As Jammu and Kashmir grapples with an unprecedented debt of nearly ₹1.12 lakh crores by 2024, excluding Ladakh, every resident of this beleaguered region effectively shoulders a staggering liability of approximately ₹77,000. In this grim economic landscape, the political rhetoric of relief and recovery rings hollow, particularly from parties like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). These parties, despite their soaring promises, have yet to offer concrete solutions to this financial crisis.
The election season in Jammu and Kashmir has once again brought forth quixotic manifestos, filled with lofty promises that fail to address the ground realities. It is crucial to ask how these parties intend to lift the region from this historic economic dip. Will their proposed policies provide real relief, or are they merely posturing for electoral gains? The absence of a clear strategy grounded in the principles of Safety, Security, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility (the 4S principles) is alarming. Without a focus on these pillars, any attempt at economic recovery will likely be superficial and short-lived.
The Illusion of Canonization: Echoes of John Donne
The situation calls to mind John Donne’s poem *The Canonization*, where love is exalted to a near-divine status, despite the world’s dismissive attitude towards it. Similarly, the promises made by our politicians are elevated to an almost sacred status, despite their detachment from reality. Just as Donne’s speaker challenges the world to prove how his love has harmed anyone, the political class challenges critics to show the flaws in their optimistic projections. However, just as Donne’s love is inward and personal, the politicians’ visions seem detached from the external, pressing realities of economic distress.
The poem’s lines—“For God’s sake hold your tongue, and let me love”—could easily be reinterpreted in the context of our current political discourse. Our leaders, through their verbose manifestos, seem to say: “Hold your tongue, and let us lead.” But the question remains: Lead us where? Into deeper debt? Into a further state of economic dependency, where the begging bowl approach continues to define our relationship with the rest of India?
The Begging Bowl Approach: A Cycle of Dependence
The persistent reliance on central grants and financial aid has perpetuated a cycle of dependence that hampers Jammu and Kashmir’s potential for economic self-reliance. The “begging bowl” approach, where leaders continually seek financial bailouts from the central government, has become a political crutch rather than a strategy for sustainable growth. This approach not only undermines the region’s autonomy but also stifles innovation and economic perseverance.
The political leadership, instead of addressing the core issues of economic resilience, often resorts to populist measures that provide temporary relief but fail to address the underlying structural weaknesses. The promises of job creation, infrastructure development, and social welfare schemes are seldom backed by a clear financial roadmap. The absence of fiscal discipline, combined with a lack of accountability, has led to a situation where the region’s debt burden has become a ticking time bomb.
The Path Forward: From Promises to Action
For Jammu and Kashmir to achieve true economic perseverance, a radical shift in political and economic thinking is required. The region needs leaders who can transcend the traditional begging bowl approach and instead focus on harnessing local resources, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable development. This will require a commitment to the 4S principles—Safety, Security, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility—as the foundation for all policy decisions.
The political class must prioritize economic policies that are rooted in realism rather than idealism. This means acknowledging the severity of the debt crisis, implementing stringent fiscal measures, and developing long-term strategies for economic growth. It also means empowering the youth, who are often reduced to mere spectators in the political process, by providing them with opportunities to contribute to the region’s economic development.
The Real Canonization
In the final lines of *The Canonization*, Donne speaks of the lovers being canonized for their love, becoming a pattern for others to follow. Similarly, the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir must strive to create a legacy that others can emulate—one of economic resilience, fiscal responsibility, and social equity. The time for empty promises and quixotic manifestos is over. What the people of Jammu and Kashmir need now is a clear, actionable plan that addresses their immediate economic concerns while laying the foundation for a prosperous future. Only then can the region break free from the cycle of dependence and achieve true economic perseverance.
