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{"id":1620,"date":"2002-10-02T01:05:19","date_gmt":"2002-10-02T06:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/altmuslim\/?p=1620"},"modified":"2002-10-02T01:05:19","modified_gmt":"2002-10-02T06:05:19","slug":"for_muslims_a_test_of_influence_in_kashmir_elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/altmuslim\/2002\/10\/for_muslims_a_test_of_influence_in_kashmir_elections\/","title":{"rendered":": For Muslims, A Test of Influence in Kashmir Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

While some things may never change, other things just become clearer. In the 50-year struggle between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, each side has claimed to represent the Kashmiris best interests. Enter the strained local elections<\/a>, which Pakistan calls \u201ca sham\u201d and India claims is a demonstration of Kashmiri autonomy. While Pakistan disavows anything other than non-violent influence and support, much of the influence Kashmiris experience has come in the form of attacks<\/a> by local (some say Pak) militants on polling stations and candidates<\/a>, killing scores of people during the brief campaign period<\/a> and voting. \u201cWe are afraid of every one \u2013 militants, the army and the renegades,\u201d said one resident. \u201cThis is the reason why the public is not enthusiastic about the elections.\u201d That lack of enthusiasm was reflected in a turnout<\/a> of between 42 and 47 percent, cited simulataneously as a victory<\/a> by India (where the unstated inference was approval of Indian rule) and<\/i> Kashmiri separatists (who claimed a heeding of their call for an election \u201cboycott<\/a>\u201c). Weary Kashmiris are doubtful<\/a> that elections will change anything and, accoring to a recent Nielsen poll, don\u2019t want union<\/a> with Pakistan or<\/i> India. \u201cWhat we need is friendship between Pakistan and India, so they can leave the poor Kashmiris alone,\u201d one historian said.<\/p>\n

<\/i><\/p>\n

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.\u00a0 He is based in London, England.\n<\/p>\n

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