Muslims find a leader in Rahul Gandhi?
December 16th 2008 12:01
Rahul emerging as a new leader for Uttar Pradesh
The War on Mumbai has been a watershed of sorts, while it has marked a massive escalation in terrorist acts against India it has also united the country and people long confused and misled by parochial and regional Netas vying for a slice of the pie for themselves. In truth 26/11 has shown almost all politicians in poor light except Rahul Gandhi and today all eyes have focussed on him. For one while others were trying to politicise the issue or take mileage out of it Rahul maintained his dignity.
While politicians shied away from making comments on security provided to Netas he was critical of heavy layered security for VIPs and said such institutions tended to be too hierarchical. He praised ASI Ombale for his act of bravery by facing bullets to help capture a terrorist. “But, pointed out Rahul that he did not have the necessary gear to protect himself,” This according to him was intolerable. It may be noted that no Neta was willing to comment on the quality of protective gear and weaponry provided to the police.
Even today every Neta whether it is a Chief Minister or a home minister wants to retain full power over the police. Police recruitment scams and job recruitment scams are part and parcel of the political and bureaucratic culture of states today. Rahul has been the only politician to raise the issue of freeing the police from political controls.
He and only he condemned the attitude of Netas that they felt they could control and transfer and appoint at will police officers. This attitude and interference meant that the police was reduced to a non-functioning entity.
In a sea of chaos and confusion Rahul has stood out as someone who talks sense and makes sense. In a nation of voters who were being wooed on caste, religion and regional lines Rahul’s nationalism has suddenly begun to make sense to the Indian voter who has suddenly discovered his nationalism again after 1942, 1962, 1965 and 1971.
I mention these years because the events of these years had a great impact on the minds of Indians. They forgot their states, they forgot their castes and religions and became one against an external enemy. After 26/11 regional bickering has ceased and suddenly loot of the state exchequer in the name of caste and community has ceased to be appealing to the Indian national. In fact some communities are today ashamed of their romance with such leaders.
On December 6, this year the customary dharnas were held in front of the Lucknow Vidhan Sabha but this year the members of the Muslim community were not demanding that the Babri Masjid be rebuilt immediately. What they were demanding was something very different. They were demanding that the government take immediate steps to check terrorism in the nation. Their logic was simple. The nation has to be saved first said the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Forum. And for this it was important that a strong national party be in power in the Centre as well as the state to ensure proper coordination. The Muslims of Uttar Pradesh had suddenly found they were rudderless and were looking for a new leader to fill in the vacuum.
One of the lessons of history has been that whenever time creates a vacuum it also creates a new leader who can fill that vacuum. Maybe his time of test is over and now finally Rahul Gandhi will not be found wanting by the people of the state. A state long plundered by corrupt politicians and an emasculated bureaucracy may finally get some governance.
The War on Mumbai has been a watershed of sorts, while it has marked a massive escalation in terrorist acts against India it has also united the country and people long confused and misled by parochial and regional Netas vying for a slice of the pie for themselves. In truth 26/11 has shown almost all politicians in poor light except Rahul Gandhi and today all eyes have focussed on him. For one while others were trying to politicise the issue or take mileage out of it Rahul maintained his dignity.
While politicians shied away from making comments on security provided to Netas he was critical of heavy layered security for VIPs and said such institutions tended to be too hierarchical. He praised ASI Ombale for his act of bravery by facing bullets to help capture a terrorist. “But, pointed out Rahul that he did not have the necessary gear to protect himself,” This according to him was intolerable. It may be noted that no Neta was willing to comment on the quality of protective gear and weaponry provided to the police.
Even today every Neta whether it is a Chief Minister or a home minister wants to retain full power over the police. Police recruitment scams and job recruitment scams are part and parcel of the political and bureaucratic culture of states today. Rahul has been the only politician to raise the issue of freeing the police from political controls.
He and only he condemned the attitude of Netas that they felt they could control and transfer and appoint at will police officers. This attitude and interference meant that the police was reduced to a non-functioning entity.
In a sea of chaos and confusion Rahul has stood out as someone who talks sense and makes sense. In a nation of voters who were being wooed on caste, religion and regional lines Rahul’s nationalism has suddenly begun to make sense to the Indian voter who has suddenly discovered his nationalism again after 1942, 1962, 1965 and 1971.
I mention these years because the events of these years had a great impact on the minds of Indians. They forgot their states, they forgot their castes and religions and became one against an external enemy. After 26/11 regional bickering has ceased and suddenly loot of the state exchequer in the name of caste and community has ceased to be appealing to the Indian national. In fact some communities are today ashamed of their romance with such leaders.
On December 6, this year the customary dharnas were held in front of the Lucknow Vidhan Sabha but this year the members of the Muslim community were not demanding that the Babri Masjid be rebuilt immediately. What they were demanding was something very different. They were demanding that the government take immediate steps to check terrorism in the nation. Their logic was simple. The nation has to be saved first said the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Forum. And for this it was important that a strong national party be in power in the Centre as well as the state to ensure proper coordination. The Muslims of Uttar Pradesh had suddenly found they were rudderless and were looking for a new leader to fill in the vacuum.
One of the lessons of history has been that whenever time creates a vacuum it also creates a new leader who can fill that vacuum. Maybe his time of test is over and now finally Rahul Gandhi will not be found wanting by the people of the state. A state long plundered by corrupt politicians and an emasculated bureaucracy may finally get some governance.
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