The Jammu and Kashmir poll body has asked PDP candidate Waheed Para to explain his statement urging Kashmir’s youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum” to send New Delhi a message and asked him to refrain from making utterances that may aggravate differences among communities.
The notice issued by the nodal officer for the Model Code of Conduct on Wednesday gave Para two days to respond.
This act of yours has the potential of aggravating the differences among communities and can cause discontentment in the society. We urge you to refrain from making statements that may exacerbate tensions among communities, as this could lead to discontent in society. It’s essential that you clarify the context and intended message to the people, and also explain your stance to the District Election Officer, Srinagar, within two days. Failure to comply may result in legal action, it read.
According to the Model Code of Conduct guidelines, any activity that could heighten existing differences or incite hatred between different castes, communities, or religious and linguistic groups should be avoided.
He termed the notice issued as an attempt to throttle, and stifle his voice. Parra said he owed allegiance to the Constitution of the country and by using the word “referendum”, he wanted to ask people to come out in large numbers to vote so that the dream of democracy could flourish. Do not think they (people of Kashmir) are happy with you (on decisions post August 2019). They are not. There are many reasons behind it. The future of the people, especially youngsters, is uncertain. The issuance of notice by the ruling party seems to be a deliberate attempt to silence my perspective. Such actions should not be applied to me, he added.
Parra said that “Referendum” is a common term used in legal and political discourse. Whenever there is a sense of political space, “referendum” is an appropriate word to use in political processes. Over the last five years, public disenfranchisement has created significant space issues, which ultimately justifies the use of the term “referendum.” I am contesting elections in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Indian constitution, and have been involved in the mainstream of Kashmir, rather than being inclined towards separatism.(KNS)
