Allow Sikkim to Vote in Peace

Editorial:-

Electoral democracy is now 40 years old in Sikkim. Poll violence, at least of the viciousness now on ugly display, is however of much more recent make. Admittedly, Sikkim is not unknown to political violence and has seen its share of it in the past, but the campaigning this time appears even more violent, perhaps because it has taken spite and dislike to a whole new level and also because instigation appears to be proving more effective this time around. Needless to add, this is serving no one’s interest and the only people who will emerge smiling from this muddle will be the agent provocateurs. One can understand differences of opinion and ideological conflicts, but nothing, not even provocation, can justify violence. But it is increasingly being resorted to even in Sikkim now and appears to be spiking as the day of voting nears. This surge in violence at this time is clearly from a sense of righteousness which the two sides engaged in the slugging have appropriated. Both sides – SDF and SKM – appear convinced of their own virtue and have demonized the other. Carrying such a mindset in the politically charged environment of the present leads to paranoia and the two sides start patrolling their turfs as vigilante groups. The moment they spy supporters from the other side, they are convinced that some sinister scheme is afoot and take it upon themselves to take action. This is clearly what has been happening and why there have been such frequent collapses into violence. Not every group of party supporters is looking for a fight, not every bundle of cash in someone’s pocket is there to buy votes and not every appeal for peace is a call to ignore code violations. But too many are seeing it as such. A week down the line the shortsighted responses and the impropriety of several actions will become obvious, but it would have been too late even by the time you are reading this because too much violence has been allowed to transpire already. By the time this day ends, the votes would have been cast and sealed and there will be no more rewards for violence. At this juncture, that can be the only hope we sign off with – a hope that better sense prevails through voting day so that the electorate is not scared off voting; a hope that the police do their job and reassure people and keep them safe; a hope that the agent provocateurs take a day off; a hope that people get to vote without worrying about walking into fighting mobs; a hope that people give a clear verdict; a hope that their verdict is respected; a hope that people are respected and spared the violence… Too much to hope for? We will know by later this evening.