By- M.R.Lalu
Without being cynical even a bit on the personality of Rahul Gandhi, the lone celebrity leader of the Congress who comes from the most powerful political family, the status that qualifies him to be a politician among the notables, on whom most of the members of the INDI Alliance look up to for a better leadership; I have a question to ask, as to what makes him phenomenally land in the captivity of the BJP intellectually so that the saffron party and its leaders feel free to make satirical conclusions on his statements that are capable to cause serious political ramifications to him and his party. For instance, let us examine his concluding address delivered at the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai, which the Prime Minister has dramatically framed as a reason to lash out at him. Rahul Gandhi’s remark on the concept of “Shakti” in Hinduism has blown the lid of one more fresh controversy that the Prime Minister has alleged was made against the spiritual concept of Shakti the deity worshipped by Hindus which according to him, was not only derogatory and disrespectful on the Hindu concept of Shakti alone but also a remark against the women of the country. Narendra Modi scathingly called it an insult to Hinduism.
Now, what among the statements of Rahul Gandhi made this fresh controversy? While addressing the INDIA rally, Rahul had said: “There is a word ‘Shakti’ in Hinduism. We are fighting against a shakti too. The question is, where is the shakti and what does it mean for us?” Undoubtedly, Rahul Gandhi was sharpening his arrow against the Prime Minister and the statements he spelt out throughout his speech were literally attacking the government and its leader. Then, what was the fallout? Why did the BJP and the Prime Minister take it far to that extent of calling it an attack on Hinduism? A fresh look at the statement delivered by Rahul Gandhi does not qualify any resentment except the word Hinduism. The statement could have been presented without taking the name of a particular religion. Instead of referring to Hinduism, he could have said the word Shakti is a profound expression in Sanskrit or so. But, as usual, the BJP caught his misquote afresh, a new subject to politically choreograph Rahul Gandhi and his side of the alliance. The Congress and its allies should have the basic sense on the vocabulary they would choose to fling allegations at the ruling party, especially its leader Narendra Modi.
Religions being the most inflammable in India’s present political climate, Rahul Gandhi’s utterances on Hinduism were sure to catch fire and what Modi did was to wait for the Gandhi scion to make remarks that he would further use to fuel anti-Congress sentiments. Though he refuses to take Rahul Gandhi’s name directly, Modi leaves no chance from using his statements in public. This has two reasons. Modi absolutely understands the compulsion of the Congress and the parties that stand by it. The INDIA block does not have a face that enjoys the level of acceptance and attraction that the Gandhi scion does. Moreover, it is important for the saffron camp to deliberately project the kindergarten mindset of the Congress and its leaders so as to dismantle its efforts to bag relevance ever since it faced its devastating collapse. It’s also a trap that the ruling dispensation spreads for its opposition parties in order to get them lost on stray issues, while the BJP would belligerently come hammer and tongs on its achievement in the government.
Adding fuel to the fire, derogatory remarks made on Hinduism by the DMK, and other members of the opposition camp would also be full-grown and manipulative as the elections near in the BJP’s scheme of things bringing collateral damage to the INDIA framework. The saffron party and the Prime Minister would certainly draw instances from the archives where the Congress and its allies spew aggression on Hinduism with its complete inflammability. To count among the Congress insensitivities, the colossal and the most impactful was its approach on the Ram Temple at Ayodhya and its absence from its consecration. While in power, the Congress stance on Lord Ram embarrassed the country. The government led by the Congress in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court questioned the authenticity and veracity of Lord Ram depicted in the Valmiki Ramayana. Though Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas formed an important part of Indian literature, they could not be said to be historical records, the Congress claimed.
With multiple narratives piling on its account, mostly belittling on what Hinduism stands for, the Congress and its allies once again seem to struggle to survive its depleting non-pragmatic existence. The alliance, with its faith being shown in Rahul Gandhi, needs to help him learn the basics of framing narratives, especially when the country is conspiringly captured and suffocated by the demeanors of immature politicians and their wayward political prologues and comments. Winning a General Election is a Himalayan task for all parties that are there in the fray. But for the political opposition of Narendra Modi, it is clearly an uphill task. That being the case, an internal leadership challenge would further stretch the dilemma of the INDIA block. Squeezed not just by the controversial mishmash of the alliance, but also by the harsh dissonance on the comments made by its members would also be fulfilling the dreamy progress of the BJP pulling the grim popularity of the Congress and other parties again to a lower level. Extreme patriotic sensationalism has gripped the country with its burning issues being thrown into the cold storage.
Obviously, the media pronounce what the ruling class dictates and amid such chaotically ideological primetime arguments, more scathingly illicit and disproportionate attacks and counter attacks would reveal the predictability of their dishonesty. Caught between religion and politics, India’s democracy seems to be once again struggling to land the monumental exercise of the electoral process on the ground without any damage. And the voter, before he casts his vote, has a reason to think twice to decide as to what his priorities are. Concoction of irrelevant subjects should not attract his voting right. The one he would use his voting right should be for the country first and the country last. One of the largest democratic exercises in the world, India’s National Election cannot be stumbling on a litany of abuse on religions, race, societies and even individuals. Being the largest democracy, it is not hard for us to be the best. Elections should be a warm fight fought between ideal minds significantly tossing their views with great respect and of course religion should not be a paratrooper, a savior dominating the show.
