With the BJP in power, there are similar signs of arrogance like the Congress and also greed for absolute power. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the BJP party multi storied Headquarters with an area of over 1.70 lakh sq ft, latest state of art electronic equipment, claimed by Amit Shah to be bigger than any other party office in the world. They are on course for having their own offices in every district of the country, and having a significant presence in every State. The PM reiterated that democracy was their core value and BJP/RSS are dyed in the colour of patriotism, which is obviously saffron? Lavish melas, transport and road shows galore, election damakas are being indulged in. Where is all this money coming from?
Crony capitalism and market forces are predatory in nature and dominates by having the wherewithal to manoeuvre at the cost of human rights of all citizens especially the vulnerable and poor. Big business creates lucrative fallout for some. The Nirav Modi scam is the fault of custodians of our money the RBI, Finance Ministry and bank managements. How much they care for the people can be seen after irregularities were discovered, government caught napping and then raids, acting like a bull in a China shop! Nirav was not speedily given a deadline to pay back his loans under adequate existing laws, least concern for jeopardising all the ancillary industries, franchises and loss of jobs, besides destroying a world famous brand. Surely recovery was first priority, jobs next and thorough crime investigation without fear or favour could simultaneously better bring all defaulters to justice? There are attempts to straightjacket the citizen, no accountability, telescope the present into the past, and of course the polarisation and blame game!
The North Korean regime has managed to brainwash and make patriotic zombies of their citizens! We saw the rise of savage ISIS and their despotic rule, initially powerful and all conquering, still boldly challenging the civilised world! Going back in time, we must not forget the rise of Nazism. The German people wanted a decisive and progressive leader, someone who would bring them dreams of a powerful nation, strong enough to lead the world. They voted for Hitler, a powerful orator who mobilised the nation into a patriotic fervour, built a powerful army with innovative scientists, giving those illusions of superiority. All others seen as contaminating their race and “Hail Hitler” way of living were to be exterminated. For which they created Auschwitz concentration camp where people would leave “only as smoke through the chimney”. His propaganda minister Goebbels famously proved that repeating a lie a hundred times would be believed as the truth? Let us not forget it took World War II to defeat them!
Power corrupts and with modern media it becomes easy to brainwash people, rob Peter to bribe Paul and create vote banks. They can rely on Paul to back them up and keep them in power! I am afraid that not only in India, but all over the world rule of law is being flouted by those in power! Like Auschwitz museums abroad, need to have museums in India recording the horrors of partition and Gujarat/Delhi massacres! Many still living witnesses do not want to ever be reminded and are against it, whilst others think it is an essential part of our history which must not be forgotten, so we never ever get to the stage of repeating it and know that as civilized people, we/mobs are capable of such horrific deeds! This is all the more important when today’s regime is trying to rewrite history if not fitting in with their perception and glorification. The daily acts of violence, religious vandalism and dangerous mob rule are some of the glaring threats in India today. Whilst the mantra of “sab ke saath, sab ka vikas’ is being parroted, the Indian resident minorities are made to feel that they better follow the Hindutva ideology/creed or live in fear as second class citizens/ vacate the country. The race for economic progress is meaningless without the freedom, safety and happiness of all its citizens!
Besides the mentor RSS and ruling BJP headquarters posh buildings in Delhi, we are aware of the many crorepati politicians across the board and their VIP privileges extending to their kith and kin. The sword has become mightier than the pen and at present the Supreme Court is our only saving grace. Where are we heading? Isn’t it is ironic that religion and professed yoga instead of preached “ahimsa” is generally followed by “himsa” violence, arrogance, corruption and blatant lawlessness? We must surely be able to write and talk about it freely to find solutions?
India can be a beacon to the world if we can maintain our unity in diversity, solve our farmers, job creation and health problems, unite healthy bodies and minds projecting peace and prosperity for all mankind, living out the dream of the father of our nation, instead of just paying him lip service. Democracy demands responsibility of every citizen to work towards this end. We must get back the key to our happiness which we keep putting in someone else’s pocket selling our souls by voting for religion/caste! We must strive to be worthy of Democracy?
(The author is a retired naval officer, freelance writer resident in
Porvorim)
