Back from the brink

The agitating people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are back from the streets thanks to the successful talks between the government and the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee that led to the withdrawal of the controversial ordinance banning peaceful protests and carrying a seven-year jail term over non-compliance. The situation is fast getting back to normal, but not after the autonomous region witnessed renewed protests spanning weeks – often turning violent, featuring injuries, vandalism, lockdowns and arrests – in the wake of the promulgation of Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024 on October 29.

Sanity, however, prevailed as both sides took a step back and embraced dialogue in the true spirit of democracy and constitutionalism. And while in a functional democracy, citizens have the right to voice their grievances and engage in peaceful protests to advocate for their rights, they must avoid violent tendencies harming the public itself and refrain from rhetoric that may be provocative for the state. Demonstrators should understand that blocking roads and disrupting daily life often shift the narrative from legitimate grievances to disruptive behaviour, alienating potential supporters.

For its part, the government too, as guardian of the lives and property of the public, must avoid escalation to its best; desist from going to the extent of highhandedness, coercion and control; and deal with legitimate calls for rights in a democratic manner. The government cannot just infringe upon constitutional rights and civil liberties in the name of maintaining public order. Now that things have cooled down in AJK, the focus should be on moving beyond mere promises and slogans and engaging in meaningful reforms, keeping in view that respect for local autonomy and a greater degree of political freedom could help alleviate the sense of powerlessness that fuels such protests. The AJK government and the Public Action Committee must work together to create a system that addresses the region's unique challenges while ensuring peaceful and inclusive governance.