A question was posed the other day on Twitter by an Offstumped follower
How can you stand for Modi and at the same time berate hindutva or his identity politics?
For a background on why this question was posed you can read the below.
Why we must draw a line to say NO to Political Hindutva
This post explains how there can be no contradiction between “Support for Narendra Modi” and in “calling for Political Hindutva of the 1990s to be discarded” .
First let us set the record straight on Narendra Modi and political Hindutva of the 1990s.
#1 Offstumped had extensively analyzed media reportage in the run up to the 2007 Gujarat Polls over two posts – on media bias and on so called polarization
#2 The hard facts of the 2007 camapaign reveal that NONE of the issues that were the hallmark of Political Hindutva of the 1990s found any mention in Mr. Modi’s Campaign
#3 After the 2007 election victory, Narendra Modi delivered a seminal speech in Chennai – YouTube Video of the speech and Offstumped commentary transcribing parts of the speech
#4 That speech stands out for two reasons – the first reason being the complete absence of issues that are routinely associated with Political Hindutva of the 1990s
#5 The Second reason why that speech stands out is its clear articulation of a Center Right Agenda based on Minimum Government Maximum Governance. Only Nitin Gadkari’s speech at BJP National Council comes close to articulating something similar.
On the fallacy of using Identity as an Ideological Label, there is a lesson here as well
#1 “Minimum Government Maximum Governance” is one of the clearest articulation of a Philosophy for Governance and it is Identity neutral
#2 Mr. Modi’s campaign strategy in Gujarat of Mobilizing on the basis of a shared pride and identity is a good example of how “Mobilization based on Identity” (in this case Gujarati asmita) can be distinct from “an agenda for governance” (in this case Minimum Govt Maximum Governance).
Pratap Bhanu Mehta wrote in the Indian Express earlier this week that there were unintended consequences of the summons to Narendra Modi by the SIT.
If the shadow over 2002 were to be cleared, Narendra Modi would exemplify all the 3 reasons that Pratap Bhanu Mehta enumerates on why the BJP could be attractive to some.
#1 – A Center Right Economic Agenda
#2 – A tough no-nonsense approach on Strategic Issues
#3 – A repudiation of Quotas and entitlements underlying the calculus of caste and minority vote bank politics
In fact in an earlier open exchange with Dr. Mehta, Offstumped had exactly detailed the much maligned Gujarat Model for its underlying Center Right philosophy based on the principle of “Minimum Government Maximum Governance”.
This hopefully clarifies how there can be no contradiction between “Supporting Narendra Modi” and “saying NO to Political Hindutva of the 1990s” .
In fact one of the reasons why Narendra Modi evokes deep hatred and virulent campaigns from the Liberal Left is exactly this agenda.
His agenda minus the cloud of 2002 is one of the most potent ideological and political challenges the Liberal Left faces for it neither relies on Entitlements, Quotas or Communal Socialism.
That leaves two more issues to be addressed on support to Narendra Modi.
Issue #1 Legal issue on 2002 riots
The legal process in the Supreme Court must run its course. Prima facie there is no evidence as things stand today on Mr. Modi’s complicity in the riots. The video released by Mr. Modi and the associated transcript of his remarks on Feb 28th 2002 further confirm it.
Issue #2 The acceptability gap
Salil Tripathi’s piece in the Mint framed the issue very reasonably and accurately on the window of opportunity for healing the wounds and reconciliation.
Pratap Bhanu Mehta highlights in his piece how steep the acceptability gap is given the relative credibility advantage enjoyed by the Nehru-Gandhis and Manmohan Singh.
Dr. Mehta is also on the ball in his characterisation that electorate is more comfortable with magnanimity rather than with polarization.
Actions like banning Jaswant Singh’s book and not being seen as tough on those threatening movie releases by certain actors have the counter-productive effect of widening that gap making it more steep.
These will have to be addressed creatively and with credibility by both Mr. Narendra Modi and the BJP if a challenge is to be mounted in 2014.
Filed under: betrayal of aam admi, DesiPundit, Dharmayudh-2009, Flat World Hindutva, Gujarat Polls 2007, Internet Hindus, Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari
wonder how compulsory voting comes under Minimum govt? millions of gujratis having to go over to babus to explain their absentism and receive such punishments as social service, doesn’t seem like minimum govt.
but sending all the riot cases over to Maharashtra, I agree, is on the money with minimum govt
Yoss:
One of your best blog articles. Hats off!!
The key is that BJP needs to say & market these new policies effectively to define who it is so as to override / overpower any discussions of issues that Media discuss to define for the Aam Admi who BJP is.
- Dhananjay
@BalaFascist, is this another example your enlightening firangi gospels untruth ?
