Narendra Modi: his fifty shades

In some ways Narendra bhai is like Christian Grey for me. Though he is extremely successful, charismatic, obviously caring of his people he has a dark past and some bones in his closet.
I was too old to not be fully aware of the Gujarat riots. The media worked round the clock to let everyone know that the state machinery was abetting the rioters and violent criminals. The CM was in effect allowing systematic crime against the Muslims be unchecked - I wouldn't go so far as to liken it to genocide but that's the pattern most G word movements have gone historically.

In close quarters the Hindus were pleased. A cruel part of their brain was deeply satisfied. They congratulated each other for the great victory against the 'mossies' or half dozen other derogatory terms for the community. Part of the discussion fell squarely on the man the media held responsible. They made it sound as if he was the one who took to the streets with arms to perpetrate violence. Narendra Bhai was the crusader, the one who stood up to the 'Muslim Horde'.

An important fact that people are forgetting about the Gujarat riots was that Godhra killing was a huge point of contention for Hindu hardliners and a matter of anger for the Hindu. Retribution was to be sought, but the hindu doesn't have the stomach for violence or retribution. The riots were fundamentally wrong but there emerged a man who would stand up for them.

This single point drives in the back of most heads, both who are for him and against him.
And yet Narendra Modi has made positive movements in his state. There is visible development and policy has been consistent. Grassroots are happy with him and the middle class as well as the corporates. This at a time in India when we have policy paralysis, a dissatisfied corporate community and an ignored middle class. Does Modi look like a leader who can change things for our country?
My personal opinion is that now is not the right time. He should be a BJP leader to rally ground forces in states outside the comfort zone of Gujarat Karnataka and formerly Himachal. He has to grow two or three strong CMs in other states. And then with their combined support go to the centre.

The biggest question mark remains though, will we be putting a pro hindu hardliner in the PMs seat? Most people would not be comfortable with the idea - least of all me.

There was another person supported by the liberal elite of their country who didn't agree with the ideology of their leader but considered it a trade off for economic turn around and pride - that man was Adolf Hitler.

Palghar takes us back into time

I am not much of a social commentator, i do have my own opinions but i would not say that they are informed and backed by concrete evidence and research. And yet it is valid because i would like to vouch myself to be a keen observer with a sane mind, for that is all it takes to understand the case with the two women at Palghar who were wrongfully taken into custody and booked under a heinous offence.

That they were taken into custody was a heinous offence in its own right should be a matter of shame - but not debate. There is no debate that two, otherwise law abiding citizens, were taken into custody was a gross injustice and absolutely asinine. What is worse is that there is fear in the minds of the people to speak against authority.

The woman who posted her personal opinion on a social networking site probably did not realise that her action would lead to national debate, that wasn't her intention. She was sharing an opinion with her friends, and in that this was not social activism or to instigate change. Yet the Sena felt it was, they were angry, they were sullen - this was the ultimate affront to their authority and a slap across their face and tarnished the memory of their great leader.

We don't see it as an affront, we don't see it as being harmful or inciting anger. But there was anger, helplessness and depression in the Sainiks, they needed an outlet and all of it was misdirected at this woman and her friends and relatives. I do not appreciate their actions, i do not like that they forced the local police authorities to charge them, i understand the plight of the police, but i cannot forgive them for it. All of this is moot though there is a larger picture.

Whether she thought of it or not, the woman had a voice, she had felt safe enough to exercise her right to free speech and speak about the bandh on Facebook. Do you remember how many times we have hushed our voices or told someone to shut up when they mention anything about the Sena. This is exactly that, you can do what you like because you do not have a problem with violence and believe that you can stop all dissension - Sena gave a decisive blow to free opinion on Facebook and hence free opinion online. We sit in our ivory towers of Metropolitan India and are safe in the absolute diversity which allows us the safety in our anonymity but spare a thought about the 1000 Palghars of our Country. The youth that reside there, their right to free speech and opinion.

Yes the case has been revoked, yes there has been disciplinary action against the Police but those youth, they will have to find their voice again. All over again.



Digital giveth and Digital taketh away - c'est la vie