Former Prime Minister, the late Atal Behari Vajpayee had described it as ‘Raj Dharma’ – the values that government had to uphold, whatever the circumstances. His personal approach was liberal and accommodating, even though it cost him politically because other parties did not respond in a similar manner. The present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has adopted a much tougher approach but, by and large, has sought to abide by this principle. Unfortunately, it is being increasingly seen that BJP governments in the states are displaying a lack of ability to meet this standard and succumbing to the temptation of using state power in an unconstitutional manner.
Take, for instance, the response to ‘comic’ Kunal Kamra’s comments on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Uncouth as these were, these did not justify the response through use of state power. The remarks should not have been given such importance, turning Kamra into a free-speech hero. A mature and dismissive response from an official party spokesperson would have sufficed. The same goes for the controversy over Aurangzeb’s grave – there was no need for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to be aligning with fringe elements. All this sends a message to the public that the government is insecure and, instead of winning elections on the basis of good performance, is hoping to benefit from divisive politics.
In UP, also, the attack on the home of RS MP Ramji Lal Suman by Karni Sena activists should have been prevented. The failure of the administration and government to do so has given the controversy an unnecessary caste dimension for which the BJP will have to pay the price. In Assam, BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has advised people of the state to breed pigs as that would keep the immigrants out. Mocking the religious beliefs of the Muslims in this way does not just affect the immigrants, it shows unnecessary disrespect towards those who are Indian citizens and residents of Assam.
It is possible that this insecurity stems from a feeling that the opposition is succeeding in its caste narrative. The propaganda that the ‘depressed’ classes are not benefiting from India’s progress seems to be disturbing the BJP strategists, at least at the state level. Instead of combating this through solid facts and figures, the easy way is being sought by raising provocative religious issues. It must be understood, however, that deviating from Raj Dharma will disillusion those who have voted for good and smart governance.
