India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat Narendra Modi (L) waves to supporters as he arrives to file his election nomination papers in Varanasi on April 24, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Recently, intellectuals penned an open letter to The Guardian, saying that a Modi victory would “bode ill for India’s future”. Later, on April 21, a similar letter signed by a swathe of Britain-based academics was published in The Independent, expressing that the spectre of Modi in power fills them with “dread”. If it were up to intellectuals to elect governments, these words might have carried greater weight. In India itself, there’s a different sentiment entirely. Ellen Barry, The New York Times correspondent for India, wrote how many businessmen are looking forward to Modi in power. “What India needs right now is an enlightened despot,” a woman told her.
The appeal of the strongman goes beyond India. Barry describes Russia’s relief when Putin took over the hapless Boris Yeltsin. We saw how happy many Egyptians were when the army deposed Mohammad Morsi’s unpopular government last year. Of course, who can forget our own politicians distributing sweets when Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in 1999. The promise of stability, efficiency and action in contrast to the corruption and bureaucratic inertia that sometimes accompanies democratic rule —especially in South Asia — is indeed appealing.
But these promises overshadow the freedoms that are given in exchange. From the noises being made by the right wing in India these days, it seems the freedom to acquire property (read Pravin Togadia’s statements), the freedom to express dissent (Giriraj Singh’s), the right to government protection of life and property — all of these have been sacrificed in various capacities by the citizens and particularly, the Muslim minority, of Gujarat under Modi’s tenure. The BJP has given little reason to suggest that under a Modi-led central government, these freedoms would not be taken away. If eventually there is a consensus among Indians that Modi is the best man to lead India, then political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville’s words come to mind: “In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (9)
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@Dakshin: These were the British paper reports they were commenting about not entirely Pakistani papers bringing him in such lights afterall past record is so strong that people are not ready to forget not just Pakistanis but from almost around the world who knows his history.
You also seem to have overestimated the Modi effect on India. True he is everywhere in the visual media, but my dear Sirs and Madams, India lives in its villages and how many of these rural households get power so that they can watch TV. Secondly don't underestimate the regional parties especially in Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Odisha. Lets all wait till May 16th. I also have an appeal for all the non-resident Indians who comment regularly. We don't doubt your patriotism, but since you have left for greener pastures so please don't advise us what is good or bad for us. Earn your money and bet at peace with yourself and the world. Regards P.S.. I may disagree with what all Mr Modi stands for, but please don't ignore that in my country a man of humble origins can aspire to be the Prime Minister. He wont be looking over his shoulders seeing what the men in uniform are upto.
Lies lies lies
So I have to ask the editors this: Why are you unnecessarily fanning fear in the hearts of your readers by repeatedly regurgitating such pointless information? Any semi-objective person researching the elections will quickly come to a conclusion that Indian's are demanding development and the guy in saffron is the one people think is most up to the job.
So why don't you ever talk about the corresponding need for development in Pakistan? Get over this constant Modi fear mania and accept the fact that he will be the next PM. Wouldn't talking about economic needs be more productive or are you satisfied being the laggard economy of South Asia living on loans and charity?
“In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.”
In that case, how have the Husband/Son of Dynasty or the Feudal Brothers worked out for Pakistan? Compared to that, the Indians are choosing between a self-made, unabashed nationalist and a zealot IIT grad. (It is very likely that the entitled nincompoop of a dynastic heir will be shown the door, perhaps forever). I view this as an giant evolutionary step for Indian democracy and not at all a regressive one. One may not agree with all of their views but India still has the capacity to generate leadership material.
The article's has the right spirit but not the facts.
The countries which were compared, Pakistan, Egypt & Russia have poor Democratic record and institutions. In India, a far stronger leader - Indira Gandhi was thrown out the moment she tried to be a despot/dictator. In 1975, when she curbed freedoms, the entire opposition came on streets and went to prison, people were fighting her from word go.
The democracy, plurality and freedoms in India are not because of its rulers. It is because of the alertness of its people against anyone who curbs their rights.
Even in case of Modi, the only bad thing that can be said is that he wasn't effective in his early administrative career (he was CM for two months then), and Gujarat 2002 happened. His conduct otherwise has been exemplary.
And should he try to exceed his mandate & constitutional role, Indian people are perfectly capable of pulling him down through other institutions (Courts & elections). Military will never become necessary.
So, these intellectuals are entirely mistaken, even if their sentiments are in right place.
Yes, the editorial is right ... the people of India always deserved better ... better than the 67 years of decay and decimation of the values, for which the freedom fighters sacrificed their lives ... systematic loot by the utterly corrupt Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, and its criminal enterprise, the Scamgress (Congress) party ... !!