XENOPHOBIA – THE BANE OF OUR TIMES

Eugene Ionesco’s much discussed drama “Rhinoceros” like Samuel Becket’s “Waiting for Godot” comes to my mind when I go through the world of contemporary Indian politics. Our great nation widely appreciated around the world for its rich cultural heritage, morals, ethics and democratic credentials has literally become the arena of “Theatre of the Absurd” thanks to our narrow-minded politicians, communalists and opportunists across the country. Politicians devoid of any ideology, their unending greed for wealth, power and plum posts have become the bane of our nation. Sometimes you like me feel ashamed to be called Indians. That is our lot…

The latest ugly phenomenon - sorry not the latest - is a kind of Xenophobia.

We blame Australians for being Xenophobic for the kind of cruelties inflicted on our brethren on a daily basis. Getting mercilessly beaten-up, maimed and of late getting murdered in a barbaric way for the fault of taking flights for pursuing higher studies or for taking up odd jobs there cherishing ambitious dreams have become crimes in that so-called democratic nation.

We blame Nicolas Sarkozy, French President, for being xenophobic for imposing strict controls over ‘migratory birds’ or those permanently settled there by forcing the Muslim women not to wear burqa or the Sikhs for sporting turban, a mark of displaying their religious identity and devotion to their religion.

We blame the infamous Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Premier for being xenophobic for showing intolerance towards those ancient alien tribes who got settled there from time immemorial. He and his party shows a sort of hubris for converting a town in Italy(Rosarno) into a clean white one by cleansing it driving the ancient tribal people to nowhere.

This insanity reared its ugly head long before in our nation, yes I mean our financial capital of Mumbai in the 60’s itself. The ‘son’s of the soil’ policy coined by a communal organization called Shiv Sena under the leadership of a notorious regional chauvinist Bal Thackeray- arrogance personified- a group of vandals went on a hunting spree that time their ire and anger were directed against the South Indians the ones this communal demon mockingly termed ‘Madirasis’. They were ruthlessly beaten-up, murdered, their shops and vehicles looted and thus forcing the South Indians flee the cosmopolitan city which belongs to all Indians.

After their thirst for vengeance subsided for the time-being the city returned to normality but an uneasy calm still pervaded the atmosphere, a volcano waiting to explode anytime, anywhere in the city.

The most painful and shocking truth was the manure allegedly provided for this poisonous tree’s frightening growth by none other than a leader of Indian National Congress S.K.Patil with the sole aim of driving a wedge between the South Indians and the ‘Marathi Manoos’ for achieving some sinister political gains. V.K.Krishna Menon, a great patriot of international repute and a favourite of Pandit Nehru who was a South Indian who dared to take on a Marathi loyalist on his home turf at the hustings and defeated him. South Indians as a whole faced the wrath of a group of Marathis under the leadership of his protégé Bal Thackeray, a media-cartoonist turned politician.
The wheel has turned full circle now. The protégé turned a Frankenstein monster in the course of time by deliberately playing into the hands of various national parties - opportunists of sorts, their sole aim being reaching at the helm of affairs by hook or by crook. A cruel joke of history.

Our national parties both Indian National Congress and Bharathiya Janata Party have turned ‘Mumbai for all Indians policy holders’ overnight. This is not enlightenment. This is nothing but an eye-wash to hood-wink the people.

Turn to BJP for instance BJP’s dalliance with JD(U) will run into rough weather most probably a break-up if the Hindutva Party is not willing to severe its ties with Shiv Sainiks who turned against the Biharis in Mumbai by turning their life a hell forcing them to flee for life. Remember Assembly elections are round the corner. BJP’s eyes are entirely on the vote-bank in the State.

Same is the case with UP (Uttar Pradesh) where the BJP is in bad shape for the last few years due to its opportunistic alliances with various political elements. If they continue to have alliance with Shiv Sena the UP brethren are certain to bid good-bye to them as a number of innocent UP citizens were tortured, looted and packed up to UP which still remains festering wounds in their memories. The very name Shiv Sena is anathema to UP’s citizens.

This ‘belated enlightenment’ of BJP President and RSS baby Nitin Gadkari need not be taken at its face value.

The party leaders are nothing but political chamelons who don’t have an iota of crisis of conscience to change colours whenever the situation warrants.

The Amar Singh phenomenon

Samajwadi Party, the other day expelled Amar Singh its charismatic leader till recently and his supporter Jaya Prada the film actor-politician for anti-party activities. Mr. Singh was not in good terms with the leadership as also his supporter Jayaprada apparently not due to ideological differences as this Party and its leaders have no ideology to boast about. If they have any ideology to boast about it is nothing but their aspiration for power. Their followers are a gullible lot- easily deceived. The drama enacted in UP by Mulayam Singh and his followers by staging demonstrations, holding dharnas and courting arrests against steep hike in prices of food and essential commodities was for nothing but to keep the flock together in the wake of Amar Singh’s desertion. Even the former actress-turned politician Jaya Bachan MP none other than the better-half of Big B can’t hide her sorrow and anger due to the expulsion of Amar Singhji.

It is reported I quote her words here- “Amar Singh is part of my family and will continue to be a family member”.

Now Jaya Bachan can face the axe of Mulayamji – certainly a happy news for her.

Some more desertions are expected and we are in a way lucky to watch and enjoy the exercises in absurdity. After all laughing is good for health and long life.

In spite of aberrations here and there those moving along in the path of ideology are Leftists in India. But they remain mute spectators. With a miniscule of supporters how far is it possible for them to control a nation’s destiny?