Narendra Modi is no longer just a poster boy for BJP. He has also acquired a larger than life image. There are umpteen stories about how the State has progressed under his rule and this is also confirmed by objective observers. He has the uncanny ability to sound sober and logical on media and in conferences while reserving his taunts and innuendos to woo and sway the masses in public meetings. No wonder he has emerged as a potential choice even for prime-minister ship once senior Advani makes way for him. His name was recently proposed by Arun Shourie and supported by the party’s spokesperson, Arun Jaitley. His success in decimating opponents within the party and without has been phenomenal and casts despair especially among Congressmen in Gujarat. During the ongoing campaign, they were found wanting on most occasions and forgot the real issues busy as they were in reacting to his salvos. Remember the frivolousness of ‘Budiya-Gudiya’ comments while serious issues remained on the backburner.
Modi’s popularity in Gujarat has been enigmatic. He allegedly acquiesced in, if not provoked, retaliatory violence against Muslims in the wake of an attack on Hindu karsevaks returning by train from Ayodhya. It resulted in the death of thousands of Muslims and destruction of their homes. The image of a tearful ex-MP Ehsan Jafri begging for life before he was killed by the rioters continues to haunt the civil society. The inaction of the State’s police was captured live by TV channels, which the independent observers found comparable to the situation prevailing during the anti-Sikh riots. Surprisingly Modi managed to turn the public anger against Muslims into political support for himself and won the next elections convincingly- a situation again comparable to Congress’ return to Lok Sabha in 1984 elections.
The Supreme Court recently instructed the SIT, on a petition filed by Jafri’s widow, to probe the role of Narendra Modi and seven of his ministers, including VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia as also senior bureaucrats and police officers, into the communal riots in the state. It also ordered the setting up of special courts to try the accused in Gujarat. The BJP interestingly treated it as a compliment to judiciary of Gujarat since cases against rioters were transferred out of State in the past. As a result of SIT’s investigation, Maya Kodnani, a minister in Modi’s cabinet and a senior VHP functionary Jaideep Patel were recently arrested and both are cooling their heels in jail.
Modi’s ploy in Gujarat has been to confuse the issue of persecution of minorities to one of its 'asmita' or prestige of Gujaratis. So it no longer remains a Hindu-Muslim issue but becomes one of Congress-led Centre 'maligning' Guajratis. Mix it with Sonia's foreign origins and you can tongue-twist it to one of national honour. He simultaneously fuels and cashes on a sentiment that the ‘pseudo-secular Congress’ appeases Muslims and treats Hindus with contempt. Instances like delay in Afzal Guru’s execution are handpicked to support BJP’s case and give it a pro-Hindu image. The gullible voters are taken in and rarely question BJP’s record in protecting, promoting or reforming Hinduism. The only instances that come to mind are its sister organizations attacking churches and mosques, raping nuns and assaulting priests; none of which bring any glory to the Hindu faith or it followers.
BJP has always been accused, especially by the Left parties, of being fascist in character. The parallel is not entirely misplaced. Fascism is defined as a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists believe that nations and races are in perpetual conflict whereby only the strong can survive. BJP’s insistence on India being a Hindu nation, intolerance of and atrocities against minorities and emphasis on strength and security in recent polls seem to fit in with a fascist mindset. The point of deviation is the compulsion to remain within the democratic framework while promoting nationalism, anti-minorityism and anti-communism with charismatic oratory and propaganda. The term fascist, after all, has been used as a pejorative word.
Modi’s popularity in Gujarat has been enigmatic. He allegedly acquiesced in, if not provoked, retaliatory violence against Muslims in the wake of an attack on Hindu karsevaks returning by train from Ayodhya. It resulted in the death of thousands of Muslims and destruction of their homes. The image of a tearful ex-MP Ehsan Jafri begging for life before he was killed by the rioters continues to haunt the civil society. The inaction of the State’s police was captured live by TV channels, which the independent observers found comparable to the situation prevailing during the anti-Sikh riots. Surprisingly Modi managed to turn the public anger against Muslims into political support for himself and won the next elections convincingly- a situation again comparable to Congress’ return to Lok Sabha in 1984 elections.
The Supreme Court recently instructed the SIT, on a petition filed by Jafri’s widow, to probe the role of Narendra Modi and seven of his ministers, including VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia as also senior bureaucrats and police officers, into the communal riots in the state. It also ordered the setting up of special courts to try the accused in Gujarat. The BJP interestingly treated it as a compliment to judiciary of Gujarat since cases against rioters were transferred out of State in the past. As a result of SIT’s investigation, Maya Kodnani, a minister in Modi’s cabinet and a senior VHP functionary Jaideep Patel were recently arrested and both are cooling their heels in jail.
Modi’s ploy in Gujarat has been to confuse the issue of persecution of minorities to one of its 'asmita' or prestige of Gujaratis. So it no longer remains a Hindu-Muslim issue but becomes one of Congress-led Centre 'maligning' Guajratis. Mix it with Sonia's foreign origins and you can tongue-twist it to one of national honour. He simultaneously fuels and cashes on a sentiment that the ‘pseudo-secular Congress’ appeases Muslims and treats Hindus with contempt. Instances like delay in Afzal Guru’s execution are handpicked to support BJP’s case and give it a pro-Hindu image. The gullible voters are taken in and rarely question BJP’s record in protecting, promoting or reforming Hinduism. The only instances that come to mind are its sister organizations attacking churches and mosques, raping nuns and assaulting priests; none of which bring any glory to the Hindu faith or it followers.
BJP has always been accused, especially by the Left parties, of being fascist in character. The parallel is not entirely misplaced. Fascism is defined as a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists believe that nations and races are in perpetual conflict whereby only the strong can survive. BJP’s insistence on India being a Hindu nation, intolerance of and atrocities against minorities and emphasis on strength and security in recent polls seem to fit in with a fascist mindset. The point of deviation is the compulsion to remain within the democratic framework while promoting nationalism, anti-minorityism and anti-communism with charismatic oratory and propaganda. The term fascist, after all, has been used as a pejorative word.
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