohiuddin – a close associate of Mehbooba Mufti and a member of the Mullah community was selected as the party’s candidate, sidelining Aijaz Mir, a seasoned politician with strong grassroots support. Similarly, in Pahalgam, Dr. Shabir Siddiqui, a political newcomer but a relative of Mehbooba Mufti and from the same caste, was preferred over more experienced candidates. In Devsar, Sartaj Madni, Mehbooba’s maternal uncle, was chosen to contest, further underscoring the influence of familial and caste connections in the party’s decision-making process.
These instances highlight a pattern where members of the Mullah community are often prioritized for electoral positions, particularly in constituencies where the PDP has the option to do so. In cases where no suitable Mullah candidate is available, individuals from other communities may be considered but this appears to be more of an exception than the norm.
The Historical Context of Caste Politics in Kashmir
The prominence of the Mullah community in Kashmir’s contemporary political scene is part of a longer historical trajectory. Prior to the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s, the Pandit community held significant sway over the valley’s power structures, dominating the political, bureaucratic and educational spheres. Their forced departure created a power vacuum that the Mullah community has since filled, leveraging their educational and social capital to establish themselves as key players in the region’s political landscape.
While the Mullah community’s rise to prominence can be attributed in part to their relative educational and social advantages, it also reflects the deeply entrenched caste consciousness that continues to shape political affiliations and power dynamics in Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti’s leadership of the PDP characterized by a pronounced emphasis on community-based politics represents a continuation of this trend.
The Implications for Kashmir’s Political Future
The dominance of the Mullah community in Kashmir’s political arena has far-reaching implications for the region’s governance and social cohesion. By concentrating power within a small, closely-knit group, the PDP and other parties risk alienating broader segments of the population, potentially exacerbating existing social tensions and undermining efforts to build a more inclusive political system.
At the same time, the persistence of caste and community-based politics in Kashmir raises important questions about the future of democratic governance in the region. As the electoral process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether political leaders will recognize the need to transcend narrow caste affiliations and embrace a more inclusive approach that reflects the diverse aspirations of all Kashmiris.
The current state of Kashmir’s politics, as exemplified by the PDP under Mehbooba Mufti, serves as a stark reminder of the enduring influence of caste and community considerations in shaping the region’s political landscape. While these dynamics have deep historical roots, their continued prevalence poses significant challenges to the development of a more equitable and representative political system in Kashmir. As the region moves forward, it is imperative that political leaders and parties alike strive to create a more inclusive and participatory democratic process that truly reflects the will of its entire people.
