Introduction: Power, when placed in the wrong hands, often leads to arrogance and greed. History is filled with examples of leaders who, once in positions of authority, abandon their responsibilities toward the people and instead prioritize personal gain. The very qualities that should define leadership—humility, accountability, and a commitment to service—are frequently overshadowed by an unchecked sense of entitlement. This phenomenon is not limited to dictatorships or monarchies; even in democratic systems, where leaders are elected by the people, arrogance and greed often creep in. Elected representatives, who should serve as custodians of public welfare, frequently treat power as a means to secure wealth and privilege rather than a tool for societal transformation. This disconnect between leadership and public service is evident in many parts of the world, and Jammu & Kashmir is no exception.
The Betrayal Of Public Trust By Elected Representatives: The essence of democracy is representation, accountability, and service. Elected officials are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the interests of the people are upheld. However, what happens when these very representatives exploit their positions for personal enrichment? A striking example of this is unfolding in Jammu & Kashmir, where the recently elected MLAs, despite having limited powers and achieving no substantial progress on the ground, are already securing financial benefits for themselves while ignoring public grievances. Their immediate concern seems to be their own salaries, perks, and luxurious lifestyles rather than addressing the pressing issues facing the region.
Salaries, Perks, And The Disregard For Public Sentiment: Even though governance in Jammu & Kashmir remains under central administration, with the Lieutenant Governor and bureaucrats making key decisions, the MLAs have ensured that their monthly salaries of ₹1,60,000 are released promptly. In addition, each of the 90 MLAs has been provided with brand-new Scorpio vehicles—despite having minimal influence over policy decisions and governance. Their focus has clearly been on securing personal financial benefits rather than making a difference in the lives of the people who voted for them. As if this wasn’t enough, these MLAs are now demanding a salary increase to ₹5 lakh per month—an outrageous request at a time when the region is grappling with unemployment, economic hardship, and poor governance. The audacity of making such a demand, while ordinary people struggle with inflation and lack of basic infrastructure, exposes the deep-rooted greed and entitlement that has crept into politics. Adding insult to injury, these MLAs have made their demands with complete disregard for thousands of daily wagers, CIC operators, and vocational trainers in Jammu & Kashmir who have been working for years on meager salaries while struggling for regularization. These workers, essential to public services, continue to be neglected by the very politicians who were elected to represent their interests. Instead of fighting for their rights, the MLAs have prioritized their own financial gain, showing a blatant lack of empathy for the hardships faced by ordinary people. Even more troubling is their response to public scrutiny. Instead of addressing legitimate concerns raised by journalists and the people, some MLAs have resorted to threats and intimidation, revealing their insecurity and arrogance.
Power Without Accountability: The most dangerous aspect of unchecked power is the absence of accountability. When those in positions of authority feel no responsibility toward the people, governance becomes a self-serving exercise rather than a means of public service. In Jammu & Kashmir, this arrogance of power is now manifesting in the form of threats and intimidation. Some MLAs, rather than addressing the grievances of the people or responding to public scrutiny, have resorted to threatening journalists who dare to question them. This is not only a blatant attack on press freedom but also an indicator of their insecurity—revealing that those who fail to deliver also refuse to be held accountable. Journalists play a vital role in any democracy. They act as watchdogs of power, ensuring that those in leadership remain answerable for their actions. By attempting to silence the press, these MLAs are displaying a disturbing tendency toward authoritarianism—one where criticism is not tolerated, and scrutiny is met with hostility.
“For democracy to thrive, it is imperative that elected representatives are held accountable, unnecessary perks are eliminated, and press freedom is safeguarded. Only through a genuine commitment to public welfare can trust in governance be restored. Otherwise, power will remain a tool for arrogance and greed, betraying the very people it is meant to serve.”
The Larger Problem; A Culture Of Entitlement In Politics: This situation in Jammu & Kashmir is not an isolated incident; rather, it reflects a larger pattern of entitlement and greed that has long plagued Indian politics. Across various states, elected representatives have often prioritized their own salaries, perks, and privileges while failing to deliver on the promises they made to the people. The problem lies in the mindset of political representatives who, once elected, believe they are entitled to lavish lifestyles at the taxpayer’s expense. This culture of entitlement turns politics into a lucrative career rather than a platform for public service. Instead of fighting for development, education, employment, and infrastructure, many politicians focus on securing luxury accommodations, high salaries, foreign trips, and VIP treatment. The irony is that these very politicians justify austerity measures and cutbacks for common citizens, urging people to accept hardships while they themselves demand higher salaries and extravagant perks. This hypocrisy further fuels public anger and disillusionment with the political system.
The Consequences Of Unchecked Greed: The unchecked greed and arrogance of elected representatives have serious consequences for governance and democracy. Some of the most damaging effects include:
- Erosion Of Public Trust – When politicians prioritize personal gain over public service, people lose faith in the system. Voter turnout declines, political apathy increases, and democracy weakens.
- Institutional Decay – When power is concentrated in the hands of a privileged few, institutions meant to uphold democracy—such as the judiciary, media, and electoral bodies—face increasing pressure and interference.
- Widening Socioeconomic Disparities – While politicians secure hefty salaries, pensions, and VIP benefits, ordinary citizens struggle with inflation, unemployment, and lack of basic amenities. This deepens inequality and resentment.
- Stifling Of Dissent And Press Freedom – Threatening journalists and silencing criticism creates a dangerous precedent where accountability mechanisms break down. This weakens democracy and allows corruption to flourish unchecked.
Need For Urgent Reforms: The current situation in Jammu & Kashmir, along with the broader issue of political entitlement in India, calls for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in governance. Some key steps include:
- Salary Rationalization – MLAs’ salaries should be linked to performance and public service, not arbitrarily increased at their own discretion. A transparent, independent commission should oversee this process.
- Strict Accountability Measures – Public representatives must be held accountable for their work. Performance reviews, regular audits of public spending, and a system for voter recall should be introduced.
- Banning Unnecessary Perks – The government should eliminate privileges such as expensive vehicles and VIP treatment. Public funds should be used for development, not personal luxury.
- Protection Of Press Freedom – Laws must be strengthened to protect journalists from political intimidation. Those who threaten or harass journalists must face strict legal consequences.
- Encouraging Ethical Leadership – Political parties must prioritize candidates with a genuine commitment to public service rather than those seeking power for personal gain. Training programs for ethical governance should be mandatory.
Conclusion: Power, if unchecked, breeds arrogance and greed. The recent actions of elected representatives in Jammu & Kashmir—from securing salaries and perks to threatening journalists—expose a growing disconnect between politicians and the public. If this pattern continues, public trust in the system will erode further. For democracy to thrive, it is imperative that elected representatives are held accountable, unnecessary perks are eliminated, and press freedom is safeguarded. Only through a genuine commitment to public welfare can trust in governance be restored. Otherwise, power will remain a tool for arrogance and greed, betraying the very people it is meant to serve.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Ahmad Ayaz
