Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at an event marking National Unity Day – Rashtriya Ekta Divas, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — was especially significant in some respects. His exhortation to the nation was that a new model of Urban Naxalism has emerged, which should be tackled effectively at both governmental and people’s levels. They, he says, are trying to destabilize the economy and deter investors. Notably, the PM has not identified these forces. An inference could be the criticism of his government by segments of the urban elite. They have a problem: they are better informed and show a tendency to analyse things. Normally, the media reflected such thoughts. Views in the past used to get spread by word of mouth too. Today, social media is a more potent medium for expression of views, which are unabridged, aggressive and forthright. At the same time, the established media has largely lost its verve. Critical comments against the powers-that-be are rare now due to alleged manipulation of the media, or arm-twisting by governments. A pliant media, with only a few exceptions, are willing to crawl when asked to bend. This also ensured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been having a quiet run. The past over 10 years was a period of relative calm except for the Muslim offensives against the CAA-NRC and the Manipur upheavals. On the surface, nothing goes to show yet that there is a calculated attempt to target the establishment.
Fact of the matter is also that the Congress party or the INDIA alliance has not been able to move a finger against the Modi government. The usual street shows against price rise and unemployment, orchestrated by the Left or the Opposition as a whole, are also missing. This looks strange. Industrial development is less and the agriculture sector is ailing for long. Salaries/wages are not going up in most sectors in any substantial manner. The natural growth of the services sector has helped absorb large numbers of youths in various jobs. This was the only silver lining. The present situation was tailor-made for mass upheavals. Yet, the peace on the surface is worth an investigation. The rolling out of welfare schemes for the poor –who are the first to run into the streets and raise a banner of revolt – since the time of the UPA-II, as in the case of subsidized or free ration, might be keeping tempers under control. The stray voices of dissent, here or there, too seem to be unacceptable to the Modi establishment. That Modi has avoided touching hot subjects in the last 10 years, other than CAA, too requires a mention here. Confrontations require guts.
