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Toxic rhetoric thwarted
The outcome of the 2024 elections didn’t bode well for Modi, who had hoped to secure victory by fuelling Hindu extremism. However, these elections indicate a significant awakening among Hindu voters in India.
Modi had heavily relied on the Hindu electorate, assuming their unwavering support. Yet, in this election, Hindu voters have defied the political leader who claimed to be their “Avatar.”
Dissent against Modi is now surfacing within India, signalling a shift away from the atmosphere of fear and coercion that once dominated Indian politics. Modi’s previous tenure was marked by vile and divisive rhetoric, particularly targeting the Muslim community, with his speeches dripping with venom against them.
However, Indian leader Rahul Gandhi played a pivotal role in challenging Modi’s toxic rhetoric during the election campaign. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Gandhi stands out as the sole leader openly confronting the RSS and Modi. Modi faced a significant setback in Ajodhya, dealing a severe blow to his campaign. It’s been said that the political atmosphere in India was so stifling that there seemed to be no escape, but these election results not only provide a way out but also offer a glimmer of hope, indicating that Modi’s invincibility is questionable.
The recent election outcome, where no clear majority was obtained, suggests that the ordinary Indian citizen no longer tolerates the politics of hatred. In a diverse country like India, attempts to isolate and target followers of a particular religion, while fostering Hindu extremism, have been resoundingly rejected by the public after a decade of Hindutva dominance, as evidenced by these election results. The majority of Indian voters have expressed their discontent with the BJP and RSS-fuelled politics of hatred and extremism. The common Indian voter has indeed struck the first blow to Modi’s aspirations by thwarting the BJP’s ambition to secure 400 seats.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Polio not controlled
The programme to eliminate polio from the world received a setback as Pakistan recorded its firth case. After all, polio has long been known as a crippling disease, it should not be forgotten that it can kill.
The effort to eliminate polio has now been narrowed down to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Indeed, it should not be imagined that the disease occurs all over the country. It is limited to what might be described as the borderland between the two countries. This forms one tribal belt.
Another problem is the fencing of the Durand Line which has made illicit crossings a problem. Without a more vigorous approach to this problem, there is very danger it may get out of hand. The highly desired aim of complete elimination means that there will be more effort involved in tackling the last cases. As the elimination goal comes into sight, the need for the government to keep sight of it becomes all the more necessary.
Apart from the achievement inherent in the elimination of a disease which has killed and crippled millions, the government needs to understand that from a healthy productive member of society, polio changes the individual to someone who needs special treatment all his life.
That means there must be none of the relaxation of effort even when Pakistan reaches the position of having no polio cases, and then waits out the year of freedom from disease that will mark the achievement of elimination.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
