Economy Takes Backseat As Mandir & Cow Dominates Political Landscape

Has the nation’s economy taken a backseat as the political class is preoccupied with the Ayodhya row, Sabarimala and cow?

The Times of India, in its editorial today had a word of caution for the Modi government on the economic front, even as global headwinds are rife with grave uncertainties. Citing figures, the Paper said domestic investments have plunged to 14 year low and private sector projects fell 64 per cent in the just ended December quarter.

The fiscal health is once again threatened not only by election fever but accompanied by shrilly divisive posturing around religious identity. The strains are visible as much as from the centres as from the states.

“Clearly there is no room for complacency – the economy needs assiduous stewardship, both in the center and in the states,” the Paper underscored.

The Sangh Parivar’s cry for Ram Temple despite PM’s insistence on awaiting for the Supreme Court verdict has been viewed with contempt by the Paper. The Sabarimala episode has been another contentious issue where conversations between traditionalists and reformists has been hijacked by politics.

Today, there is even a surge in cow population in Uttar Pradesh, thanks to politics taking over religion, putting a complete stop on trade in cattle. This has not only taken a heavy commercial toll but has rendered the cattle a liability, the Paper said. The Yogi government has now imposed a cow cess to feed the swelling cattle populace.