Lessons to be learnt
The eighteen months long rule by BJP has confirmed the worst fears of the opposition parties in India. It has also disillusioned a number of erstwhile supporters of Modi’s economic policies who believed he was going to emerge as India’s Margaret Thatcher.
By implementing the BJP’s concept of Hindutva in a crude way that Vajpayee would have shunned, Modi let loose a wave of intolerance against religious minorities and “lower” castes. Two widely known intellectuals who questioned irrational beliefs and practices were killed by unknown extremists. This gave birth to the strongest ever protest from creative writers, historians, scientists, prominent actors and filmmakers. Many returned the awards given to them in recognition of their contribution. The government leaders simply dismissed the protests as being politically motivated. The extremist Hindu networks accused the Muslims among the protesters as being Pakistan’s agents.
Narendra Modi had pledged a policy overhaul to attract foreign investment and revive the economy. The shake-up failed to materialise while the country continued to retain its notorious red tape, business restrictions and labyrinthine investment rules. Last month Moody’s accused the Prime Minister of failure to deliver on his promised reforms and thus risking the loss of global credibility.
Modi rebuffed offers of talks from Pakistan to reduce the tensions in the region. The BJP leadership instead indulged in big power bluster. It put preconditions to talks with Pakistan, allowing the border tension to escalate. Its military leaders talked about the cold start doctrine. Meanwhile, the BJP government allowed the extremist Hindu nationalists to forcibly debar the entry of Pakistani artists and sportsmen. They blackened the face of a respected Indian writer for inviting a former Pakistani foreign minister to speak at a function in Mumbai.
Whether the defeat induces humility in BJP leadership remains to be seen. What needs to be realised by Modi is that the policy of divisiveness at home and arrogance in the region did not pay off in the past, nor will it benefit in future.
