Mushtaq Bala
Jammu and Kashmir today finds itself caught in a paradox—an elected government exists after years of waiting, but governance continues to be steered from Raj Bhavan. Development projects are promised but remain largely invisible on the ground. The promise of normalcy and growth is repeated often, yet the daily lives of ordinary citizens remain weighed down by uncertainty, unemployment, and a sense of stepmotherly neglect by the Centre.
Tourism, often described as the lifeline of Kashmir’s economy, has been dealt a fresh blow. After the Pahalgam attack earlier this season, tourist inflows have fallen sharply. Hotels report cancellations, shikara owners complain of empty boats, and guides speak of lost earnings. For many families who depend on tourism, the optimism of recent years has been replaced by anxiety. While official claims highlight record-breaking arrivals in the past, the present reality in the Valley tells a different story—visitor numbers have slashed down many folds, threatening livelihoods.
Grand announcements continue to be made about investment summits, new industrial estates, and modern infrastructure. Yet, for the common citizen, very little tangible progress is visible. Roads remain half-finished, power supply erratic, and healthcare stretched. Unemployment figures remain high, with educated youth desperately queuing up for every recruitment notification.
The gap between promise and performance is glaring. While advertisements and press notes project a picture of rapid progress, people on the ground see stalled projects and undelivered schemes. The “development narrative” rings hollow when everyday struggles remain unchanged.
The restoration of an elected government, with Omar Abdullah returning as Chief Minister, was expected to rekindle public faith in democracy. Yet, months into office, the state government finds itself powerless to act on crucial issues.
The parallel authority of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha continues to overshadow the elected dispensation. From administrative matters to critical decisions on land, industry, and policy, the LG’s word prevails. The perception among the people is clear: the CM may hold office, but authority rests elsewhere.
This imbalance not only weakens governance but also erodes the very spirit of representative democracy. The message it sends is troubling—that even with an elected assembly in place, J&K’s political will can be bypassed.
The lingering denial of statehood remains a sore point. Despite repeated assurances from New Delhi, J&K continues to function as a Union Territory in all but name. The refusal to restore full statehood is widely seen as a deliberate disempowerment of the region, a reminder that its democratic rights are conditional and incomplete.
People increasingly perceive a stepmotherly approach from the Centre—investments promised but not delivered, political leaders undermined by bureaucratic structures, and the region’s voice muted in national decision-making. This sense of alienation is growing, not shrinking.
An equally important sector caught in this paralysis is the media. Despite being in circulation for 8 to 10 years, several newspapers in J&K are still waiting for empanelment with the Department of Information—denied access to government advertising that sustains their operations. For smaller publications, this delay is tantamount to strangulation.
In his winter assembly session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised reforms in the media policy to create a fair, transparent, and enabling environment for journalists and newspapers. Yet, nothing concrete has been done so far. The result is a press caught between survival struggles and growing pressure, unable to fully play its role as the fourth pillar of democracy.
For a region already suffering from a deficit of political representation, the stifling of media only compounds the problem. Without a free, vibrant press, citizens lose another avenue to voice their concerns and hold power accountable.
Ordinary citizens want development, but not at the cost of dignity. They want jobs, better healthcare, reliable electricity, and peace of mind. But they also want an assurance that their votes and voices matter. Today, that assurance feels distant.
Youth in particular are restless—caught between a shrinking job market, repeated competitive exams marred by controversies, and a political system that seems unable to respond to their aspirations. Civil society groups and local representatives often feel sidelined in favour of top-down directives.
If J&K is to move forward meaningfully, both development and democracy must be pursued together—not as competing agendas but as complementary ones. A government that cannot take decisions independently, or a development push that does not reflect people’s priorities, will fail to build long-term trust.
The Centre must recognize that holding back statehood, weakening the elected government, and maintaining an overbearing LG structure is counterproductive. Empowering the elected leadership, while ensuring accountability, is the only way to rebuild the people’s faith.
Development too must shift from optics to outcomes. Instead of glossy brochures, what people want to see are completed schools, functional hospitals, credible reforms in media and education, and sustained employment opportunities. Only then can “development” carry meaning beyond rhetoric.
Jammu and Kashmir today stands at a critical juncture. The elected government led by Omar Abdullah struggles under the shadow of the LG, tourism is in crisis after recent violence, and the much-touted development remains largely invisible. Meanwhile, the denial of statehood, neglect of the media sector, and the Centre’s stepmotherly treatment deepen the sense of alienation.
The crossroads is clear: either New Delhi takes steps to genuinely empower J&K’s people, leadership, and institutions—including a free press—or the gap between promise and reality will continue to widen. True progress cannot come from announcements alone—it must come from trust, representation, and tangible change on the ground. Only then will development and democracy walk hand in hand, giving the people of J&K the dignity and future they deserve.
Mushtaq Bala is Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Pen, an award-winning filmmaker, cultural commentator, and advocate for peace through narrative media.
