BJP OR CONGRESS--THERE IS NO HOLY COW IN INDIAN POLITICS!

Yesterday, I had an excellent conversation with a politically savvy friend of mine, Prashant Kumar Rathore, who is very well -informed of Indian politics. A professor of history in an American university, he is a keen observer of political developments across the globe. Being a person of Indian origion, his interest in Indian developments is obvious. Like any other NRI, he too is blinded by media campaign on the goodness of BJP and Team ANNA. We had a long discussion on recent events but I am producing here only a condensed version, with deviations and digressions of History clipped out. I will post it in two parts. Part One is produced below:-

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I (RK) : Yeddyurappa incident shows whether BJP or Congress, or even those one man/woman parties headed by the likes of Laloo, Mulayam, Mamta, Mayawati, Jai Lalita, Karunanidhi, Om prakash Chautala, Ps Badal, Ajit Singh etc., there were no HOLY COWS in Indian politics.

Friend (PK) : Yes, you are right. but there is a dfference?

RK : Difference? What diffenece?

PK :BJP is less corrupt than Congress.

RK : This is NO consolation, Sir. This is what I explain : DIL BEHLAANE KE LIYE GHALIB KHAYAL ACHCHHA HAI; CHOROn KE SHEHAR MEn, JAANAM, HAR CHOR SACHCHAA HAI. ( It is a good thought, O' Ghalib, to satisfy your mental state; But in the city of thieves, every thief is truthful, dear mate!)

PK : No, No ! You got me wrong. I say give the devil its due. At least, BJP has the guts to see the back of the corrupt people, whether it was Yeddyurappa or its past president Luxman, but Congress remains in the denial mode whether it was Shiela Dixit, PC Chidambram, Late YSR reddi and his son or even MMS and SG. Even in the case of Kalmadi, thye had hung on for months before SC got after CWG. Same thing happened in case of 2G----they are trying all sorts of tricks to manipulate to save PC and thus prevent exposure of Robert Vadra and PC's Son.Look at it , CBI is manipulated to say that PC can not be prosecuted. Who is CBI to say so?

RK: I agree on the white lies of congress. I think Congress leaders have learnt this trick from Pakistan----whenever caught on a wrong foot---just deny---rubbish all evidences.

PK: Yes, Yes, you are right. They have learnt it from their interaction with Pakistan's leaders. But there is a difference.

RK: Difference? Again difference? What is the difference?

PK: You see, like Pakistan, they do not declare their 'wrong-doers' as 'NON-STATE ACTORS'. They very honestly admit that they were their own stalwarts---and very honorable stalwarts.

RK : Oh, I see. You mean even Pakistan has some decency to delink itself from 'wrong-doing' but our own CONGRESS party has no such pretensions.

PK : You see, it is no more CONGRESS--Over the last 126 years, it has muted itself to be called CON-GROSS---meaning a party of CONS in totality.

RK: How have these mutations come?

PK : Ask the Parsis of Mumbai----why are they now opting out of INTRA COMMUNITY MARRIAGES to Inter -Community marriages?

RK : I don't get you---why do you equate peace loving and docile Parsis with this party?

PK : No, No ---do not misunderstand me----It is just to explain the phenomenon of Mutations. You see Parsis have realized that intra -community marriages have led to some genetic deformities in their community. Even genes get stagnated once they do not find variety. Stagnation causes consternation and decay.

RK : What has it got to do with CON-GROSS?

PK : Even CON-GROSS has been suffering from this INTRA-PARTY growth of Families within CON-GROSS. NEHRU's Fourth generation is dominating it ---there are second- third genaration people in this who become its leaders because of their family connections though they have nothing worthwhile in them----There is a Pilot here, Diwedi there-----Reddi here Reddi there----all links within links-----if father goes----son / daughter thinks it is their birth right to take his/her father's place.

RK : Oh! This way ---Yea but this is so with all other parties, whether DMK, AIADMK, AKALI DAL, SP, Indian Lok Dal, JANTA DAL, BSP, JD (S) and many more such FAMILY FIRMS of Indian political Corporartion.

PK: Yes, Yes----They all have learnt from CON-GROSS and this is why they have NOT grown further because they too suffer from GENETIC DEFORMITY.

RK : Sir, are you suggesting we are in POLITICALLY STAGNANT WATERS----where only reptiles of evil grow?

PK : Somewhat, you can say that. But I would still say that BJP is slightly different because it stiil openly does not promote families to swarm the party.

RK : When will you stop this symphony that BJP was a party with a difference, Sir?

PK : It is a lesser evil and everyone must support it to throw out Con-gross .