Electoral process is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office undertaken by Election Commission which is quasi-judiciary constitutional body. During the elections, the entire Central (Federal) and State government machinery including para-military forces and the Police is deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission which takes effective control of personnel, movable and immovable Government Properties it deems necessary for successful completion of the electoral process.
And hence Electoral Process have nothing to do with functions / activity of Government it only provide a process to elect it.
aadrniy shree man narendra bhai modiji ko mera pyar bhra pranam,,,,,,,,me aapke pav dhokr pani pine chahta hu taki mera jivan safal bn jay,,me aapka itna bda fen hu ki jiski koi had nhi,,,,,me aapko bharat ke pradhan mantri ke roop me dekhna chahta hu,maa bhagwati se meri prathna hai ki meri ye duaa jarur puri kregi,,,
HAL FILHAL ME MALEGAON (MAHARASHTRA)ME SARVIC KR RHA HU…….MY HOME ADDRESS,
BHARAT SINGH CHOUHAN
VILLAGE POST,BAWARLA
TALUKA,SANCHORE
DISTRIC,JALORE
RAJASTHAN,343041
MOBILE,9373077821
Modi is indeed one of the most misunderstood politician of our times. He is labelled as a Hindutva Poster Boy by the Press with left leanings…
Again it all depends on the definition of Hindutva but .. the kind of Hindutva Modi follows is simply Manavta … Vasudhev Kutumbhakam…
Look at some of his actions and decide what Modi stands for ;-
1) In elections refused to play the Ayodhya card which even Advani and Vajpayee has played. I have no doubts if he would have played it ..he would have played to the galleries …hard core Hindus would have voted for BJP …
2) Took action against illegal temples in Gujarat. By the time VHP stepped in most of the illegal encroachment was cleared. He has no doubts like so many liberal Hindus that the sthapna of gods cannot be made over nullahs for personal gains.
3) Took action against Asa Ram Bapu who had encroached hundreds of acres of land under the ashram.
4) Never speaks for one community .. always speaks for all Gujaratis .. and for India . Never talks of hatred for other communities , regions of India .. Always ready to help other states even if the states lead by rival political parties want to publicly isolate him while privately seeking help.
5) Always talk of development , of inclusive growth , discourages caste politics , vote bank politics even when himself belonging to a backward caste. He doesnot need to play narrow caste communal cards to get people’s vote …
6) Have discouraged VHP kind of politics .. with Ashok Singhal one of his critics for demolishing illegal temples ..
7) But never ashamed of being a Hindu or being seen in temples or talking about Hindu sanskriti… His conscience is cleared but his brand of Hindutva is for inclusive development of all Indians …. There is no hate for any other community in his agenda.
I don’t think hating other communities should be the agenda of Political Hindutva … True Hindutva is what Narendra Modi follows .. vasudhev kutambakam ..sarve bhavantu sukinah … equality and opportunity for all … appeasement of none.. while being proud of one’s heritage !!
Regarding Jaswant Singh’s book or a some movies being banned …..Honestly freedom of speech and the definition of being liberal needs to be revisited in perspective of modern times with instant access to masses ..
A few privileged in the name of freedom of speech try imposing their will and their thoughts on the rest …. Why should a certain Sardesai .. being in the right place at the right time .. or for that matter coming from a privileged background and connections be able to impose his thoughts , his ideas, his opinion on millions of others. Why should we accept his lies as freedom of speech , when we donot have access to any counter views or facts. The playing ground is simply unfair.
One can argue about freedom of choice etc etc … but why is he getting this unfair advantage to be able to influence others just because he has got access to a big media house who have their own vested interests …
His or for that matter Jaswant’s Singh’s book is not a voice coming from a poor or downtrodden .. its not a voice for help .. for justice .. its not a voice of the weak being suppressed …its just a brute skewed perception from a powerful vested lobby being imposed on the aam admi … its simply a completely disproportionate and unfair advantage ..to be in a position to influence others .. and lets not go to arguments like freedom of choice to accept etc etc …the aam admi unfortunately donot have access to news in free india .. its just opinions we get access to ..
You speak a lie 100 times as Indian media does in case of Modi and people are no more sure ….If it was not for internet , youtube we would have never been able to know about the Gujarat development story …
Did people check out Modi’s appeal on 28 Feb 2002 …that is a fact .. that is a news .. that helps us understanding that the media is lying when they state he didn’t appeal for peace …
Again is Indian media really free ?
Has this so-called freedom of speech helped India in anyway .. or is just a freedom of speech an instrument to distort facts as in case of Jaswant Singh or most of the left-leaning journalists ?
