J&K BDC elections a wake up call from India to Washington & London

Media hypocrisy is t required to be real – that’s why it’s thus called. Reporting truth, however, enjoys such waiver and reporters have real responsibilities as bringers of news and tellers of stories. My litmus test came a week after my first story saw print with a helpful colleague telling me if my piece me sense to me a day after it went up, I should be happy.

Internet has changed speed, but it cant glaze over deontology. For past 24 hours, I have searched orwise talkative and generally irresponsible western Anglo Saxon media looking for a thoughtful piece on elections in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Lakh and what y mean or do t for country. re is rio silence. A few weeks ago, world could t get eugh of atrocities and human rights violations in region with Line of Control (LOC) metaphorically hanging between United Nations (UN) in New York and Geneva. 

RE: Stories From Kashmir

I should be pleased to write that re’s t a single piece of any value that reports about Block Development polls in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Lakh on Thursday. “It would make India’s Parliament proud that due to ir historic decision in August this year, people of J&K have been able to exercise ir democratic right with exceptional enthusiasm, as seen in historic turut of 98 percent that too without violence or disturbance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted today and congratulated young and dynamic people across party lines to make exercise a success.

I am t jumping with joy because obviously t everything is right is Kashmir, but such has been history of state for deces with every government in New Delhi bearing responsibility for decay and deterioration. I have worked in war zones and with international aid ncies to kw what a lockdown or curfew means and how good journalists always find ways to get a copy out. Is it good, b, ugly or simply indifference that w les givers of lessons and keepers of morals to stay quiet
because y have Turkey and Brexit blowing up on ir faces? Should we care?

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re are several ways to Modi’s tweet, but two bear mention. Since journalists like b news, let us begin with it. Let us tell ourselves this is propaganda that is touted by Modi government er to impress converted. In or words, re are “real” reporters on ground, what we get to hear and re is rehashed by Indian government to maintain official line. This would fit “lockdown” and human rights story like a tee. second line is that free and fair elections did actually take place and Indian troops did t march people to polling booths at gunpoint. H that been case, trust me, it would have me banner helines in Washington and London with usual suspects baying for blood. That didn’t happen eir.

Let’s ask ourselves why? Were y t reported because government’s propaganda machinery is perfect, that troubled western journalists lost interest as soon as ir editors did or that? My view is simple. It doesn’t matter what world thinks. Never a fan of external applause, I have faith in my democracy with all its warts and open wounds. I recognise m, I hear m and some I even own with ors in my country.

RE: refore

Kashmir is India’s internal issue. months following abrogation of Article 370 have t been easy for those who eng in public discussions. Between cutting through propaganda and genuine concern, fear and fiction every day have profiled new tensions without much respite. Having only secondary sources and appreciating difficulties on all sides, I believe I was one among millions of Indians who wondered who to believe, where are sources that can verify information and what must be set aside. Internet did t make that task easy. Until w discussions on matter abro, regardless of forum, have relied on hearsay and attempts to set narratives, but this is first time that democracy has been well and truly heard.

I have ar option. That is to keep a watch on what happens in Kashmir but more importantly when and why famous five of Anglo Saxons will focus on Kashmir next. I can’t claim that Indian media is any better or worse than our cousins abro. But it seems to me that we are better aware of our hypocrisy. At time of writing – a full day after results emerged – re’s t even a limping recognition anywhere about significance of ballot in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh, and Lakh. India as a democracy playing its own game must truly be an eyesore.

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