The ongoing war of words between Srinagar Parliament member Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and his own party, the National Conference, is no longer merely an internal political disagreement. It is rapidly turning into a full-blown social-media spectacle, and Kashmir is being forced to watch. What may have begun as a legitimate political difference has now been magnified beyond all proportion by an army of self-styled “political analysts”, armed with microphones, Facebook pages and homemade logos. Every statement is dissected, every reaction dramatised and every disagreement presented as though Kashmir were standing on the brink of some earth-shaking political revolution.
The real tragedy is that serious political discourse is being drowned in an ocean of noise. Hundreds of young men and women have suddenly discovered that a microphone, a Facebook page and a loud voice can turn anyone into an “analyst”. Nuance has disappeared. Facts have become secondary. Context is often sacrificed for clicks, shares and comments. The louder the claim, the greater the perceived importance. And the audience is paying the price. Kashmir has real problems demanding serious attention: unemployment, struggling businesses, inadequate healthcare, deteriorating infrastructure, education concerns, drug abuse and the everyday economic hardships confronting ordinary families. Yet precious public attention is being consumed by an endless cycle of political statements, counter-statements, reactions and counter-reactions.
There is nothing wrong with political disagreement. In fact, disagreement is an essential part of democracy. Aga Ruhullah is entitled to his views, and the National Conference is equally entitled to defend its position. Political parties can, and should, debate internally. But when every disagreement becomes social media ammunition, politics stops being a serious exercise in public service and starts resembling a television shouting match. The responsibility also lies with the so-called political commentators. Journalism and political analysis require homework, facts, balance and accountability. Holding a microphone does not automatically confer expertise. A Facebook following does not make someone a political scientist, and a provocative thumbnail does not turn speculation into news.
Kashmir’s audience deserves better. The current crescendo has reached a point where the noise itself is being mistaken for political significance. The louder these amateur voices become, the more difficult it is for ordinary people to distinguish between genuine political developments and manufactured drama.
The politicians should perhaps speak less through social media proxies and more directly to the people. And the self-appointed analysts should remember one simple principle: not every political disagreement is a crisis, not every statement is historic, and not every quarrel deserves a microphone. Kashmir has endured enough noise. What it needs now is political maturity, factual journalism and a little less theatre.
