A vigorous debate broke out this morning via exchange of emails between me and a couple of senior-citizen senior ranking retired ex-bureaucrats of the Government of India . I will not disclose their identities here as I value their privacy and also respect their right to their own views and convictions. But at the same time since the subject matter has seized much of the national consciousness in the last few weeks , I feel I too have the right to share my own views in the matter with my own circle of friends who follow my website . So , I reproduce below the email trail that records the friendly debate .
Sudarshan Madabushi
— debate begins—
Sir, since you’ve named me as a probable Modi Bhakth … I’m compelled to respond to you . My responses are given below in red fontagainst each of your 3 or 4 averments.
On Sun, Jun 4, 2023 at 8:32 PM Mr ABC wrote:
There seem to be only two kinds of people nowadays.
One, blind Modi bhakts who believe that Modi is God’s gift to India and so can do no wrong.
The other, Modi haters, who believe Modi is an evil incarnate.
My Reply: True … and I’d rather be filled with Bhakthi for a person for whom the majority of people of India still have a lot of affection than to be consumed with hatred for him. Modi popularity rating is the highest in the world, FYI.
Unfortunately both do not want to evaluate Modi on his actions and policies.
Mr.Sudarshan lists the opposition and rhetorically asks who can replace Modi. Agreed that none of them can. Yes, Modi has provided a stable government, which is so far scam free. Yes, he has many achievements to his credit.
My reply : I’m happy you agree with me on this .
Does that mean we should condone every action of his?
The only issue in this discussion is does the INAUGURATION CEREMONY PASS MUSTER?
My Reply : IMHO , it does .
I am fully convinced that the answer is NO. Modi converted it into a coronation ceremony, extolling himself. It was Modi all the way,
and not the Republic of India. Unlike in a monarchy, the sovereignty rests with “WE, THE PEOPLE”.
My Reply: I have not seen “WE THE PEOPLE” rise as one and raise their voice in outrage over this sacrilegious act of their PM. The common citizen of India I have spoken to in the street or corresponded with doesn’t really care who inaugurates a new Parliament building so long as it is done by a person as deserving of the honour as Modi is … It is only the elitist-minded intelligentsia, a small minority of self-opinionated “holier than thou” Constitutional pundits, historians, scholars, journalists and upper middle-class or commentariat , the neo-bourgeoisie in India that seems to perceive the Sengol investiture ceremony as a throwback to monarchy.
Sengol is a symbol of the power resting with the monarch, given to him by the God, through the intermediary priests. Monarch derives his power and authority from God, and is not responsible to the people. In a democracy, sovereignty rests with people and it is the people who delegate the power to the rulers. God, priests and sengol have no role to play in a democracy.
My Reply : Are you sure of this fact ? I have seen Sengol — there are many versions of it ranging from the very ornate to the very banal — in the offices of even low level govt functionaries and commissars .. The office “daphtari” or liveried butler-like minion of a city mayor , a judge or an even a minister puffed up with his own vanity or ego presiding over an election rally carries it … I distinctly remember the Late Governor of TN, Sri Channa Reddy strut around Raj Bhavan with a sort of “Sengkol” in his hand … Nobody thought of him as monarchic … it was seen as a “walking stick”.
Nehru relegated the Sengkol given him by an Adheenam to the status of a “walking stick” and consigned it for 75 years to a musty, obscure museum in Allahabad , his hometown. That same walking stick has been resurrected by Modi today to its original status as a Sengkol . The whole ceremony to my eyes and sense was a celebration of the Sengkol as a symbol of the political ethos of Bharatheeya civilisation… Modi as PM was only affirming that resurrection in his own expansive albeit dramatic way … I see no wrong in that . But then I know you’ll only turn around now and tell me again that I’m blinded by my Modi Bhakthi …
Modi has used the inauguration to sneak in his Hindutva philosophy and the Hindu rashtra, the Hindu state,in a stealthy manner
There is a pattern in this inauguration. The opposition as well as the country was not taken into confidence. It is doubtful whether even his own party was consulted. Probably only a few of his close confidants and advisors were involved.Basically it was one man’s affair. It was Modi ali the way.
