Skip to main content

Projected as pappu, baba, Rahul's maturity, taking on issues is 'seen to be believed'

By Ram Puniyani*
Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began over three months ago, is in the closing phase of its journey as it is now in Haryana and heading for its destination in Srinagar. I had been following this yatra from Kanyakumari, its paying homage to Swami Vivekananda rock memorial and then carrying on its route, which covers twelve states and two Union territories. Despite it being shunned by the mainstream media, its impact began right from the word go. Now it is assuming humongous proportions. To begin with there was a prediction from opponents that it will be a miniscule phenomenon. This was belied by the people’s response. The argument came that in North, cow-belt region, it will draw flak, and as such it is breaking records of sorts as people are joining it in unprecedented numbers.
Personally speaking I got involved with it when I attended the two day conclave of civil society groups in Nagpur-Wardha to chart out the association with the yatra in Maharashtra from the civil society side. It gave me immense pleasure to see that most of the civil society groups, which numbered over 125 or so, were the grass root workers engaged with different struggles related to human rights. We listened to the threat of the divisive politics and need to restore the atmosphere of peace, harmony and justice which guided our freedom movement and which has been deeply eroded by the rise of divisive, sectarian politics, particularly in the aftermath of another yatra, which was taken out on the Rath (Chariot) by BJP’s Advani (a Toyota converted into Chariot looking body).
Anand Patwardhan, the outstanding documentary film maker, had made a film around that yatra (Ram Ke Naam, In the name of God). He neatly compared Advani’s Yatra and Bharat Jodo yatra. As per him the rath Yatra was followed by violence wherever it went while Bharat Jodo yatra is creating ambience, peace and harmony. While Rath Yatra for demolishing the Babri Mosqe was taken out by those whose commitment to Indian Constitution is under strong shadow of doubt, the Bharat Jodo yatra is committed primarily to uphold the values of Indian Constitution.
For me the two day conclave was mirror of the thinking and response of the civil society groups to the yatra. Most friends opined that yatra is the need of the hour and lots of expectations are there from the same. Following it on Twitter and Facebook gave me enough idea that yatra has touched the heart of the masses. The peak of this came in the form of response which Rahul Gandhi showed while meeting and greeting the people. He sounded like empathetic, knowledgeable friend rather than a leader with inflated ego. Easy to approach and ready to listen to peoples woes, and reciprocating the love and affection of the people.
Finally, I got a chance to participate in the massive ongoing endeavor on 3rd January 2023 morning when it was to crossover from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh. It was a sight to behold. The crowds, enthusiastic, singing and shouting slogans, was a sight to behold. What took the cake was a group with photos of Ambedkar merging into Yatra. Rahul himself was focusing on warmly responding to the greetings of people lining both sides of the road. I got a chance to walk with him for a little while. He did repeat that it is a tapasya (penance) for him. I did express that fulfilling the aspirations of people suffering the divisive politics, the politics, which is increasing the economic hardships of people needs to be put at the core of the program which should emerge from this massive effort. Observing his demeanor it sounds true that he is deeply committed to the concerns of the people. I pointed out that the plight of minorities worsened over the last decade in particular and needs to be addressed. His response was very affirmative.
Can yatra's message be pan India, as large parts of society remain comparatively less impacted by Rahul's mammoth exercise?
As far as the larger picture is concerned it is very true that this yatra has dented the dominant divisive narrative. This courageous effort is successfully countering the ruling sectarian narrative and the values which emerged during freedom movement seem to be coming back to the fore. There are reports and observations that Muslim minority which has being feeling tormented in many ways may feel less so with the impact of this effort.
The problem remains that can the message of this Yatra be pan India, as large parts of society remain comparatively less impacted by mammoth exercise being undertaken by Rahul and many yatris who are constantly on the march. The question also comes in whether this will help Congress party to undertake inner churning to rediscover itself to repair the weaknesses which have crept in the organization. Can Congress become ready to combat the electoral battles more effectively? There is also an apprehension whether this narrative being put up by the lakhs marching will really influence the national spirit? And the million dollar question comes up whether this matchless endeavor can help Congress party to be the core around which a National coalition can come up to uphold the Indian Nationalism, in contrast to Hindutva-Hindu Nationalism with all its exclusive streaks dominating at present?
There are many opposition parties which are equally disturbed by the tendencies which have come up during last decade or so. Half hearted coming together will not help in any way. A strong pillar of opposition is the need of the hour for future electoral battles. It is all the more important to restore our federal structure, to restore economic policies which are not based on charity but the concept of ‘Rights’ of the working people, concept of the right to employment and what have you.
The case lies in people’s court. Average people have unequivocally come forward to associate with the statements of the one who was projected as pappu or baba (privileged simpleton) till very recent times. His maturity and taking the issues of people is to be seen and believed. No doubt many civil society groups have lots of criticism of Congress for its past actions. This has lots of substance in that. The need of the hour is to ensure the change of regime and to be on guard for future deviations from the path currently being articulated by the Yatra.
Walking few steps with the Tapasvi gave me some hope for better of our country in the future!
---
*Well-known activist, political commentator. Source: https://rampuniyani.com/

Comments

TRENDING

Reducing emission? India among top nations whose coal as energy source going up

By NS Venkataraman*  The State of the Global Climate report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that the year 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global temperature of 1.4 degree celsius above pre-industrial 1850-1900 base line.

