Understanding Jammu & Kashmir: Failure of Democratic Institutions

Happymon Jacob speaks with Wajahat Habibullah (Former Chairperson for National Commission for Minorities and the First Chief Information Commissioner of India, an officer of the Jammu & Kashmir Cadre of the Indian Administrative Services, and the author of the much-acclaimed book, ‘My Kashmir: The Dying of the Light’) about the evolution of Jammu & Kashmir’s relations vis-à-vis the Indian state. Mr Habibullah elucidates upon the declining faith in Indian democratic institutions in particular and the Indian state in general. He discusses issues like corruption in bureaucracy, policy paralysis and political abdication, and other issues that have prevented democratic institutions from assimilating the aspirations of Kashmiri people. Have Articles 370 and 35A stabilized centre-state relations, as envisioned? What can future governments in New Delhi learn from these issues to reinstate faith in democratic institutions and the idea of India? These questions are also discussed in the conversation. Like our work? Click here to support The Wire: https://thewire.in/support