By Babet Sten
We are all waiting for the ascent of the Dragon! What amazes me to no end is how everyone believes Modi is the solution to all our corruption woes, our slow growth rate, even our moral malaise. We all say that we need a dictator with a smile on our faces. The usual line is “Sure, he’s controversial but look at Gujarat!” There was even a cretin who described the Gujarat Riots as something that “had to happen” for development to take off. I am often left speechless by their utter disregard for human lives just so that they might enjoy a KFC or a smooth ride on wide streets.
The world is a disorderly place. Its cultures and diversities ensure that people will always have something to say about something. It is this disorder that so irks and offends the various institutions and corporations that seek to bring uniformity and similitude, what we describe often as globalisation. It is this reason why a dictator, with no second thoughts for other people’s opinions, is such a welcome thing for certain people, in particular the urban middle class. People like that do not ask how we can all grow together or how we can attain true equality. They simply want an imagined utopia where meals are quick, credit is abundant and the homeless are removed from their sights, and thus minds.
Narender Modi is not the fabled son who comes to deliver us from all our problems. He is the progeny of a fanatical racist misogynistic cult called the RSS. Under their tutelage and patronage he has grown from runt to ruffian. His rise is their rise, let us never forget that. The opportunistic politicians of Meghalaya go to court him and seek his favour like subjects to their overlord. What jokes they are! It is truly pathetic that a once strong-willed tough guy Student Union president would now declare his allegiance to a non-tribal Gujju. I say this to denigrate him and his politics, not the non-tribal communities. Forgive me if this offends but it must be said.
Modi’s rise is also the resurgence of the corporates. For years now, the Indian billionaires and big businessmen have been having a tough time at many sites. Many rules and regulations kept a lot of projects under hold or even led to cancellation (Niyamgiri, Singur) because they were not just, democratic or fair to the underprivileged or tribal populations on whose lands they were supposed to be set up in. This is why Mr Modi’s Gujarat model is best with its smaller governmental control, its freehand to corporate governance and its tax exemptions. I am awaiting the changes he and his goons will make to the Land Acquisition Act, Forest Act, Mining policies and possibly the Sixth Schedule as well. I want to ask the KSU a question. What is going to be your stance when Modi sarkar orders Uranium mining in the state? It is pertinent question when I look at how often the Union has changed sides. The latest being the NGT order.
Many friends say that the KSU will be on the backfoot then. But I beg to differ, the KSU has often had a strained relationship with the Congress governments in the state and many of their members welcome Modi as an alternative if only to weaken the Congress a bit. Fascists after all love Fascists. Both love to hate Bangladeshis, and Muslims in particular. Both are sexists (in spite of the much-touted matrilineal tradition). Both believe in might is right or “khatarbor” show of strength (when in large numbers of course).
Modi will probably look at the North East in the same way as the previous government – for power generation. The controversial projects (Mawphu, Killing) will probably be re-initiated under newly altered regulations and rules which will allow for swift and non-participative actions. The Congress government in the state will probably say they are powerless to help because it is national policy. Villagers will be displaced and powercuts a distant memory. Phlangdiloin in South West Khasi Hills will become a wasteland with high radiation levels. RSS everywhere will be stronger and Hindutva more bold. State companies will be sold off to Reliance, Tata or POSCO. Tensions in the region will be high and South Asia will become destabilized again. Perhaps new weapons will be tested to prepare against Pakistan or some other bogeyman. If no enemies exist, new ones will be created. Muslims will face salient discriminations and distrust, and the state unit of the BJP will finally get a new office. Yay for development!
Personally, I am depressed by the way of the world. Right Wing psychos, the world over, are taking advantage of the flaws of neo-liberalism. They promise prosperity and all they want is your obedience. However, I think it is time we understood that no one can solve the world’s problems alone. We need each other but unlike the psychos we must LISTEN to each other. The times are dark, not bright, as many BJP idiots say. But perhaps (cliché) that is where we will fight most brightly. I do believe that. Call me a fool but I do believe that we can resist and should with all our hearts against the evil of despots and tyrants, against the fanatics who threaten us, the technocrats who claim to know. Our society is stronger than them.
(The writer is a scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi )