Democracy in India has acquired a unique character to it. This acquisition is not recent, in fact it had its roots in the final years of the Independence movement. It however was forgotten in the immediate era after Mahatam’s assasination only to reacquire 40 years later at the opposite end of the political spectrum.
One cannot say with certainity if that character of democracy truly rubbed off from the BJP back to the Congress in 2004 but it definitely left the BJP in 2004 and is nowhere in sight in 2009 while the Congress may just be adding legitimacy to that apparent acquisition from 2004.
There was a lot of debate in the Constituent Assembly about why India did not opt for the Presidential system. For the last 5 years this blogger has been making the case for a Strong Executive under the notion that only a Strong Executive can fix the flaws in our functional democracy.
In Verdict 2009 this blogger must bow to the “Wisdom of the Crowd” to admit that the Indian Polity having suffered the tyranny of absolute democratic majorities is deeply wary of the notion of a Strong Executive. That wariness manifested itself in the fragmented verdicts over the last 20 years and continues to do so but then there is a distinction. In 1998 and 1999 it overcame its wariness to decisively favor one political formation over another albeit with a near simple majority.
In 2009 it has once again overcome that wariness to deliver a decisive verdict that is further closer to a simple majority. If there is one thing common about 1999 and 2009 on why one formation was preferred over another it is the “perceived credibility differential” in the eyes of the democratic polity.
We can debate endlessly if that “perception” is rooted in objective facts or subjective emotions, but the reality of that “perception” cannot be denied. The “Perceieved Credibility Differential” for the BJP was higher over the Congress in 1999 for both Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani came across as detached Moral Leaders on different dimensions to act as a check and balance against each other. They clearly had the moral high ground in 1999.
In 2009 the “Perceieved Credibility Differential” favored the Congress whether we like it or not for in the eyes of the people Sonia Gandhi acquired the status of conscience keeper to the government while Manmohan Singh came across as the non-politician. The legitimacy of this moral high ground could be a matter of debate, its reality however cannot be denied.
The BJP lost battle 2009 on that “Perceived Credibility Differential” to cede the moral high ground to the “progressives”.
There will be waffling on issues but the direction is clear from Rahul Gandhi that he wants to influence the Manmohan Singh governments agenda towards greater “Progressivism”.
There has to be a fresh start and a big tent ideological alternative to the Congress’ “Progressivism” that bridges and surpasses the “Percieved Credibility Differential” gap to take back the moral high ground.
Anti-Congressism doesnt cut it, its not even an ideology and as a mere negation of Congress doesnt offer alternatives.
Hindutva as a political ideology doesnt cut it for it was poorly articulated, barely codified and narrowly interpreted and practised. It sustained agitational politics based on real and legitimate concerns but it lost its moral bearings along the way to condone Adharma. It also did not offer coherent policy alternatives for governance. Shivraj Chauhan may have simplified Hindutva to mean “Development” but that is what it is has been reduced to end of the day an oversimplification.
There is a legitimate place for Hindutva as a philosophy but it is not in the political realm but in the social realm. There is a legitimate place for an organization like Vishwa Hindu Parishad but it is not as a political special interest group but as a Social service organization. For the VHP to justify itself as legitimate organization of social Hindu interests it must reform itself into a transparent representative body that is open to modern thoughts and challenges.
There has to be a new ideological alternative that draws legitimacy from Dharma while offering a wide umbrella platform for all Indians who believe in Individual Freedom and National Interest.
Such an umbrella platform should appeal to the economic liberals for its primacy to Individual Freedom.
Such an umbrella platform should also put to rest any fears on Hindu interests for its moral bearings will be rooted in Dharma or Constitutional Justice and its commitment will always be to the Indian National Interest.
In the coming days Offstumped will further develope the idea of a Liberal and National big tent based on the ancient Indian idea of the Shveta Chhatra or White Umbrella as a symbol that guarantees justice to all and appeasement to none.
