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Sonia's "Hindutva" at the cost of secularism

Sonia's "Hindutva" at the cost of secularism

Author: Rehana Shaikh
Publication: Hindu Voice
Date: January, 2003

Introduction: Hindutva is the BJP's strength. The strength of Congress is Secularism, which is in danger. Sonia's mistake is reminiscent of the mistake Rajiv Gandhi made in 1989. Instead of staying with the Congress ideology, Rajiv, decided to open the campaign for the general elections of 1989 from Aydhya

The Congress election strategy in this crucial election is incomprehensible, even if one uses nothing more esoteric than common sense. Who advised Sonia to begin her campaign from Ambaji, a pilgrimage center? What signal was she sending? That She was a devout Hindu? That the Congress was a party of only devout Hindus?

One need not have any problem with candidates visiting temples, mosques or churches. But to politicize religion is another matter. In fact, it is against secularism, of which we boast many times. To make Hindutva your central message is to surrender to the BJP even before the battle has begun. You do not have to be a Clausewitz to realize that you never fight on a battleground of the enemy's choice; you select a field where you have the advantage. That is elementary, dear Congress.

Hindutva is the BJP's strength. The strength of Congress is secularism, which is in danger. Sonia's mistake is reminiscent of the mistake Rajiv Gandhi made in 1989. As party president of the BJP, L.K. Advani had pounced on Rajiv's compromise with Muslims over the Shah Bano case. Instead of staying with the Congress ideology, Rajiv, decided to open the campaign fort he general elections of 1989 from Ayodhya. Rajiv Gandhi's earlier mistake was to start the Ramayan serial on the national TV network. Sonia's greater mistake and softness towards Hindutva is also clear from her appointing Shankarsingh Vaghela, a former RSS man to head the party in Gujarat and another RSS man to oppose Narendra Modi.

The Congress lost just enough Muslims in localities that are seats in 1989 to bring the BJP within. In striking distance of power. In a very real sense the Congress has not recovered from 1989. Just when the party was showing signs of recovery, Sonia has repeated this mistake. The Congress strategy of "soft-Hindutva" reeks of cynicism and contempt: Cynicism about its ideology and contempt for the voter. The cynicism is evident everywhere. Sonia, as president of the party, has permitted her candidates to treat Muslims as lepers
 
Congress candidates and leaders shy away from being seen with Muslims in localities that are predominantly or totally Hindu, In many places Muslims have been told real sense the Congress has not to keep away from Congress offices. Sonia believes that the Muslims have no option except to vote for her, so why bother about them; she must woo the Hindus by becoming a saffron Congress. If the Congress is going to be the B-Team of the BJP why should the voter not, stick with the real thing and vote BJP? Why elect the fraud?

The implications of this strategy stretch far beyond this election. The Congress under Sonia has decided to abandon secular politics in Gujarat and imitate Modi. It is a difference of degree and not content. No wonder Jawaharial Nehru's face is missing from recovered from 1989. Just when the lineage of Congress leaders on party was showing signs of recovery, Congress posters, although Sonia's Sonia has repeated this mistake. The is included. Congressmen must Congress strategy of "soft-Hindutva" decide whether they wish to have reeks of cynicism and contempt: Sonia's "soft-Hindutva" or Jawaharial's Cynicism about its ideology and commitment to secularism. They must Hindutva is the BJP's strength. contempt for the voter. The cynicism choose either Mahatma Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi.

Is success the only measure of ideology? Supposing the Congress does well by imitating Modi. Does this mean that the Congress should rewrite its values and convictions? Genuine is evident everywhere. Sonia, as lovers of the 117 year, old Congress president of the party, has permitted should have warned Sonia earlier her candidates to treat Muslims as when she took a dip in the Ganges lepers during Hindus' Kumbhamela, and saw Sonia touching the feet of the actors Congress candidates and leaders of Ram and Laxman in the Ramlila shy away from being seen with and taking their blessings, on the front page of the Times of India, which had so far been doing a lot of service for the Nehru parivar. In case the Congress does not mend its ways, the party and the nation is bound to lose in the future.
 


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