RK : Sorry, I do not agree. You know what happened in Satna(MP) the otherday, where Advani's Rath yatra was expected?

PK: I know some smartalec tried to bribe the media by giving each journalist an envelop with FIVE HUNDREDS RUPEES Note in it .

RK : So, do you still think BJP a right choice to lead next government ? Also, when it has a flawed thinking on Indian political map?

PK : Flawed thinking ? what is that/

RK : Even advani's Rath Yatra is based on this flawed thinking? They will never grow out of this. They are stagnating in their thoughts----therefore they can not grow.

PK: Rajee, what is this flawed thinking?

RK : I think as a political teacher you would have known it better. BJP wants to win the next elections on HINDUTAVA Plank------It is a dead horse being flogged by them too often for their inconvenience.

PK : Now, I don't get you---How do you call it a dead horse?

RK : Very simple sir ------the HINDU MAJORITY in India is a misnomer. It was never there. In political arithmatics or even in reality there was nothing known as Hindus----There were Brahmins, Rajpoots, Kashatriyas, Vaish, Yadavs, Ahirs, Jats, Gujjars, Sainis, Gorkhas, Kurmis, Bhumihars, Aggarwals, Maarwaris, Dalits, Lingaytas, Dravids, Tamils, Kannadigas, Malayalis, Ahoms, Mizos, Bodos and God knows how many more splinter groups but No Hindus to vote as Hindus.

PK : This is true.But-----

RK : Not only this -----HINDU MAJORITY is as elusive as HINDU as a religion----The word HINDU in practise and CONNOTATION has only been a LOST ELDER BROTHER of the modern word "INDIAN"---which encompasses everyone who lives in this Land mass called India----So did the word HINDU----as late as 19th century when even Jains, sikhs and Buddhists were called Hindus by all foreigners.

PK : Very Interesting, Rajee. How much is the truth in your theory?

RK : I am not gassing sir. Read HISTORY OF INDIA by JOHN KEAY, an Indologist and renowned Historian. This book is a real good document on Indian ancestry.

PK : So what do you mean by this?

RK : I say, BJP can not win elections anymore on HINDU card-----This is the flaw in their thinking. As on date, from the ELECTORAL ARITHMATICS point of view only MULIMS are a Majority---because they vote as ONE group against this fear of HINDU MAJORITY making them second rate citizens.

PK : How does it make them ( Muslims) second rate citizens?

RK : This is how CON-GROSS has kept the Muslims scared and insulated from BJP----which strengthened this belief by such acts as Advani's Rath Yatras.

PK : So, you rule out BJP as an alternative. How about Team Anna, if they form a party.

RK : No question. Other than Anna and may be Kiran Bedi, they are a bunch of opportunists , who can sell themselves for personal gains.

PK : Very harsh, Rajee. Some days back you were its strong supporter.

RK : I still support ANNA---but I have now doubts about the intentions of Arvind Kejriwal, Santosh Hegde and Prashant Bhushan. Look at it what Prashant Bhushan is doing----

PK : Yea sad--- One fails to understand what made him say so on Kashmir to Media? Perhaps, he does not even know the clauses of UN resolution on Kashmir ----Has he utilised his 'Anna popularity' to make some personal gains.

RK : Everyone knows what TOI is doing through AMAN KI ASHA with Pakistan's JUNG group of News papers. The peace these two papers want in the subcontinent is NOT because of any love for its people but because of BUSINESS reasons. I think TOI had something to do with his Kashmir statement.

PK : Couldn't get you, Rajee?

RK :They want to revitalise their dwindling project AMAN KI ASHA---for which there were no takers in Pakistan , even India. So, if a person like Prashant Bhushan is made to say what Pakistan wants---obviously antennas will rise because Team Anna is projected as the NEXT KING MAKER of Indian politics.

PK : Team Anna--Next KING MAKER? Yea, this is the general perception. But it can only happen if ANNA HAZARE decides to jump into electoral fray. He refuses to do so.

RK : Yea. you are right. This is the FRUSTRATION of personal ambitions of TEAM ANNA. This is why they are sniping at each other-------- whether it was Swami Agnivesh, Kiran bedi, Santosh Hegde and Arvind Kejriwal. And Prashant Bhushan , a clever lawyer as he is, could see the future of Team Anna-----Soon going into oblivion if it does not jumps into electoral fray.

PK : So, make hay while the sun shines. Is it?

RK : Yes, his Kashmir statement is an OPPORTUNIST MOVE to make personal gains----it is NOT born out of any ideological conviction. So, would you trust such OPPORTUNISTS becoming King Makers in 2014.

