The signs of Being the “Andha”Bhakt and What we can do about it?

So, the topic seems relevant isn’t it?

Everyday the twitter, facebook, whatsapp seem to be flooded with the terms such “anti-national”. The hatred, misinformation, fake information, religious so called “thoughts”, the historical references, the great Indian History of Mahabharata and Ramayana (I am proud of them but I oppose the false interpretation being widespread on national media just to spread the Hindutva Propaganda), and much more strikes us on whatsapp university daily. The fact that most of us consider this true without verifying the source and authenticity of information is alarming. Educated individuals who consider them literate are no exception as well.

Infodemics in this digital era (i.e. the spread of the fake information) is more dangerous and needs to be tackled. Many governments and international organisations are working on this.

Just to illustrate the scenario consider the below photo and the views expressed in it regarding the #9Baje9Minute diya lighting activity by our honourable prime minister. I just sense pseudo-nationalism and shortsightedness about what the future might be.

Now the one argument that this is a renowned intellectual and he /she is always true whatever he says. This is a wrong argument no matter whoever he/ she might be especially in this transitioning authoritarian era. For eg. any minister, pm or cm. I strongly believe one needs to think about it with his own conscience, morals and values. (P.S.: If you don’t have one, think about it, they are characters of an emerging adult.) 

It's a really dangerous intellectual environment around us, the so-called big influencers or highly followed individuals say something and it's the ultimate truth for their believers. Then if the Nobel laureate says something against it, the Nobel laureate is wrong, but the considered ideal is true. Irony is these individuals are fairly highly positioned.

So, back to main topic, what it’s like being “Andha”bhakt?

I have observed some eminent characters. Some points below explain them.

• I have observed ignorant, opposing behaviour, strong firm hindutva views and most importantly a single statement from rightist wing leaders enough to convince them and then they will argue on basis of that only.

• Another prominent character, not ready to listen and understand other perspectives of the story.

• As the word suggests, blindly following the organisation, political ideology in this case,it’s hindutva, BJP, RSS and it’s allied organisations.

• One more thing that I have continuously observed; he/she keeps repeating the same argument and when their claims are proved wrong then another false claim pops up. The cycle continues and the final argument comes to hindutva and pseudo nationalism.

• Many more points can be added here but let’s stop these here and discuss what I think might be the solution.

What can we do?

• Persuade them to listen and expose them to on ground situations. (During the conversation, I have observed the firm views that this can never happen.)

• The media sources of information, especially news channels are propaganda engines for the IT cell of BJP. So tell them about reliable media resources eg. The Print, The wire, NDTV and many more that you know about.

• Trending the hashtags on twitter is not that much hard and it’s done on a regular basis. So it’s important to tackle these views on social media as well.

• Expose him to catastrophic effects of wrong government policies and their on ground effect expressed by the individuals who are experts in those fields.

Goverment Policies Catastrophic Effects

• Then one important criteria might be, ask him to imagine if he/ she faces injustice. What can he/ she do? Let's say your parents work in a sahakari bank, what if the government brings policies that tear down sahakari infrastructure, what he will do? Who will give him justice? And, to avoid that you need to raise your voice now. The fact you cannot challenge government policies. You cannot go to court either and most importantly the government is not listening to them at all. This ignorance will empower the authoritarian regime if we do not take a stand against the government policies.

So even if these do not persuade them, just ignore it because when the nation's finance minister is doing that on air during a press conference, then I fear I cannot expect the normal bhakt to do the right rationalism.

Rather than being optimistic about selecting the least wrong policy/ government, I would accept to oppose the wrong policy.

On the final note I’d say decentralised efforts are not going to impact, we need to raise our voices and unite against this Modi-Shah authoritarian regime.

Pseudo Nationalism Projected in Elections

Note: 

1. For those who think that title is biased and I am leftist, I request you to keep aside your ideology and think about this on the basis of rationality.

2. The thoughts in this article might seem to be vague and disconnected. But it’s the fact and it is just a random chain of thoughts revolving around the reason and current situation in India.

3. This is my personal opinion. I do not want to hurt anyone’s sentiments. I am open for discussions.  

4. This thoughts do not represent any group/ organisation that I belong to for eg. VivekVahini, MANS. These are strictly my opinions and I have the right to express them.

One relevant post that I want to share considering this situation:

एखाद्या विशिष्ट समाज घटकाला किंवा जनतेला वैचारिक , अध्यात्मिक आणि आर्थिक विकासापासून दूर ठेवायच असेल आणि त्यांच लक्ष तिसरीकडेच वळवायच असेल तर त्यांचामधे  controversy पसरवल्या जातात हा जगाचा इतिहास आहे. ह्याला political science च्या भाषेत conspiracy theory अस म्हणतात.  अजून एक महत्वाची गोष्ट म्हणजे ह्या contraversy ऐतिहासिक आणि वैज्ञानिक पुरावानिशी मिटवता येत नाहीत त्यामुळे त्या वर्षानुवर्षे तश्याच समाजमनात ढवळत राहतात.

ह्या contraversy चघळण्यात समाज इतका बळी पडतो, मग्न होतो की आपल्या व इतरांच्या मुलभूत गरजा , मुल्य , समस्यांकडे दुर्लक्ष करतो. समाजात फूट पडते, त्यांची संघटीत शक्ती कमी होते, अनेक गोष्टींना,अधीकारांना मुकतो आणि कुटीलांची conspiracy यशस्वी होते.

वर मांडलेल्या विकासाच्या मुद्या सोबत आणि कोणते उद्देश इतिहासातील conspiracy theories चे होते.

1. जनतेला राज्यकारभारापासून दूर ठेवणे. ( सध्याचा स्थितीत राज्यकारभारातील त्रुटी लपवून ठेवणे)

2. विशिष्ट समुहाची/ घराण्याची सत्ता अबाधीत ठेवणे.

3. मोठ्या प्रमाणावर सत्तांतर घडवून आणने.

4. लोकांनमधे संभ्रम निर्माण करून त्यांना अकार्यक्षम बनवणे व त्याचा उपयोग पैसा मिळवण्यासाठी करणे.

(Referance:political scientist B. Michael  from Maxwell school of citizenship and public affairs)

.

What do you think about this?

What do you think we should do in such a catastrophic situation?

Cartoon Courtesy: @Satish Acharya

Relevant blog articles:

Book Review:  1984: George Orwell

https://daredavil01.blogspot.com/2020/03/book-review-1984-george-orwell.html

Book Review: Animal Farm: George Orwell

https://sanket001.tumblr.com/post/190337973732/animal-farm-by-george-orwell-the-best-book-i

Thank you for reading, feel free to share and comment.

To know how to subscribe to my blog, check out this tumblr post.

https://sanket001.tumblr.com/post/613910696050163712/here-is-how-you-can-subscribe-to-my-blog

Feel free to contact me:

Sanket Tambare