INDIA’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully without arms under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b). These provisions embody the spirit of democracy by ensuring that people can express their views, raise concerns and come together on public issues in a lawful and peaceful manner.

However, in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley, the space for such democratic expression appears to be steadily shrinking. Permission to hold public meetings and peaceful demonstrations is increasingly being denied, even when the issues raised are social or economic in nature. This trend raises serious concerns about the effective exercise of constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights.

PROTESTS NOT ALLOWED

Ten Central Trade Unions had called for an All India General Strike on February 12, 2026. The strike received wide support from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and numerous other farmers’, youth and workers’ organisations across the country. The call for strike was given to raise a collective voice against policies perceived as anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-people, and to demand their revocation through democratic means.

In Kashmir, CITU, along with Kisan Tehreek Jammu Kashmir, the Apple Farmers’ Federation and youth organisations, mobilised workers and activists to ensure the success of the strike. A joint public meeting was scheduled at Sheri Kashmir Park Srinagar.  However, at the eleventh hour, the administration did not permit for the gathering, effectively preventing workers from assembling and expressing their concerns in a peaceful and organised manner.

Despite these restrictions, programmes were conducted at various district headquarters across Jammu and Kashmir. CITU, Apple Farmers' Federation, Youth Federation defied the restrictions and held protest demonstrations in almost all the district headquarters. Their participation reflected both the depth of discontent and the determination of working people to assert their democratic rights even in the face of administrative obstacles.

This pattern of denial is not new. During last year’s All India strike as well, permission for similar programmes was refused. It is deeply disturbing that the administration in Kashmir appears to be systematically using its machinery to curb the collective voice of the working class. The repeated imposition of restrictions, and creation of procedural hurdles have become routine whenever workers, farmers, or youth attempt to raise legitimate concerns.

Recently, the CPI(M) Kulgam unit organised a protest demonstration against the arbitrary hike in electricity bills and persistent power outages in the district, issues that directly affect ordinary households. Instead of engaging with the grievances, the protestors were subjected to a lathi charge, resulting in injuries to several participants. Such responses to peaceful demonstrations only deepen alienation and undermine faith in democratic institutions.

CURBS INCREASED SINCE 2019

It is noteworthy that these restrictions have intensified in the post–Article 370 period, following the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the downgrading of the state into a Union Territory. Even during periods of peak unrest in earlier decades, space for peaceful protests on public and civic issues were rarely denied in such a sweeping manner. Today, however, even programmes related to wages, electricity, agriculture, and employment are treated with suspicion.

At a time when it is being widely projected through various platforms that Kashmir is witnessing peace and normalcy, the ground reality presents a troubling contradiction. When workers and farmers across the country participate in strikes and demonstrations to voice shared economic concerns, people in this region are either denied permission or face forceful action for attempting to express the same demands.

Democracy cannot be selective or conditional. If the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and expression, those rights must be upheld uniformly across all regions. The continued curbing of democratic space in Jammu and Kashmir raises serious concerns about the health of participatory democracy and the equal application of constitutional principles.

PROTEST HELD IN JAMMU

In Jammu, a peaceful meeting, led by M. Y. Tarigami, President of CITU J&K, was held to mark the all-India strike on February 12. The gathered workers were not permitted to take out a protest march. Despite these restrictions, a large number of workers participated and expressed their concerns peacefully. In his address, Tarigami explained the importance of the All India General Strike and said it was not just a routine protest, but a united voice of workers, farmers and other sections against anti-people policies. He criticised the restrictions imposed by the authorities in J&K and said that democratic rights must be respected.

He said, “Let the darkness reach its darkest hour. When the rays of light emerge, even the deepest darkness cannot survive.” Through this, he conveyed hope and confidence that people’s struggles would ultimately succeed despite present challenges.

The gathering was also addressed by CITU J&K General Secretary Com. Jagdesh Sharma and Zahoor Ahmad Rather, President of the Apple Farmers’ Federation J&K. Zahoor Ahmad strongly demanded the revocation of the India–US trade deal, calling it disastrous for farmers, especially those dependent on horticulture. They warned that such agreements would severely impact apple growers and small farmers in the country.