We wanted to get rid of corruption in the country. We decimated the Congress to a historic low, in Goa and at the Centre, so much so that it has no voice now. The Modi wave had swept across the country in the 2014 Parliamentary elections. Much was expected from this “magic man” from selling chai to becoming the Prime Minister, he traversed a long journey and much was expected from him. The people of India had started believing that we as a nation could reach a height of prominence and be able to live in respect and dignity. But our dream of a progressive India has been shattered. With his coming to power, fanaticism and communalism have grown mightier bringing disgrace to our nation.
It’s hardly 17 months that the BJP has came to power at the Centre, but we are surprised to see intolerance throttling the nation. The lynching of a poor Muslim in Dadri, UP, has lowered the image of India under Modi government and his silence to condemn the act has surprised many. Also irresponsible remarks by politicians to hurt the sentiments of minorities and a reportedly inactive Prime Minister have not gone well to project a mature outlook of the BJP government elected to power with that huge mandate.
One nation, one people, one religion in secular India is a misconception of some fanatics striving to make their ideology a reality. It is against the Constitution written by our forefathers that we may live in harmony with every right enshrined to guarantee the freedom of choice to live. How can suddenly these rights be taken away to restrict our living with imposition of bans. This has hurt the intellectuals too and the growing intolerance culture disturbing harmonious existence in the country prompted some of them to protest by returning their awards. But neither the government nor the Academy has taken heed of their voices with any seriousness. Right thinking citizens as they are, they realized the award they were given is an insult to their works. For the first time in independent India, this has happened which is a stain on the BJP government in power for history to remember.