Its time we restored “Saffron” its sanctity by returning it to its rightful and sacred place in the socio-cultural realm and cleansed it of the taint from the political realm.
Its time we embraced the untainted “White” to lay claim to the moral high ground in the political realm.
To continue the debate on Shveta Chhatra – the new big tent visit Offstumped on wordpress.com by clicking here.
Filed under: DesiPundit, Shveta Chhatra, jeetega-bharat
Ravindra…
I agree, however if my suggestion were to be taken then BJP following:
1. Bomb Blasts ; It is between the People and the Congress party, we have never liked the Congress party’s policies on Terrorism.
2. Pub Like attacks in their ruled states: Haul them in, book them and when the court grants bail…KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE COURT VERDICT LIKE A BLABBERING PARROT.
3. I am praying to Bhagwaan Shri Ram, to do a thing like Congress doing repeating its folly and this time Sangh Pariwar must pounce on it.
The idea is to put the ball firmly in the Governments court, let them answer the questions of the people, sometimes a silent voter is more deadly then an agitation.
Balaji
U seem to have a fetish for Sushma. While I agree she is a good fighter, she made serious errors of judgement as Information Broadcasting Minister in Vajpayee cabinet.
Deploying right people on right jobs is important. While Sushma Swaraj is an effective speaker, her impact as Information & Broadcasting Minister is suspect. While she can be considered for the post of opposition leader, she cant substitute Advani.
The window 1998-2004 when the cable media took off, she did nothing to set up a right wing media outlet and looked other way when forces inimical to native Indians set shop.
Modi is our man. He has the energy and can energise followers too. He should build even more gravitas. My judgement on Jaitley while positive is reserved till there is a transparent analysis on why he could not deliver UP for BJP despite his getting the responsibility in 2007.
Balaji,
before you fly off the handle denouncing Savarkar, please study his works.
Yes he believed in a Hard Hindutva (btw, he coined the term and the concept) but not from a narrow ‘my religion is better than yours’ stand point.
Almost every prediction he made 70-0 years back has come true.
Here are two great articles that explain Savarkar’s contribution.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/30595/Indias-debt-to-Savarkar.html
http://www.dailypioneer.com/34331/The-man-who-saw-tomorrow.html
He was one of the few true patriots – a worthy son who’s only devotion was to Mother India unlike say Nehru whose loyalty to Mother India was clouded by a perverse subservience to Internationalism.
Before you vilify this great patriot and use some of the psec arguments against him – remember this – few freedom fighters sacrificed as much for the freedom of their motherland.
Also, he hardly believed in the dogmatic form of Hinduism and provided a strong impetus to the social reform movements that were first initiated by the Chatrapati.
One could even argue that he was one of the first modernizers of Hinduism who understood its scientific core and was willing to confront its obscurantist social order.
Savarkar has few equals. Unless ofcourse you choose to believe the systematic vilification campaign undertaken by your fellow travellers on the left over the past 60 odd years.
These jholawalas, IIC, JNU types dont even measure up to his ankles.
Zoom & mpanj….
Leave aside Signor Balaji.
A known BJP baiter.
Biggest fear/worry for Secularist Media is takeover by Modi.
So these guys promoting different names just to checkmate Modi.
Saying Nitish will walkout from nda.
Dont fall in their trap and take bold decision.
Mr. Balaji
mpanj has rightly defended Swantraveer.
As far as Prabhakaran goes, many many Eelam Tamils preferred to die rather than be taken in by Sri Lankans to internment camps. You appear ridiculous when u say, his own people deserted him.
Prabhakaran had his shortcomings. But lack of support from Eelam Tamils was not one.
@Srinivas
>>>“we told you so”. No wailing or speeches or anything after the attack. Compile a long list, and use it during the elections.
This is an important point.
I think we need to carry this forward to other aspects of Congress’ missteps that are to follow.
4-5 key issues will dominate India’s politics over the next 5-10 years.
Corruption, Terror, Governance.