My concern is let everyone get the same playing ground first … as the internet now provides to a handful …let them get access to news and facts and not mere access to opinions many times vested and biased .. and then they can make their own decisions.
Let true freedom of speech prevail !!
Can you explain what you mean by supporting Narendra Modi? The idea of a limited government essentially precludes supporting those who hold public office. Well, with obvious disclaimers ofcourse.
What I find rather astonishing is this: many supporters of a political party that claims to stand fir limited government almost always seek no limits to their own influence, only to others’. This seems true of everyone from Newt Gingrich to Nitin Gadkari. I agree it will be difficult to explain to the average man seeking help that it’s not the government’s responsibility or an agenda that should be within its authority. However, to use that selectively reeks of dishonesty and I’d rather have centre right politicians say ‘here is the thing: you suck and hence you failed. Quit blaming the government. Even if it’s a party I hate that’s in power.’
PS: iPhone has most weird spellings. Excuse typos.
@PubShit
>The idea of a limited government essentially precludes supporting those who hold public office. Well, with obvious disclaimers ofcourse.
I am sorry that is thurra doing the typing.
Now here is the true meaning of Limited Governance, which is BTW obvious for anyone with limited IQ. But because you are the special one in here :-
“Limited government is a government where any more than minimal governmental intervention in personal liberties and the economy is not usually allowed by law, usually in a written Constitution. It is closely related to free market libertarianism and some tendencies of classical liberalism and conservatism in the United States.The theory of limited government contrasts with the idea that government should intervene to promote equality and opportunity through regulation of property and wealth redistribution.”
Limited governance deals with limiting the role played by Government, and it have absolutely nothing to do with supporting or not supporting Patriots like Modi and cutting the wings of spoiled brahshtachari babu’s ki bigdel addict hypocritical and self loathing macaulite aulaad like PubShit/Balaji.
What are you blabbering babu boy? Where are you copy pasting from? Does being horny make you this insecure? I think you should masturbate before any form of social contact. That will help you avoid this disease.
Pub Chick impostor, if you want my handle, I seek no fee or royalty. Just error free sentences.
Let’s start with how a comma is used as paranthesis in a sentence. Wait, before that we need to deal with agreement of the verb with the subject. For which you need to decide if I am animate or inanimate. I don’t mind being either but you can’t use both. So, can you now rephrase your comment?
Yossarin,
I think readers would get a complete picture if you also posted my rejoinders to your rejoinders.
Thanks.
To add to the list, I insist of capitalizing the singular personal pronoun. And proper nouns as well.
Newt Gingrich has shown himself not to be a true conservative. You are right to point out that during his time as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the nation government actually grew in size and scope.
Gotta unfollow offstumped from now on. Not only is he anti-marathi, he is also anti-hindutva. What a jerk.
@chitrakutdesh
A good attempt from you to sensationalize things and divert.
Personally I feel no path, opinion or strategy with in the constitutional means is bad for getting rid corrupt bad for India UPA. Most of them here feel the same. I guess.
Jai Maharastra
@Chitrakutdesh,
Anti-marathi…..I am Marathi and I follow Offstumped. There are many Marathis on offstumped. Don’t drag unnecessarily marathi and non marathi issue. You are free to go and follow Raj bhai.
drummasala:
Offstunped is anti-marathi. This is a fact. You cannot convince me he is fair to marathi people.
I dont believe you are marathi. I dont receive lessons on what comments I should post or not post based from free advice received from strangers on an message board.
Haha Chitrakutdesh,
Offstumped ka anti-marathi ahe? Ani mi sangtoi na tula ki mi Marathi ahe. Tula kai janma dakhla anun dakhvu ka? 100% marathi rakta ahe maza….pan vichar mi akhya deshacha karto. Fakta Maharashtra cha nahi karat.
I had said this on this board before:
As Indians we need to strengthen common bonds. In the name of some alien ideologies such as secularism, socialism, communism we weaken common bonds, assuming the alien ideologies will unite Indians instead. This will not work.
Hindutva unites India. What Hindutva does not unite, is not Indian at all. We forget why we had the partition. Hindutva does not mean India will be only for Hindus. It does not mean non hindus will be second class citizen. It only means that the pre islamic culture and heritage of India will be maintained in its uncorrupted form.
Only Hindutva will save India. Anything else is quasi congressism, propagated by neo-macaulayites of India.
drummasala:
A lot of people bad mouthing Shiv Sena and Raj show insensitivity to the problems of marathi people. The root cause of linguistic tension in mumbai is ther fact that a person speaking only marathi is not respected in Mumbai anymore. So a problem does exist. Anyone who denies this problem exists is anti marathi.
