Although challenges that afflict Panjab today – from the economic to the political —are many, yet it would be a bit of a stretch to argue that things are irretrievable.
Author
Tridivesh Singh Maini, Assistant Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
There is something common between the right-wing national media and strategic commentariat, a miniscule section of the Sikh ‘diaspora’, and certain political outfits, especially the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party that is attempting to find political space in Punjab.
All of them like to paint a picture of Panjab’s social fabric and reinforce stereotypes. They are then supported by doomsday analyses, which focus only on Panjab’s problems.
There is not an iota of doubt that there are a myriad of challenges that afflict Panjab today – from the economic to the political. Yet, it would be a bit of a stretch to argue that things are irretrievable.
Three key challenges
If one were to look at the challenges, the first would be the redressal of the legitimate economic demands of Panjab. This primarily includes the growing water shortage issue. Panjab already shares large amounts of water with the neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan, which compounds the scarcity. This issue is often relegated to the sidelines, but is a genuine concern of Panjab and can not be shoved under the carpet.
Published in: Eleventh Column
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