Run up to the Elections
India is in election mode and there’s lot happening in the IPL (Indian Political League) and as usual all is not good. The weeks saw Varun Gandhi’s rabid comments at an election rally that invited flak from various corners including EC. The BJP which initially distanced itself from the comments is now seen backing Varun Gandhi. Almost unkown to most people beore 2 weeks, Varun has suddenly become the saffron poster boy for BJP and is eagerly sought after for election campaigning.
Many would have forgotten the attrocities that happened in Orrissa last year. Thought the visible violence have subsided, the area is far from normalcy. More than 200 families still live in refugee camps because they are afraid to return to their villages. The sangh parivar factions have given decree that they are not to return to the villages unless they convert back to Hinduism. Most of the refugees have lost all identification cards and have not received any new voters identity cards to register their votes in the coming elections. As such they are still sidelined since their sentiments wouldn’t matter much in the elections.
The christians in Kandhamal may have been persecuted due to lack of any political power. However, the situation is entirely different in Kerala where christians wield great political and social powers. However, the power seems to have gone to the head for the catholic church which has issued guidelines to its cmmunities on who to vote for(the church is anti-left and right) . Why the hell does the church have to stick its head in the political process. The bishops and clergy should just stick to addressing the spritual and religious needs of its followers and should just stay out of politics.
But, all is not bad I guess. The Jagore and Lead India campaigns have gained lot of momentum and are doing a great job in coaxing all educated Indians to vote and hopefully it will be a success. We also see a lot of middle class professionals like Mallika Sarabhai, Shashi Tarur, Meera Sanyal, etc are taking part in the elections as candidates, which is a great sign. Newly independent India had intellectuals elite and thought-leaders at the helm of affairs which slowly gave way to dynasty politics and corruption.Hope what we see now is a reversal of trends.
