For many years, a variety of intolerant and self-serving politics has been on the ascendant in Maharashtra. At the moment the competition, it would seem, (I could be wrong since I am no political pundit) is between the Shiv Sena and the BJP.
Looking at recent events, I keep asking myself, why are we so blind in the choices we make and as a consequence what befalls us? Has the middle class ceased to think and introspect? Are we living in denial? Forget our earlier history, I can't but assume that we are unaware of even our recent past. We have an extraordinarily rich, progressive lineage which should have been our lode-star and moral compass.
Many great social reformers emerged out of Maharashtrian society. Gokhale, Agarkar, Phule, Ambedkar, Kosambi; women reformers like Pandita Ramabai, Irawati Karve, Lakshmibai Tilak; Maharshi Karve, Tilak and undoubtedly, Shivaji. Do people who invoke Shivaji's name understand what a visionary and liberal ruler he was? He didn't discriminate amongst Hindus, Muslims or Dalits.
They were all part of his army and some of them were his advisors. His taxation system is considered one of the most enlightened; it was non-exploitative, based on the concept of fairness and acknowledged farmers as the backbone of any economy and polity.
But we have turned our backs on all this. Sadly, we are complicit in encouraging political tendencies which threaten our own fundamental rights. Today, there is confusion in the minds of the Maharashtrian middle class. While it used to be strongly for the Sena, it also has had a longer familial link with the BJP because of its affinity with the Sangh Parivar.
So, earlier when the alliance existed, the choice was easy. Now, choosing whom to vote for presents a unique dilemma. And I am not even talking about the MNS here. Add to it, the public acceptability of Narendra Modi only appears to be growing.
Earlier, ordinary citizens used to wear Modi masks. But in this election, the BJP candidates are all masks. They have no persona of their own; all of them are mouthpieces and parrots for Modiji. They know that they can get elected only if they echo Modiji. Perhaps the Sena has not factored in at the moment that gravity can be defied and it's possible to fly only by hanging on to Modiji's silkkurta-tails.
At present, there is only one narrative operative in the country: development and money. But what do they mean by 'development'? We understand this vague word as the hope that India will overcome all its ills. But we don't wish to admit that uninhibited free-market development can be disastrously short-sighted. It has no place for the poor except to exploit them. Its only rationale is greed and it's obvious how it led to the world economy's collapse; and its role in climate change and fossil fuel scenario can spell the end of civilization as we know it.
In contrast, the national narrative framed by our founding fathers was different. Democracy, inclusiveness and a strong love for mother earth were its key features. Recently, I was speaking to young students about it. Some of them earnestly asked me, 'Why should we know about the national narrative? What's it to us? We feel Modi will do good work”. I was unsure of how to respond to that, but even the rise of Modiji has been possible because of the institutionalization of democracy achieved by Gandhi, Nehru and others.
Nehru had a vision and a historical sense. These parties (BJP and Sena) and their supporters have no sense of history. When they talk of Hindutva, their ignorance about the diverse traditions and practices in Hinduism and its openness, among other things, becomes obvious. This is not to say that the Congress or NCP are any better.
The current Prime Minister could not have had better allies than them. After all, Modiji could not have won such a thumping victory without the colossal corruption and supine ineffectiveness of these clandestine friends.
Looking at recent events, I keep asking myself, why are we so blind in the choices we make and as a consequence what befalls us? Has the middle class ceased to think and introspect? Are we living in denial? Forget our earlier history, I can't but assume that we are unaware of even our recent past. We have an extraordinarily rich, progressive lineage which should have been our lode-star and moral compass.
Many great social reformers emerged out of Maharashtrian society. Gokhale, Agarkar, Phule, Ambedkar, Kosambi; women reformers like Pandita Ramabai, Irawati Karve, Lakshmibai Tilak; Maharshi Karve, Tilak and undoubtedly, Shivaji. Do people who invoke Shivaji's name understand what a visionary and liberal ruler he was? He didn't discriminate amongst Hindus, Muslims or Dalits.
They were all part of his army and some of them were his advisors. His taxation system is considered one of the most enlightened; it was non-exploitative, based on the concept of fairness and acknowledged farmers as the backbone of any economy and polity.
But we have turned our backs on all this. Sadly, we are complicit in encouraging political tendencies which threaten our own fundamental rights. Today, there is confusion in the minds of the Maharashtrian middle class. While it used to be strongly for the Sena, it also has had a longer familial link with the BJP because of its affinity with the Sangh Parivar.
So, earlier when the alliance existed, the choice was easy. Now, choosing whom to vote for presents a unique dilemma. And I am not even talking about the MNS here. Add to it, the public acceptability of Narendra Modi only appears to be growing.
Earlier, ordinary citizens used to wear Modi masks. But in this election, the BJP candidates are all masks. They have no persona of their own; all of them are mouthpieces and parrots for Modiji. They know that they can get elected only if they echo Modiji. Perhaps the Sena has not factored in at the moment that gravity can be defied and it's possible to fly only by hanging on to Modiji's silkkurta-tails.
At present, there is only one narrative operative in the country: development and money. But what do they mean by 'development'? We understand this vague word as the hope that India will overcome all its ills. But we don't wish to admit that uninhibited free-market development can be disastrously short-sighted. It has no place for the poor except to exploit them. Its only rationale is greed and it's obvious how it led to the world economy's collapse; and its role in climate change and fossil fuel scenario can spell the end of civilization as we know it.
In contrast, the national narrative framed by our founding fathers was different. Democracy, inclusiveness and a strong love for mother earth were its key features. Recently, I was speaking to young students about it. Some of them earnestly asked me, 'Why should we know about the national narrative? What's it to us? We feel Modi will do good work”. I was unsure of how to respond to that, but even the rise of Modiji has been possible because of the institutionalization of democracy achieved by Gandhi, Nehru and others.
Nehru had a vision and a historical sense. These parties (BJP and Sena) and their supporters have no sense of history. When they talk of Hindutva, their ignorance about the diverse traditions and practices in Hinduism and its openness, among other things, becomes obvious. This is not to say that the Congress or NCP are any better.
The current Prime Minister could not have had better allies than them. After all, Modiji could not have won such a thumping victory without the colossal corruption and supine ineffectiveness of these clandestine friends.
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