I feel the hatred across religious sects has its roots in the past 70 year independent history of India; probably, in a dormant state. Except during the short autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and the so called ‘Emergency’ and that also on a section of people, India and Indians have enjoyed a life of extraordinary freedom and have been enjoying gregarious ways of life; the prime objective being fooling the government with the connivance of the government staff themselves and no discipline in public places or personal life except in some exceptional cases. Their focus had been on money and power. Muslims were benefitted because from what we understand now that the great Nehru showed exceptional affection to that religious community and Christians established themselves with their crafty way of conversion without violence mainly with money and offering the ‘benefits of prayer’ etc. They created service organizations which are smoothly used as conduits for foreign funds.

Hindus who had always been more self centered and indifferent concentrating more on elaborate rituals and fake shows of their devotion to innumerable pantheon of Gods and Goddesses of their choice created by their own vision, alienating themselves with each other based on caste politics, deliberating on  lot of philosophy but accumulating wealth as they like.

So basically Indian public wants only non performing governments and even if they perform it should bring them exceptional or huge benefits; the major example is the introduction of IT in Narasimha Rao’s period and the innumerable profitable jobs that followed for large young population which demanded nothing but basic IQ and luck. Barring a few cases, the basic degree or qualifications have absolutely no value for these profitable and coveted positions in computer and IT fields.

The two recent major drawbacks according to the selected public, media and political analysts were Demonetization and GST. On the sides, Muslims and Christians were targeted in a different manner about which made them feel insecure. So the so called secular personalities started their tirade against the government through the media. A substantial conservative part of Hindus also joined the bashing because their cautious way of accumulating wealth (though not very big in size) came under radar. That they do not like. They want freedom to do what they like and hoard money in their own weird ways either through real estate investments or in gold. The Congress government and the other short lived coalition governments never interfered in any of their activities.

Knowing the media power in this country not only the major political parties, but also the small and insignificant ones also vie with each other through absurd and inflammatory statements through the media adding more fodder and masala. I think their basic ‘Indianness’ had overtaken all their political wisdom here.

There are two possibilities; if the same political party comes back to power with clear majority like last time, it may try to develop India in certain areas at least (even God cannot change the weird attitude of a common man in India). If any party wants to continue in power it needs to do something which will bring wealth to every fellow and not taking anything from common man (read the invisible rich) or his family. The individual and his life shouldn’t be touched in any manner by the government policies or practices.

The major problem of India is apart from everything else is burgeoning population; no party talks about it, including the ruling one. I vividly remember in late 1960s itself when Indira Gandhi strongly advocated family planning, my college friend commented that ‘what right she has to enter into my bedroom?’ That is India and he is a typical Indian.

It still holds good.

Now, coming back to the recently ended election scenario I realized something as I have been watching the election scenarios for the past several years in India.

With every election not only just the number of voters escalates but also the intensity of political war gaining uncouth proportions. Nevertheless, we never fail to complement ourselves as the ‘best and the largest democratic country’ in the whole world. In addition, there has always been a claim that ‘India is the only highly cultural and holy nation in whole world’ with a remarkable track record of several great religious and philosophical leaders.

Do they reflect in any form of our lives or in these so called election campaigns?

I am shocked beyond words by the hate speeches, diatribes, accusations, abuses by almost every party leader worth the name to promote their party to get the support of the public. Modern inclusions like the doctored videos with disparaging comments, memes which either make one scandalized or snigger or sometime even feel disgusted. Facebook, Whatsup and other social media are flooded with such videos and clippings.

Every party claims that they are here to eradicate the so-called ‘poverty’ from the nation; how? By hoarding millions and millions of currency in hideouts for one time distribution to buy votes?

I am sure at this stage it is absolutely meaningless to square the blame on the politicians. The public are more responsible for this. Our population always looks for short cuts to popularity and money making; in today’s world these two could be achieved through two avenues only; politics and cinema. Ours is the country where a film actor, more especially in Tamil Nadu, every actor worth the salt tries to float a party and promise the sky to the public. I wonder why such a wonderful culture is absent in the most developed countries where equality is practiced in better manner.

Indians have the uncanny knack of integrating literature with religion. Literary characters turn real and holy. Intellectuals either remain with supine indifference to things happening around or turn vociferous spewing venom with the choicest phrases. Media thrive on every possible speculation, extrapolated stories, reading between the lines, adding spice to every statement made by any politico, however, insignificant he/she is.

Every individual and every political party harbor adequate skeletons in their cupboards. The freedom of expression which has suddenly become active bring to the fore the darker sides of many of the past leaders who were so long kept in high pedestal and honored with encomiums. Fisticuffs and brawls have become an integral part of the election trail.

The hoary and holy Indian culture is thrown into the wind. What we watch is the ugly, pedestrian and vicious fight which reaches the crescendo not only during the elections but also after irrespective of success or defeat within the precincts of the parliament or legislature.

In my lexicon, I have summarized this ‘Indian Game of Throne’ in just one word; disgusting.