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Yes, you read that right! Usually, the loyal people are key factor of success of any organization. Either it is a private business conglomerate or a public company, or small co-operative firm, or a large political party, loyal people played crucial role in taking these organizations to new heights. Without them, you cannot imagine any successful organization.
But, when the loyalty turns into a blind faith, it not just harms the people who are supporters, rather the organization itself, especially in case of politics. For any political establishment, the loyalty should not be practised as ‘Bheeshma Pratigya’. Current ruling party of world’s largest democracy has ample amount of loyal support. Actually, more than enough support. When one of the remarkable change of governments happened in 2014 in India, it had many factors in it. One side there was wave of anti-corruption movement, on the other side there was hardcore support for the right-wing party. That support was quite huge because the prime leader presented on the front by them was flag bearer of Hindutva politics. With time, that combination of huge majority and polarisation gave more than enough power to BJP. But unfortunately, this power did not get turned into will-power of the government to do public welfare throughout the country. India had ups and downs in relationships with neighbouring countries since decades. But we have never ignored development and growth of our own people by giving focus on China and Pakistan. The rulers within few years have assessed the mindset of their supporters that this so-called threat of external powers, diversion of real issues and illusion of “New India” will keep the people engaged in a dream of Utopia. Hence, large section of people stopped asking questions on real issues that matter. This worked for BJP winning the second term with bigger majority than before.
But, as wise men say – “You can’t fool all people all the time”, this illusion of Utopia started fading away. From jobs to healthcare to business to inflation to tax-terrorism to family-welfare to international-image, failures of BJP can be seen in various sectors. People started suffering, they started struggling, many started feel suffocating. Hence, they started raising voice, they started asking questions. Now it became tough for BJP to sell to people the world of dreams.
In these moments of crisis, the loyal supporters came forward for BJP as saviours. Though they were always there since 2014 (or even before that), but this time their support is seen at new level. It can be seen at many places that these loyal supporters have taken the offence of BJP government so seriously and personally that they do not care if they lose personal relationship with their loved ones or well-wishers. A person who voted for a government or paid tax to the government, definitely has some expectations from them and if he/she feels cheated, that person will target the government and will criticize the policies and decisions. Jobseekers, teachers, doctors, students, salaried employees, businessperson, daily wage labourer and many more do react and ask question to government. That is the way democracy works. But in recent times, many BJP loyal supporters have lost the empathy towards suffering people around. They have gone too far to save their favourite party and leader ignoring all the pain of common man of the country. This behaviour of overwhelming blind faith has given them a new title – ‘Andhbhakt’.
Yes, this can be understood up to a certain extent that people get emotional for their ‘heroes’ and can be often seen defending those heroes. But how the widespread disaster can be completely ignored for the love of one party, or even for one person. Till yesterday, the failures of BJP government were at economical level. But today, it is the matter of life and death. Those who promised the country for Bullet train could not give ambulance. We do not have enough doctors, oxygen, beds, drugs to treat people. Our parents and grandparents saying these days that they have never seen such huge death and disaster since 1947. But the andhbhakts defend the government even on this. They ignore million of deaths, crores of suffering lives, floating hundreds of dead bodies. This blind faith is leading the BJP towards losing the people’s trust (may be forever). Ultimately, the large population of India will shift back to old option, The Congress. Remembers, people of India chose BJP in 2014 because of Congress government failures in handling the scams. So, BJP loyal supporters should stand with common people and do raise questions to the top leadership to do the right thing. The power of current BJP government has become so huge that until and unless pressure comes from all corners, they are not going to listen.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.
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