Despite Rigging Prof. Bhim Singh Triumphs in Court in One of the World’s Largest Constituencies
The 1988 Udhampur by-election unfolded amidst a perilous climate in Jammu and Kashmir, the world’s most militarized zone, marked by escalating armed conflict, violence, and insurgency. Against the backdrop of this danger and unrest, one of the largest parliamentary constituencies in India, spanning approximately 22,000 square kilometers of mountainous Himalayan terrain including Mount Nun at an elevation of 7,135 meters, became a focal point of intense political activity and electoral contention. To put this vast size into perspective, it surpasses the geographical expanse of the state of Israel, which spans around 20,770 square kilometers.
During this volatile period, Prof. Bhim Singh, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and former law professor at Cambridge University, emerged as candidate challenging the status quo. At the conclusion of the count on 19 June 1988, radio stations and news outlets had announced Prof. Bhim Singh as the winner. All India Radio, the largest media outlet in the country at the time, broadcast that Prof. Bhim Singh won the by election by a substantial margin of over 32,000 votes, and subsequently President of India, Zail Singh congratulated Prof. Bhim Singh on a historic and monumental victory defeating the heavy handed government of India. However, soon after allegations of electoral irregularities and accusations of rigging in favor of the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, Mohammad Khan, cast a shadow over the electoral process. The 1988 Udhampur by-election became a tragic story of high electoral fraud and corruption during an armed conflict that rages on till date over 30 years following the election theft from JKNPP by the government of India. This unfortunate and unforgivable act of violent corruption arguably had a seismic impact across the region and dismally changed the course of world history and global consciousness towards a darker and unenlightened direction.
Perhaps if Prof. Bhim Singh had not been robbed of his electoral victory at the time, peace would have been more plausible for Jammu and Kashmir. The maladies of major human rights violations, martial curfews, mass graves and economic distress that continue to plague the people of this tortured state could have already ended.
Amidst the turmoil, armed forces were heavily deployed, reflecting the precarious security situation prevailing during the election and the subsequent vote-counting process. The presence of armed personnel added to the complexity and tension surrounding an already fiercely contested election.
In a poignant display of protest, Prof. Bhim Singh, alongside the future Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, staged a hunger strike in front of the Election Commission’s offices in Delhi. Their symbolic demonstration aimed to highlight the perceived electoral malpractices that marred the fairness of the 1988 Udhampur by-election, amidst the backdrop of a region engulfed in conflict and violence.
Legal proceedings ensued as Prof. Bhim Singh contested the election results in court. The proceedings unfolded against the grim backdrop of the ongoing armed conflict and the challenges posed by the volatile situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite these adversities, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court eventually after 4 years of protracted legal battle ruled in favor of Prof. Bhim Singh in 1992, validating his victory in the Udhampur by-election.
The 1988 Udhampur by-election stands as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in conducting fair and transparent elections within conflict-ridden regions. It underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic processes even amid adversity, violence, and the gravest of challenges to ensure the sanctity of the electoral system.
