theatre of the absurd

There’s a lot of Community going around these days. Since we have one of the most secular parties leading this country, led by one of the most secular and open families, it is only obvious that they have managed to sprout this great sense of pride among all and sundry in their own communities.

When Pranab Mukherjee was made the President of India in case he had to contribute if by any chance the 2013 elections resulted in a hung Parliament, the Finance Ministry was expectantly given to a man who had been in it before, Mr. P. Chidambaram, who stamped his comeback into the Ministry of Finance with good news from the Supreme Court who quashed the case against him in the 2G case.

Now the ever-important Ministry of Home Affairs, earlier handled by some of the most notable Gandhi faithfuls, Shivraj Patil, was open. Sonia Gandhi chose another great Gandhi faithful, Sushil Kumar Shinde for the post. There are many things that should disgust any voting Indian who bothered watching his statements on being elected.

Shinde thanks the Queen Mother of making him the Home Minister because he is a Dalit. He says that the Gandhi family has done a lot for the Dalits in this country (which does not explain why 65 years hence there have been no noticeable improvements in the lives of Dalits). His performance as the Power Minister was pathetic according to whichever opinion piece you pick up and read today.

Let me just add an interjection here - the ‘downtrodden’ communities of this country must ask their leader tougher questions and open their eyes to the fact that they have been used and abused for throughout this country’s independence by unscrupulous politicians. The quotas have been abused by all and sundry and this Government seems hell bent on creating even further rift among communities by staunchly setting up the Muslims and the Dalits against the rest. The OBC’s, well, seem to have won their own battle by getting their own reservations in the system.

Coming back to Mr. Shinde, we know he has been a great server of the Gandhi family, and the Hindu reports that only two days ago, he waxed eloquent about how the CON party has never had a leader so great as Sonia Gandhi. Such disgusting flattery by the Union Home Minister of the world’s largest kleptocracy makes you wonder of the pride in the hearts of these men. More than that, the depth and brazenness of subservience that CONgressis demonstrate is sickening.

In an interview with Prabhu Chawla in a Hindi news channel, Sushilkumar Shinde proudly declared –

“I am Sonia’s Soldier”.  

“Our leader is so intelligent, talented and understanding; knows fully well what work has to be given to whom.” Unabashedly admitting to being a Gandhi sycophant, Shinde says he looks forward to serving under Rahul—someone he has seen in Rajiv Gandhi’s place even before the young Gandhi joined politics.

Of course, when one is elected to such a high office in a feudal-democratic set-up not for their ability but because of their loyalty, there are bound to be instances where they will not have any idea what is going on. Shinde’s already had a few on his resume.

And this is the person who is the Leader of the Lok Sabha apparently after the departure of Pranab da as he waits for further instructions.

But I am getting sidetracked. My point was to not talk about Sushil Kumar Shinde’s ability as a Home Minister, which besides is fairly obvious that he became for his loyalty to Sonia Gandhi, but I really wanted to talk more about the brazenness and ridiculousness with which the Government of India politicians have been making asinine statements and making the castes and communities the centrepiece of most their recent statements.

The Coal scam is yet another scam in the long list of CON achievements during their two tenures. Shriprakash Jaiswal, the present coal minister in Sonia’s team of merry men (and women), says that he is being targeted because of his community.

In his statement, Jaiswal states the very obvious modus operandi of the current government set-up, which I really hope that most Indians will be able to see through and remember when the elections come. The poor victim of caste discrimination said –

“The UPA government will not be affected by the allegations as it is headed by an honest prime minister (Manmohan Singh) who is also a renowned economist,” said Jaiswal.

Does it even make sense? Its really impressive to see the cronies in the government so confident of their abilities and power that they believe that any unintelligent comment should be enough to quell any queries from the general public and the media.  

Beni Prasad Verma, another Gandhi loyalist, said that it’s a good thing that prices are going up in the country, because that means the Indian farmer is getting more. If the citizens of this country spare some time from their television and try to find out about the economics of agriculture in our country, they will realize that it seems to be a punishment to be a farmer in this country now. Beni Prasad Verma has been a politician for a long time, and this comment shows that there are many politicians out there who, despite spending so much time as a politician, in power and in the opposition, still have no idea of the basic issues that afflict this country.

Another great Sonia spokesperson, Kapil Sibal, blames the private sector of this country for the policy paralysis we have been seeing in this crony government for the past many years. 

As for good ol Rahul, he must be so thankful for surrounding him with so many well wishers and protectors. He doesn't even have to speak a word to the media or to the people of this country and yet here is a mass of politicians praying for him to lead them. 

So all in all we are definitely seeing a great theatre of the absurd being played out all across the country. Citizens are insecure and unhappy, governance at all levels is breaking down, national security seems to be in tatters, and we seem very close to stagflation even if all the Queen’s horses say we aren’t. At such a time what can I do other than pour all my anger and bitterness in my blog? I know I will vote in the upcoming elections, and it surely won’t be the CON party, because if Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister, I know the people of this country deserve it.