Mini Monsters

image courtesy : sarcasticwords.com

I have been anti-Modi since 2002. But since 2012-13, when Modi started appearing as the Prime Ministerial candidate, I started voicing my opinion and opposition more loudly and vigorously than before. But for some reason, I was not getting through to people. How much ever I tried, my family and friends simply refused to analyze the facts and stuck to being ‘bhakts’. There was enough evidence pointing towards his religious bigotry, divisive tactics and failures as a Chief Minister. I was baffled by their ignorance.

My primary circle mainly consists of privileged Marwaris, Gujratis, Jains and Maharashtrians. So, the logical explanation to their blindness and devotion seemed to be economic benefit. The promise of ease of doing business, eradication of corruption, ‘acche din’, $5 trillion economy, India as a super power in 2020 appeared to be the motivators for their unflinching ‘bhakti’ and dedication to Modi and thus BJP. After all, Marwari-Gujrati aadmi ko dhande ki bhasha samaj aati hain aur jaha uska fayda hain woh wahi jaega.

But when their ‘bhakti’ would not abate even after all economic indicators started failing, it was confounding. Unemployment is at a 45-year high, GDP is at a dismal 4.5%, all sectors are showing a slowdown, consumption is falling but the ‘bhakts’ are still hailing Modi. And not just Modi, but Shah too. It made no sense.

The logic ‘that because I voted for them they have to be right’ too made little sense. They had voted for UPA 2 and had vehemently reproached and criticized their failures rightly. These were the people who had rejected the corruption under Congress and voted for BJP. What was stopping them now from ousting the BJP? Then there was the theory of ‘if not Modi, then who’? Not a great logic, but let’s give it to them. There wasn’t any serious or credible opposition or option. They may have felt helpless and thus voted for BJP.

But after the events that have unfolded in the past 8 months, what is stopping them from condemning and denouncing Modi-Shah, BJP, RSS, ABVP? Forget criticising, they are strongly appreciating and supporting them and their divisive and discriminatory policies and agendas.

Then there is the ignorance theory. If these people are exposed only to certain type of media and propaganda they are bound to believe that story. But this argument falls short too. These are well-educated, well-travelled urban people who have access to all sort of information at the click of a button. They consciously make a choice about what to read, which news channel to subscribe and whom to follow on social media. Also, no one needs to tell you some things are plain and simple wrong. Internet blackout, detaining political leaders and activists, ruthlessly attacking and beating up students in their hostels and universities, banning public gatherings, singling out people on the basis of religion, lynchings and so many more such incidents. Irrespective of what the media says, an individual’s conscience is enough to tell him right from wrong. Thus, the logic of being brainwashed citizens also does not hold true.

If all these theories and explanations no longer make sense for their ‘bhakti’, what does? I have been pondering over this for the past few weeks and there seems to be only one explanation, whichever way I look at it.

The Modi-Shah regime has scratched the surface and unleashed the monster which has resided inside these people since time immemorable. In the past, the government, society, basic code of conduct did not permit such monstrosity. One would be looked down upon for having such uncivilized and barbaric views and ideas. But that has reversed now. The RSS and BJP have sanctified this ideology. People are no longer afraid to show their true colours. In fact, now instead of being looked down upon, they are appreciated. These ‘bhakts’ have always been violence-loving, hatred-spewing, blood-thirsty individuals. Today, they can do so openly, unabashedly. They have always hated Muslims, despised Dalits and disrespected women. But now they take pride in asserting and publicly displaying their antipathy and prejudice.

There is no longer a need to hide behind the charade of decency. The Modi-Shah government has dispensed them to shed their travesty. You can see the passion in their eyes when they talk about the righteousness of this Government. You can hear the fervor in their voice justifying the brutality against the persecuted. You can see that fleeting joy on their face whenever they come across any atrocity against minorities. They keep saying the oppressed deserve it….. Muslims deserve it, women deserve it, Dalits deserve it.

There was no sense in trying to appeal to these people with logic. They were waiting for an opportunity to let go of their civility. And with the BJP in power they have got just that. They are going to hold on to it tightly. The ‘bhakts’ are not indoctrinated by the RSS. The diabolic policies of the Modi-Shah led Government is a mirror image of the ‘bhakt’s’ ideology. These people believe they are superior, they believe in shedding blood for religion, they believe in persecuting minorities, they believe in violence, they believe rape is a result of women’s clothing and freedom, they believe women, children and Dalits are personal property.

Modi-Shah have simply given them the freedom and license to express this brazenly. But in the process, the duo has opened Pandora’s Box. They have set loose millions of mini Modis and Shahs all over the nation. And there seems to be no way to put them back inside the box. The two have altered and marred the fabric of society forever. If at all, it might take decades to repair the damages done and restore some sort of semblance, but the stitches and seams will always show.