By AW Siddiqui
A comment was made on the article ‘How myth-making is defining India’s election’, published in UMMnews on 8 May 2019. Following is my response to that comment. For privacy reasons, comments are withheld, but the commenter (a friend) admits to be a Modi supporter.
Propaganda and mind programming is an area of interest to me, and I can’t help but see the current politics in India through that glass on. And from that perspective the article is spot on.
The article is about the science applied in image-building exercise, the communication methods and styles. And, leaving aside the examples she is using to explain things, it’s purely objective.
Though the majority in the West are naïve about Indian affairs, author’s view reflects how a few, who are aware of the current political scene, view it.
On my last trip to India, I tried to sense the political inclination of general population. And I was surprised to see the changes. Because my last trip to India was after a gap of 4 years, I was able to notice the difference, not just in the physical environment, but also the changes that have occurred in the perceptions of ordinary people, and in their social and political spheres.
Whilst I wasn’t able to talk to 99% of the sample populace at intellectual level, mainly because of their inability to think outside a simplistic approach to all the problems of the society, there were 1% who could go beyond that.
And, it was amazing to notice the change.
I left India in 1992. Before leaving, I was working with a central gov organisation. Elections were around the corner and I was trying to get a feel about the political inclination of the masses. Most of the professional/officer type people those days tend to be politically correct, and hesitant to express clearly who they will be voting for. On the other hand, the people in the street – the blue collar type were vocal. They will tell you who they are voting for and why – right or wrong.
In my last trip I noticed the situation almost reversed. Not sure why but I found it very interesting.
The physical environment has deteriorated. I found Delhi dirtier than what it was 4 years ago, even posh areas such as New Friends Colony’s community centre
I came across two engineers, both from gov colleges, who had lost their jobs. My brother in law who runs a tractor and motorbike agency had fired 15 of his staff, and my cousin, who is a bigger businessman based in Dubai, had shut down or relocated 7 of his 12 plants in India.
I am not sure about ‘Modi is respected worldwide by all leaders’. Common people of non-sub continental background in the West hardly know Modi. Political heads who know him do not appear to have a high regards for him. Watch this video; http://www.ummnews.biz/node/9154
I personally do not trust Modi for several reasons. As an engineer, I cannot understand how he could escalate negotiated cost of a plane by almost 300%. Additional technology and accessories don’t justify the increase. Having worked on many engineering projects I find it very hard to comprehend. Former French president stated in public that they had no choice but to assign a part of the deal to Ambani. How could Modi be honest? It does not matter whether he keeps the bribes, or it goes to his party funds – a bribe is still a bribe.
Then there are his lies. I abhor lies – doesn’t matter who it is. But when it comes from a PM, I find it disgusting. Watch the video mentioned above. I mean come on… people in the West don’t have those expressions, and definitely not in Hindi. There are numerous other examples of his lies.
Other issue is his inherent irresponsible behaviour which are reflected through some of his personal actions; like disappearing from home for a few years without informing his parents, and abandoning his wife. These attributes demonstrate the core character (or core programming of the mind) of a person.
Efficient and effective people don’t work 20 hours a day. It’s contrary to effective people. You have been on management/executive positions. I am sure you know that.
You can’t make a mule win Melbourne Cub – no matter how hard you try.
I do not believe Modi is fit for the job. Even if BJP forms a government after this election, they should choose another leader – a leader based on quality - definitely NOT based on salesmanship.
I do not think religion is the problem in India. Based on my personal interactions, I don’t think bulk of the population in India hate on the basis of religion. Different religions have lived and flourished in India for centuries. I believe it’s the current religious fanaticism, directed towards political gains, which is the problem. Mandir vs Masjid, Shamshan vs kabristan, those who don’t agree with BJP go to Pakistan (regardless of their religion), and other similar rhetoric that are inflaming the religious bigotry.
It’s also putting India in bad lights in the West. Some of the things they are doing there, not realising that it’s being watched around the world, makes us look like a laughing stock. And I find it a bit frustrating because Indians had a good reputation when I moved to West. That reputation has degraded in last 5-10 years – a situation that makes things a bit difficult for the Indians living in the West.
There will always be a fringe outside of the main stream. And it’s ok for them to be outside as long as they abide by the law, and are productive members of the society. The problem is when their behaviours become destructive. For example; about 5%, linked with those hard core fanatic organisations like Bajrang Dal, VHP, Abhinav Bharat, RSS, ISIL, LTTE, Babbar Khalsa and other groups with extreme ideology, are the problem. They are out of the main stream, and dangerous for the nation. They need to be managed.
Though I am not a fan of Congress party, I do not blame them for the current mess. Current mess is the creation of the current government - BJP. Mess before that was of Congress. There are graduate engineers selling pan in India. Would you have even imagined this situation when we did engineering (early 1980s)? Should Congress be blamed for this young engineer?
I too believe that this election is not about performance, it’s about perceptions, and the perception can be engineered and built. It’s called mind programming of the masses, and there is a well developed science supporting that.
Irony that compounds the electoral outcome of India is the system itself where a party with only 30% vote can form a government, leaving 70% of the population unrepresented, and sidelined as non-mainstream.
