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The frenzy around the still under construction ‘grand’ structure at Ayodhya will gradually subside. The frontpage headlines will give place to the breaking news of the day. The pictures of celebrities telling how blessed and elated they felt to be a part of the show will slowly fade away. The full page advertisements of property projects may continue a bit longer, depending upon the response of the investors, who will be weighing probable long term returns. Guided, all expenses paid trips will, though, continue to be arranged by those having favours to curry and pockets deep enough not to feel the pinch.
The dust of euphoria is, however, going to ultimately settle down as people will have to come back to the solid, hard ground of real life. Life, where they can no longer run away from day to day issues like illness and cost of treatment, worsening traffic conditions, inflation, unemployment or under employment and so on and so forth. After all, can a new place of worship, howsoever hyped up it may be, really bring in the Ram Rajya, where ‘daihik, daivik, bhautik tapas’ do not affect anyone, as if with a flourish of a magical wand?
As the Yatra unfolds, it draws parallels with other significant journeys, such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which aimed to reclaim the essence of India’s diverse identity and aspirations.
On the other hand, for the next 50 odd days, a Yatra from east to west will, most likely, continue, making headlines, even if on the inner pages, along the way, for reasons right or wrong. Most likely, because those leading and coordinating it may be stopped on the way on one pretext or the other, if it appears that they are setting the agenda. But whether the Yatra completes its proposed course or has to be abandoned midway due to official diktats or open intervention, it is bound to keep attracting the attention of a sizeable section of citizenry, right?
At the same time, the apparently floundering attempts at ensuring one to one contest in a substantial number of Lok Sabha seats will also continue to grab eyeballs. Giving further boost to the already underway celebrations of a third consecutive term.
What should one make of such mixed signals? Points to ponder?
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.