Instability

As India and the United States of America prepare for elections, comparisons between certain characters on both sides abound.

The ruling party needs to show that it has fulfilled its promises. In the post-truth era, juggling figures is not a big deal, and the masses do not want to get involved in math.

Narratives are circulated about how lives have changed for the better. People think, “It’s not me, but someone else somewhere has benefited.” It could be an actor spewing lines on television for a price.

A particular ad starts by extolling the virtues of motherhood, and then a child says that a specific leader helps their mothers lead a better life. Grudgingly, I acknowledge the master stroke of capturing women voters and their kids who are future voters. Social media is employed masterfully to build narratives with videos, essay-like posts and barbs at perceived threats. I pity the gullible believers but to each their own.

They bank more on emotions they have aroused in the last 10 years – not necessarily positive. The much-talked-about citizenship law will give citizenship, and that’s not bad, but based on their religion. I recall a girl child being named “Nagrikta” (citizenship) when they initially sought to introduce the law. It reflects an end to the struggle of her parents to achieve a legal status, capped by the birth of a law and a child.

The fears are about the next move—the National Register of Citizens. Some people stand to gain and lose and will take an appropriate stance. This will only increase the already high decibels of cantankerous speech.

Do emotions or a sense of belonging or alienation really matter? Nobody really cares about the financial impact of a move. If they can have it, why not us? The Reserve Bank of India can print more notes to meet all expectations and battle to manage the consequences.

They are all counting votes – present and future.

The gullible masses throw bricks, stones, and arrows at each other, unwilling to accept that they are products on sale, not beneficiaries or decision-makers.

---

Friday Faithfuls