Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, June 16: A video from Kishtwar that has gone viral on social media has ignited widespread public concern and sparked a serious debate over the status of democratic freedoms in the region.
The footage features a local social activist alleging harassment and pressure from the administration after he raised his voice for poor patients and their healthcare-related grievances.The incident has drawn strong reactions from various sections of society, with many now questioning whether the region is being run on democratic principles—or if unchecked bureaucratic overreach is gradually replacing the spirit of public accountability.
See the link below of the viral video:
Locals assert that in a functioning democracy, raising one’s voice for justice and the welfare of the underprivileged is not only a right—it is a duty. However, when such actions are met with intimidation, it reflects a dangerous shift away from democratic governance and toward suppression of social conscience.
“When a citizen speaks for the voiceless, it is a cry of conscience, not an act of rebellion. If bureaucracy begins to treat humanity as hooliganism, the system itself needs introspection,” remarked former Municipal Committee President Sajad Ahmed Najar.Amid growing unrest, citizens and several social groups—have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to clarify whether India continues to uphold democratic values or whether bureaucratic supremacy is now the prevailing order.
There is also a strong demand for immediate action against officials allegedly defaming the democratic framework and spreading confusion among the public through the misuse of power.What began as a local incident has now emerged as a broader symbol of public frustration, reigniting the people’s demand for transparency, accountability, and democratic dignity. The message is clear:In a true democracy, governance must serve the people—not silence them.
By Mansoor Qadir.
