Expressindia
January 09, 2008
‘Modi Chalisa, a disturbing trend’
by D P Bhattacharya
Ahmedabad, January 8 The Modi Chalisa a-la Lalu that eulogises the Gujarat Chief Minister for the 2002 communal riots, is a disturbing trend, according to social scientists.
“What is disturbing is that the Chalisa celebrates the violence of 2002. When the society starts taking pride over such incidents, it is certainly very disturbing,” said noted Gandhian Dr. Tridip Suhrud.
Analysts have opined that the Chalisa that closely followed the Modi masks and the temple in his honour, has elevated the Chief Minister as a new deity who can usher in socio-political emancipation for the masses.
The BJP has, however, claimed that the temple in honour of Modi is nothing but an expression of people’s love and gratitude. Vijay Rupani, the spokesman of the party said while this is certainly a new phenomenon in Gujarat politics, the truth is that there has not been a greater lok nayak (mass leader) like him before either.
Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapith and eminent thinker, Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar, said that the problem is more to do with mindset rather than politics.
According to him, Modi has emerged as a cult figure due to a combination of economic prosperity and saffron ideology. “Modi has tried to convey a very simple message that ‘there’s a part of me that is inside you and you need to vote for me,” added Dr Suhrud, who is also a noted political writer and analyst.
Noted Sociologist Dr. Gaurang Jani, said, it is the impact of market forces that has made Modi such a phenomenon. “Unlike the southern part of the country, Gujarat politics, largely due to the influence of Gandhi and Sardar Patel, had remained free from such gimmicks,” he said.
“ No one dared to approach the electorate in such ostentatious fashion before Modi. While the experience has been new for the state, this also represents the new entrepreneurial phase of state polity and the demise of simplistic Gandhian polity,” he added.
“You also have to note that unlike a decade before, now the market forces also are assuming a significant supporting role for this ideology. While the Gujaratis are known for their business acumen, the politicians of the state had so far remained fairly simple, until recently,” he further said.
“But the best part is that after all these, the politician has to come back to the electorate after five years, and that is where the spirit of democracy takes over. While such hero worship is often short lived, the democratic spirit will continue to survive, and that is the silver lining,” Dr. Iyenger added.
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