Curious silence on social unrest

The Prime Minister has asked the BJP workers to reach out to the poor and deprived sections of the Muslim community to expand the party’s support base. Every political party has the legitimate right to maximise its outreach and consolidate its position, but what is problematic here is that this electoral concern is being given primacy by the PM at a time when the social fabric is in tatters, and it was incumbent upon him to intervene and bring down the communal temperature. In addition to the Congress, civil society activists, former bureaucrats and intelligentsia have repeatedly appealed to the prime minister to take the initiative in curbing the rising communal tensions in the society.

It is primarily his responsibility because his own party and supporters have significantly contributed to the prevailing unrest. Mere slogans like “Sab ka saath sab ka vikas” will not ensure social harmony, as the toxic discourse on the ground and in the media have acquired alarming dimensions. The prime minister should have used the occasion of the BJP national executive meet at Hyderabad to send out an unambiguous message that divisive and disruptive politics will not be tolerated.

In a democracy, it is not enough to respond to majoritarian impulses. The elected government is responsible for the safety and welfare of even the miniscule minority and its political opponents. Not only the prime minister, even the Home Minister, who moved the political resolution at the meeting, chose to avoid speaking on the prevailing social unrest.

The ghastly murder in Udaipur should have alerted him to the scourge of communal violence, prompting him to appeal for peace and unity. But the home minister was happy celebrating the so-called clean chit to the PM in the horrendous communal riots that occurred under his administration. Shah predicted that the BJP would govern the country for the next 30-40 years.

There is no dispute about the BJP’s complete dominance of India’s polity and the absence of a credible alternative, but the government of the day is expected to answer questions about their performance instead of gloating over their hegemonic control. It is more than an oddity that the home minister didn’t speak about social tensions and the discontent in the society. It is difficult to guess from media reports whether real concerns like price rise, unemployment, weakening federal spirit and Chinese aggression were discussed at the BJP national executive.

Neither is it known whether the extraordinary embarrassment suffered by the central government and the BJP, due to the international outcry over Nupur Sharma’s nasty remarks on Prophet Muhammad, was discussed or not. Important political conventions can’t be restricted to idolatry of the supreme leader and political muscle-flexing. Without an honest analysis of the ground situation, such exercises will mean nothing for the public.

The people expect reassurances about their problems being solved and the promises made by the government being fulfilled on such occasions. The aspirations of the state and the ruling party to become “Vishwaguru” will get credence only if the aspirations of the people, particularly the poor and the downtrodden, are fulfilled. To achieve that noble objective, the BJP should have at least focused on the surging inflation, with a specific target of reducing the prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and eatables.

Essential commodities like vegetables and oils going beyond the reach of the common people is a crisis crying out for the attention of the ruling party which boasts of superlative governance day and night. The BJP national executive talked of the government’s welfare schemes and blasted the opposition parties for being obsessed with protecting dynasties, but the vague discourse carefully avoided specifics. The BJP is always high on rhetoric but there is no point attacking the opposition, which is in complete disarray.

The BJP should realise its responsibility of being in power; it is more about solving problems and delivering justice than demolishing the opposition. There is no need to waste time and energy on refurbishing the PM’s image. His popularity is not open to dispute.

The need of the hour is to focus on governance. Economy needs serious attention. Job creation requires creative ideas.

Social harmony demands inflexible commitment. It is for the prime minister to show leadership and set the country on a constructive agenda. India is too great a country to be muddling along a self-destructive path.

The toxic ambience of hate and violence must give way to peace and development. .