Congress unable to get out of BJP's Saffron trap: Reaping what it sowed, inaction on right-wing infiltration in institutions costing the party

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Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has recently been booked for sedition. As you know, there are two ways to register a case.

First, any person approaches police though in this case generally police refrain from registering FIR on flimsy ground, especially, against personalities living outside jurisdiction of the police station.

The second way is that a person directly files a private complaint in the court and the court either registers the case or orders police to take action in this regard. So, a lawyer, who is naturally more aware of law, filed the complaint in court and got FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi.

Now, this case may not go too far, but such things do affect image. The world knows that sedition case has been registered against Rahul Gandhi. If you want to harass a person, it is quite easy if you have an organisation. The modus operandi is:

Get cases registered against him across India, in different cities. MF Husain faced the situation and as he was a rich man, he could afford to leave India and settled in Middle East. But for most pople, it's not easy thing [there are exceptions like Raj Thackeary though].

How easily a lawyer approaches a court and whether it was cognisable crime or not, the FIR was registered! It all started in the eighties. The right-wing in India has been steadily working to gain foothold in each sector--administration, media, among lawyers et al.

Either it is the recent incident of lawyers' attack on Kanhaiya or the manner in which lawyers thrashed a group of protesters in Allahabad, it shows how the project has worked over the years [for the right-wing].

1. Congress kept its eyes closed or it was a silent assent. It played 'soft Hindutva' as it feared that 'Hindu vote' would go away. But in this competition Congress would always be a loser. It can't compete with BJP in 'Hindutva' and 'Hindu Nationalism'. Can it?

2. For Congress, what would have been prudent was to be strict on law-and-order and tackle the growing communalisation, through legislations and crackdown on right-wing radicals, groups. But it failed miserably in dealing with the Saffronisation.

3. BJP kept raising issues regarding Kashmir and Afzal. Congress kept falling in the trap. Even after hanging Afzal, it seems that Congress is pro-Afzal and BJP is nationalist despite alliance with PDP. That's what happens when you follow others instead of doing your politics.

4. When Congress was in power, it remained soft on right-wing radicals who were found involved in terrorism. It also failed to ban Bajrang Dal or similar outfits despite the fact that the VHP and Dal activists take law in their hands throughout India.

5. Had it taken these measures and got its members in jail, that would have deterred these organisation and there would be fear among people in joining these outfits. But Congress has always allowed them to function freely.

6. These groups--from Shiv Sena [that was involved in Mumbai riots] and Bajrang Dal-VHP kept on getting powerful and realised that this was the way to strengthen themselves. Students, teachers, lawyers, everyone joined them to get 'more power' in society.

The result is 'Saffronisation'. Congress is reaping what it sowed. And it fails to learn.

Congress leaders' failure in highlighting UPA government's 'achievements' and the party's poor campaign strategy vis-a-vis BJP's publicity blitz

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A couple of days back, Congress leader, Anand Sharma, was attacking the BJP, and asking how the the party could get so much funds to run the high-pitched campaign for Narendra Modi?

I was amused at Sharma's 'innocence'. Shouldn't Congress being the ruling party for the last decade, be knowing the source of BJP's funding? What was the government doing? Don't the intelligence agencies work under it?

Yes, BJP's election campaign and its strategy is far ahead of Congress. In fact, the backroom boys of BJP have done a tremendous job, in creating the 'wave'. Newspapers, electronic media, internet, all are abuzz with BJP's publicity.

But who stopped Congress from planning its campaign? Narendra Modi addressed more election rallies across India. His chopper kept flying everywhere--even in North East and Southern states, where BJP didn't have much presence.

From addressing 3D rallies to 'Chai pe Charcha', he has been in the news all the time. A Hindi newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar, published a report on its front page, comparing the resources thrown into Rahul Gandhi's campaign and Modi's campaign.

Ten years as ruling party,  yet UPA can't manage funds!

While Rs 10,000 crore has been spent in Modi's publicity, the figure for Rs 500 crore for improving Rahul Gandhi's image. The difference is quite clear. [Who says, we are a poor country?]. Leaving the virtues of socialism behind, now let's come straight to the topic.

When BJP, being out of power at the Centre, for ten years, could manage to much funds, why couldn't Congress plan, coordinate and run a more visible campaign for the Lok Sabha election? Except one or two catchy lines, used recently, and some advertisements, Congress' campaign was pale most of the time.

It tells a great deal about UPA leadership's failure that while they were in power, and were quite strong till last year, when everyone thought BJP had little chance to win election [till RSS okayed Modi's arrival on scene], but the businessmen openly sided with Modi and the BJP, without apprehending that this tilt may upset Congress.

