New Delhi:
“Kan Kan mein Ram, Jaan Jaan mein Ram” – the chant in itself is evident enough of what Ram stands for in the Indian psyche. Gandhian speeches were laden with reference of Ram rajya – an utopian Indian state where the rich and poor would co-exist as wheels of a cart. Yet, as a child I used to wonder which form of Vishnu is more attractive Ram or Krishna. Little did it matter to a child of 6-7 years, what is the significance of being a Ram Bhakt or a Krishna Bhakt. But yes, it always appealed to be closer to Krishna as he is portrayal has been humane and easier to relate.
Ram was and continues to be an ideal – ideals are seldom meant to be translated into reality. As a 6-year-old Ram was a concept applicable to elders. But with passage of time, it dawned on a dwarf like me, religion apart – Ram & Krishna have a huge political potential. Used or abused in pursuit of political power, both deities have always come in handy. The Hindu within me, is ashamed at this blatant blasphemy – but the journalist within me, understands the political compulsions, dynamics and ramifications.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has given a call to construct Ram Mandir at Ayodhya for the second time in less than 4 weeks. Praveen Togadia desired the central Modi government should play an active role in Ram Mandir construction and that it should begin before 2018. 23 years after demolition of the disputed structure, sentiments are again being fanned to capture the popular imagination.
Let’s bear in mind, Ayodhya land dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court. But who cares, the overarching theme and prospect of Ram Mandir is being discussed in open. What does this signify? Is this a means to build pressure of the Modi government into action ? Does it mean, popular pulse is being measured and manufactured in such a manner that the highest seat of Justice gets influenced by public under public pressure? Or it is that Hindu organizations believe that after a gap of 800 years a Hindu is at the helm of affairs in India – as portrayed by Late Ashok Singhal of Vishwa Hindu Parisad (VHP).
Reasons unknown, yet the nation is faced with a burning prospect. Do we need another round of religious and political polarization prior to Uttar Pradesh election just it appeared before and during Bihar assembly elections. Will this new bout of religious politicking not take away the plank of Modi government’s developmental agenda. The world at large is at the brink of economic regression. Recession seems to be a petty word in the face of regression. India is one of the fortunate economies which has the potential to withstand the regressive trends and even emerge as the harbinger of growth for entire Asia. But if we lose out of this window of opportunity at addressing urgent economic policy decisions, if we delay our economic roll out by just 2 quarters ( 6 months), trust me we would have lost the plot of Indian growth story. Yet, power that be are more focused on Hindutava and Ram Mandir.
Religion may have been or may still continue to the opium of the masses, as enunciated by Karl Marx, but religion alone can’t feed hungry multitudes. Pray, Mr. Bhagwat, Mr. Togadiya, let the government of your backing perform and deliver, else this historic single party government will loose it will to perform and address the issues of the masses which elected it. Pahle Aache din to aayen, phir mandir ya masjid ka faisla bhi Janata kar degi.
