- Any keen observer interested in the political churnings of India would have noticed the ongoing seven-phase electioneering is bereft of a strong narrative that potentially offers the main political parties in the fray an issue to exploit for electoral gains. Unlike the two past general elections, the ongoing one appears to be meandering along with the two main national parties viz. the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress lacking strong and emotive issues to whip up a frenzy among eligible voters. The voter’s apathy in the first three phases of elections is apparent as the disinterest among the eligible is glaring. Even an inane statement emanating from the opposition ranks is being grabbed to eke out mileage of sorts. But the discerning public is not budging here.
PC: Reuters
- However, when the entire narration appears to be quite drab comes gems of wisdom in the form of inane, irreverent, and far from ideal statements that should have no place in modern-day India looking to be counted among the best. Call it foot-in-the-mouth syndrome, shooting on the foot, self-goal, or simply silly statements but our political leaders are quite adept at revealing such words of wisdom now and then. Certain emotive issues caste, color, creed, and class instantly grab the attention of people like. In an election year, such issues tend to blow out of proportion in no time. We know how the Congress’s Sam Pitroda – since resigned from his position in the party – has time and again given ammunition to the opposition through insane utterances.
- The latest is the comparison of Pitroda on the appearance of Indians spread across the topography. His statement has created tremendous chaos is stating the obvious. India is a nation of diversity, ethnicity, language, religion, and appearance altering from one geography to another. Of course, humans trace our genetic ancestry to Africa but looks different. This looking different business is however a minefield created by egregious bits of past and present. So, even minimally sensible public speaking avoids this when batting for – or even against -diversity. Why Pitroda chose this way to talk about India’s diversity can perhaps be explained by him. But lost in the inevitable political din that followed were voices that could intelligently talk of India’s many ethnicities.
PC: Britannica
- Yes, this country is a union of many ethnic groups, languages, religions, and cultures born out of waves of settlement and interaction. There are regional variations in features and skin color. The problem comes not from diversity, but the hierarchy. India is a highly stratified society. Having dark skin might have been celebrated in poetry, song, and epics, but it is also a sensitive matter for many of us. Caste, colonialism, cinema, and media have contributed to this false narrative. Many Indians still struggle to meet norms of beauty alien to their roots. Remarks about resembling African, Chinese, and Arab people blunder into hurtful territory. No wonder, the BJP has grabbed the issue with glee and has been bandying about it since. Was it necessary? Not at all.
