India elections 2014: Kashmiris stage protests, busy Mumbai has no time to vote

April 24, 2014 | By hromedia | Reply More

Apr 24, – Hundreds of Kashmiri protesters hurled rocks at polling stations in the disputed Himalayan territory Thursday and shouted “Down with India!” on a major day of voting in the country’s general election.

Indian forces used tear gas and wooden batons to disperse the protesters, but there was no disruption in the voting, a police officer in the area said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In early hours of polling, thin voter turnout seemed to dominate most polling booths in Mumbai even as the city tries to shed its reputation as a city with political apathy. But as the day progressed the voting percentage increased but didn’t even reach the 50 % mark until two hours before the voting booths closed.

Prominent Mumbaikars and celebrities like Savhin Tendulkar, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor posted their pictures on Twitter and social networking sites and urged the voters to come out and vote. While some other prominent names had their priorities misplaced, where we saw a satisfactory turnout from Bollywood at the polling booths on Thursday, a major chunk of B-Town is missing.

Since the past two days, Bollywood actors have been leaving in batches for the 15th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, which kick started on April 23 at Tampa Bay, Florida.

With 814 million eligible voters, India is voting in phases over six weeks, with results expected May 16. The protests in Kashmir came as millions of people turned out in 11 states Thursday for the second-biggest day of voting in the election.

Indian Kashmir elects only six members for the 543-member strong Indian Parliament, but voting there will take place over several days due to security concerns.

Rebels and separatist politicians have urged people to boycott the vote to show that they do not recognize India’s sovereignty. More than a dozen rebel groups have been fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or merger with Pakistan since 1989.

Thursday’s protests spread to nearly two dozen towns and villages in the region.

Aqib Ahmed, a young voter, said he couldn’t remain blind to Indian atrocities on Kashmiris. “So I am not voting,” he said.

However, Abdul Ahad, 50, said the people were facing multiple issues in the region. “I am voting in the hope that the issue of development for progress is taken care of,” he said.

The main Hindu opposition Bharatiya Janata Party went into the election with strong momentum on promises of a surge in economic growth. Early polls suggest there is deep dissatisfaction with the governing Congress party’s 10 years in power.

Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, on Thursday filed his nomination papers for contesting the parliamentary elections from the northern holy city of Varanasi.

“I am humbled by the love showered by the people of this city on me. I wish to live up to the expectation of the people,” said Modi, 63. Supporters rained flowers down on his motorcade as he waved to them and bowed with folded hands.

Press journalist for HRO media – M Yousaf contributed to this report.