Amid growing uncertainty over the future of mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, many appear to be turning up the political volume to remain visible, attract public attention and signal that they do not want to fade into irrelevance.In the recent past top leaders from Kashmir have hogged the headlines for making statements that triggered uproar. Their assertions made many people believe that they have lost the plot completely and they are desperate to become visible. Their utterances provided temporary visibility, but raised a larger question: are political leaders increasingly depending on controversy because they are finding it difficult to generate genuine public enthusiasm?

Many leaders are seen using sirens of their vehicles while moving through the streets to send a message that they are important and need to be given priority. These leaders need to be told that the people on the streets are the ones who voted for them and it was due to their votes they are travelling in the cars and are enjoying security. No political leader wants to behave like a common man and it appears that no one believes in simplicity. Their entire focus is on protocol. But someone needs to tell them that old political vocabulary and their VIP status don’t resonate with Kashmir’s younger and increasingly aspirational population.

For a common citizen........

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