“Cockroach Janata Party” - What Next.

 

For most of the time I have stopped writing on Socio-Political issues. But “Cockroach Janata Party” movement forced me to write this blog as a review/confirmation of what I had written 5-10 years ago in blogs (available on -http://pekale23.blogspot.com/ under the general head kale’s point of view.

This blog’s central idea is- I. Any system will create its own opposition. This is natural. II. Against the positives of having strong leader, there are negatives also. III. Any group/person supporting, any organization, support it for its own interest. If those interests are hurt, support is withdrawn. IV. It is human, that if one wish is fulfilled it creates another and different one. 

Those who wish survive must co-opt new demand rather than crush it.

Blogs selected today are as follows:

1. Heading-There can not be a vacuum any where, specially in Politics. Blog post date.12-02-15.

With BJP Mast (Self overjoyed, Ruttiest), Congress Sust (Sluggish, Sickly or Weary) and AAP Yvast ( Busy, Active) the result of Dehli Election was a fore gone conclusion.

History is repeated today, with failure of established opposition parties to contain BJP in its juggernaut, and crumbling of established institution to protect democratic principles, the space for opposition or voice against power was vacant or there was vacuum and this time CJP filled it. What will be long run effect of CJP? It is foolish to predict. As happened with “Aaam Adami Party”, who could not keep their own promise of change for public good and became another political party which is continuously facing reverses under the political attack of two bigger parties BJP and Congress.

Whatever happens in future, but CJP or for that matter Youth of India has shattered the perception of invincibility of BJP and atmosphere of fear/ silence against injustice.

2. Indian Democracy. -Pitfall of Popular (strong) Leader. 24/03/17.

Now it is well accepted that Indira, by destroying regional leaders and internal structure, caused severe   damage to congress from which it is yet to recover. Same thing can happen with BJP. BJP a cadre-based party, but may become complacent and become leader centric party.

The problem I voiced in 2017 has become visible in BJP. The problem with having strong leader is, it cuts off, leader from real feedback, his/her team is filled with incompetent persons, there is no second line of defense and so on.

In the hindsight, probably an independent education minister concerned with only education (who is not obsessed with centralization of education, so called safronization of education and reversing in hurry everything that was there in education system), would not have allowed this situation to take place.

Apart from NAT and NEET fiasco, there was/is problem with a. UGC new regulation, b. CBSE online marking, c. introduction of 3^rd language in 9^th class and declaring English as foreign language with compulsion to study two Indian languages, d. post covid reduction of syllabus up to 12^th standard (both reason c and d) which reduced student’s competitiveness   at international level.

All this did not go well with upper caste, middle and upper middle class, in spite of they being strong supporter of BJP.

3. Opposite is complimentary. 10-12-19.

First, no human being, no social system is complete. Second, whatever and however great its achievement, participant / beneficiary will always fill lack of something and strive for change (Maslow). Conclusion is- if any system or social order wishes to extend its shelf life for policy making (having explained complementary nature of opposite), it is always better to co-opt opposite view rather than crush it. But alas, the concept of opposites (and crushing it) is deeply engrained in our society (and today’s politics).

In independent India Congress survived for some time based on its CAPITAL (पूण्य) of achieving independence for India. But soon, that generation faded away and a new group got prominence on the idea that in spite of we getting independence from Britain (and Muslim rule) after 800 years and Muslims having got Pakistan, India is a secular country and not a Hindu Rashtra and we need to achieve that past glory. Removal of article 370, construction of Ram Mandir etc, were favourite project. BJP came to power based on creating this feeling and riding on this wave.

Like what happened with Congress, that generation is slowly fading and a new generation is coming on horizon, which sees no value in removal of article 370, construction of Ram Mandir etc. and feels rule under BJP as autocratic, devoid of liberty, equality and so on and these things must be demanded/expected from RULER.

If BJP wants to extend its shelf life, instead of crushing the movement /demand, it must co-opt this demand.

 

4. Relevance of past in PRESENT and future. 19-01.20

Having too much past in our psyche, is like participating in a race with front of our car in opposite direction and driving in reverse gear. We just cannot hope to win the race.

To be honest, points to be written here are overlapping with points made at number 2 and 3. In the name of recreating past glory of India- “भारत वर्ष” - and slogans like “विरासत भी विकास भी” (both valid values if implemented in balance), presently too much emphasis is on PAST rather than future. Youths are being encouraged to adopt विरासत, rather than be future ready.

We are driving the car by viewing in rear-view-mirror, instead of having an eye on front road.

So, like- “नजर हटी दुर्घटना घटी” – No wonder CJP phenomenon happened. Surprise is it took too long to happen.

What will happen in future, as said earlier it is foolish to predict. Our, experience is “जमाना जितना बदलता हुआ दिखता है उतना ही वह वैसा का वैसा रहता है”। “Annna Movement” could not stop corruption in India, “Nirbhaya” episode could not change position of woman in our society. Such changes/movement that did not change anything are beyond counting.

A few years back we were hoping “काग्रेंस मुक्त भारत” but post 2024 election it resurfaced. Post 2024 general election we thought BJP down, but is stronger than its 2024 position.

My interest is how BJP deals with this situation- crushing it or coopting it.