Whenever any big issue heats up in Indian politics, the hopes of the leaders who have been away from the glare of cameras and have been politically marginalized suddenly start shaking. The latest example is the Ayodhya offering theft case. On one hand, the investigating agencies are doing their work on this very sensitive issue related to faith, belief and security.
On the other hand, some ‘outdated’ faces have also become active, who have lost their place in mainstream politics for a long time. It seems that for these leaders this episode has become less a matter of public concern and more a golden opportunity to make themselves relevant again.
Desperation for a ‘comeback’ under the guise of an issue
There is a cruel rule of politics – ‘What is seen, sells.’ For those leaders who have been rejected by the public in the last several elections or have been sidelined in their own parties, Ayodhya As the name suggests, it is a very big ‘loudspeaker’. To get a place in TV debates and to trend on social media, such leaders are giving sharp and controversial statements on this issue.
By provoking the sentiments of the faithful or by pretending to stand on their side, these leaders are desperate to regain their lost credibility. It is a different matter that in this process they do not even realize that their statements are trampling the faith of crores of Sanatan Dharma followers.
Alok Chandra, Former Chief Administrative Officer, Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata
Genuine concern or just a photo-opportunity?
It is well known that when any such issue arises, the organizations working on the ground and the current public representatives demand legal and administrative action on it, which is also being done. The SIT formed by the Yogi government is investigating the case. Many accused have been sent to jail and the matter has also reached the Supreme Court.
But, on such occasions, these isolated outdated leaders have a slightly different approach. Their focus is more on posting pictures of protests, press conferences and statements on social media platforms than on finding solutions. Crores of people have deep emotions attached to Ayodhya and Ram temple. In such a situation, doing politics on this sensitive issue cannot be said to be anything other than an attempt to directly take advantage of public sentiments.
Now the public has become ‘smart’
These leaders probably have the misconception that the public is not able to understand their ‘suddenly awakened’ devotion towards Ayodhya or Lord Shri Ram. Today’s voter is very aware. He knows very well that why the leaders who are not visible during the times of public happiness and sorrow and maintain silence on serious issues that hurt nationalism, suddenly appear in front of the cameras as soon as any controversy arises.
The theft of offerings is definitely a crime within the ambit of law and the culprits should be given strict punishment. But in the guise of this issue, defaming Ayodhya Dham and hurting the sentiments and faith of crores of Ram devotees shows the mental bankruptcy of those leaders, who no longer have any concrete vision or policy left to reach out to the public and who are making the mistake of considering the Chhadva episode as their relaunch-pad.
For these leaders who have become irrelevant to the majority of the people, this episode of Ayodhya may appear like a ‘political lifesaver’, but those who build castles on sand can never do sustainable politics. The public understands the difference between spectacle and concern. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for these leaders who are trying to find their ground by shedding crocodile tears on this issue. The rest of history is full of such examples in which those who played with people’s faith and sentiments themselves had to disappear in the pages of history. (These are the personal views of the author.)
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