PK: But Anna Hazare won't allow them. would he?

RK: Sir, don't be so naive. Anna is a disposable product when personal ambitions rule---don't you know what happened to Jai Parkash Narain after Janta Party came to power in 1977?

PK, So where does India go?

RK : To FOURTH ALTERNATIVE-------!

PK : What? Fourth alternative---What?

RK-----Yes sir !------FOURTH ALTERNATIVE!!

_______________To Be Continued In Part Two : FOURTH ALTERNATIVE



NO HOLY COW IN INDIAN POLITICS--PART TWO

In Part One, I highlighted as to how Indian politicians, of whichever affiliation, have lost their credibility. There is no public trust in them any more. People look at them with a lot of suspicion. Even if some are truthful, it is now become a trend to look for his hidden agenda. Team Anna had shown some promises but it has also gone the politicians way. Consider the accusations of improper conduct of Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan. They have proved that corruption is in the blood of every Indian, however pious he might project himself to be. Inference is that he might not have got an opportunity to do so. In fact, it is now turning out that what to say of politics, there are NO HOLY COWS ANYWHERE IN INDIA. Now read this conversation between me and Prashant., who ultimately ruled out what I craved for. He had valid explanations.

PK: Before you start with your "Fourth Alternative" theory, what do you make out of this forging of Air Tickets by Kiran Bedi? Isn't she behaving in a similar manner as most honest politicians begin, before they become full scale professional looters?

RK :Very sad. It is no doubts that corruption has got into the blood of we- Indians. It is a matter of opportunity, one gets to respond to one's temptations. But you know one thing ? Do you have any idea of what is the phenomenon of 'issue contagion'

PK: Issue contagion? Now what is that phenomenon?

RK : You know it explains the power of INTERNET AGE. World has now moved into the advance stage of INFORMATION EXPLOSION. Instant communications have redefined the parameters of " Knowledge -is- Power" quote of Francis Bacon. This remark was the defining characteristic of KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY.

PK: Yea, I do understand this, Rajee? I know Alvin Toffler defined the three pillars of Power as FORCE, MONEY and KNOWLEDGE. He also pointed out that humanity has passed through' "three waves' to reach present level of growth and development. In the FIRST WAVE, i.e. Agricultural Society, it was the" FORCE" which controlled power. In the SECOND Wave, which began in the 15th Century with Industrial revolution, it was the "MONEY" which controlled power. In the THIRD Wave, which started in the mid- 20th Century, it was "KNOWLEDGE" which obtained significance .Some say, we are now moving closer to FOURTH WAVE----the COSMIC SOCIETY.

RK: It might take time for us to enter FOURTH WAVE but we are in the advanced stage of Knowledge Society. You know , Sir! Other day, I was reading that fine book "HOW" by Dov Siedman. ( Published in 2007 by JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA). He explains this phenomenon of ISSUE CONTAGION by giving an example of U-Shaped bicycle lock made by Kryptonite Lock Company in 2001 , who, aggressively marketed it as unlockable by thieves.. It boasted of its invincibility. But in 2004, a normal person, Chris Brenen, demonstrated how this lock can be opened. While the message spread like wildfire through the internet, the management of Kryptonite company remained unconcerned. Their failure to immediately respond to this information led to massive loss to company and it lost its credibility, too. The spread of this message to the concerned buyers or the clients made them react. Kryptonite company still treated as a trivial matter while internet was abuzz with it. This caused extensive loss of business to the company. Therefore, the power of internet and the flow of information on this must not be underestimated. Today control of information is just NOT possible.

PK. OK, how do you relate it to present context of our discussion?

RK: You see one conclusion of KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY philosophers was that whoever controlled Knowledge/ Information would have the power.

PK: That's right ---I suppose this is founding principle of Information Society.

RK. Yea, but this very founding principle has undergone change with the rise of INTERNET. It has shown that INFORMATION CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED. One might delay its flow but it would ultimately tumble out of the container, it was contained in. This is the power of internet. Power , therefore moves into the hands of those who SHARE INFORMATION and NOT Controlling it.

PK: This is very interesting. I can relate it. Even despite the control of electronic and print Media by Politicians and yet information leaking out into the public domain.

RK: This is what neither Indian media nor Indian public figures ( politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats, Govenment servants and all those who have authority but NOT power) have understood as yet . All attempts to control the flow of information on corruption by these men in government have failed and the information on 2G and CWG came out in public domain.

PK: This is true. Even People like Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal have fallen victim to this powerful tools of "Advance Knowledge Society". So, are you saying : IS HAMAM MEn SUB NANGE HO RAHE HAI ( IN THIS BATH, EVERY ONE HAS BEEN ROBBED OFF HIS CLOTHES)?

