BJP’s Gujarat electoral victory: Polarizations to the fore
We had been a society where a joint celebration of festivals was part of our common culture. Now things have come to such a pass that provocative actions are planned to ensure a divisive trajectory in society.

In the recently held local elections in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and the Delhi municipality, the BJP won with a thumping majority in Gujarat, while losing badly in Delhi to the Aam Admi Party (AAP) and Himachal to the Congress. In Himachal, though there is a narrow difference in the voting percentage between the Congress and BJP, Congress won with a reasonable majority of 40. While BJP was a loser in Delhi and Himachal, its Gujarat victory is being hyper-projected by the party and the media. One purpose of this over-projection of Gujarat is also to hide its debacle in two other states which went to polls recently.
In Gujarat it seems that Congress did not put in the necessary energy and the 'Patel factor' this time was with BJP, with the chief minister being from the influential Patel community. Along with this Hardik Patel’s return to the BJP gave a big fillip to the six-term ruling party which not only increased its seats but also its vote percentage to over 50 per cent.
While the decline of Congress is also accompanied by a decline in its vote share, most of it has shifted to the AAP. There are reports that in the minority-dominated areas EVM machines were slow and there were many other irregularities, but were not taken seriously by the Election Commission. Incidentally, many Muslim candidates were propped up (by fringe parties like AIMIM) where the Congress Muslim candidates had good chances of winning.
Polarizing politics
Although the social dynamics of the Patel factor was very significant this time, more important was the BJP’s polarizing politics. The AAP, significantly, kept a studied silence on the remission of the sentences of the culprits of the notorious Bilkis Bano rape and murder case related to the 2002 riots. The BJP used every opportunity to spread its polarizing message. The very release of the culprits undergoing life imprisonment, and being garlanded and welcomed with flowers and sweets, was a matter of shame, but it was nothing but an affirmation of the party's majoritarian politics. The BJP further deepened the signal by giving a nomination to Chandrasinh Raulji, who was part of the committee which recommended the release of these guilty. Incidentally, the release was sanctioned by the Union Home Ministry, headed by Amit Shah.
Raulji further went on to justify the release by pouting salt into the wounds of victims and the marginalized community by saying that those who are being released as 'sanskaari' (cultured) Brahmins, and so deserve to be released. "They were Brahmins and Brahmins are known to have good sanskaar. It might have been someone's ill intention to corner and punish them…" To cap it all not only did he get the BJP ticket to him, he also won by a big margin!
The atmosphere of hate against the Muslim minority is intensifying all over the country and the likes of ruling party and Hindutva stalwarts Parvesh Varma, Anurag Thakur and the clones of Yati Naasinghanad are proliferating. Amit Shah rubbed it in by saying, “But after they were taught a lesson in 2002, these elements left that path. They refrained from indulging in violence from 2002 till 2022. BJP has established permanent peace in Gujarat by taking strict action against those who used to indulge in communal violence,” While what he means by ‘they’ is more than clear, the Election Commission let it pass as no particular community was named.
Second-class citizens
As such the real culprits of violence, the likes of Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, undergoing life imprisonment, have been released. One also sees that the culprit of Naroda violence, Manoj Kukrani, who was put behind bars, is currently on parole. His daughter was given the ticket and won the election with a thumping majority.
While Amit Shah states that the guilty have been taught a lesson, the ground reality of Gujarat is that right-wing workers have become more aggressive and assertive. Most Muslims have been put in ghettoes, and the physical and emotional barriers between the two communities have become close to complete. The mixed culture and social life have been given a go by and most of the minority community has to live the life of second-class citizens bereft of social dignity and opportunities.
The recent case of public flogging of a Muslim youth who tried to participate in a garba dance in a Gujarat village by tying them to a pole was horrific. It took place in front of hundreds of Hindus in the village. Muslim youth cannot participate in garba dances during the Navratri festival dance in honor of Goddess Durga.
Divisive ideology
We had been a society where a joint celebration of festivals was part of our common culture. Now things have come to such a pass that provocative actions are planned to ensure a divisive trajectory in society.
The BJP victory in Gujarat may be an indicator of the type of politics which may follow in the future. While the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra (march to unite the country) is trying to put a soothing balm on the strained intercommunity relations, the huge political and electoral machinery of associates of the ruling party have resorted to divisive politics all through. Emotive issues like the Ram Temple, cow protection, love jihad have been spread through diverse mechanisms. Hate speeches go on unchecked in spreading the divisive ideology.