Congress leaders' lacklustre speeches, poor publicity, failed campaign management

Clearly, Congress' calculations failed. There was something seriously wrong with them, that today the party's candidates are often heart talk about lack of funds to fight election. There is lack of enthusiasm among candidates.

I am not at all a Modi fan but his speeches evoked interest. In sharp contrast, Rahul Gandhi's speeches lacked the conviction.

Often, it seems, his heart is not into, what he is doing. Even the language is strange, too much cosmetic.

Addressing rural Indias, his speech writers, use such tough words that aren't used in villages, at all.

Hence, there was no impact. Addressing a public meeting, he was speaking about Modi, and talked about 'Advani' and 'Adani', but he fumbled and the crowd sat blank-faced.

Party couldn't even highlight own 'achievements'

Let's forget all. The question is why Congress couldn't even highlight the achievements. In the first term, it came up with NREGS (MNREGS, now), and Right to Information Act (RTI).

Similarly, Right to Education (RTE), is an important step, or for that matter, the Food Security Act.
For example, if the Congress has done something for the tribals, their right over land, or for those below poverty line (BPL), then it should have spoken about it, loudly, again and again, and sent the message.

But it hasn't learnt much in the age of mass media. [Bureaucrats retire and go to BJP, then targeting UPA. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's former media adviser Sanjaya Baru goes on to write a book about his indecisiveness.]

The situation has come to such a stage that in several states, BJP's powerful CMs have often taken credit for UPA's schemes, especially, in health sector, and managed to give impression that these were state-run schemes.


Interestingly, the Congress leaders now complain that the BJP leaders hijacked Centre's schemes.

It is really a joke. Shouldn't Congress have taken credit for their schemes?

Who stopped them? Or you thought you are the 'default ruling party', and there was no need to tom tom your 'achievements'.

Whether they had any achievements or not, BJP has surely given impression that it is running states effectively in Gujarat, MP and Chhattisgarh. It takes credit for a lot, it didn't do, but it does. Congress couldn't do that either.

Where are Congress leaders?

In this era, Congress leaders continue to neglect the social media. While Narendra Modi's twitter handle was getting thousands of followers everyday, there was nothing in the name of Rahul Gandhi.

So if someone wants to interact with him or send him a message or make a suggestion, he can't do that. It is not about whether the person's suggestion is accepted, but it is about the satisfaction of having driven home a point. But there is nothing of that sorts.

The Twitter campaign of Congress got active only recently. Still, Rahul Gandhi has no official handle on Twitter yet. Why? Can't he get a 'competent team' to tweet on his behalf, when even AAP leaders can do much better.

No Connect: Why senior leaders like Kamal Nath never speak on TV, face questions, reply?

Yet another aspect is how UPA ministers are not ever seen replying to BJP's allegations. If ever you see a Congress leader speak, he is plain dismissive about the BJP or avoids talking about the issue, like Kapil Sibal or Salman Khurshid. There is no strong and logical replies to counter BJP's charges.

While BJP leaders are quite articulate [also aggressive], the senior most Congress leaders like Kamal Nath, are never heard on TV.

What's the use of their experience if they can't say something in layman's language and can't connect to the people? When did you hear Ahmad Patel speak? [and still, so powerful]

Or for that matter, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Madhav Rao Scindia and Ghulam Nabi Azad. What to talk about Antony, Tharoor, Jaipal Reddy, Oscar Fernandes? On studio and stages, the voice and the verve matters.

The body language, conviction and speech, go a long way, in setting off the momentum. This is not about results of election. Despite running a high-voltage campaign, BJP may not be able to form government, but Congress won't do good either. But is it ready to learn from its failures? That's the question. 

Rahul Gandhi's statement on Muzaffarnagar riot: Will he speak about Congress inaction on implementing Sri Krishna Commission report on Mumbai riots?

It was realy shocking to read about Rahul Gandhi's speech and his 'revelations' regarding Muzaffarnagar riots in the political rally at Indore.

Already, other aspects about his speech have come under criticism. But I am especially amazed as it comes from the man whose party has failed to act on the recommendations of Sri Krishna Commission panel which conducted probe in one of the worst communal riots that occurred in Mumbai in 1992-93.

Congress was the ruling party in Maharashtra then. For 20 years, victims have waited for justice and successive CONGRESS governments in Maharashtra, that promise implementing the report every time before election, have not acted on the promises.

Rahul Gandhi hasn't spoken a word about the conduct of Congress-NCP led state government. It was under Congress chief minister Sudhakar Rao Nai, that two separate rounds of rioting had led to nearly 2,000 deaths in Mumbai, which was known as Bombay then.

For those who felt that Rahul wants to change things for good and is in favour of clean politics, this speech his come as a letdown. Those accused of rioting, particularly, the policemen were not prosecuted. The personel who fired at innocents were saved at every step.