RK. Exactly. The message for future aspirants of political power is that TRANSPARENCY was the new rule of ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY----which has not only flattened the world but empowered the POWERLESS to be equal participants in the process.

PK: You said it---I agree with you. Globalised society is now more informed and does not take leaders on face value. The Arab spring in the Middle East is a clear reminder to Indian politicians to fall in the line.

RK: It is also a warning to opportunists like the ones, who swarmed around ANNA HAZARE, that their acts of omission and commission are also visible,. They can not pose as saints while attacking others.

PK: Absolutely right. Transparency is going to be the key trait of acceptability of leaders in the very well informed society. This will be above all other attributes of leadership. We have seen that whoever is in power puts up a false front of honesty through technical legalities, like present Congress government is doing by blocking CBI investigations of PC Chidambram, under false pretexts.

RK: The only answer to such manipulations is to decontrol authority and decentralise powers.

PK: That is very interesting. You mean centralisation of powers is the mother of corruption.

RK: Yes, I mean it. Unless the boss is corrupt, subbordinate dares not. We have been dealing with this problem from Bottom to Top. It must be reversed. I recommend devolution of powers. The power must flow from BOTTOM TO TOP and NOT from TOP to BOTTOM.

PK.: So you recommend empowering of local self governments- Could you elaborate a bit?

RK: If you look at the present structure of Indian democracy----it has a strong TOP (Centre); Less strong MIDDLE (States) but a very weak Bottom( Panchayats or Zila Parsishads). This is why Indian democracy is weak and unstable because 'Heavy top ' can not rest properly on 'Weak Base". Our democracy is unstable and corrupt.

PK: I agree. This is why the local development and growth is imbalanced. There are economic imbalances because lopsided priorities of ministers of the central Government.. You see, if a Railway Minister is from Bihar, his attention is totally on Bihar. If he or she is from West Bengal, priority shifts there. Similarly about other ministeries. We need to empower the base for balanced growth. Local people would know their needs and priortise them properly.

RK. This is why I recommend that devolution of power should aim at :

(a) Centre : Handle only seven subjects i.e.1. Defence & security, including internal security and Nuclear defence; 2. Media & Electronic.Communications ; 3.Law-making for the Union and Elections for the Centre, state and District councils; 4.Foreign Affairs; 5. Research & Development including Space research 6. Currency.7. Rail Transportation.

(b) States: Handle only three subjects i.e.1. Law Making for the state; 2. Surface, both road and water alongwith air transportation and Infrastructure; 3.Excise and Taxation including Land records.

(c) District Councils : All other subjects from local law and order problems to formulation of local laws as approved by state legislature councils. This would include, industry, local taxation.,Surfacecommunications, education, jails, agriculture, urban & town planning and so like.

PK: This would need a massive exercise to amend the constitution. How's it possible under the present set up?

RK : This is the million dollar question. This is why I suggested a FOURTH ALTERNATIVE to present setup.

PK : You mean a government outside the present lot of politicians who would root for amendment of the constitution. Aren't you dreaming , Rajee?

RK: I am looking at a National Government ,as an interim measure, which will come through People's movement which roots for a national refrendum and ousting of present regime. I say forget Lokpal or Janlokpal Bills---they are meaningless exercise. We need a total overhaul of India and it would come through only by amending the constitution in totality or even be re-written.

PK : You want to amend some more aspects of constitution?

RK: Yes: I want the posts of GOVERNORS of States to be revitalised.. They should NOT be politicians but emminent persons from various fields. I want President of India to be empowered, too. Both Governors and Presidents are toothless tigers, mere puppets in the hands of politicians. They must be rid of. politicians. In fact political connection should be a disqualification for these posts. I also want right to recall of a MP, MLA , District Council member and Panch to become part of the constitution.

PK: Very radical changes you are suggesting. But the problem is your NATIONAL GOVERNMENT or the FOURTH ALTERNATIVE you are suggesting. How does it find itself in the saddle of Indian Democracy?

RK: Radical ---? yes, radical are the measures suggested by me. But you see all these laments and cries on corruption , Janlokpal or Lokpal bill, non-governance, rising prices, economic imbalances, population explosion, poverty, communal violence, vote-bank politicsand terrorism can not be tackled under present set up. These demands are patch work of the real problems. Lokpal is not going to solve anything. He would be just another burden on National exchequer.

PK,: But , Rajee, why don't you understand the arithmatics of Indian Democracy? It is not possible to install a National Government through a people's movement.

