Editor,
Apropos of the editorial “Of rank opportunism,” and the news “Sunak is first Indian-descent UK PM, youngest to take up the chair in 200 yrs” (ST October 25, 2022), the editorial is an excellent piece on the current political developments in Meghalaya. I agree 100 percent with the editor that” the scenario building up is of the NPP securing more seats and might therefore not need the UDP”. Again, I would like to reiterate that the NPP is going to cobble up 35 seats.
As for the news item referred to above Laura Beers in the CNN on October 24, 2022 brilliantly stated, “Changing leaders twice in the course of a parliamentary term without consulting the British electorate is the political equivalent of whacking your brother just because he annoyed you. You just can’t do it and expect to get away with it. This is especially true when, as in the current political moment, there have been dramatic reversals of party policy since the previous general election. Britain is facing inflation, rising borrowing costs and predicted deficits on a massive scale which will likely require either significant tax increases, spending cuts or both. The policy decisions taken in the next few months will have implications for years to come. There is a political imperative for Britons to be given a say as to how their leaders should tackle the current crisis. By ignoring that imperative, the Tory party would risk further eroding faith in Britain’s democratic process, at a time when democracy is under significant threat around the globe.”
Yours etc.,
Gordon Wahlang,
Via email
Rishi Sunak & identity politics
Editor
Many from India and from the Indian diaspora are celebrating the success of Rishi Sunak, the first prime minister “of colour” (as they say here in the west) in the UK and the first Indian to be elected to this highest office. If anything, his success points to the taciturn nature of History. Who would have dreamed, a hundred years ago, that a person of Indian origin would become the prime minister of the same country that colonized India? But this speaks perhaps more about the praiseworthy attributes of British voters and about how far the pendulum has swung away from European colonialism and neo-colonialism — than about Mr. Sunak, or India.
While Rishi Sunak may indeed turn out to be an excellent leader, our reasons for celebrating his success smack too much of identity politics. Drawing from egotism and narcissism, identity politics is usually blind to the moral character of the individual beneath the layer of identities. In a leader, what matters most in the end, is not the mosaic of identities he represents, but his moral values and character. Is he in touch with conscience? Does he possess a personal sense of justice? Does he feel for those suffering at the bottom of the social hierarchy? Is he honest? Is he detached from power? Is he empathetic, yet firm? Instead of being blinded by identity politics, these are the kinds of questions we should be asking of any leader — whether Rishi Sunak, Kamala Harris, or Narendra Modi.
To use the political success of a single member of a minority group as a measure of the upliftment of the whole group is troubling — because it buys into the tokenism that serves the ruling majority so well. Almost the only sure means of removing oppression is to alter the heart and mind of the oppressor — not by buying into his citadel of power, but by converting his heart. A politics of envy, emulation, and power fails altogether in bringing about this conversion. Perhaps the most important questions to ask of a leader from a minority group are, how do you see your own people and their overall status in society? What will you do to help them?
Given how entrenched hatred can be in the heart of the oppressor, perhaps a more practical means of changing him is mass scale success of the oppressed group — whether defined by class, caste, gender, or any other criterion. For example, almost all Hindu savants have protested the caste system vigorously. Without being cynical or doubting their power, I cannot help but wonder if the capitalistic market system will not be more effective. Mature capitalism may remove caste prejudice faster because it presupposes a certain social mobility that abhors restrictions like caste prejudice.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar
Via email
Why target the Bengali community?
Editor,
In the recent Netflix advertisement captioned, “Cherrapunjee Ki Diwali,” a well-known pressure group has blamed the Bengalis for the name “Cherrapunjee” and said that the name was given to Sohra by Bengali Chamchas of the British. I just don’t understand how the Bengalis have become ‘CHAMCHAS’ of the British masters! I strongly protest the use of such grotesque and derogatory words against our community – the same community whose stalwarts fought for the liberation of India, our motherland and sacrificed their lives for it. Does it mean that persons like Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda among others are also Chamchas?
This deep-rooted hatred against our community is very painful and unwarranted.
We need to introspect now and think for the future of our children. Many Bengalis have already abandoned this place and more will leave in the future.
Yours etc.,
Anjan Kumar Das,
Shillong 6
CAMP: New Delhi