Gautam Mukherjee
Is the bulk of the mainstream media reflecting the changes in the vox populi, or getting stuck in an endless repetition of ‘yesterday’s papers’? What excuse does it have to root vigorously for a Congress line, when its ‘master’s voice’ has been reduced to 44 seats in the Lok Sabha, and is continually losing power in more and more State Assemblies? Why does it frown upon the RSS/BJP assertion that there should be an anti-conversion law for all religions, or else everyone should be free to convert according to his conscience, with each religion free to evangelise as it wishes.
But, if you’re an innocent Martian, recently beamed down, reading and tuning in, you might be forgiven for thinking it is BJP that is in the Opposition, being inconvenient, after being roundly rejected by the people! The daily goings on are reminiscent of a ‘White Russian’-style opposition to Stalinism, which stubbornly persisted some years after the Russian Revolution.
Joseph Stalin, renowned in history for his ruthlessness with fellow countrymen who opposed his version of the ‘revolution’; predictably undertook a massive purge. This put-paid to the remains of the old Russian aristocracy, most ‘counter-revolutionaries’, including those who had infiltrated the ‘Red’ bastions, and the well-to-do middle class; the last as a matter of principle. Stalin just didn’t believe in a perceived opponent’s change of heart.The BJP led by Narendra Modi, in a thriving and vibrant democracy, definitely, perhaps naively, does. But, of course, it also does not have the wherewithal to conduct any Stalinist style pogrom to rid itself of its detractors, however unfair, provocative and unreasonable they may be.
It is true enough that the bulk of the extant mainstream press and television is beholden to the erstwhile Congress/UPA regime; having benefited from years of its patronage. But the continued bias and propaganda, in favour of a defeated idea of ‘pseudo-secularism’, is both morally offensive and an insulting disservice to the popular will. Is the mainstream Indian media taking blatant and twisted advantage of the robust freedoms granted in this country?
As things stand, the Modi Government is moving determinedly towards a two-term presence, and so this bias will have to be reworked. The BJP on its part, should seriously encourage some of its well-heeled supporters to start or purchase/consolidate private television channels, newspapers and FM radio stations with enough spark and reasoned commentary promoting the right-of-centre economic views of the Government to counter the Congress leaning propaganda on extraneous matters.
The BJP is only well configured and effective in the social media, but weak in the mainstream, in English and the vernacular which, since it reaches many more, must be addressed. The BJP’s romantic reliance, on a largely unpopular and ineffective Doordarshan and All India Radio combination in this space, is simply not good enough. The historical and sociological narrative on the ground however, has changed. There is an important new story to tell. And since May, it has been evident that the people of India have been voting decisively for it. It is for the new BJP, and not the old mandir-masjid version. The new BJP, that is embodied in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ message.
But, as in any polity, there are singularities. These emanate from the broader Sangh parivar, and even from some MPs, MLAs, new Ministers and old Governors; either through sheer gaucherie, or because they feel left out. These elements are, therefore, making efforts to attract attention, and possibly put pressure on the Government to protest their perceived marginalisation.But, having said this, there is little justification for the mainstream media to give these deviants from the official line the oxygen of so much publicity. They should be praising the Government instead for being singularly focussed on development for all.
The Roman prover, Vox populi vox dei, meaning, ‘the voice of the people is no less than the voice of god’, is worth a mention here. The Jammu and Kashmir and the Jharkhand election results are significant for signalling the continuance of the Modi-Shah wave. They also suggest Delhi’s election, coming up next, will also fall to the BJP’s tally.This makes it all the more frustrating for some in the Congress-supporting mainstream media, that likes to portray the BJP as divisive, obscurantist, polarising, majoritarian and communal. In Parliament, this negative projection has both provided an excuse for obstruction and done its damage, preventing little legislative work to be done in the Winter Session.
But, the growing new reality is amongst the people, turning out in large numbers to vote, both in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has won 25 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, just three less than the Peoples Democratic Party, and the largest share of the popular vote at 23 per cent. It is now a strong contender to share power there over the next six years. It makes eminent sense for PDP to join hands with it, so that together, they not only have a strong and stable Government, but the Jammu and Kashmir administration is better aligned with the Centre.
In Jharkhand, the BJP has a massive lead in the popular vote share, with 39 per cent, and has won a majority on its own. The upcoming Government to be formed will be the first stable one since the State was carved out of Bihar. The verdict in Jharkhand has also added to the tally ofBJP-run States, and bodes well for its increasing numbers in the Rajya Sabha, crucial for it to pass legislation with greater ease in future. This result is also a great chance to put the tremendous natural resources of Jharkhand to use.