Create on-going campaigns surrounding these issues starting April 2010 (allowing enough time for the Honeymoon to end).
BJP must devise an uncompromising stand on these and then have a similar response – short, succinct and to the point.
This should be made by the official (one official) spokesperson only.
No going on media channels, no shouting over roof tops.
Lets deny fuel to these anti-India channels and offer Congress a long rope to hang itself.
Also, our nation demands a more mature, thoughtful and well defined response to the impending crises.
Lets eschew the temptation to go ‘Tarzan’ everytime MSM offers us a channel.
Savarkar fans,
Please go thru any of the following official statements of Philosophy (see urls below) released by the BJP and the RSS. Can you find espousal of Savarkar’s fascism by anyone in the party pantheon? BJP recognizes Savarkar as an historical figure just as we recognize many others from the freedom movement. Thats all.
The expectations of the rabid muslim haters and fascists from the BJP has been a constant problem for the BJP. It has been unable to tell them to take a hike becos it needs their votes as well.
http://theideology.org/
http://drsyamaprasadmookerjee.org/
http://deendayalupadhyaya.org/home.html
http://www.rss.org/index.php
http://www.bjp.org/content/view/444/396/
http://www.bjp.org/content/view/2646/473/
My two cents:
Hindutva is a lost cause in North India. Hence BJP’s core founding principle is lost.
Its a lost cause, because of the increase in the number of non-practising Hindus. Hence when BJP talks about Hindu vote consolidation, its only targeting about 30-40% of the population. Even these 30-40% is divided amongst themselves.
Among the non-practising Hindus are a large percentage who are TV worshippers. Talking to them , you will see them parroting the daily news/opinion. If anybody is smart enough to counter them then they have no reply, cause that part was not discussed on the TV.
Hence BJP should shelve Hindutva. And those who don’t like it should get a ticket to the US/Europe and live in a Hindu Ghetto.
“Hindutva as a political ideology doesnt cut it for it was poorly articulated, barely codified and narrowly interpreted and practised. It sustained agitational politics based on real and legitimate concerns but it lost its moral bearings along the way to condone Adharma.”
As you yourself write above,
It is not the ideology that failed
It is how you view/intrepret/practice it.
It is the failure of the followers.
swetha chatra.. the big tent… is there.
But it should be filled with pure minds.
Swami Vivekananda had said that “First feed the poor Hindus,then talk to him about Dharma”
So guys STOP ARGUING on HINDUTVA.
And make a mission to first have Roji-roti to all as Agenda,people will start accepting HINDUTVA on its own without arguing.
Dear Yoss,
Thank you for thought provoking write up. As you rightly said that hindutva should be associated to socio-cultural issue instead of bringing in politics. So RSS and VHP should work on those line insead of indirect participation in politics through the influence on BJP
But I have a take on it. Condisering the situaltion in home and neighbour, Hindutva can not be kept inside the domian of socio-cultural issue. it has to brought on political platform to prevent long term effect on the nation, which is rooted on civiliztion of the hindu way of thinking. As for example, sharp rise of the chirstian population in certain pocket of the country and then changing the nature of the area. These are socio-cultural problem and need good political support for continuation of the hindu’s way of life, similarly we have to look into the influence of the wahabi nature of islam, which was not visible in India till few decades ago. This is becoming a major factor on the socio-cultural transformation now a day due global factor.
Strong socio-cultutal organization can be build and sustain through the feeding from the strong political activities, who rise these issue on the different platform for people’s understanding. Similarly socio-cultural organization can keep vigil eye of the wrong doing of the politial parties and remind them their drifting away from the idology.
But everything need to be done within the constitutional acceptibility, If the constituion does not have the provision then rise those issues peacefully. At any point of time, these can not be done violent way as sometimes happened in the past.
1. Stop calling the media anti-India. If the media is anti-India, perhaps the people who have voted Congress to power are anti-India too?? So the real patriots are only in the BJP, and only those who support Modi as PM? Gimme a break.
