Governance in the Heat – A Valley Boils Over
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 02 July 2025
As Kashmir reels under an unprecedented heatwave, basic civic services like water and electricity have become scarce luxuries. On Tuesday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) attempted to lead a protest march through Srinagar to highlight the worsening conditions—but police forces intercepted the rally, detained multiple leaders, and prevented the protest from reaching Lal Chowk.
This incident marks yet another political flashpoint in Jammu & Kashmir, where citizens’ frustrations over daily hardships are increasingly clashing with tight administrative controls. What began as a peaceful civil protest over water scarcity, irregular power supply, and unemployment, quickly escalated into a confrontation between opposition voices and the state’s ruling National Conference-led government.
The Event Unfolds: March Thwarted, Leaders Detained
Around mid-morning, PDP leaders and workers gathered outside their party headquarters in Srinagar, raising slogans against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration. Their aim: a peaceful march toward Lal Chowk, the symbolic political heart of the Valley.
However, within minutes, barricades were deployed, and dozens of police personnel surrounded the premises, stopping the procession before it could gain momentum.
Detained Leaders Include:
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Mohd Khursheed Alam
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Abdul Haq Khan
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Zahoor Mir
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Arif Laigroo
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Iqbal Tramboo
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Yaseen Bhat
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Noor Mohammad
Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense but non-violent, with protesters shouting slogans about civic neglect, broken promises, and political suppression, before they were bundled into police vehicles and escorted away.
“We weren’t throwing stones or blocking roads. We were simply demanding water in Muharram. And they treated us like criminals,” said a PDP worker, moments before detention.
Slogans in the Streets: “In Omar’s Rule, There Is Only Darkness”
As PDP workers moved through the narrow lanes of Srinagar’s city centre, their chants echoed a broader sentiment of public frustration.
Key Protest Slogans:
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“Bijli nahin, paani nahin, phir bhi yeh sarkar mahan?”
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“Omar ka raaj – jhooton ka taaj!”
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“17.4% berozgaari, kis muh se karein ye baat vikaas ki?”
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“370 gaya, insaaf bhi gaya!”
Their target was clear: the NC-led coalition government that PDP accuses of failing the Valley at every level—from daily governance to constitutional justice.
Mehbooba Mufti Reacts: “Now Even Demanding Water Is a Crime”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PDP President Mehbooba Mufti issued a scathing condemnation of the administration’s response:
“It appears that the administration only flexes its might when it comes to foiling PDP protests & detaining our workers. If only this same power & urgency was applied to address the worsening water crisis, skyrocketing power bills, alarming 17.4% unemployment rate, and unresolved issue of political prisoners.”
Mufti’s post underlined what many see as a shrinking democratic space in Jammu & Kashmir, where even peaceful demonstrations are met with detention, force, or censorship.
She further added:
“We’ve witnessed our protests silenced when we raised our voice against unconditional scrapping of Article 370 and human rights violations, but now even raising concerns over governance failures has become a punishable act.”
The Core Issues Behind the Protest
Though triggered by a specific incident, the PDP protest reflects deeper discontent among the population. Let’s break down the core issues that brought people to the streets despite the heat, arrests, and risks.
1. Water Crisis Worsens Amid Heatwave
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Reports from Ganderbal, Pulwama, and parts of Srinagar indicate water availability has fallen by over 40%.
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In many places, drinking water is rationed, and tanker supply is irregular.
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Farmers are unable to irrigate paddy fields, jeopardizing this season’s yield.
“In the month of Muharram, we don’t have water to even clean our homes, let alone offer prayers,” said PDP leader Yasir Reshi.
2. Electricity Cuts During Record Temperatures
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Daily load-shedding now stretches up to 12 hours in non-metered areas.
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Even metered localities experience 4–6 hours of power outages.
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The administration cites overload and water scarcity at hydro stations.
3. Rising Unemployment
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The 17.4% unemployment rate in J&K is nearly twice the national average.
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Graduates and postgraduates remain jobless, despite promises of government jobs and private investment.
4. Political Prisoners Still in Limbo
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Hundreds of youth arrested during the post-370 abrogation protests remain in detention.
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There is no clear policy for their amnesty or reintegration.
Opposition Under Pressure: A Shrinking Space for Dissent
Tuesday’s police action against PDP adds to a growing list of opposition clampdowns. Political analysts argue that while electoral democracy has returned in form, it lacks the substance of pluralism and debate.
“A protest about basic rights like water and jobs shouldn’t trigger detentions. That’s not democracy; that’s managed dissent,” said political commentator Dr. Shujaat Koul.
Indeed, over the past 18 months:
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NC, Congress, PDP, and JKPC workers have faced restrictions, FIRs, or detentions
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Media coverage of protests is limited to regional portals or social media
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Allegations of selective crackdowns—mostly on non-BJP parties—are rising
The Omar Government’s Stand: No Official Response Yet
At the time of publishing, neither Omar Abdullah nor senior National Conference leaders had issued a formal statement regarding the protest or detentions. However, sources within the administration defended the police action, citing:
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Violation of Section 144, which prohibits assembly of more than four persons
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Disruption of public movement in the central Lal Chowk area
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Security protocol due to Muharram and Amarnath Yatra
Still, PDP leaders argue that these justifications are routinely applied only to opposition protests, while ruling party events go unchecked.
Voices from the Ground: Public Anger Simmering
Among ordinary citizens, the protest has struck a chord.
Testimonials:
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Shabnam Jan, a resident of Anantnag: “We don’t care which party is in power anymore. We just want water and electricity. If raising that issue gets people arrested, what are we left with?”
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Muneer Ahmad, a shopkeeper in downtown Srinagar: “PDP, NC, BJP—all make promises. But when people march peacefully, the government only responds with lathis and vans.”
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Rukhsana Bano, university student: “I have two degrees but no job. The protest showed me I’m not alone. We’re all struggling.”
Political Fallout: A Boost for PDP, A Blow to NC?
While the detentions may seem like a suppression of PDP’s voice, they could actually galvanize support for the party among urban and rural voters. In a state where issues like power, water, jobs, and justice outweigh slogans, the image of PDP leaders getting arrested for raising public grievances may resonate deeply with frustrated citizens.
Political observers believe:
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The NC-led government could face a credibility challenge if issues remain unresolved
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PDP may use this incident as a rallying point ahead of the next local body elections
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Public opinion may tilt toward parties seen as standing with the people, rather than maintaining order from afar
Legal and Human Rights Angle
Under the Indian Constitution, Article 19 guarantees:
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Freedom of speech
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Right to peaceful assembly
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Right to express dissent
Civil society groups like Jammu & Kashmir Rights Forum have condemned the detentions, calling them a violation of these rights.
“There’s a line between maintaining law and order and criminalizing protest. The police crossed that line today,” said forum spokesperson Najma Qadri.
Conclusion: Protests Silenced, But Questions Remain
The detention of PDP leaders during a peaceful protest about basic civic issues has once again laid bare the fragility of democratic expression in Jammu & Kashmir. More importantly, it has raised uncomfortable questions for the ruling dispensation:
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Where is the water for our homes and fields?
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Why is electricity vanishing in 34°C heat?
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What happened to the job creation promises?
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Why are political prisoners still behind bars?
In the face of these real, raw issues, suppressing dissent only delays the reckoning. Whether the NC-led government listens—or clamps down harder—may determine the future of governance and civil liberty in the Valley.
