Shah Shahid
In the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir—held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, 2024—every political party made the “gareeb” (poor) the focal point of their slogans. Vehicles roamed the valley, blaring promises that the poor would no longer be ignored.
But now, with the elections behind us, the poor have vanished from the political discourse—not just for politicians but also for the elite and intellectual classes, who fill social media debates with issues they deem important.
If we look through the lens of Symbolic Interactionism, a sociological theory that examines how people create meaning through social interaction, it’s evident that the elite control the narrative in these spaces.
The poor, who often lack access to these digital platforms, are effectively silenced and marginalized. The elite construct a reality that suits their perspective, sidelining issues like unemployment, inflation, and hunger, which affect the majority of Kashmiris.
On platforms like Twitter, spaces created by ‘high priests of public opinion’ and discussions have multiplied, however, these conversations frequently focus on elite concerns and the upper creamy layer of what happened on August 5, 2019, rather than the structural inequalities and going deep into the sufferings that people had to face because of August 5, 2019 and the abrogation of Article 370.
One such speaker even claimed, “We persuaded people to vote; otherwise, they wouldn’t have.”
The statististtics and news reports both do not agree. There has not been any major change in the voting percentage from 2014, the last assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir and 2024, the recently concluded elections. News reports, clarify that people voted since they were directly suffering as a result of the post abrogation decisions in the valley.
This inflated self-importance—perhaps a case of delusional grandeur—demonstrates how the self-proclaimed intellectuals may lack the understanding or empathy to grasp the true struggles faced by Kashmir’s economically disadvantaged population. As it is often said,
“Those well fed can only afford to ignore food and hunger.”
The concept of Cultural Capital, as proposed by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, explains this phenomenon: those with the privilege of education and resources dominate these discussions, reinforcing their own status while excluding the voices of the economically distressed.
Take the drivers, for instance. They face immense challenges—being forced to install GPS devices at their expense, restrictions on entering cities, and the reduction of vehicle lifespans due to new regulations. Despite these struggles, they remain invisible in these elite spaces. This reflects Intersectionality, a theory that shows how overlapping identities (in this case, class and occupation) can further marginalize a group. Drivers in Kashmir, whose livelihoods are increasingly regulated, are dismissed as unimportant, demonstrating the elitist bias in these intellectual discussions.
The plight of farmers is no different. Since 2019, they have faced a cascade of crises: poor-quality pesticides, inadequate disaster compensation, and reduced import duties that have led to an influx of apples from countries like South Africa.
Yet, in these debates, the term “Gaamik” or “Grues” is often used to demean the farming community, showing how language reinforces class divisions. Framing Theory, which explores how the elite use derogatory language to frame farmers as backward or lesser, maintaining their status quo while ignoring the economic and environmental challenges that farmers face.
Protests in 2022 against the installation of smart meters were a clear signal from the economically distressed about the widening class gap. The poor argued that this move would disproportionately burden them, as they had previously paid flat rates in unmetered areas.
The installation of smart meters represents a shift towards monetizing basic utilities, deepening class inequality even in electricity consumption. Karl Marx’s Conflict Theory, highlights how economic policies often favor the wealthy while leaving the poor to struggle with increased financial burdens. The elites, who enjoy a life of convenience, remain indifferent to these changes that will only widen the gap between them and the lower class.
Consider the public distribution system. The ration of 5 kilograms of rice per person per month is a cruel joke in a region where rice is the staple diet. Essential supplies like kerosene and sugar have been slashed from the government’s support, making survival increasingly difficult for the poor. Yet, the elite confidently claim that no one in Kashmir starves, a perspective rooted in False Consciousness, a term by Marx. He describe how those in power create an illusion that obscures the true nature of the economic situation.
It’s easy to make such claims when you’ve never had to sleep on an empty stomach.
Students do receive occasional mentions, but the gravity of their issues, such as unemployment and economic instability post-graduation, is often minimized. In these elite spaces, the real issues of the youth are pushed aside in favor of more abstract and privileged debates.
Kashmir’s economically distressed population must disengage from these elitist spaces and build their own platforms to demand their rights. The poor, subjugated by broken promises, must take action, as it is clear that the current power structure has no intention of addressing their struggles.
The Social Movement Theory suggests that when a group is marginalized, mobilization can be the key to reclaiming their rights. The time is ripe for grassroots action, for the poor to refuse to be silenced and take back the narrative.
It’s time to challenge this class divide, hold the elites accountable, and reclaim the promises that are fading into the echo chambers of the privileged.
The government should prioritize addressing the basic needs of its citizens instead of engaging in performative social media rhetoric that does little to alleviate the real struggles of the people.
The issues faced by the economically distressed in Kashmir—whether it’s the burden of smart meters, inadequate rations, or the challenges in agriculture and transportation—require urgent, tangible solutions.
Instead of amplifying political narratives that only serve to attract media attention and support from certain social classes, the government should focus on policies that ensure food security, job creation, and fair economic conditions.
Political discourse is necessary, but it must be grounded in actions that uplift those who cannot afford to debate theoretical issues when they are struggling to meet their most basic needs.
It’s time for leaders to move beyond slogans and take concrete steps to resolve the issues affecting those who are unable to engage with the politics of the elite, ensuring that economic stability and support reach every household.
The opinions expressed by the author are his own.