2. Modi is loved by BJP cadre, no doubt. But for the rest of us, Modi means Gujarat riots first, and development next. The more we see him, the more our chances of voting for Congress.
3. Is the BJP a party, or is its cadre mostly RSS/ VHP/ BD? If it is, then each trouble VHP / RSS gets into (clashes, go mutra alternative for coca cola) adds up against BJP. Urban India laughs when they hear such stuff.
4. Varun good in Pilibhit. Pub attacks good in Mangalore. Modi good in Gujarat. Backlash happens everywhere else. Remember that the youth in India wants girlfriends, wants to visit pubs when they can afford it, drinks cola, not go mutra. If Pink chaddi gets 40000 members in Facebook, the real support for it is 40 lakhs
You cant support the ideas of the attackers in principle and dissociate from them in action. Doesnt work.
5. Right-wing parties tend to have a narrower base, and widening the base takes a couple of election cycles. Do you have the patience, or do you want it now? If you want it now, short term strategies will keep base happy while the wider market would vanish.
6. Stop name calling. Sickular, Raul Vinci, gudia
Funny to hear, but not dignified at all. No gravitas in that talk!
Yossarin,
I am probably too naive to understand the intellectually packed debate that is happening here. But I have a question in my mind which I keep asking many of the political analysts.
This is the first GE I participated in and I don’t understand how does BJP is being considered as a party with “Hindutva” as an ideology. BJP has always seemed very apologetic to me on any points which had direct or indirect links to Hindu issues. May it be Ram Mandir, or Article 370.
Where exactly, in which document in which speech did they ask votes based on Hindutva, which itself is a poorly articulated concept as you have said. The only times media related Hindutva and BJP is when topics of riots or hate speeches come in picture. Again its an impression that the media and opponent of BJP give me. The way I see a congress leader proclaiming his secular credentials with pride I never see any hindu leader even those like modi who according to media are radical hindu dont seem to be doing that.
Let us say all BJP leaders agree to shelve hindutva, they decide to absolutely reject Hindutva. How do they do that ? or Arent they doing it already?
A shveta chatra sounds a good concept but who will bother to understand it ? The term itself is derived from Sankrit words and Secularist will immediately paint that white with color of communalism and no one will enter that tent.
One can never take a moral high ground based on ideology unless he is not apologetic about it. I am sure no matter what you propose under the term of “Shveta Chatrra” if it accepted by BJP, my inexperience tells me that BJP leaders will be busy teaching how secular the concept of Shveta Chatrra is.
By now most of us would have gone over the depression and the nauseating feeling of having to bear with corrupt, colonial & ineffective government for another 5 years.
Apart from losing election, the blatant partial approach adopted by the TV news channels was shocking.
Observations:
1. Media is supposed to be the fourth pillar of democracy however it behaved as the third leg of the congress stool.
News channels worked as an integral part of congress media cell and it appears to be a strategic alliance.
2. It was very anguishing to watch BJP spokesman being grilled one after the other almost endlessly
Thier opinion on most issues was trivialised not only by plastic smiling anchors but even by biased audience.
It was as if they had entered in an interrogation centre.
3. On issues related to weak governance, the anchors were seen batting for the congress.
The congress ministers were being prompted/helped during interviews.
There was no coverage of ineffective congress ministers & their policies – at all.
4. During the last phase of elections the news anchors went a step further.
They tried to break BJP alliance partners, pushed Left front in UPA camp and formed an anti BJP front.
They started quoting constitutional experts, that largest party need not be invited to form government.
5. Just before counting day, the media also fooled the Left front & regional parties into forming a “secular front with congress”.
While it was the Congress party that ate into major chunk of their vote bank.
They were quoting left front – “We won’t allow BJP to form government at any cost”.
The result was surprising & regional parties were decimated.
In Bengal, it was BJP that prevented a complete rout of the Left by dividing votes & saving them 6 seats.
BSP was left with only dalit/hindu votes & SP does not have a single Muslim MP!
It was a trick in visual imagery.