My Reply: When in 2015-16 Modi first proposed the new building , the entire Opposition in Delhi and the states screamed from the rooftops that it was a megalomaniacal idea … Modi was unfazed. He was indomitable in his resolve to go ahead with the project since he knew that a vast majority of people in the country felt that ever since Pakistan’s terrorists in 2001 attacked the Parliament building it had somehow been defiled, despoiled and desecrated . He knew the pulse of WE THE PEOPLE which felt it was time after 100-odd years for a new Parliament building . … why, even ex-Lok Sabha (Congress) Speaker Meira Kumari, daughter of Dalit leader Jagjeevan Ram had rooted for the idea.
Given the Opposition Parties’ choleric, unfriendly attitude towards Modi’s project for the new building while it was work-in-progress … why should anyone expect Modi to “consult” with all those who were spitefully dead against it? Against all odds, Modi went ahead with the Construction — unmindful of the opposition who even instigated court cases against the project …
As far as this project was concerned I for one will only give plaudits to Modi for sticking to his policy “Lead , Follow or just get out of the way”…
1. Independence Day, which is just about 70 days away, could have been chosen. Instead Savarkar’s birthday was chosen deliberately, Only Savarkar’s photo was garlanded,The photos of none of the top freedom fighters or constitution makers was there.
My Reply: I don’t think anything is wrong in choosing Savarkar Day to inaugurate the new building. Modi realised that this great patriot would never be acknowledged by petty-minded politicians in the opposition …. including the great champions of Maratha manoos, the Shiv Sena of Maharashtra. A Bharath Ratna for Savarkar is long overdue . But since that is not going to be easy or possible , Modi did the next best thing to acknowledge the patriot … inaugurate the new building on the Savarkar anniversary day. I think of it as a nice gesture to a great freedom fighter of India .
2. There was a mural of “Akhand Bharat” on display prominently on the wall. “AKHAND BHARAT” is the dream of Sangh Parivar. Already, it has drawn criticism not only from Pakistan, but from Nepal too. Clearly the RSS Hindu Rashtra agenda is stealthily being implemented.
My Reply: Sir, to hell with the Pakistan or Nepal or any other country in the neighbourhood. Indians will make their own destiny on their own terms … not Pakistan’s , not Nepal’s , or China or America’s. “Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain!”.
3. Sengol : The entire ceremony was reminiscent of King Charles’ coronation. Accompanied by religious rights, anointing by clergy and handing over the sceptre செங்கோல் (an ornamented staff carried by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty), granting rulership rights by God to man.
My Reply: Why must everything celebrated in independent India be judged in comparison with some British regalia ?! Why can’t we get out of our colonial slave-mentality ?!!!
It is a declaration that henceforth Modi will rule by divine rights.
Modi has very successfully dedicated the new parliament, symbolically, to Hindu Rashtra, the Hindu state. The secular state has been preached, Dr.Ambedkar the founding father must be turning in his grave.
My Reply: India is a Hindu country . I for one will never forget that nor let anyone forget the fact . Just because INDIA is a Hindu nation does not make it a Hindu-Alone Rashtra. My ancestors were Hindus who welcomed outsiders and gave them sanctuary to live in peace and freedom in this country . We Hindus still do so … don’t we today ? But if the goodwill , tolerance and brotherhood we Hindus show is not reciprocated in equal measure by minorities or even abused , and the idea of a Hindu Rashtra gains countrywide and increasing acceptance … well, who then can stop an idea whose time has come?
Modi deserves full credit for successfully building the parliament building in thirty months. But, the way he steamrolled the inauguration has left his face in the mud.
My Reply: In my eyes , Modi has restored the Hindu pride in an India where for far too long Hindus have been taken for granted and for a long, merry-go-round pseudo-secular ride … it’s time really for “The old Order changeth yielding place to new”.
— End of Debate —