Ever since his anointment as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate over 6 months ago, all along Narendra Modi has kept development and good governance at the center stage of election campaign. He has not deviated even an inch from this agenda despite an orchestrated game plan by his opponents (Congress and its allies) to brand him as communal and a polarizing figure.
In hundreds of speeches delivered across length and breadth of India, Modi has been extremely circumspect in choice of his words to leave no scope for subjective interpretations and has come un-scathed so far. That is a huge accomplishment in back drop of a hostile environment and provocative statements hurled from all sides.
Modi has carved out a space in the heart of millions across all sections viz., rural, urban, women, youth etc. All this is encapsulated in the now famous idiom ‘Modi Wave’. His 2 hour long interview at ‘Aap ki Adalat’ on April 12, 2014 where all through, the air reverberated with chanting of ‘Modi’ was reminiscent of this wave.
To say that ‘Modi Wave’ is an orchestrated sales propaganda or a media creation funded by big business houses (Anand Sharma even alleges they have opened a Rs 10,000 crores war chest) would be travesty of truth. Without an intrinsic appeal of the man, even best of propaganda machinery could turn out to be a damp squib.
Having failed to stop Modi’s juggernaut thus far, now the opponents have opened another front. This time, they have picked up on timing of release of BJP election manifesto as also its contents especially those which border on ‘Hinduttva’.
True, there was delay in release of manifesto (it was released on April 7, 2014 also date of first phase of voting). Technicality, this was a violation of model code of conduct. Election Commission (EC) has already taken action by putting a ban on its dissemination by media for specified period. We should leave it at that.
Yet, Congress et al have not desisted from hair splitting. They argue that delay was due to differences within BJP. This was a manifestation of continuing rift between the old guard (led by L K Advani) and the new generation led by Modi. A leadership which can’t keep its folk together, how can it run the nation?
The subject matter is an internal affair of BJP and it is entirely its prerogative how to address it. Outsiders have no business to interfere much less playing on differing views of members. Even so, brainstorming on different viewpoints is indicative of a healthy and robust functioning of democracy within party unlike Congress where the writ of one person prevails.
On substantive issues, the charge of Congress that BJP has resurrected and brought in to full play its core Hinduttva agenda is totally baseless and malafide.
The three contentious issues are (i) construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya; (ii) abrogation of article 370 of the constitution with respect to J&K and (iii) adoption of uniform civil code.
BJP represents the voice of Hindus who constitute the majority if one goes by sheer numbers. This is a matter of fact. The constitution permits every citizen to practice his religion while at the same time not doing anything that would hurt the sensibilities of a person practising another religion.
The members of each religious community viz., Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian etc have a fair and legitimate expectation to ensure that their rights are fully protected. Indeed, they have every reason to expect that their respective umbrella organizations act in an appropriate manner to achieve this.
The mentioned issues have been on BJP’s radar for generations. These are inter-twined with concerns and sensibilities of Hindus and at the same time, have much wider appeal from viewpoint of granting equal opportunities and privileges to all citizens of India.
In this backdrop, to expect that BJP won’t even mention these issues in its manifesto would tantamount to the party abdicating its responsibilities towards the community. Clearly, BJP has not run away simply to satisfy the whims of its adversaries. Yet, it has taken abundant care to ensure that its promises are well within the remit of constitution.
Thus, in regard to construction of Ram temple, the manifesto in carefully crafted words is only talking of ‘exploring the possibility of constructing the temple within the framework of constitution’. This is clear pointer to BJP going strictly by the judicial process and respecting decisions of the court.
In this regard, already there is a decision of Allahabad high court which was challenged in the Supreme Court (SC). The party will wait for conclusion of proceedings and order of SC.
As regards, Article 370, BJP has pointed out how it has come in the way of development of J&K and denial of equal opportunities to citizens of the state. The provisions of progressive legislations like RTI or Prevention of Corruption Act and Right to Education Act do not apply to J&K (courtesy Article 370).
The manifesto has sought a comprehensive debate to evaluate the pros and cons of the Article and thereafter consider ways and means to integrate people of J&K in national mainstream. The promise is clearly aimed at opening up new opportunities for them and benefit from development.
The promise for uniform civil code has to be viewed in the larger perspective of binding all religious communities to certain norms of behaviour in public discourses to ensure peace, tranquillity and sense of brotherhood in the society.
The country just can’t afford to compromise on this at the altar of un-fettered flexibilities that are currently available in the name of ‘freedom to practice one’s religion’ and have often led to conflagrations breaking the social fabric apart from damage to property/assets and attendant huge economic loss.
These issues are mentioned under a head ‘Cultural heritage’ and that too towards the end. Development and good governance remain at the centre stage and occupy bulk of the space in the document.
Congress led UPA harps on ‘Hinduttva’ because having failed miserably on development and governance, it suits its own political objective to divert attention and garner votes through polarisation along religious and communal lines.
Enlightened voters can see through this game plan and will exercise the right choice.