The general middle class perceptions on BJP would have been different had the TV channels shown repetitive videos of:
Shivraj Patil fumbling, virulent speeches of Muslim League leaders, divisive policies of Arjun Singh etc.
So my humble suggestion to BJP is to setup own TV channel.
The above view echoed in several of the comments posted across the internet.
Benefits of setting own news channel:
1. Instantly reach an audience in Kerala/West Bengal/Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP presence is zero.
They constitute 143 out of 543 seats and in those states the TV penetration is staggering.
2. Unlike other parties, BJP has intellectual depth. Its leaders are presentable & knowledgeable.
Information can be presented cohesively – especially without stupid interrogations.
3. Using your own TV medium would allow you to present your side of the story and set your agenda.
Let the Left, SP, BSP, NCP etc take on the Congress in TV debates.
4. Every political party except the BJP has its own TV channel.
By proxy Congress operates several TV channels across regional lines apart from the leading two news channels in India.
Even regional parties now have their own TV channels.
In TV news channels it was the BJP interviews, speeches & briefings that were most watched/popular programs.
Every spokesperson was articulate, knowledgeable and had an air of superiority.
However the news channels used BJP, presented them as a ruling party, polarized voters, increased their own TRP’s while all time vilifying them!
It is time to give the agents of congress party some competition.
For a start – stop visiting those two news channels and watch their TRP fall.
Whatever the reason, Hindutuva is associated with Godhra, kandhamal violence, church attacks and pub attacks or in one word intolerence. Though ram sena is not associated with BJP the perception is it is part of the sangh parivar. We have to understand the people do watch news but not the debates. So they easily carried by this perception created by media. Media is only part of a problem and not the source. The clandestine relationship between BJP and sangh outfits doesn’t help people to understand who are all part of sangh parivar. What is the need to support the suspected people in Malegon blasts? In one stroke all anti terrorism plank of BJP is turned as one more communal agenda and lost the credibility on this issue also.
We have to note that Sri Sri ravi shankar and Ramdev command lot of following and respect. Is the media saying they are hindu bigots or some thing like that?
It is not Hindutuva ideology but the messenger like VHP lost credibility. RSS lost its clout among the masses to Ravishankar and Ramdev.
Once there was a fierce atheist movement in TN by Dravidian parties. Hinduism was not extinguished only dravidian parties changed with time. In fact Hinduism is flourishing compared to 80’s if you see the size and fervor associated with Ayyappa and Sakthi movement.
As Yoss suggested let these be in social space.
Let the organizations like VHP/RSS don’t think they are the only saviors of Hinduism and let them concentrate on social activities to reduce conversions not by forcible re conversion. Is anyone heard these organizations speak against on social evils like smoking and drinking. but they are very much there to stop valentine day and pub culture.
Balaji
You seem to live in some delusional world of yours wherein Sushma is given too much importance. Let me burst your bubble, she cant even win 50 seats if projected as leader and let me take you back a few years ago wherein she was projected as Delhi CM during elections and incase you dont know that was the watershed election wherein Shiela came to power. You need to get a grip of reality and the fact of the matter is there is no one except Modi who can be the leader unless BJP wants to commit harakiri and get relegated to the status of a regional party in 2014. Be it Rajnath or Sushma or Joshi or anyone else none of them have the same kind of acceptability among the BJP workers as Modi does and incase you doubt go and speak to them. Just because for some unknown reason, you got a fancy to Sushma doesnt mean she is any good .
Yoss,
For some reason, this “shweta chhatra” looks similar to equator,to borrow the words of Churchil, it doesn’t exist.
G,
Pls don’t underestimate other BJP leaders. Do you think before Modi, BJP was not there in Gujarat. BJP is winning 2/3 in the assembly from 1996 onwards. Shushma has been projected one month before election in Delhi assembly election. It is not lost because of shushma. She has given very tough fight in Karnataka against sonia, she won in Delhi, MP and haryana. I don’t think anyone except Vajpayee contested like that. The question is not about acceptability of workers. If you think acceptability of voters is not important then why BJP even contest the election.