Still, successive Chief Ministers from Vilas Rao Deshmukh to Prithvi Raj Chouhan haven't shown any interest in implementing the Justice Sri Krishna Report. How does Congress has the cheek to talk about riots and justice!  Firstly, don't promise if it is not your intent to act.

During previous elections Congress leaders have been promising that they would do implement the report once they come to power. Accusations of framing Muslims in false cases in Maharashtra, are well-known. The state has one of the largest number of Muslims in prison. Has he ever voiced his concern about it?

Given his hold over the party, he could have got it done easily. Just a few days back, he had 'torn the bill' on convicted politicians and this ensured that Rashid Masood and Lalu Yadav have lost their Lok Sabha seats. Why don't we see such a step from him over riots? Instead, there is just hurtful rhetoric.

Secondly, the speech was objectionable, as he made a remark linking Muzaffarnagar riot victims with Pakistan. Either he doesn't understand Indian Muslims at all or he has strange people around him on whose inputs, he made this weird statement.

Martyr Firoz Khan

As an Indian Muslim, I strongly object to the community being used as a tool to settle political scores.

Further, by suggesting the possibility of neighbouring country's agencies trying to poach riot victims, he linked 'Indian Muslims' with "Pakistan', something that really hurts.

Intelligence guys may imagine things or even make guesses as it is part of their job. Once an intelligence officer had even made a foolish comment that he 'heard' that Muslims in Hyderabad, put up photograph of Pakistani leader in their homes.

He later accepted that he hadn't gone to any such house or seen such a photo. People can say utterly foolish things but should Rahul Gandhi use them to strengthen old stereotypes?

It was insensitive as for decades after independence, Muslims heard barbs and accusations about their being 'fifth columnists'. This had almost come to an end now. Indian Muslims can't be used by any outside power against their motherland. Any such suggestion is objectionable, howsoever, we suffer. 

I totally denounce the statement 

I really don't understand if he is immature or plain naive to believe anything he gets to hear and then accepts it as Gospel truth. Of course, to say it publicly is also wrong. Knowingly or unknowingly he ventured into something which Indian Muslims really detest.

Barely a week ago, an Indian Muslim army-man laid down his life on the border. He had been sanctioned leave but decided to stay back because of firing at LoC, and achieved martyrdom. If you can't take the name of martyr Lance Naik Feroz Khan, then please don't talk about this imaginary possibility either.

Till a few decades back, we often heard certain members of the right-wing parties drawing these parallels but when Rahul Gandhi says something like that, then there is surely something seriously wrong with the Congress.

LINKS:

1.  20 year long wait for victims of Mumbai riots

2. Survivors of riots continue to despair, can't even get cases registered against culprits 

Clueless Congress: Rahul Gandhi, his party's disconnect from Muslims and the community's aspirations

Congress has suffered a jolt with Samajwadi Party's landslide victory in UP elections. The drubbing is not just because of consolidation of Muslims voters but also other sections, however, the fact remains that Muslims didn't get lured by Congress' promises.

There are several reasons:

1. Muslims don't want anything special but simply need basic amenities. However, Congress governments fail to deliver even on this count in states where they are in power.

Muslim ghettoes that overwhelmingly vote for Congress, remain the same. There is no change. The lesser said about the presence of hospitals and dispensaries or schemes regarding opening schools during Congress regimes, the better it would be.

Muslims don't expect any party to promise that it will get them moon. It is well-known that such things [which BJP would instantly term as 'appeasement'] are not possible. Congress promises implementing Sachar panel recommendations but UPA's first term went without any step in this regard and soon this five year term at the centre would also end. Won't people feel that they are being taken for a ride?

2. If you can't provide jobs or better civic amenities, the most basic expectation is that the law-and-order would be effective and there would not be fear of communal riots. But either it is Rajasthan where policemen fired at Muslims in Gopalgarh, a one sided action which was initially defended by state government, unjustifiable use of force at Karbala Jor Bagh despite a court order in favour of Muslims or illegal detentions [harassment] of Muslim youths in Delhi, the situation remains the same. What's the difference between Rajasthan and NDA ruled Bihar where firing in Forbesganj occurred?

3. The Congress-led UPA government cares about the morale of police & security agencies but not sensitive enough to the demand and morale of hundreds of millions of Muslims. From police to lieutenant governor, at every step attempt was made to stop information sought regarding the Batla House encounter case. Would heavens have fallen if a judicial inquiry in Batla House encounter was instituted?

After all, inquiries keep lingering for years, and even if there is a recommendation, you can simply ignore it. Haven't you been doing this for the last sixty years. This strange attitude shows Congress' contempt towards us [Muslims]. It hurts. You don't consider us anything except electoral slaves.

