By Savithri Subramanian
February 04, 2015
Abstract: The article examines the role of the Army in rebuilding democracy in strife-torn parts of the country taking the example of the recent Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. It draws attention to the exemplary role the Army plays in such a context and questions the accountability and responsibility of the other players in the political system especially the political parties.
Introduction
This article examines the role of the Army in the process of establishing democracy in a conflict-ridden state or region in our country. For this it draws from the example of the Assembly elections held in December 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army put in extraordinary efforts in the successful completion of the elections. Conduct of elections in this particular context is challenging as the state is ridden with militancy and incursions across the border aimed at strengthening a separatist movement. While there is general acknowledgement that despite these obstacles, the elections were conducted successfully, the role of the Army in this outcome has hardly got a mention.
The article discusses the unjustified neglect of the Army’s contribution in the public perception created through media and the manner in which the other political institutions take the armed forces for granted. The article also points to the lessons the December elections have for our and other democratic nations.
The significance of elections in democracy
Democracy is one of the most admired and desired political systems known to humankind. The primary reason for its desirability is the fact that a democratic government is formed based on the vote of the majority. In a democracy, the government represents the people of that particular country in a fundamental sense and unlike in any other form of government. Each of the peoples’ representatives is born through the process of elections. Thus, election is the fulcrum in the establishment of a democratic government. It follows from this that the conduct of election is one of the most significant parts of a democracy. It would not be hyperbole to say that it is the most significant insofar as it is the only step in the process of governance in which the citizens in the democracy participate.
The recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir
In the past decade or so, major effort has been put into the successful conduct of elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The figures given below substantiate this. In the 2002 and 2008 assembly elections the voter turnout was 43.09 and 61.42% respectively. In the 2004, 2009 and 2014 general elections it was 35.20, 39.67 and 50.23% respectively. These figures match up well to those from other states where militant attacks are not an everyday phenomenon. In the recently concluded assembly elections the turnout was 65% as a whole, while male voter turnout was 72% and female, 58%. There has been a steady and noteworthy increase in voter participation in the general, assembly and panchayat elections in the state.
The year 2014 was crucial for the state with the General elections scheduled for April and Assembly elections for December. This had certain specific implications for a state ridden with militancy and terrorist attacks. Like the earlier General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 15 Corps Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh had said in an interview to PTI, “The terrorists will try to subvert the elections and for that they need to reinforce their numbers in the Valley.” He pointed out that there would be attempts to push in a large number of ultras into the Valley from multiple points but the Army is prepared. He further stated, “Due to the excellent counter-infiltration grid in place, we have been able to thwart this…”[i]
The role of the Army in the elections
Many factors have been credited for the successful conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir in December 2014 such as the popularity of some leaders in the party ruling at the centre or the party as a whole and the discontent with the government at the State level after the floods in September 2014 leading to unprecedented loss of life and property[ii]. Yet, the most creditworthy of them all in the final analysis, that takes into account all dimensions, is the role of the Army. Given the particular circumstances in the state, a very high level of security was achieved and maintained for the voters. Without the utter commitment and devotion of the army this could not be possible. There were several terror attacks during the course of the multi-phase elections including on an army camp. Casualties included army personnel, policemen and civilians. Yet, the elections were completed on schedule and the voter participation as stated above was high.
In this context, there is a totally different spin we can give to Chanakya’s quote to the king of Magadh, “While the Magadha citizenry endeavours to make the State prosper and flourish, the Mauryan soldier guarantees that the State continues to exist!”[iii] Because, like stated at the beginning of the article, elections are the backbone of democracy. And without a successful election process no claims can be made of setting up a democratic government.
It has been pointed out very lucidly that, “Historically, it is to the credit of the Indian Armed Forces that they have fulfilled their assigned role as an organ of the state, that they have functioned effectively in every role, despite a general lack of a supportive government environment by way of adequate finances, resources, equipment, personnel policies, or higher political direction.”[iv]
But like always very little recognition of this is seen in the mainstream media. This approach of the media seems quite unbalanced considering that the main share in media coverage of the armed forces is on incidents that may point to a misuse of power. This creates a negative and fearful attitude on the general public about the presence of the army. Thus, the presence of the army itself comes to be viewed as a symbol of the absence of democracy. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir explode this myth. The strong presence of the army started and completed the first and most critical step towards initiating democratic processes in the state.
The final outcome of the elections further highlights the unfairness in the whole process. Despite the extraordinary efforts made by the Army to ensure high voter participation, a government has not been formed in the state. The elections resulted in a hung assembly with the following seat share of the leading political parties: Peoples’ Democratic Party 28, Bharatiya Janata Party 25, National Conference 15 and Congress 12. After prolonged discussions and negotiations none of the parties could agree to form a government in coalition. Thus, the entire effort expended in the conduct of the elections is wasted.
Given that every institution in the political system has certain responsibilities, in this instance the Army seems to have fared much better than political parties. The Army has served its duty better than the political parties that participate in the elections with the avowed objective of governing the country and its states.
Future directions
The entire experience of the recent elections in Kashmir has many significant lessons for governance.
Firstly, this is a good example of the restoration of democratic process and has lessons for any other conflict-stricken and terrorism prevalent states within the country as well as for other nations struggling with terrorist movements. The planning and execution of security for the voters on the part of the Army is a lesson worthy of being taught even in premier management schools. Furthermore, systematic and thorough coverage in the media of the Army’s contribution in such instance will boost the morale of the soldiers and help build a positive image of them in public perception.
The second lesson is in some ways more fundamental and directly impacts the conceptualisation of the responsibilities of different actors in the political system. The conduct of elections is a huge drain on resources – money and time – of the nation and the citizens. The recent Jammu & Kashmir elections also involved considerable effort and money. The Army played an exemplary role in ensuring large numbers participated. The people of the state came out despite hostile weather and political conditions. It was the responsibility of the parties fighting the elections to make that extra effort to form a government and take the process forward. They needed to sustain and consolidate this initiative. But sadly, they failed to do so.
If the ‘duty’ of the Army is to follow the directives of the government (the legislature and the bureaucracy), then there are certain ‘duties’ of the other players in the political system. If the government calls for elections to be held and political parties participate with the hope of winning and occupying the seats of authority, then they should be committed to this responsibility. This is extremely important so that future elections in political contexts like Jammu & Kashmir do not end up being a waste of time and resources. This is particularly so, because the Army invests a lot of resources, time and capabilities in the process more than any other institution of the country.
Views expressed are personal.
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