The Fall of Tinsel God
How mighty have fallen fits in completely with the rout of B.J.P0. in recently held elections to Bihar Assembly. To any analyst it looked that it was going to be close fight – it is no hidden secret that progressive forces in the country like academics, writers and social activists who were passive at the start were forced to be active as the real face of B.J.P. through its boss RSS emerged threatening the very core values guaranteed by Indian constitution, and thus posing a danger to the integrity of the country.
Jayaprakash Narayan, the Socialist leader had as far back as 1965 given the warning. He said; “Some like the RSS might do it openly by identifying the Indian nation with Hindu Rashtra, others might do it more subtly”. J.P. warned “those who attempt to equate India with Hindus…..are in reality enemies of Hinduism itself and Hindus, as they weaken and sunder the fabric of nation”. He also had pointed out that cow was never considered a sacred animal even during early Vedic period of Hindus.
The silence of Prime Minister at the complicity of B.J.P. Members in participating and encouraging attacks on Muslims at Attali (Haryana) and Dadri (U.P.) created a massive revulsion against B.J.P.
Such was the low level of falsehood and hypocrisy at projecting issue of Beef to target Muslims when reality was entirely different. This has been exposed by a study done by Research Centre thus; “Muslims are earning peanuts as against the general perception about the trade, and it is actually the government and non-Muslims who are benefiting the most from the $ 4.5 billion animal slaughter business. Except for direct consumption, in which case both Muslims and non-Muslims are at par in terms of consuming beef, all associated business including meat export, bone-crushing and powder industry, leather and horn processing industries, blood processing, animal fat and soap industry are dominated entirely by non-Muslims”.
B.J.P. is trying to lower the impact of this defeat by saying that it will not in any way affect the position and popularity of its leader Modi. How self serving and false. Even a day before counting a senior Minister of Central Cabinet was openly downgrading exit polls and stating that they were absolutely sure that women have voted in large number because they have confidence in Prime Minister Modis leadership and promise of development.
Some B.J.P. apologists may try to distinguish the voting pattern at the Centre and States as being influenced by different considerations. It is true that in earlier elections Prime Ministers though they may have participated in State elections, no other Prime Minister had canvassed as Modi did whole time for the State as if he was competing to become State Chief Minister.
No, the public will not buy party apologists plea that the blame if any is of the party, because this flies in face of B.J.P. whole time propaganda which was to ask for vote because of Prime Minister Modi’s alleged sweep of development plans which were supposedly for the masses but were unashamedly corporate friendly.
As it is Modi has not enhanced his stature at the way of functioning of Central governance. Even pro Modi enthusiasts now concede that the working of Central government in the matter of enunciating policies on important matters are no where to be seen. Decision making is centralized in P.M.O., with unpardonable delays.
Even the corporate sector which was the strongest supporter of Modi is having second thoughts at the functioning of Modi Government’s divisive policies – to cap it all Moody Rating Agencys public criticism of this communally surcharged atmosphere created by Modi’s inaction in restraining his state satraps shows that impact of loss of Bihar will further seriously cause damage to the credibility of Modi government.
In my view immense thanks for defeat of B.J.P. are due to the unexplainable conduct of Mohan Bhagwat RSS leader pontifically declaring that Reservation policy needs to be reconsidered. It is still a mystery how such obviously damaging statement against interest of B.J.P. could be male by RSS Chief – could it be the danger to Brahmanical Supremacy being captured by a lower caste – let us not forget that Modi is from backward caste. I can not find any other rational explanation for such high blunder.
A slavish kind of excuse for the loss by B.J.P. is being forwarded by the loyalists of B.J.P. that the victory or loss of elections should be attributed to the party and not personally to Modi. This is a limit of hypocrisy. The landslide victory in Parliament and even in State elections was attributed to Modi both in Maharastra and Haryana when no one can deny that in both States B.J.P. as a party was poor third. If success in those States was legitimately given to Modi’s image how can different criteria be applied to a present loss in Bihar.
The biggest self inflicted damage to B.J.P. is its placing Modi on to a pedestal of semi-god, who it is imagined will alone take the party into a march of victory. Such an approach is suicidal in a democracy as propounded in the impeccable warning given by Dr. Ambedkar thus; “The second thing we must do is to observe the caution which John Stuart Mill has given to all who are interested in the maintenance of democracy, namely, not ‘to lay their liberties at feet of even a great man, or to trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions’. There is nothing wrong in being grateful to great men who have rendered lifelong services to the country. But there are limits to gratefulness. For, in India, Bhakti or what may be called the path of devotion or hero-worship, plays a part in its politics unlike in any other country in the world. Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. But, in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.” (emphasis added)
People have given an extraordinary opportunity to Nitish and Laloo. It is expected that they will continue their sagacity and mutual accommodation. This is the least they owe to the masses of Bihar, who have put their trust in them.
Rajindar Sachar
Dated : 14/11/2015
New Delhi.
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