Fishing for Votes

Fr. Gaurav Nair Fr. Gaurav Nair
06 May 2024

The BJP, seemingly oblivious to the ancient adage 'Once bitten, twice shy', continues to recycle its tactics. Despite the ample response to Mr Modi's diatribe in Banswara, Rajasthan, one would have expected a change in approach. However, the BJP's repetitive behaviour has stripped it of any class, as it persistently resorts to crass narratives, further tarnishing its image.

Recently, the PM swiped at Tejashwi Yadav for eating meat during the Chaitra Navratri when, in fact, nobody even bothered to look and blamed him for hurting Hindu sentiments. He then blamed Congress for distributing the nation's wealth to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children" and snatching away the women's mangalsutras (a necklace worn by married women) if voted to power. He was also kind enough to expound on the theory of the Muslims' priority claim to the nation's wealth, where he maliciously slanted Manmohan Singh.

Things did not stop there. Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath have set off a tug of war for who will emerge victorious in slandering the opposition. While Amit prophesied the implementation of Sharia, Adityanath was sure of Congress promising cow slaughter to be allowed.

Even before considering that Tejashwi consumed fish on the eve of Navratri, the nation is a melting pot of cultures. As Shashi Tharoor wonderfully puts it, true Hinduism does not micro-manage its adherents. If so, what is Mr Modi and his ilk preaching?

Modi's misquoted statement is from a speech Singh made on December 9, 2006, at the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi. The speech was about the Approach Paper to the XI Five-Year Plan, titled 'Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth'. The paper elucidates that minorities (including Muslims) were falling behind the national average, and the focus was to bring them to par with the rest of the nation. So much for Muslims taking away the opportunities of the Hindus!

The latest in Modi's litany of sorrows is his attribution of Pakistani discipleship to Congress. Hilariously, his imagination has turned Chaudhry Fawad Hussain's post praising Rahul Gandhi into an unintentional exposé of Pakistan's wish for Shehzade to be in power. He fails to realise that his shenanigans will not win him any fans. Truthfully speaking, it is not improbable that these exploits have cost him some votes.

A quote attributed to Otto von Bismarck suggests that only nincompoops learn from their mistakes, while the wise learn from others'. Instead of fostering unity and progress, the party's leadership indulges in fear-mongering and polarisation, undermining the Indian democracy. As the electorate witnesses these tactics, the BJP risks alienating its traditional supporters and those seeking genuine governance and inclusivity. It's time for everyone to heed the lessons of its past missteps and embrace a more dignified and respectful approach to politics that genuinely reflects the nation's aspirations.

Recent Posts

Pope Francis is bowing out in this special jubilee year of hope, which he has been leading from the front even as he has braved prolonged health concerns. As he passes on and the world bids goodbye to
apicture George Plathottam
28 Apr 2025
Francis' legacy can be summarised in four keywords that reflect powerfully and prominently in his writings, discourses, actions, and life: joy, hope, mercy, and peace.
apicture Bp Gerald John Mathias
28 Apr 2025
Pope Francis redefined leadership through humility, inclusion, and service. He stood with the marginalised, prioritised mercy over judgment, championed ecological justice, and called for reform rooted
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
28 Apr 2025
By mocking Muslims as 'puncture repairers', the Prime Minister reduces a vibrant community to a stereotype. This isn't rhetoric—it's a calculated attempt to stigmatise identity, distract from real iss
apicture A. J. Philip
28 Apr 2025
We hear people saying that the President of India is there to sign on the dotted line prepared by the ruling party. We refuse to believe it because the President is the Constitutional head of the nati
apicture P. A. Chacko
28 Apr 2025
Tamil Nadu's autonomy resolution is yet another spark in the recent federalism debates, challenging central authority over education, finance, and representation. As BJP seeks to tighten its claws, th
apicture Dr John Singarayar
28 Apr 2025
In Manipur, once-united communities now bleed at each other's hands, their bonds severed by narratives crafted far away. As homes burn and futures vanish, the real victors are those who profit from di
apicture Estelle Kipgen & Leishilembi Terem
28 Apr 2025
At a time when India seeks to attract global investment and project itself as a transparent business destination, such incidents chip away at investor confidence. International investors are already w
apicture Jaswant Kaur
28 Apr 2025
Many big children who accompany their parents to their workplaces also join the labour. But until they migrate, they roam around in the village or go to plantations. They become child labourers.
apicture F. M. Britto
28 Apr 2025
Police assaulted children and priests with lathis and beat and molested women belonging to the tribal community as they barged into Juba Catholic Church in the Gajapati district, Odisha, on March 22,
apicture Sujata Jena
28 Apr 2025