- Throughout the country, the polarization of society is at its zenith presently with communities – majority and minority – finding themselves pitted against one another even as political leaders, irrespective of party affiliations, are leaving no opportunities to go waste in trying to fish in troubled waters. As you are aware, the Hijab controversy that originated in the temple town of Udupi in Karnataka has not only fanned out across the state but also to other parts of the country too largely succeeding in disturbing social harmony. As is its wont, the hardcore Hindutva brigade is aggressively pursuing agenda to assert its demographic supremacy.
PC: PTI
- As reported, efforts are underway to disallow traders other than Hindus to establish their shops near temples and other associated fairs citing a 2002 government ruling. This comes on the back of Muslim traders observing a silent shutdown of businesses over the Hijab ruling by the Karnataka High Court. The tit-for-tat move has apparently caused a lot of heartburn amongst Muslim traders who are largely dependent on these fairs for livelihood in several parts of the state leading to the intelligentsia and concerned socialists questioning the same. Understand, one of the key factors in global business and commercial relationships is reputations gain or loss, magnified by network effects and feedback loops.
- Looking at a larger picture will reveal how India’s reputational pluses are its current and future growth, its educated talent, which is large in absolute numbers even if sadly small as a proportion of its population, its entrepreneurial energy, its potential as a manufacturing hub given its young workforce, and a political as well as policy culture that’s grown more receptive to needs of the business. We also know about the sluggishness of its legal system and its tendency to often change commercial and tax rules are reputational minuses because they affect the critical matter of contractual consistency. In all this, social harmony essays are an extremely important part.
PC: Sarita Adve
- Remember, a harmonious society is always bound to be more attractive in a highly competitive global business environment. Unfortunately, in India, Karnataka is increasingly posing a question on this issue. Note that the state is a magnet for all job seekers because of the economic vibrancy catalysed by the technology sector. Definitely, being in an open and tolerant society has helped the nation greatly. However, the state that was a beacon of hope for all of India seems to be narrowing options for a section of its residents. And since reputations matter and optics are also indeed consequential, political calls that translate into undermining livelihood opportunities of Muslims are damaging for the business environment, if not now, then over the medium term.
- Needless to mention, neither countries nor individual firms are any longer immune to pressure that comes from a deteriorating reputation irrespective of how big the economic heft one may claim to have. Even China, with its gigantic $15 trillion economy, is not immune to exits after its crackdown on democracy activists in Hong Kong led to damages to its reputation and businesses in turn. As such, it is not out of place to mention that Karnataka’s politicians should keep these lessons in mind to ensure the path to economic growth is not hampered by counterproductive measures. Thus, it is incumbent to create opportunities for everyone to ensure parochial considerations don’t disrupt bigger plans for growth. Will the aggressors agree? Let’s wait.