Lockdown 'total failure' of science more than of politics: Open letter on 4th anniversary

Counterview Desk  In an open letter to fellow academicians, scientists and medical practitioners in India, marking the fourth anniversary of India's lockdown (25 March 2024), the Managing Committee* of the Universal Health Organisation (UHO) has insisted on the need to "repair two years of immense damage to science".

Insider plot to kill Deendayal Upadhyay? What RSS pracharak Balraj Madhok said

By Shamsul Islam*  Balraj Madhok's died on May 2, 2016 ending an era of old guards of Hindutva politics. A senior RSS pracharak till his death was paid handsome tributes by the RSS leaders including PM Modi, himself a senior pracharak, for being a "stalwart leader of Jan Sangh. Balraj Madhok ji's ideological commitment was strong and clarity of thought immense. He was selflessly devoted to the nation and society. I had the good fortune of interacting with Balraj Madhok ji on many occasions". The RSS also issued a formal condolence message signed by the Supremo Mohan Bhagwat on behalf of all swayamsevaks, referring to his contribution of commitment to nation and society. He was a leading RSS pracharak on whom his organization relied for initiating prominent Hindutva projects. But today nobody in the RSS-BJP top hierarchy remembers/talks about Madhok as he was an insider chronicler of the immense degeneration which was spreading as an epidemic in the high echelons of th

Magnetic, stunning, Protima Bedi 'exposed' malice of sexual repression in society

By Harsh Thakor*  Protima Bedi was born to a baniya businessman and a Bengali mother as Protima Gupta in Delhi in 1949. Her father was a small-time trader, who was thrown out of his family for marrying a dark Bengali women. The theme of her early life was to rebel against traditional bondage. It was extraordinary how Protima underwent a metamorphosis from a conventional convent-educated girl into a freak. On October 12th was her 75th birthday; earlier this year, on August 18th it was her 25th death anniversary.

Savarkar 'criminally betrayed' Netaji and his INA by siding with the British rulers

By Shamsul Islam* RSS-BJP rulers of India have been trying to show off as great fans of Netaji. But Indians must know what role ideological parents of today's RSS/BJP played against Netaji and Indian National Army (INA). The Hindu Mahasabha and RSS which always had prominent lawyers on their rolls made no attempt to defend the INA accused at Red Fort trials.

'Flawed' argument: Gandhi had minimal role, naval mutinies alone led to Independence

Counterview Desk Reacting to a Counterview  story , "Rewiring history? Bose, not Gandhi, was real Father of Nation: British PM Attlee 'cited'" (January 26, 2016), an avid reader has forwarded  reaction  in the form of a  link , which carries the article "Did Atlee say Gandhi had minimal role in Independence? #FactCheck", published in the site satyagrahis.in. The satyagraha.in article seeks to debunk the view, reported in the Counterview story, taken by retired army officer GD Bakshi in his book, “Bose: An Indian Samurai”, which claims that Gandhiji had a minimal role to play in India's freedom struggle, and that it was Netaji who played the crucial role. We reproduce the satyagraha.in article here. Text: Nowadays it is said by many MK Gandhi critics that Clement Atlee made a statement in which he said Gandhi has ‘minimal’ role in India's independence and gave credit to naval mutinies and with this statement, they concluded the whole freedom struggle.

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. 

'Wrong direction': Paris NGO regrets MNC ArcelorMittal still using coal-based steel

By Rajiv Shah  A new report by Paris-based non-governmental research and campaigning organization, Reclaim Finance, has blamed the MNC ArcelorMittal – formed in 2006 following the takeover and merger of the western European steel maker Arcelor (Spain, France, and Luxembourg) by Indian-owned Mittal Steel – for using use “climate destructive” metallurgical coal for its projects in India.

Attack on foreign students: Gujarat varsity's reputation, ranking at stake, say academics

Counterview Desk  Expressing anguish over the attack on international students in Gujarat University hostels, a letter claimed to have been signed by 122 current and former academics has asked the Gujarat Vice Chancellor, Dr Neerja Gupta, to provide emotional support to the attacked students and to ensure their physical safety.  

Poor private sector engagement 'impacting' carbon pricing policy in Global South

Counterview Desk  The joint report by Environmental Defense Fund and Observer Research Fund, "Navigating Carbon Pricing: The G20 Experience and Global South Prospects", delves into the complex landscape of carbon pricing, examining its application within the G20 nations and the potential implications for emerging economies in the Global South.  The report claims to provide insights and recommendations for effective carbon pricing strategies in diverse economies.  A note: The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) have launched the Navigating Carbon Pricing: The G20 Experience and Global South Prospects” report. The report delves into the complex landscape of carbon pricing, examining its application within the G20 nations and the potential implications for emerging economies in the Global South. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of various carbon pricing instruments currently in existence, providing valuable i