Thank you dear subscribers, we are overwhelmed with your response.
Your Turn is a unique section from ThePrint featuring points of view from its subscribers. If you are a subscriber, have a point of view, please send it to us. If not, do subscribe here: https://theprint.in/subscribe/
Yogi was trying to urge his followers to come and vote in large numbers. However what he said to qualify his appeal was unbelievably politically immature and socially divisive. He has been laughed at and pilloried mercilessly in the media ever since he made the infamous comparison with Kashmir, Bengal and Kerala. The bigger problem for BJP is that the backlash against Yogi’s statements have brought UP’s pathetic NITI Aayog ratings back in public discourse. This would hurt BJP far more than just the ridicule that Yogi is facing.
So, the question is why would Yogi say something so incredulously juvenile? That too just on the eve of State Elections.
I feel Yogi simply mixed up his WhatsApp Forwards with Public Speaking.
WhatsApp Forwards has become all pervasive in our Political Campaigning. We all know that BJP (and a few other political parties) use an IT Cell which generates Social Media messages. These messages are usually not factual, rely more on twisting issues and are often toxic. There is no fact check and the purpose is to whip up a bit of frenzy from time to time as per season and reason. That’s why when Kangana Ranaut makes a statement on India getting Independence in 2014, we are immediately flooded by numerous WhatsApp forwards justifying Kangana. This msg about the “danger” of UP becoming Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala have been doing the rounds of WhatsApp University for a few weeks now. It, obviously enough, spoke not of development indices but about the number of Muslims in these States and how “they were a danger to the nation”. Typical Hindutva trash which is bandied around anonymously on Social Media nowadays. Yogi just rattled off something in the public domain that he was not supposed to. Of course, in the present scheme of things, Yogi and his ilk don’t have the sagacity nor the flexibility to retract or express regret for an unintended statement. So, this statement remains on record.
The fallout of this will be felt by BJP far beyond the UP Elections. This has given a leverage to Kashmiri separatists to point out how mainland India looks down upon Kashmir. In Bengal, the local BJP unit is already facing a tough time on numerous fronts and will find it very difficult to convince any new voter to vote for them in the backdrop of Yogi’s remarks. Bengal, on its own, doesn’t have very impressive NITI Aayog numbers but suddenly these numbers look quite impressive when being compared to UP. I feel TMC should be grateful to Yogi for giving them this leg up. BJP has no standing in Kerala but RSS is trying hard to establish a foothold and Yogi’s indiscretion will cost them there too.
BJP national leaders recognise this faux pas but are in a fix as of now. Public takedown of Yogi’s statement is a non option due to the UpYogi image being flaunted. Any “private counselling” for Yogi may manifest itself in a half baked retraction soon, but for that we have to wait and watch.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.
Also read: Five reasons why ministers are leaving Yogi Adityanath govt right before UP elections
COMMENTS