Humdinger – You are right, it doesnt exist, it needs to be created.
Many have posed quite a few questions, I shall address them in the next post.
Again to reiterate this is not about what BJP must announce tomorrow to win the next election.
This about a coherent ideological anchor for the broad constituency that sympathises with this nationalist, center right political space.
The question of Hindutva and Dharma have become mere talking points, even amongst us.
It is somewhat easy to implement Dharma in personal lives. Because Dharma as a concept is more focused on guiding individual actions. But how should Dharma be interpolated to apply to groups and when making decisions or policies that effect a large group of people?
My analysis is that while RSS spawned BJP and continues to support it, it has made a HUGE mistake by NOT defining the purpose of BJP’s existence and further, NOT setting tangible guidelines on how it should operate at macro level.
I propose several things that RSS and BJP should do to harmonize guru-sishya like relations between the two, and for that relationship to deliver fruitful results for the society at large and India.
# RSS should strictly stay away from micro-managing BJP matters and maintain a hands off approach. The rule should only be broken if BJP is largely drifting away from core principles.
# RSS should never indulge in supporting or not supporting candidates, particularly for top-rung leadership positions. The fiasco of BJP in 2009, thanks to RSS backing of Rajnath and his cronies should be a reminder that ideological-cultural organisation should strictly stay away from politics.
# RSS and BJP leaders should sit together and come up with a set core principles under which the party will operate and rule. Principles should be broad enough to allow adjustments to changing realities, but strong enough to be considered as policies to guide decision making. Principles should be comprehensive enough to cover large parts of governance, including economic, military, external affairs etc.
# BJP cadres should be required to study core ideology of the party, (example – integral humanism) and pass exams on it before they are given positions of responsibility. The required study should include basics of economics, town planning, constitution of India etc. This should be mandatory, even for senior politicians who jump to BJP fold. Members will have to re-qualify after a period of time, say once in a decade, failing which they’ll lose positions of power, if any.
# No back door entries allowed, even from within RSS. Everybody has to qualify and function under party constitution. Major indiscipline, including acts such bribing voters, should not be tolerated, members found violating rules should be removed from positions of power, and barred from holding any for a duration of time, based on the seriousness of their misconduct
# Party will fight elections on its own, and will govern on its own strength. If the desired mandate is not obtained and forming alliances with another party (either of the two have to be single largest party) becomes essential, the common minimum program thus formed will be in-line with BJP’s own constitution.
Presently RSS acts as guardian of BJP, imposing some discipline when things start to go awry, which they do once in a few years. RSS should move away from doing this, and instead provide a party constitution, under which BJP will operate and self-manage.
Yoss, sorry for breaking your rule again and posting BJP specific comments.
But your attempts to define ideological anchor for the centre of right politics, will only be considered by BJP and its supporters. So I guess, you cannot discuss one without discussing the other.
For all us now, BJP is the only delivery mechanism, and strengthening it is our only means of ensuring India’s governance under Sanathana Dharma
[...] the coming days Offstumped will further develope the idea of a Liberal and National big tent based on the ancient Indian idea of the Shveta Chhatra or White Umbrella as a symbol that [...]
Ajay – Understand the dilemma. I have reactivated the wordpress.com site for all open discussion on Shveta Chhatra to address this.
I would not like to go into pros and cons of leader here. But just one comment.
While we all talked of Modi’s weakness, Sushma too has her weakness which G has mentioned. She has not remained stable in one place and not in one place have people gone gaga after the end of the term. So she has this weakness, which shee needs to prove. Her vote catching ability for candidates other than herself is still to be proved to naked eyes. Her biggest weakness is just like rajnath,joshi her ability to swing votes for candidates other than herself is yet to be tested and hence there is no measure of the confidence she enjoys with party cadre or the voters.
This is not underestimating, I guess opinions on strengths and weakness.
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