Justice for none!

The ruling party in India -Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) that came to power with a promise of “Sabka Saath Sakba Vikas” (Collective efforts, inclusive growth) had given high hopes to the voters and was expected to fulfill its commitment. Contrary to expectations, into its fourth year the BJP has antagonized different sections of the society and that too in a phased manner. Farmers have been let down leading to massive protest. The small businessmen, already frustrated by demonetization are now facing cash crunch again after good two years and the government attributes it to a “seasonal demand for cash”, prompting a reevaluation of various theories of economics! The same businessmen are trying to come to terms with the new GST. Over the last two weeks, the country witnessed massive protests –first by Dalits for their rights being diluted and then against reservations accorded to them. Students too have been left dejected as they will have to repeat an exam for no fault of their own.
Over the last two weeks, the events that have unfolded have left a bad repute for Indians all over the world, and Indians have been left pondering. Have there been any collective efforts, as promised? If yes, in which direction? And what kind of growth are we witnessing?
The horrific rape of an eight year old in Jammu allegedly by people having close links to BJP and some in uniform and worse the manner in which the aftermath had unfolded anger has spread all over the nation. It’s shocking that an innocent child was brutalized and killed in order to teach her community a lesson and the subsequent show of support by the Members of Legislative Assembly of BJP to the accused in a rally that was aimed at curtailing the voices that were looking for justice for the minor girl. This was followed by statements denying and even justifying the crime by ranks of the party, while the senior leaders including the Prime Minister choose to maintain complete silence as if they didn’t have a face to show. Those who spoke on the behalf of the party were more eager to talk on the lines of caste and creed and one of them even went on to say that the atrocity to that eight years old girl must have been committed at the behest of Pakistan, thus clearly exposing the mindset of the ruling party. They are least concerned about the victim-in this case an eight year old girl, but have been busy in protecting culprits from its own party. For doing so, its elected representatives in Jammu even carried the national flag in a rally that was to garner support for the accused. A virtual mob like state of mind and that too under the banner of the national symbol, that was the last thing the biggest democracy in world could expect from its ruling party!
In yet another case a BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar from Uttar Pradesh caused enough embarrassment for the party. Accused of raping a minor girl in Unnao, Kuldeep Singh Sengar gave a series of TV interviews while the father of the girl was being tortured in a police station leading to his demise. The accused too attempted to highlight the caste of the girl and tried to call it a religious conspiracy! Though Sengar has been detained by CBI for questioning, the leadership hasn’t suspended him from the BJP. BJP leader Amit Shah is also not willing to suspend the two BJP MLA in Jammu and Kashmir who attended the much disputed rally. They were not even asked to resign from the cabinet until matter reached a flashpoint with protests being organized all over India.
It is not difficult to understand the attitude of BJP and its leadership. If it doesn’t affect the vote bank, maintain silence; and ranks and files of party have to be protected by all means even though they are embroiled in heinous crimes. The attitude has further alienated masses, and they have realized that there has been a collective effort by the party but only in a wrong direction, the direction that only aims and benefits the party. They have also realized that the ruling party’s promise of growth is as far as infinity. A conclusion that I fear may take the masses further away from the party in days to come.