J&K Polls: How unemployment, political representation issues eclipse traditional leanings for Jammu's youth

Scholars outside the library of Jammu University. (Image: Siddharth Chakraborty)

Unemployment, uneven development, and under-representation are words that echo throughout the campus of Jammu University as students discuss the political prospects of major parties in the ongoing assembly polls.

The varsity, a microcosm of aspirations and dreams of students belonging primarily to the Jammu region, is abuzz with electoral arithmetic as young scholars engage in number crunching to predict a definitive outcome for October 8. The mood among the students is, however, strikingly different from the rest of the city -- that has no reservation in expressing its preferred party of choice, with both BJP and Congress locked in a tight duel.

When core issues eclipse ideologies

The youth is not voting on ideologies, but on issues that are central to them. "Unemployment, growing political vacuum, and under-representation have decapitated the region," says 32-year-old Jarnail Singh, from Doda. Singh is pursuing PhD in sociology. Mincing no words, the young scholar says "unemployment is the biggest issue" in the ongoing polls.

"Political parties must realise that unemployment is the biggest bane that the region faces. Vacancies in public jobs are unheard of these days. Non-intake in public jobs coupled with lack of opportunities in the private sector has added to the woes of the students in the Jammu region," reiterates the scholar as the evening breeze blows gently over the lush green fields near Dhanvantari library.

Balanced development key for Jammu

Singh adds with most jobs tied to government positions, a series of recruitment scams have further dampened the job market while many youths have crossed the age limit for government exams due to lockdowns and stagnant employment opportunities. Jammu is seeking balanced development in the private sector to create employment opportunities.

When unemployment rears its ugly face

"For many years, issues of identity dominated the poll narrative in Kashmir, and too much focus on the valley in Jammu, but now a common refrain across the Union Territory is the need for the government to create jobs," Rohan Sharma, a young job seeker tells Moneycontrol. With politics being the flavour of the season, Sharma says students, young job seekers, and every second person will recount the same story to underline the situation.

As the programme to spread awareness on voting and democratic rights gathers steam near the popular VC square, aspiring intellectuals join the discussion to highlight how unemployment is rearing its ugly head. "Drug abuse has grown manifold in the region. Unless and until the government addresses the issue of unemployment, substance abuse will only spread with time," quips 21-year-old Ariba Drar.

Commenting on the seriousness of the issue, Dr. Nitan Sharma, assistant professor at the law school, said the manifestoes of all major parties are promising more jobs. The Congress has said it will fill one lakh vacant government posts by issuing a job calendar within 30 days, while the BJP says it will create five lakh employment opportunities through a Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojana.

An opportunity to correct a historical wrong

Elaborating on the issue of under-representation faced by the Jammu region, Tahir Shakeel said, "For the people of this region, the mandate will be an opportunity to assert their equal status. Historically, the Kashmir valley-based leadership played a dominant role in the state’s politics and governance, denying the Jammu region its due."

Despite Jammu's significant contribution to the UT’s economy in terms of revenue and tax collection, the politics of the state always revolved around the valley with the Jammu leadership hardly ever getting any prominence. "October 1 will be an opportunity to correct this historical wrong," said Shakeel animatedly.

Former bureaucrat Ashok Parmar, elaborating on the power asymmetry between the Jammu and Kashmir regions says historically the elites of Kashmir have allowed the asymmetry to continue. He attributes the control to complete control over public services. He added that the abrogation of Article 370 will go a long way to end this power asymmetry and enable youths from Jammu to occupy powerful positions within the state bureaucracy.