Shiban Khaibri
shibankhaibri@gmail.com
Loath to admit having landed the party and its image into great trouble by being widely believed that the grand old party, through its leader , though not holding any party position, has travelled beyond habitual Modi hate to brazen Bharat hate which could cause tremendous harm to the national interests , those 10 to 15 misguided middle aged “youth” activists of the Party who went topless to protest at a highly sensitive national platform, attended by galaxy of world leaders , being instead lauded , eulogised and called as “Babbar Shers” . Again , besides a demonstration of haughtiness instead of any signs of remorse, the analogy with “Babbar Shers ” for the arranged protesters called as ”youth” Congress activists, evokes both surprise and ridicule with a spice of fun . How can human beings be compared with “Babbar Shers” who are wild animals, ferocious, ruthless predators, beasts, hunting preferably during nights and eating nothing excepting flesh . In which context and in which way and how, those few senior “youth” Congress men stealthily managing entry into the prestigious AI Impact Summit at New Delhi and removing their shirts , turning them inside out , displaying printed catch phrases and images and shouting slogans against the Prime Minister be called as “Babbar Shers” ? Was not it a despicable act to tarnish India’s image at the global stage? And three of such “Babbar Shers” reportedly went into hiding in HP where the Congress is in power and the HP Police filing FIR against the Delhi Police preceded by arresting them , Cops against cops , a situation which augurs not well for any kind of polity. The drama ended after the local court in Shimla satisfied with the version of Delhi Police, allowed the three Congress activists to be taken into custody by the Delhi Police. The global event, it may be reiterated, was neither Narendra Modi’s, nor RSS’s and nor BJP’s , it was the country’s event , India’s proud event , our own event , then why to try to maculate it and sully it , is the main question.
Can a Babbar Sher manage entry into an important national event in a way and manner with the dubious purpose as these Congress activists allegedly did ? Which trade deal has been finally inked between the two countries -the US and India – that these so called Babbar Shers were so much on pricks and quite undone so as to stage protest against the deal (read protest against Modi government) in such an unbecoming manner? If at all , some inkling about the said trade deal was accessed by the Congress party , those covenants thought so much against the interests of the country, could have been spelt out clearly through various modes and channels and alternatives suggested in high standards of democratic norms having regard to the doctrine of dissent and probity.
Opposing , criticising , voicing concern, protesting and the like against the government and its policies, decisions etc is the constitutional and democratic right of the opposition but there should be cogent and reasonably sufficient grounds, genuine concerns, reasons and logic for criticism and protest not just to give vent to personal dislikes and hate which denotes criticism for the sake of criticism .Trade deal is not fully known and just imagining it to be bad does not , even in the least, deserve a novel but quite inappropriate and low taste protest . It is reminiscent of a movie where some law makers were shown creating bedlam that the water used for driving turbines to generate electricity could not be directed downstream for agriculture , irrigation and live stock needs (proposed by the government) because such water “lost strength and vitality” hence the ruckus . Speak sincerely, was really the trade deal as an urgent concern to stage a Baniyan bedlam by a handful of protestors or just an alibi, yet an opportunity to show Modi government down in that projecting India in poor light?
That, there is still a mist around the proposed deal as Piyush Goel, union Commerce Minister says that the discussions were going on and rebalancing exercise will be there should circumstances change as US tariff signals evolve, renders any protests redundant and ill motivated . Sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy are to be fully protected in the deal , as per the union Minister. Hypothetically speaking , even if the deal was done and in the eyes of the Congress it was not fair, should a protest be like the one staged on Feb20 to disgrace our own country at a stage where Digital India was showcasing itself as an emerging AI super power ? Has the excoriation of PM Modi and opposing him every time , at the slight drop of the hat even, without rhyme or reason , now becoming a daily routine of the Congress party thinking in vain, that like this , it can score points over its bête noire which could turn their fortunes around in the near future? Agreed, the real trouble is being out of power and winning an election for it, as fast as possible , even through a windfall of a Gen-Z like intervention , is desired in desperation as many Congress leaders were heard wishing so but as it is said that the proof of pudding is in its eating , how these “Babbar Shers” were treated by ordinary public at the venue is symbolic of admitting that this country is neither Sri Lanka, nor Nepal , nor Bangladesh , not in the least, Iran and others. Instead it is a country where people are highly patriotic , more matured, more sensitive and with a vision to differentiate between the right and the wrong. This country is most peaceful , liberal , democratic , tolerant and ardent believer in peaceful co-existence with deep rooted societal , economic and institutional factors with increasingly impeccable trust in democratic election cycles. It is, perhaps, the only country in the world, where enviable peace and tranquillity exist and where people know how its air breathed in tastes – fragrant , fresh , invigorating, harmonious and peace assuring . Hence , disruptions and long term political confrontations are never liked . That speaks as to why protracted ruckus in our parliament by Congress led opposition on non-issues and frequent adjournments are pooh-poohed by the general public.
Winning elections and gaining power cannot be achieved by always vehemently opposing PM Modi and severely criticising and oppugning everything good this country does or achieves and be always a querist , hunt and invent new issues not for the sake thereof but just to create political sensation . On Feb20 , IMF chief said that AI could lift global growth by more than 0.8% and help India achieve the vikisit Bharat goal. It is quite prosaic to watch country’s progress and growth being not celebrated but rant of “dead economy” chosen ,pessimism given prudence in discourse, rant of ”surrender” being chosen as a tool of mock and ridicule , yet thinking of winning election to gain power by Congress leadership is literally meaning hoping against hope. Such a thinking or planning is tantamount to boomerang in discombobulating the think-tank and , followers alike creating space again for the worn and torn chorus ” Vote Chori” in the event of losing.
Such national events, are not supposed and should never be allowed to become, hotbed spots of petty party politics and even if protests are necessarily to be held , those should be arranged anywhere outside such events . It is heartening to note that except from a selected few from inside , no opposition party, constituents of the INDI alliance supported the Congress protest, never at all its manner and the venue. And an advice for the Babbar Shers — follow the commands of a well professional Lion Tamer and an experienced Ring Master in your own interests.
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