Shun Western Music and English! Retrograde demands of BJP and Samajwadi Party

The New Indian Express
06 October 2009

Editorial

Primitivism for political yield

Two recent manifestos issued by political parties reflect a retrograde trend which is typical of the Hindi heartland. Apart from their sectarianism, for which they are known, their declaration of intent underlines an aggressive opposition to any hint of modernism. Since their objective is to win hearts and minds, the curiously backward-looking outlook emphasises a belief that a promised retreat to primitivism can yield political dividends. Strangely, the BJP, which is regarded as a national party, is one of them. It is surprising, therefore, that its manifesto for the Haryana assembly elections promises to outlaw ‘western music’.

It is clear that the party believes that an expression of its aversion to firangi tunes will boost its prospects in Jat territory, which is not exactly known for cosmopolitanism. But the party does not seem to care that such condemnation of a form of western culture may restrict its appeal elsewhere, and especially among the younger generation. Apparently to hedge its bets, a spokesman clarified that it did not favour a blanket rejection of western music, but only the vulgarity associated with it. However, it is not the music which is vulgar, but the behaviour of those who misinterpret its liveliness. Besides, such music not only comprises rock n’ roll and its later-day innovations, but also classical compositions like Beethoven’s ninth symphony whose first impact has been compared to the opening of the gates of paradise.

If such views are ignored by the BJP, the reason perhaps is that it wants to revive the old equation of western culture with colonialism, which was thought to be politically useful immediately after Independence. It is also no secret that the party’s associates in the saffron brotherhood, like the VHP, are equally adamant in their opposition to pub culture, which is depicted as another aspect of the western lifestyle.

If western music is the target of the BJP in Haryana, English is the SP’s bete noire in UP. In addition to demanding a ban on it, the party wants to do away with computers. Again, the belief apparently is that a fairly large section of voters is not in favour of anything which reminds them of a world outside their immediate environs, where Hindi is the lingua franca and local folk songs are the only source of entertainment. Yet, how far this preference for backwardness will help them in the long run is open to question.