Jyotiraditya's 'departure' suggests Congress, BJP savarnas have similar leanings

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*
Jyotiraditya Scindia's departure from the Congress surely raises a few questions, and the main one is whether the Congress is unable to clean itself from those who have saffron leanings. There are still many leaders in the party who are waiting for the 'right' moment.
Scindia is the 'darling' of the Page-3 circles in Delhi, and many of them wanted the Congress to make him or Shashi Tharoor as the party president, just because they can speak Queen's English, a fascination for this section of journalists.
The point is, when the nation is passing through a difficult phase, when all the institutions are under attack, when the political system and opponents are being charged, a leader, who was projected as the 'modern' face of the party, joins the ranks of those who are responsible for damaging the democratic polity of the country, what disturbs is this: Remaining in power remains the top priority of a big section of politicians.
In fact, they can't live without power. I can understand Congress leaders who are habitual of power. They are now feeling orphaned.
It is not that one is fascinated with Kamal Nath, who surely is not more 'secular' than Jyotiraditya, but it is also a fact that after remaining in the party for so long, when the Congress is in the lowest condition, leaders, particularly in states, are looking for greener pastures, and except for BJP, they can't think of joining any other party.
Clearly, there appears to be no difference between the "savarnas" of the Congress and those of BJP. Except for a few, most of them bear the same feelings and thoughts.
The Congress needs to make its stand clear. This balancing acts will only ruin the party further. If the party really wants that it becomes a platform for all the diverse communities and ethnic groups, it must develop leaders from diverse groups and give them space.
The party needs to be revamped. It can ask those sitting on the fence to leave the party if they wish to. It is amazing to see that Congress leaders only find BJP as the only alternative. This shows how narrow is the choice for the 'powerful' leaders.
Scindia was defeated by his own junior in Madhya Pradesh. He may pose himself as the suave face of politicians. But it is also a fact that the Gwalior-Chambal regions are not the same as they existed during 1970s and 1980s.
Now, people don't consider him maharaja but as a feudal lord, hence the challenge to Scindia will always be there from the marginalised segments. Of course, he has money and resources. Now in BJP, he can also ask his supporters make "sacrifices" for the Ram Mandir. Developmental work can take the back seat.
I am not surprised at such turn of events. The Congress needs to cleanse itself from such leaders. Somewhere, I felt, Rahul Gandhi has been despised by many in the party because he wanted a clean up operation which the veterans don't want. But they need to think that things have changed.

Jyotiraditya's resignation will not make any difference except that the mainstream media will start talking about Congress' relevance and Gandhi family's irrelevance

With savarna castes solidly behind BJP, the Congress, if it wants to remain relevant, must focus on building up leadership from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minorities. Not thatmthe savarnas should not have a place in there, but they already have enough space.
The Indian political system is not ready to give leadership to the young as there is resistance for the youth among all the parties. Yet they would have to be accommodated at different levels.
The Congress leadership can utilise the departure of Jyotiraditya by building up a new generation leadership from different sections. The Congress needs to confirm and reiterate its secular commitment proudly. The party also needs to be clear and unambiguous about issues of social justice, as today's youth want a categorical stand from the party. Any delay in speaking about major issues will only hurt the party.
I don't think Jyotiraditya's resignation from the party is going to make any difference except that the mainstream media will start talking about the Congress' relevance and the Gandhi family's irrelevance.
One can't expect them to ask questions to Jyotiraditya as to why he has betrayed people. Does he not know what is happening in this country right now? He supported BJP on Article 370.
We know that a large number of party leaders are sulking at the moment and there are different camps in the party. This does happen with a big party. But at a time when the party leadership is weak, is unable to create a level playing field, and more than anything else, there is a need for commitment to the rule of law, secularism and social justice, embracing the Sangh Parivar is definitely a hypocritical act.
---
*Human rights defender. Source: Author's Facebook timeline

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Unlike other revolutionaries, Hindutva icon wrote 5 mercy petitions to British masters

By Shamsul Islam* The Hindutva icon VD Savarkar of the RSS-BJP rulers of India submitted not one, two,or three but five mercy petitions to the British masters! Savarkarites argue: “There are no evidences to prove that Savarkar collaborated with the British for his release from jail. In fact, his appeal for release was a ruse. He was well aware of the political developments outside and wanted to be part of it. So he kept requesting for his release. But the British authorities did not trust him a bit” (YD Phadke, ‘A complex Hero’, "The Indian Expres"s, August 31, 2004)

Outreach programme in medical education: Band-aids for compound fractures

By Amitav Banerjee, MD* Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, introduced two curricular changes in medical education, both at the undergraduate and the postgraduate levels, ostensibly to offer opportunities for quality medical education and to improve health care accessibility among the underserved rural and urban population.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Search This Blog