India is an ancient civilization, a potpourri of many languages, religions, castes, traditions, medical systems and when we made a tryst with destiny in 1947, we firmly decided not to go the Pakistan way and opted to strive for unity in our myriad diversity!
In all the chaos, violence and turmoil, against all odds and predictions of failure, led by illustrious stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and many in the Indian National Congress overwhelmingly outvoting the others with RSS ideology after thoroughly discussing the matter in Parliament, India would be a country for everyone!
Today all these stalwarts, the founders and architects of our Constitution who laid the foundation and steered India to rise and become a world power from malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, absolutely no educational and other institutions or commensurate infrastructure are being selectively reviled/criticized instead of being acknowledged for the miracle of India that is Bharat!
We managed to throw out the British, Portuguese, French colonisers who ruled us and remain a united secular nation despite it all! We are now on the cusp of being ruled by the BJP the political arm of the RSS. These elections are as important as our 1947 elections because our badly polarized nation needs only one guarantee which is missing; that our Constitution which is given lip service by Modi government is actually honoured in letter and spirit!
Every religion without exception always has fanatics, and by bringing in religion as the main plank and maximum appeasement of the majority community linking it with developmental national fervor, the PM with his oratory and increased built up worldwide stature has struck a politically winning chord.
Amazing no matter how incredulous, communal, inciting, unconstitutional his election rhetoric, allegations or narrative created maybe, it is backed up tooth and nail by the Parivar, similar rude counter allegations/rebuttals follow and everyone dutifully listens sometimes applauding! The EC takes no or selective action and courts keep quiet on blatant disregard of code of conduct and constitutional provisions openly flouted!
The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reportedly said that it is clear that there is need for society to understand that the identity and link that binds this nation is Hindu and that society must not be judged on wealth creation but religion and victory of this society would empower other societies and benefit the universe. The BJP manifesto also hints at making Hinduism a world religion with cultural centres to be established across the world.
We managed unity in diversity till 2014, when democracy started getting eroded, polarization, caste and religion brought strongly to the fore. The PM won a thumping majority on promise of 'Acche Din' and then established a macho image with Balakot. Now with Ram Mandir and Modi ki Guarantee, he hopes to destroy all opposition and send the only national Opposition party into oblivion.
In south India the Christian population is being wooed, Shashi Tharoor may not get a walk over as BJP has fielded Union Minister Chandrashekar against him. The Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao has issued a circular stating that the growth of a nation is dependent on its citizens active participation and responsible behaviour. Voting is their moral obligation and vote for those with secular credentials.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reacting reportedly said “BJP is a truly secular party that has never differentiated people based on religion, caste or creed, has spent money for upkeep of churches in Old Goa and St Francis Xavier exposition, revived minority commissions in Goa and nationally”. Health Minister Rane reiterates Opposition comments on various issues but people should think of development undertaken by the PM.
Fortunately the people of Goa are by and large educated, well connected and can decipher the truth, well aware of what is happening in Manipur, the targeted communalization, cannot forget what happened in GMC regarding oxygen cylinders and deaths during Covid epidemic, the migrant labour exodus, price rise, job situation etc. and notwithstanding the roads, bridges, development progress, are thoroughly dismayed at the gross land grab and haphazard development changes in zoning and illegal constructions which will drastically affect our climate, food and water scarcity.
The Courts are overwhelmed and people stand helplessly watching Goa being converted into a concrete jungle, agricultural land, river and beach areas encroached by arbitrary changes in land use, corruption rampant and no equitable justice. The smart city works, Kala Academy renovation in Panaji and development executed with no transparency and accountability, where normal people’s lives, flora, fauna and climate change seems not to matter much. The pollution, recent flooding and drinking water shortage in Bengaluru should have opened our eyes to the consequences. Which way Goa goes will be decided in these elections.
Deeds speak louder than words and if the Constitution is the BJP's sacred book as claimed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is wrong to aim to somehow destroy all opposition since democracy cannot survive without a strong opposition?
The minorities have to be respected and protected and all Indians treated as one family before the world can be so treated. And to quote Charles Colton, “Power will intoxicate the best of hearts as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited powers”.