In a country dominated by Macaulay’s children, it seems one has to know english to be called civilized and respected. I dont like this status quo. I want change.
Eventually we want to develop all Indian languages. We want to reach a stage in development, where one need not learn english to be a good engineer, doctor, leader etc. The secularists and anti marathi folks are a hindrance to this dream, which is why I will oppose them.
India is a very diverse place. Every one must have their own space and be happy. We need to maintain diversity. When I oppose ethnic cleansing of pandits from Kashmir, I also oppose the ethnic cleansing of marathi speaking people from Mumbai.
A lot of anti-marathi people oppose the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri pandits, but somehow it is okay to ethnically cleanse marathi people from Mumbai. I cannot understand this logic.
I dont deny that people from outside mumbai have a right to migrate to mumbai and settle there. But it needs to be ensured that the primary language of communication in the city be one that the people in the surroundings are comfortable with.
Consider the definition of “reversible process” in thermodynamics. According to Thermodynamics, a reversible process is any process that can be reversed without leaving a trace on its surroundings.
Consider the process of migrations into mumbai of workers from UP/Bihar/Bangladesh into Mumbai. The influx of massive amounts of people in Mumbai have already left a major negative impact on Mumbai’s infrastructure. The city clearly is in doldrums. The migration of Biharis/ Bangladeshis into Mumbai clearly has been an irreversible process.
Given its state, you would hope the central government would work to limit the influx into the city. Any sane city administrator in any other country would recognize this problem and somehow try to tackle it.
But instead we are being told that Mumbai belongs to all and that anyone could still migrate into the city. This is extreme insensitivity to the current residents of mumbai (marathi and non marathi)
The politics of the secularists in Delhi has not helped the common marathi man in mumbai. And I believe they are absolutely right to revolt against it.
chitrakutdesh, what statement from Offstumped made you conclude he’s anti-Marathi?
Chitrakutdesh,
I’m afraid you’ve raised some valid issues, but probably they’re not pertinent to this particular blog post?
Chitrakutdesh,
I agree that you need to drive ugly people out of Bombay. They make my night out quite difficult and unpleasant. In that, your target is ideally people who speak Hindi and those who speak really bad English. Don’t use Macaulay’s children to mean the latter, it offends my sensibilities.
But I also think you should either read up on Thermodynamics or shut up. I suggest the latter here as well, if you’d ask my opinion.
Pubchick- If I am not mistaken this blog is not yours and hence you have no right to ask anyone to shut up. That Chitraguy may be right or wrong but this is a forum to debate and discuss. If someone has the right to ask anyone to shut up, then it should be offstumped. Its funny that one lunatic is asking the other to shut up. Your posts are as irrelevant and illogical as are the posts by chitra. Its even more funny since majority of readers of this blog had asked you to shut up but you didnt for better or worse. You can keep on ranting here and I guess offstumped has given similar right to chitra to vent out his frustrations here.
Darling, it’s alright. I am sure Chitrakutdesh will heed to my suggestion. You worry not.
@Chitrakutdesh,
Brother I am a Bhaiya from UP, and even I too kind of support Shiv Sena and Raj. Why ?
Because of guts to call spade a spade, and as far as attack on north Indians is concerned I think that there cannot be smoke without fire.
And when Indian Governmental bodies like Railways will be run like Biharways under Lalu and Bengaliways under Mamta, this will happen.
And after all, why should this be a tool used by Congressis and other Psecs only ? I mean, remember the Gujjar-Meena kand ? or OBC related riots.
Well Rightists shouldn’t lose any opportunity to milk any rift between societies when the Dark side is doing it.
But I cannot come to forgive Raj for what his party did to interest of Hindutvavadis, his party managed to divide our voters and helped Adharmi side to victory in Maharashtra even after Mumbai Massacre.
——————————————————————————-
Regarding Offstumped views on Hindutva is concerned, well even I disagree with him. He IMO is disillusioned.
But what matters here is that he is not a member of lefty-jihadi-opportunist-macaulayite alliance. He is obviously a rightist but closer to center as suggest by “Center Right politics” in heading.
What we must realist is that in spectrum of right-wing politics there is room for people with varying range of Right wing ideology in from Center Right to Far right.
And filling these gaps should be our top most priority because the unholy alliance of Adharmis is having people with varying interests( who use the LeftyChattraChaya to attack Indian culture for their Adharmi Interest) who are filling almost every range of left wing politics.
Where are Right Wing Barkhas and Ranjdeeps ? IMO the Dharma holds us back and we should follow some of that Al Taqiya.
We must evolve with our enemy and must have some people who are as lethal-evil-scheming as them.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Unchoose-this-man/H1-Article1-528032.aspx
good article on Modi for a change.
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