April 19, 2024

Mayawati moved the Supreme Court against the 48-hour ban on campaigning imposed by the Election Commission for her open plea to the Muslims not to divide their votes and vote for her party. Does she seriously think that what she said did not violate the model code of conduct (MCC), which clearly says that no candidate can ask for votes based on caste, creed or religion? Or does she think that what she did was right? Or did she intentionally violate the MCC, thinking that the EC would not take any action? Finally, why did she approach the Supreme Court for relief when it was clear that the EC had acted only after the apex court threatened to look into its powers as it was not taking any action against politicians who were merrily spewing venom through their hate speeches?

This is not to rail against her alone. Motor mouths exist on both sides. The ruling dispensation has its share of hate mongers and perhaps their numbers are substantially higher than those in the opposition. But when it comes to the depths they can plunge, leaders on both side of the ideological divide seem to be in a hurry to outdo each other. The worst part is that those in the opposition try to occupy the high moral ground and keep on accusing the BJP of following a divisive agenda. They even hold rallies which proclaim that they want to save democracy and save the constitution. But when it comes to the crunch, they employ the same tactics to divide the nation. If the BJP is trying to consolidate Hindu votes, Mayawati is trying to consolidate Muslim votes. Is there any difference between the two?

The BJP always alleges that its policies are a direct result of the policy of minority appeasement followed by the Congress and the regional parties for the last so many years. The opposition might now turn around and say that they have to appeal to the Muslims because the BJP is appealing to the Hindus. The social fabric is being shredded in this chicken and egg situation. In the end, Mayawati, Yogi Adityanath, Maneka Gandhi and Azam Khan are all guilty of the same crime. They are all trying to create their own versions of India, something that is radically different from what a majority of Indians want. But the saddest part is that there is no one who can deliver us from this evil.