As a human being, I hold multiple identities simultaneously. I am a retired naval officer, an out of work executive, a henpecked husband and a doting father. I am from X course of NDA, Y Squadron and belong to Nagpur etc etc. I can think of numerous affiliations to derive my specific identity BUT all my roles and identities are subservient to a core, basic, irrefutable one – I am an INDIAN – foremost and always. And it pains me to see fellow countrymen squabble over and parade their narrower identities for personal or political interests.

Prof Sabherwal was murdered in Sep 06 in the city of Ujjain. The country was shocked into witnessing the sordid crime live on their TV sets home. After a lot of hue and cry, the assailants were arrested and charged with murder. Today, they walk free after the Nagpur High Court acquitted them for want of proper evidence and poor case preparation by the prosecution.

As an Indian and a rational human being, killing is an anathema to me. Killing of a professor over narrow political causes is thus even more distasteful, dastardly and blasphemous act. On a national TV debate regarding the issue, we had a strident defender of the accused stating that the Professor was not killed but died of natural causes, spewing venom and espousing her parochial view of politics. Despite the prophecy of kalyug , I still regard teaching as a noble profession and a Guru as a demigod. The fact that this defender of the killers was a woman Professor shows the abysmal state of our quest for narrow personal and political gains. And we have the Chief Minister of the state where this heinous crime was committed lauding the release of the accused in media!

The Professor’s case for some reason has not sparked the furore and debate akin to say Jessica Lal. Neither has the media taken up the case with the same fervour. Is it because because espousing this cause will not increase the TRP anymore? Perhaps the Jessica Lal case was about privileged vs the non privileged whereas this case is against the workers of the ruling party in the state! Are we to assume that the “Indian- ness” of the people of the state is subservient to their narrow political views?

Whatever may be the case, it seems that no one killed Prof Sabherwal after all. Or is it that each one of us is guilty of his murder by accepting a system which condones it?

For the uninitiated, Limericks are 5 liners with rhyming pattern of aa bb a i.e the first, second and fifth lines follow similar rhyme with the second and third line following a different rhyme. Limericks were popular atleast during my teenage on account of their salacious content and humour. If the youngsters of today can enlighten me on its current status, I would be grateful.  
 

                                     I
There was a MP who slapped the manager of a bank,

Drunk with power, hiding behind his status and rank,

Caught on the camera, the whole episode he denied, 

On his own political clout as a SC/ST leader he relied,

Do we require such leaders? That is my question frank.

                                     II

And now, I hear even a High Court judge has sought,

Protection from Minister, whose loyalty is easily bought,

The quagmire, the muck, the corruption vile,

Makes me mad and angry, brings up my bile,

This is not the freedom for which our forefathers fought.

 
                                     III

There was a talk of Section 377 finally being abolished,

The age old law was definitely draconian and ghoulish,

With great enthusiasm, out came the gay pride,

Only to realise that they have been taken for a ride,

The Govt is scared of its vote bank being demolished.

 
                                     IV

Religion, caste, creed, region, ethnicity – our people divide,

On being Indians foremost there seems to be lesser pride,

Spurred on by politicians for their selfish personal gains,

To differentiate ourselves into sub groups we take pains,

When will the people of my country stem this rotten tide?

A young truant leader carrying the Gandhi name,

Thought of minority bashing as gateway to fame,

The Election Commission did get hold,

Of a CD containing his statements bold,

Now the country understands Varun’s double game.

                                     II

In India, politics and elections make strange bedmates,

Leaders willing to ally given right incentives and rates,

Corrupt farmer, an errant teacher, a fodder chor,

Criminals, convicts and a circus of many more,

For being elected once more, all are the prime candidates.

                                     III

Then there was this very smart and pretty looking dame,

For getting married, she changed her religion and name,

Under pressure her political paramour ran for cover,

Without even the courtesy of telling her it’s all over,

She believed her politician would stand up, O what a shame.

                                      IV

A tin pot dictator of an Asian country small,

Produced mujahideens to aid the Soviet fall,

This group into a monster grew,

Into its fold all fanatics it drew,

And is consuming the country and its people all.

During the last few days we have been treated to the spectacle of Mr. Varun Gandhi’s speech in his constituency and his clarifications thereon, ad nauseam.

As a cynical and passive observer of the Indian political scene, I feel amazed at the flagrant doublespeak of Varun and BJP. If the errant scion of Gandhi family did not deliver the ‘alleged’ speech, why couldn’t he set the records straight in unequivocal terms stating that those are not his convictions? Instead, he chose to clarify parts of that rabble rousing speech which were particularly offensive whilst retaining the core essence of Hindutva ( I am a proud Hindu etc). His clarifications were a juvenile and amateurish attempt at refuting the legal charges for Election Commission’s consumption, placating the media and people at the national level to appear moderate whilst retaining the Hindutva essence of his speech for the grass root workers in his constituency.

Varun Gandhi is just following the classic ruse adopted by BJP as a political entity. At the national level, the party projects a moderate face whilst at the grassroots level; it still promotes divisive communal politics for garnering votes. Isn’t it interesting to see that the only BJP leaders of national stature who have condemned the speech happen to be of Muslim origin! And I daresay they did it not because they are decent people but because they are worried about their vote bank. Others including Advani have conveniently kept quiet or sidestepped the issue. Isn’t it time our political leadership dealt with real issues like economy, growth, terrorism, infrastructure etc rather than play footsie with vote banks?

Lest anyone brand me as a blogger of left/centre/ right leanings, let me assure you that I have no love lost for the genre of politicians – be it of any hue and colour. I am a firm believer of the fact that the country has been badly let down by our political masters right since we gained independence. And if the political leadership has let the country down, a major portion of the blame lies with the middle class and the intelligentsia – THAT IS YOU AND ME for not participating actively in the process of democracy. We have deluded ourselves to think that we are too busy or the process is below our stature to get involved in!