4. Twice in Maharashtra, Congress fought election on the promise that it would implement recommendations of Sri Krishna Commission panel regarding 1992-93 Mumbai riots. This hasn't materialised. No wonder, Muslims voted for SP and your party lost in BMC election in Mumbai.

In fact, recommendations in all such cases including the infamous Maliana killings still gather dust. There is either no will or a strong right-wing presence in your party which ensures that not a single killer cop would ever get punished.

Such is the hold on bureaucracy that in cases like Hari Masjid firing where policemen entered mosque and fired at devotees, Maharashtra police acts with unusual zeal to protect its tainted cops.

5. Congress often gets Muslim votes by default. Muslims wanted an alternative. Many of us wanted a party that would be centrist, even a bit towards the right, but which would not act dubiously. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP had somehow got a bit of Muslim support.

Unfortunately Gujarat happened, and just the fear that Gujarat carnage didn't recur, Muslims had no option but to support your party. There was no third front [unlike the United Front or Left Front in late 90s] and hence Congress became the sole alternative.

6. Even though the Muslim electorate forget all the past follies of Congress ranging from installation of idol in Ram Temple to former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao's promise of rebuilding Babri Masjid, but even today, there is no clarity in its approach.

Forget giving adequate representation to Muslims, the party leaders and 'Muslim faces' imposed by it remain out of touch with ground realities. Perhaps there is a feeling that Muslims have no option and will keep on voting for your party.

Just for the record, SP has inducted 10 Muslims in its 47 member cabinet. Congress wouldn't have named five. It doesn't show interest in letting Muslim leadership in the party grow. If there are outspoken politicians within party they either don't go up or are not given as much importance.

7. Rahul ji, your leaders aren't approachable. At ground level, they fly or whiz past us without listening to our problems. When we tell them, they appear listening sympathetically listen and when they go back, simply forget to take action.

Now if we come to the issue of virtual world, it is common complaint that Congress leaders aren't approachable on Twitter or Facebook. A few of them have accounts but don't interact or reply, compared to other parties.

Akhilesh Yadav promised promotion of Urdu

Initially I thought that I would give this post a title 'Open letter to Congress from an Indian Muslim' [or Rahul Gandhi]. But somehow, one feels, it would be futile. It is not that Congress leaders won't know what their voters expect from them.

In Urdu papers, these issues are mentioned regularly. But is there any interest visible on part of India's oldest political party when it comes to improving infrastructure in Muslim localities or ensuring swift action on schemes for Muslims.

8. Despite tall claims made by UPA-I and also UPA-II, Muslims are still denied loans by banks. Figures suggest that there is little change despite reminders and rebukes.

The money for scholarships don't reach the students easily. Congress blames opposition parties that rule states from where many complaints about lack of implementation of policies for betterment of minorities are received.

Congress leaders immediately release huge amounts when Chief Ministers of non-Congress states accuse Centre of bias in releasing funds to non-Congress states. While releasing the funds, the UPA leaders can push the States for release of funds for minorities. Can't they? Why year after year, funds are earmarked but only to get lapsed.

9. Rahul Gandhi seems sincere and interested in redressing the problems of Dalits, Muslims and other sections. But the party doesn't seem interested at all. Whenever Congress governments take charge of office, they begin acting arrogantly.

Target Next:  Election 2014 

Just now Congress has managed to come to power in Uttarakhand. We are yet to hear a word regarding Muslims. Will the status of Urdu as second official language, which almost ended during BJP rule, be restored? We haven't heard a word as yet.

10. The role of UP unit of Congress in closing down Urdu medium schools in post-independence era is too well known. It may not be printed too often or voiced publicly but the steps that were responsible for backwardness among Muslims in North India, aren't forgotten. Even today, Congress cares little about Urdu. Here is an old post: Read

It is possible that at the national level where the issues are different and electorate think in terms of installing a government at the centre, the voters' behaviour might be different. In UP, the party that was in a position to defeat BSP was supported and of course Muslims overwhelmingly voted for SP.

When Congress leader Salman Khurshid talked about Muslim reservation, Muslims were not amused. The 4.5% quota was a bad joke and it was meant for all religious minorities [that include Sikhs, Christians, Jains & Buddhists apart from Muslims] but was projected as if Muslims will be the sole beneficiaries. Bhai ham log itne saal se bewaqoof ban rahe hain, aur kitna banenge!.

It is just an exasperated Indian Muslim's rant. One hopes that Congress would understand that Muslims, like rest of Indians, don't want anything special. Good governance, access to basic amenities, justice and understanding of their issues. Of course, no false promises. And whatever little you promise, at least deliver or show the intention to deliver.  

[This was the third and last part in the series of posts after UP elections. First was about SP's victory and the second about BSP's strange relationship with Muslims]