B L Saraf
They say, when needed in nation’s history the clock strikes a right time for a right person to occupy the right place. May 26, 2014 saw affirmation of this classic statement. This day, Nerendra Modi rose to the country’s highest executive post, in whom many saw mettle to steer their destiny. Situation stood tailor made for him. The lame duck PM, Manmohan Singh had brought wheels of country to a grinding halt. Inefficiency in governance and improbity in state dealings marked the UPA 11 rule. People looked despondent. Nations’ morale was at the lowest ebb. Modi’s ascendance to the helm rekindled hope. A new life sprang up from the debris of moral and political decadence brought about by the moribund UPA -11 Governments.
It is three years past that day. A three year period marks a significant milestone in the five year long journey a person undertakes to accomplish something. This is the time of the reappraisal – of what has been achieved and what is left not done. NDA Government has done a fair job so far which could be a matter of celebration for it . Celebrations over, it is time to judge the performance in a real time. PM Narendra Modi did start well. Ambitious programs of for reaching consequences were put in place. Clean India, protection and education of girl child, Digital India etc are the initiatives which should change the face of the country. Certain reforms in the economic field have been ushered in. It is time to consolidate these programs and next two years of the term must be utilized to see that these measures translate into the real action on the ground. There is no need to lay more stones for new projects which cannot be completed. Surely, it won’t make a good picture to see stones laid for a project as tomb stones marking a grave yard.
The paramount need for Modi and his Government is to ensure that bad things don’t get precedence over the good job done. Fringe elements should not dictate the agenda. Cow protection is a good idea. But it has to be within the Constitutional limits. While the Gau Rakshaks must be reigned in, the so-called secularists and the proponents of ‘ free food choice ‘ should know that the horses, cats and dogs are treated as pets in many cultures which is why eating them is treated bad manners and considered illegal. For Indians it is the cow. Therefore, one cannot insist on beef in India in the name of secularism as he cannot order meet of a dog or horse in the U S hotels . Here, not only do the religious sensitivities of the majority community come into play but the demand of law has also to be met which prohibits cow slaughter.
What Modi has achieved is because of his high leadership qualities, uncompromising probity in public life, qualities of decision making and grit to stomach risk taking factors. He came at the time when economy was in shambles and in the guise of liberalism and secularism the sentiment of majority community was badly humiliated and suppressed. Corruption deeds were condoned as battle bounties, in fight against the “Hindutiva ” forces. Rightly, in BJP’s phenomenal rise the vast silent majority saw an emancipation from the onslaught of so-called liberal and secular forces.
PM Narrandra Modi is in the business of politics. Who other than him understands better that politics is nothing but a mixture of poly-tricks and a battle of perceptions. And when one trick of the trade fails whole game goes hay -wire. Even for a die-hard Modi – Bakht the trends don’t portend that well. Farmers across the country are up in the arms. Jobs for the young Indians are not available. On the contrary the employed get retrenched. Body bags are coming from the border at a regular pace. These are the matters of serious concern and enough to disturb the available perception. Some day people will ask question – how long? BJP must address them at the earliest. Cattle business can wait. After all nobody comes with the divine right to rule a democratic country. At times even Gods fail. If Modi has to fail despite his good intentions and honest credentials it will be catastrophic for the nation. Who will replace him? Same cabal which plundered the nation for decades together.
We must understand that vanquished elements of May 2014 are down but not out. They are waiting to shatter whatever Modi and the BJP may have achieved at the end of the term. These ‘ liberals ‘ and the ‘ secularists ‘are not known for compassion or restraint when it comes to saving their turf. If Modi fails they will come to the centre-stage and with vengeance dismantle all good work done to keep the enemies at bay. UPA 1 allowed its appeasement policy to work and in no time abrogated anti – terror laws like TADA and POTA and reversed cases filed against the terrorists on the skewed communal policy. Returns the so-called progressive rule, Zakir Naik will be rehabilitated as an honorable peace messenger, Baatla house will be a ‘ Shaeedi Smarak ‘.Economic sense will be rendered subservient to the non sense of super cabinet bodies like NAC .
Kashmir remains a festering problem. While as its capacity to defy a permanent solution is unmatched something must be done to see calm retunes to the Valley’s streets. Sticking to the security option alone didn’t work in the past and will not work in future either. Dialogue with those who matter has to initiated. For PM Modi peace is essential in the State because only then PDP/ BJP alliance government will deliver. Success in governance may open a way forward. Pandits are in wait of a solution to their forced displacement. Still, they retain faith in PM that he will do justice to their cause.
(The author is former Principal District &Sessions Judge)
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