Terrorism and Rural Entrepreneurship in Punjab

Abstract

This article aims at describing the process whereby entrepreneurship among members belonging to a particular caste and religion emerged as a result of terrorism. Rural entrepreneurship saw drastic changes during the last two decades. The once dominant business class found themselves in a situation where it was difficult for them to operate. The subversive activities-a resultant of terrorism-created panic and induced many to close down their family run businesses and proceed to urban areas in search of safer environments. Their vacuum was filled up by the agricultural class, which as a result of the green revolution was economically emerging as an entity to reckon with. The Jat Sikhs were the beneficiaries of this revolution. Terrorism paved their entry into the domain of business. Using a case study methodology, the authors have documented the process as it happened in one village. The authors argue that similar situations could also be witnessed in rural Punjab as well. This article therefore points out the significance of political factors, which the authors argue, cannot be ignored in any study on entrepreneurial development. Similar situations are seen almost all across. The new social groups, as the authors put forth, do not observe the rules of the game. The process of intimidating the well-established social and economic groups from all walks of life through adoption of violence has become the order of the day. The authors are very critical of the disharmony and the imbalance that such processes will create.