3Cs of Development: Caste, Cow and Communalism
Mr Amit Shah came to Jaipur yesterday. I read in the local newspapers. It is election time. People of Rajasthan will choose a new government in December. The powerful BJP is locked in a loosing battle with a weakened Congress.
He held a rally. He is an important man — BJP President — some people think more powerful than Prime Minister Modi himself. Many people turned up ( some hauled in) from various parts of the state to make up his audience. He appeared despondent at first — then the crowds poured and he felt relieved and then after some time he looked cheerful. He said many good things about the government in the state and at the centre and developments that took place in the country — mostly untrue. People clapped — their eyes on their mobile phones.
Mr Shah said his government does not believe in communalism and in castesim and only in development. ‘All Together — All Developed’ is the party’s slogan — he forcefully reminded. Then he said how his party ( unlike the opposition) has put up many candidates from the low castes and pointed to the newly installed state president to prove that. People clapped once again — still watching their mobile phones. Party workers are happy that votes that were to go to same-caste Ashok Gehlot will now be divided. They know development does not get votes in India — caste does!
Mr Shah spoke about cow. Also about Hindu unity.
Afterwards when the supporters were charged he said his government is implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and in other states. Then he raised his hands and his voice and told that his government will throw out all illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who are residing on the Indian territory. There is no place for illegal migrants — he shouted. Audience clapped vigorously — still staring at their phones. Mr Ambani has democratised internet with a service called Jio — meaning ‘Live’ with a capital ‘L’ . Millions of unemployed youth can watch videos all day now without protesting against the missing government- promised jobs.
Every society need enemies to keeps its poor engaged while the elite can loot. The Americans have their Blacks. The French their Arabs. The English once upon, their Irish. The Hindus their Muslims. The Sunnis their Shias. The Rich their poor. The Upper caste their Dalits.
People who will not make it to the NRC will disappear and reappear somewhere else. Many will come to Rajasthan. Here these Muslims will take on Hindu names and work as house maids and servants and labourers and hawkers and rag pickers and live on streets and under the bridge and starve… and survive. Then one day — when they save enough money to bribe Indian officials and petty politicians, they will acquire Indian identities. After all where will Hindus go? Not to Pakistan…or Bangladesh.
Rajasthan has a history of rejecting BJP and Congress alternatively. The NRC has the potential to change that and bring BJP back for the second time in succession. Yet, as the NRC and its communal undertone is flogged at election rallies it will be in the name of Development that BJP will be seeking a mandate. All Together — All Developed.
