Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels

The BJP was voted to power in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with high hopes and great expectations after it under the leadership of then CM of Gujarat, Narendra Modi promised much. It assured to reduce government interference in the routine lives of citizens, focus on good governance, curb corruption if not root it out altogether and facilitate economic development of the country.

But two years down the road, what is the reality on the ground?  While it has made attempts to get the economy going, we find government interference in the daily lives of people increasing. Today, even what you eat and dress is determined by the government. Beef consumption is banned in most states under BJP rule. Vigilantes of the lunatic right wing are taking law into their own hands. Several innocent persons have been either lynched or hanged on suspicion of storing beef or transporting cattle. Lately, two Muslims in Jharkhand were hanged from a tree after they were accosted by vigilantes and killed and their buffaloes stolen.

Unfortunately, his big talk of 'Sabka sath, sabka vikas,' has proved to be a hollow slogan. Economic activity is at a slow pace. The rate of growth at 7% plus today is not much more than the 5% during UPA rule earlier under the old method of calculation. This government has miserably failed to harness the tailwinds in its favour. For instance, the price of oil has fallen by almost 70% from a high of US$110 in June, 2014 to around US$35 today.  Instead of using this bonanza to kick-start the economy, the govt is busy mobilising resources the easy way by increasing excise and other duties on oil. The hapless Indian consumer is paying twice as much as the global consumer for petrol and diesel. This is nothing but loot by our sarkar.

The government appears to have put its promise of development on the backburner. Instead, it is resorting to playing the so-called card of nationalism. For the last four weeks, media attention has been focussed on the chant, 'Bharat Mata ki jai'. Everything else has come to a standstill. Is the govt totally bankrupt of ideas and wisdom. Acting jingoistic may be popular for sometime but ultimately it will recoil against the pseudo- nationalists. Because not much is happening on the ground and the youth are getting increasingly frustrated as they continue to languish without productive employment.

BJP rule under PM, Modi has been one damp squib. As its desperately running out ideas, it's resorting to playing the card of nationalism. But it's version of nationalism is a loaded one. It's a narrow version prounded by RSS leaders since it's inception. It can better be called, 'Hindutva nationalism'. 

Since the BJP has failed to even begin to deliver on its promises, it has resorted this devious game of playing the pseudo-nationalism card to take in the moolah. But it's doubtful if the people will be swayed by these gimmicks. People  had voted for BJP for its promises to focus on development and refrain from excessive government control in people's lives. But reality us turning out to be quite different.

It is seen from history, that political parties resort to playing the 'patriotism' card when they have nothing else to offer. Unfortunately, the BJP has been a total disappointment and a big let down. By resorting to such gimmicks, it is proving true the adage, 'Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels'.