RK: Everything is possible, if we can only energise the public, like Anna Hazare had done. It has happened in Egypt, It is happening in other places. We are in the advance age of information society. we just need a spark. It will come from political high-handedness only. The way politicians are trying to evade corruption investigations and bureaucratic machinery siding with them----it will energise the public. Situation is waiting to explode.

PK: Do you see a revolution in the offing?

RK: I am seeing a POLITICAL CHURNING which will emerge out of this Corruption Chaos and public frustration. I see a Storm rising in India if SC and Government do not handle 2G and CWG scam properly. If government tries to further shelter those who have amassed wealth in foreign banks-----the storm will rise. Spark is already there, INTERNET will provide the OXYGEN for flames to rise.

PK : What would be the shape of your FOURTH ALTERNATIVE of NATIONAL GOVERNMENT born out of the chaos of a bloody revolution envisaged by you? Who would head such a government and what would be the political outfit supporting it.

RK: I seek a forceful people's movement for a national refrendum on electing a National Government as an interim measure to amend and modify the constitution to suit modern realities. This government be headed by emminent person like Dr APJ Kalam and it should have members from various professional fields, san politics. There could be any other emminent person if Dr APJ Kalam is not ready to take on the responsibility. The new government appoint a body constitutional review committee.

PK: Rajee Sir, Forceful people's movement means it could be a violent movement. I know what you actually meant was a kind of revolution, as is happening in the Arab world. Let me emphasise that ARAB SPRING CAN NOT TRANSPLANT ITSELF IN INDIA..

RK: Why? Why do you say so ? If Egyptians can do why not we? If Libya can throw out the tyrants, why not the Indians?

PK: Your suggestions are too impractical to be implemented. You are talking in isolation of Indian conditions and other realities. Sir, idealism is always not the winner. Your wishful thinking smacks more of what you want and not what is possible. Let me give you FIVE REASONS as to why your NATIONAL GOVERNMENT or FOURTH ALTERNATIVE.

(a) Arab Spring : It is Not wholly Arab Spring. The rebels or what you call revolutionaries are backed up by the western world. They have their vested interests to control oil. This rebel movements from Tunisia through Yemen to Libya have been engineered by the West which will not be openly possible in case of India.

(b) Indian History : Indian history bears testimony to the fact that Indians basically are a "STATUS QUO" people. They do not like bloodshed. Their history is witness to the fact that people have never revolted enmasse against the tyranny of the ruler. The causes of the failure of 1857 uprising must tell you that Britishers used Indians against Indians to curb this uprising. Even during Aurengzeb rule, the nation did not rise in revolt in favour of Marathas or Guru Govind Singh. Individual cases of revolt were suppressed with heavyy hand. In any case one cuckoo does not make a spring.

(c) Social strategem : Indians have slave blood running in their veins. They still have not come out of the Colonial system of " ZEE HUZOOR---MAI BAP" ( Yes Sir ! My Lord ) concept of living. Besides Indian Social system advocates hypocrisy. Indians say something and do something else. Moreover, another character of Indians is to back stab each other, Read your history, you will realise how you were enslaved whether it was Babar in 1526 or Mohammed Ghori in 1192 or even Mohammed Bin Kassim in 712 AD. All of them defeated the dominant Indian kings with the help of other Indians who were jealous. Even British employed this tactics against Nawab Sirajudaula of Bengal when MIR JAFFAR was bought over.

(d) Urban disenchantment : Present state of disenchantment is only urban. Still 50-60 % indians live in villages, who are totally disconnected from the present noise on corruption---the likely spearhead of your people's movement. It seems to be only media hype. To be very frank, after so much reported corruption cases if the blood of Indians is NOT boiling, it will never do in future. They still believe in the philosophy of why worry if it does not affect us personally.

(e) Religious and Regional Disunity There are so many cleavages in Indian polity that they can never unite. The politicians will spike such movements by turning them into racial or regional movements. They would pitch one community against other. Even Anna's movement did not see Muslim participation whole heartedly. These religious and regional chasms would drain out the life out of any of your projected movement.

RK: Like a history professor, you have rightly assessed the situation, sir. But the question remains----where does India go?

PK: Rajee Sir, India has lived through the centuries like this----it will continue to do so. There are NO GAME CHANGERS who can succeed in India. It was NOT Gandhi who got you the freedom, ultimately---it was Britain who decided to leave because SECOND WORLD WAR had weakened them. India has always been like this and it has learnt to adjust to "good -bad" times. Don't look for HOLY COWS in India. Leave India to its own fate---it will survive.

RK. Thanks sir! I am grateful for your views..