It is a culture developed by the powerful, thus undermining the marginalised and forgotten humans.
GERRY LOBO OFM
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,’ ‘Yoga Divas,’ ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’! And what not..! Sounds nothing but patriotic balloons in the air! Don’t be fooled by these colourful balloons. They are nothing but concerted campaigning for a narrow stripped nationalism rather than the needs of human citizens served. In order to monopolise the issue of nationalism and build a strong image of the ruler, our honourable Prime Minister goes all out as the main actor to do his part on the stage of the lives of millions today. Whether these millions have their right to their existence without fear, whether they languish in the prison of injustice, whether these humans have a square meal and decent walls around and roof over their heads and whether their children are fed with nutritious food, these are not the immediate concerns of the main actor. His job is to act with coloured clothing, with poetic verses from the ancients to mesmerise the listeners with his voracious speech, and fool the spectators to gain their admiration and popularity which would eventually prolong his position on the stage. The country’s prospects are not boosted, but helped in deepening the feelings of nationalism and the party’s image with the self on the centre-stage. However, the image-making of the Prime Minister of India has attracted the world rulers on his overseas tours. Even if his own citizens spawn his shows, internationally his image stands sticking out in the sand! The past eight years of the majoritarian government at the centre has definitely succeeded in image-making rather than building hearts and homes, providing jobs and health and creating harmony and peaceful co-existence among the varied religions which our country homes.
According to a recent expression of Rahul Gandhi, uttered at the commencement of the Bharath Jodo Yatra, there seems to be a ‘bankruptcy’ in the present government. Obviously it has run out of fuel but obstinately dragging the vehicle of venom to gain mileage in its hunger for establishing Hindutva domain by flushing out the critical thinkers and well-minded citizens. The voices of dissent are constantly undermined both in the parliament as well as outside its walls. What must be taken seriously is that, ‘India is a Conversation. This conversation is completely broken down’ (Rahul Gandhi). Well said; India is a ‘Conversation’ as no other country in the world with its religions, traditions, cultures, languages, modes of living, art, music etc. The conversation is broken down by obstructionist jibes and play games played by the policy makers. Bankruptcy is manifested in their focus-less projects and aimless jargons. Perhaps the Hindi dictionary might be expanded and fattened by new vocabulary mouthed by the Prime Minister indicating a clear sign
of image-making rather than condemning the injustice done to Bilkis Bano, a woman of our nation, still knocking on the doors of justice. Whereas, the eleven convicts who were released on the law that permits remission were felicitated as heroes, better than those who fight on the frontiers of our national borders, suffering all they can suffer to save their motherland. ‘Felicitation normalises and weaponises gang-rape,’ stated Mahua Moitra in an interview on The Wire recently. The country knows for sure that our ruling leaders, including the Prime Minister, spoke not a word about this poor mother whose solace rests only on a few critical thinkers and some social activists, even though he trumpeted from the Red Fort on August 15 the honour and dignity our women owe. It is also quite shameful about those women parliamentarians who are protected in the majoritarian government at the head, who never stood for Bilkis Bano, a woman of dignity. One wonders, in despair, how much more ‘perversity our nation can endure’ (Peter R. DeSouza). For sure, if these women stood for the victim, the image-making process would collapse with a slap on their face!
The citizens of our country would agree that our political leaders from the Prime Minister onwards are men and women of photographs. Large-size photographs placed on buildings and street corners offers them identity and importance even if the service they are obliged to perform may be kept aside. A photograph on the public domain enlarges their ego to an elephant size and their image is bolstered. The Finance Minister of India, during her visit to a certain town in Andhra Pradesh recently, did not hesitate to fire the District Collector of that station for not placing a large photograph of the Prime Minister on the ration shop which disburses free ration, a supposed project of the benevolent Prime Minister. Photograph is all that matters to image-making politicians. Hence on educational certificates or vaccine certificates, a picture of the Prime Minister is more important than the person who bears the name on those certificates. This is a clear sign of political leaders
who sustain their positions by image-making while at the same time they acquire honour from the public. Once again this is an indication of bankruptcy in the politicians, whether they are in the ruling class or sit in the opposition.
It is a culture developed by the powerful, thus undermining the marginalised and forgotten humans. A lot of national wealth is pumped into image-making strategy in our country which is particularly obviated by the on-going structural mega projects initiated by the present despots. The image-making is done at the cost of those who often are not able to provide for themselves the basic necessities of life.
Changing of names of cities and streets which are impressed already on the minds of people for ages on, is another image-making gimmick. The prime reason for this futile exercise is nothing but to suit the ideology which has enslaved the majoritarian parliament. What’s in a name? Just imagine that Rajpath in New Delhi is erased and renamed as Kartavya Path! Why? For the Prime Minister who has christened it, Rajpath has meant a symbol of slavery, and a new history has been created by him in the form
of Kartavya Path, ‘duty road.’ This is considered as the biggest transformational project in the country. Admirable in itself, does it transform the mindset of the image-makers? Kartavya Path is a very creative name, no doubt. By naming it this way, however, the citizens are not going to be nationalists as those who named it would wish they become, neither the entire populace would be walking that path. Name changing
is obviously image-making. In his inaugural speech at the newly baptised street the Prime Minister stated that until the slavery mentality is abandoned and the goal of freedom of mind and spirit is achieved the journey of determination will continue. However, one quickly realises that the freedom of mind and spirit are not curtailed by George V of the British Raj but by the present dispensation which aims at the creation of one-party state following one religion and one credo. By replacing statues of history and erecting sky-rocketing ones does not enhance freedom of mind and spirit. It only, on the other hand, promotes image-making by those responsible. Today the country does not need statues of whomever it might be, instead respect, acceptance, freedom from tyranny, socio-economic equality and harmony among all irrespective of religious traditions, languages, castes and
cultures. The country truly needs ‘conversation’ that emerges from dialogue.
The ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ (Unite India March), of one hundred and fifty days, initiated by the Indian National Congress, as reminiscent of the long March which Mahatma Gandhi undertook, can also turn out to be an image-making gimmick. Perhaps there are voices which belittle this programme as a desperate gamble to save the party and win the upcoming National Elections. There are also, on the other hand, who consider this as an audacious experiment at national renewal. If it truly aims at countering the ‘division across the country’ (R. Gandhi) and destroy ‘religious polarisation’ (J. Ramesh) and unite all people, then a ‘conversation’ will return, since today one experiences no conversation
but walls between people, distance between religions and animosity between political parties. Whatever way the political leaders undertake projects, the self need to be effaced in order to create a healthy space for the struggling humanity. The image-making obsession by those who govern and the efforts that go with it need to be sacrificed in order to build the ‘image’ of humans, establish constantly their dignity and vitalise the conversation that will unite a nation of stupendous grace and enormous resources.
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