Hinduism teaches us ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or loving the whole world as one family. Here we are in a dark tunnel where ‘hate other’, and othering the people of other religions, becomes the central focus around which present-day politics is unleashed.
(The writer, a former IIT Bombay professor, is Chairman, Center for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai. Views are personal.)
of me.
This put up actually made my day. You cann't imagine simply how a lot time I had
spent for this info! Thank you!
to me. Nonetheless, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be book-marking it and checking back
regularly!
My web-site: <a href="https://t.co/eG2x4nxWne">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
might check this? IE nonetheless is the market
leader and a big part of people will omit your magnificent
writing because of this problem.
Visit my web page; nordvpn coupons inspiresensation - https://t.co/vNNQZ7uWLc
It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's very difficult to get that
"perfect balance" between superb usability and appearance.
I must say you have done a great job with this. Additionally,
the blog loads extremely quick for me on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone
to do it for you? Plz reply as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where
u got this from. cheers
I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on. Any suggestions?
I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to finding out about your web page for a
second time.
comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get
four emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove
me from that service? Cheers!
Look into my page <a href="https://t.co/eG2x4nxWne">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
It's remarkable to visit this web page and reading the views of all friends on the
topic of this paragraph, while I am also keen of getting experience.
I am hoping to contribute & aid different users like its helped
me. Good job.
include almost all significant infos. I would like to look more posts like this .
My web page - nordvpn coupons inspiresensation (<a href="http://t.co/3I68DHXKpG">http://t.co/3i68dhxkpg</a>)
i have read it entirely
I actually like what you've obtained here, certainly like what you're saying and the way during
which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep
it smart. I can't wait to read much more from you. That is
really a tremendous website.
updated from most recent news update.
Thanks a lot and I'm having a look forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the
following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since
exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you
shield this hike.
my blog post <a href="http://t.co/DW7NXDgSqC">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
I'd like to send you an email. I've got some recommendations for your
blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to
seeing it improve over time.
Here is my web blog ... <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2yzhzyy7">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
much more smartly-favored than you may be right now.
You're very intelligent. You know therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me in my opinion imagine it
from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men aren't involved until it's something to accomplish with Lady
gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. All the time care for it up!
like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do so!
Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of
hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Here is my page :: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation; <a href="http://t.co/eG2x4nxWne">t.co</a>,
some of the post I realized it's new to me. Anyways, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be
bookmarking and checking back often!
What would you suggest about your submit that you made a few days in the past?
Any positive?
all be capable of without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
I'm not very techincal but I can figure things out
pretty fast. I'm thinking about setting up my own but I'm not sure where
to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? With thanks
350fairfax
I'm curious to find out what blog system you happen to be utilizing?
I'm experiencing some small security issues with my latest website and I'd
like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any recommendations?
of a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it.
Thus that's why this post is great. Thanks!
After all I will be subscribing for your rss feed and I'm hoping
you write again very soon!
Take a look at my homepage ... <a href="https://tinyurl.com/24yrpcga">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
to produce a good article… but what can I say… I put things off
a whole lot and don't manage to get anything done.
I'm sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
And naturally, thanks on your sweat!
enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page conations really fastidious funny
data too.
This website really has all of the info I needed concerning this subject
and didn't know who to ask.
find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you've any? Kindly allow me recognise in order that I may just subscribe.
Thanks.
great points altogether, you simply received a new reader.
What may you recommend about your publish that you just made
some days in the past? Any sure?
our dialogue made at this time.
fastidious factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Also visit my web blog <a href="http://tinyurl.com/24yrpcga">nordvpn coupons inspiresensation</a>
be on the internet the easiest thing to bear in mind of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as other folks consider worries that they just do not understand about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also outlined out the whole thing without having
side-effects , other people can take a signal. Will probably be back to
get more. Thanks
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social
networks
taking a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
this blog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
had to ask. Does building a well-established blog like yours take
a massive amount work? I am completely new to writing a blog but I
do write in my diary on a daily basis. I'd like to start a blog so I will be able to share my
experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.
Thankyou!
Have a look at my web page :: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation - <a href="https://t.co/cFbWYj3h3m">https://t.co/cFbWYj3h3m</a>,
comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyways,
just wanted to say superb blog!
Check out my blog post - nordvpn coupons inspiresensation ( tinyurl.com - https://tinyurl.com/2yzhzyy7 )
for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you put to create
the sort of great informative site.
Feel free to surf to my webpage :: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation ( t.co - http://t.co/DW7NXDgSqC )
Post a Comment