Patriotism for Profit: A New Industry Emerges in Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, a new type of contract industry is rapidly taking root, one that operates under the banner of patriotism. So-called 'integration events' are being organized across the region with the stated objective of fostering national unity and awareness among the populace. However, an official examination of the process reveals a concerning lack of oversight.
The Stated Goals vs. The Ground Reality
On the surface, these events are presented as vital initiatives for social harmony. Their publicly declared aim is "to promote national unity and awareness." This noble purpose has led to the allocation of funds and resources for a multitude of programs and gatherings intended to bring communities together under the umbrella of national identity.
Despite these public-facing goals, officials familiar with the inner workings of these events admit that the process is shrouded in minimal transparency. The mechanism for selecting organizers, finalizing budgets, and measuring the actual impact of these events remains unclear, creating a space where the line between genuine national integration and commercial opportunism becomes blurred.
A Murky Process with Minimal Oversight
The core issue, as highlighted by those with knowledge of the matter, is the absence of a clear and accountable framework. The very officials who are part of the system concede that transparency is minimal. This admission points to a potentially systemic problem where the allocation of contracts for these patriotic events may not be following standard procedures of open tendering or rigorous scrutiny.
This lack of clear guidelines has effectively allowed "integration events" to become Kashmir's new contract industry, where the pursuit of profit is potentially being disguised as a service to the nation. The situation raises critical questions about who ultimately benefits from these initiatives and whether the primary goal of fostering genuine unity is being achieved.
The report, filed by Zulfikar Majid and last updated on 09 November 2025, at 11:19 IST, brings to light a growing debate in the region about the commercialization of nationalistic fervor and the urgent need for greater accountability in government-sponsored outreach programs.
