Ideological fatigue and misperception of the issues that guide and help frame the strategies has been primarily responsible for BJP losing the initiative in Uttar Pradesh which was supposed to be the laboratory for its Hindutva alchemy. BJP’s modern ideologue had made Narendra Modi convinced that his ideas have always yielded positive results, and this time his design to take out “Tiranga Yatra” across the country will prove to be an effective tool for arousing a Hindu passion and spread and consolidate the Hindu support base.
But this time he erred and what was worse the blunder was quite gigantic. For Amit Shah, Tiranga rallies were visual representations of national pride and unity. They bring people together and foster a sense of shared identity. It has a definite political messaging. These Yatras were to be used to convey political messages. While these would spread and strengthen the saffron base, it would motivate the people to come forward in support of the political decisions of the rulers.
With most of the national media under control, it was perceived that the peoples’ euphoria would touch high.. But unfortunately, the rally in UP could not arouse the passion and it did not have uniform impact. Tiranga rallies were supposed to be powerful tools for expressing national pride, engaging communities, and conveying political messages, but it did not happen.
Akhilesh Yadav decoded the yatra by saying; “Yaad rakhiye, …jashna jeet ka mayana jata hai, ‘cease’ ka nahi … ye Bhartiya Janata Party ke log akhir kisko dhokha dena chahte hain (Remember … one celebrates victories, not cease(fires) … who is it the BJP people are trying to fool)”. He said “peace is very important but so is India’s sovereignty. BJP wants to mislead the people. But they must remember that people are very aware. This time the people will teach them a lesson”.
He also said “BJP had earlier planned Tiranga Yatras for thousands of kilometres but the latest one lasted a short distance. People who had once planned Tiranga Yatras covering thousands of kilometres at a stretch were this time unable to take out Tiranga Yatras that could last barely a few kilometres”. The campaign aims to connect with the public and highlight the achievements of the Indian armed forces during the military operation against terrorists based in, and backed by, Pakistan.
But at least two developments have turned the people in UP suspect of the nature of Yatra. First has been attack from Rahul Gandhi on External affairs minister Jaishankar. Rahul asked him to clarify whether India had informed Pakistan about targeting the terrorist infrastructure on its soil, and what it had meant in terms of aircraft “lost” by India. Rahul said; “Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling – it’s damning. So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth”.
In retaliation BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya slammed Rahul Gandhi and said that the Pakistani media is weaponising his social media posts to push a false narrative. He saw a Mir Zafr in him. This was not liked by the people of UP.. They hold the view that since Rahul is not of the habit of speaking lies, his query is true and Modi government must come out clear. This confusion has turned the people docile.
Long before Pahalgam massacre, the way Donald Trump has been treating Modi, not giving enough respect, the people have been quite angry with BJP and especially with Modi for not retaliating. His silence has portrayed him as a weak leader. Obviously the people of UP had started afresh evaluating the BJP claim of having a strong leader who had the guts to speak on the face. The people have now started evaluating as a strong and honest leader.
It is said that the Brahmins have started maintaining distance from upper caste Bhumihars and Rajputs. In recent times clash of class interest between Brahmins and Rajputs has intensified with CM Yogi Adityanath, a Rajput leader, siding with his castemen. What has caused serious dismay in the saffron ecosystem is the absence of enthusiasm and passion amongst the RSS cadres, though they are participating in the rallies. Their apathy has been one of the major factors for poor participation of the people in the rallies.
The BJP leadership has directed every cadre and leader, from booth-level workers to central ministers, to participate and engage directly with citizens, highlighting the military achievement of Operation Sindoor. The importance of the rally for Modi could be gauged from the fact that almost all the senior national leaders of BJP have been asked to associate and oversee the coordination of the Yatra.
On their part, the opposition parties have been busy organising counter rallies to expose the design of BJP. On May 14, Congress had announced a nationwide series of “Jai Hind” rallies accusing the BJP of politicising “Operation Sindoor”, the party had calibrated its response to Modi’s handling of Indo-PAK conflict. Almost all the opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh have been quite active. But the academics and intellectuals feel that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav should mainly focus on the issues which affect the common people. They feel that Akhilesh instead of focusing on important day to day issues, has been indulging in targeting BJP on religious issues which will not prove to be productive for him as well the INDIA bloc.
The BJP leaders prefer to maintain a passive silence on the participation of Dalits, SCs and EBCs. They nurse the feeling that they have shifted their support to Congress and other parties. Even senior police officials admit that it is difficult to say whether Dalits collectively support “yatra Tiranga” event. During Yogi’s rule they had to suffer enormous oppression and torture. They are feeling alienated in their own home state. Dalits have a complex relationship with the establishment shaped by their marginalization and the ongoing struggle for equality. Some may be drawn to national unity and pride, while others may be skeptical, in the backdrop of discrimination they have faced.
While Dalit activists and organizations for decades have been educating them of social justice, equality, and the protection of their fundamental rights, Rahul’s move has worked wonder. They view the Yatra as a means to polarise Hindus on communal line and deflect attention from issues of discrimination and inequality. Though RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have been constantly harping on brining the Dalits, SDs and EBC closer to Hindu society, the oppression and torture that was being perpetrated on them during Yogi Raj has deterred them from identifying with any of the BJP’s moves. It is assumed that Dalit cadres and supporters of BSP chief Mayawati would prefer to identify with the BJP’s agenda.
Sad enough though the Muslims have extended their full moral support to the Indian military o Operation Sindoor, the UP BJP leaders continue to insinuate them. Ali Khan Mahmudabad an academic and associate professor of political science at Ashoka University was arrested after praising India’s military operations against Pakistan while criticising attacks on Indian Muslims. Muslims are feeling quite let down by this police action. Rights groups and prominent commentators have erupted in outrage but Modi government is maintaining a silence even after more than 1,100 academics including Romilla Thapar sent letter to Modi supporting Mahmudabad.
He has written; “I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens.” This incident has completely unnerved the Muslims of Uttar Pradesh. (IPA Service)
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