Political pundits, media veterans are singing praises for BJP win and finding faults with Naveen Patnaik. We are living an era of hyper scaling.
Scaling which is denoted by the persistent rapid growth to deliver a viable business model. However, research on the management and organization of scaling and scale-ups has been limited. Indian politics is more on inventing the reasons for success or failure then doing the real investigation and forming a long-term strategy. The arguments and theories being propagated, look funny when one says master stroke in Orrisa and debacle in Uttar Pradesh. The research indicates that BJP has done exceedingly well in Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Kerla. The only difference is that the Kerla and Tamil Nadu will take minimum a decade to scale up.
It hardly matters what Navin Patnaik, M.K.Stalin or Pinarayi Vijayan do individually as a chief minister but what matters is whether they are responding to the expectations of the Hindu majority or not. The British rulers created pseudo seculars who have built a construct where anything related to Sanatan is communal and to be destroyed. They fail to see soul of India which is secular not because of constitution but the constitution is secular because Hindu majority has chosen to be secular in true sense of its culture. Indian culture which promoted debate and counter argument has made India tolerant to new ideas, faith and people. Had this not been the case minorities would have the similar fate which was meted to minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The world has missed the difference of opinion between Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Mahatma Gandhi. Hedgewar participated in the Indian National Congress in the1920s, but he became disillusioned with their policies and politics. It was a fight between David and Goliath. Gandhi an international celebrity calling the shots while Hedgewar was a no body as an active member of the party's volunteer division - Hindustani Seva Dal. deeply influenced by the writings of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Savrakar , Sri Auurobindo and B.S.Munje. He believed that the cultural and religious heritage of Hindus should be the basis of Indian nationhood. In 1925 he formed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) taking HINDU and Hindustan from the Hindustani Seva dal while Congress opted to drop Hindustani and renamed it is Congress Seva dal. From Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and from northeast to Somnath RSS has worked for reviving cultural and religious heritage of Hindus. Despite trying to appear secular congress yielded to pressures from Muslim league by accepting two nation theory based on religion first, and then naming states on the language, religion, culture or region. This was the first failure of Gandhi ji well cherished dream of Hindu Muslim unity and it proved Hedgewar right.
The cheating part is despite agreeing to divide the nation on religion, the congress manipulated the mandate and became pseudo secular where it played foul with Hindus. Second mistake it committed by not leaving politics as envisaged by Gandhi ji. Gandhi ji was missing the point that why a person who has accepted the division of the country to become PM, will accept to leave politics.
Despite opposing Gandhiji Hedgewar followed this advice unknowingly as he made RSS to work on social upliftment. If one reads into the qualifications preached by Gandhiji for a volunteer a pracharak of RSS seems to live with similar values excluding a few where the difference of opinion was already there.
As this article is focused on Odisha election let’s examine the facts in this light.
BJD under the leadership of Sri Navin Patnaik failed to respect Hindu religious sentiments.
Jagannath Puri temple visiting pilgrims account for 47 percent of total tourist, it had lacs of acre land in Odisha and other states. The government controls the temple management and most of the land has been lost due to apathy or indifference it showed towards preserving the culture and heritage. At many occasions government was the culprit. Few examples are given below.
“Neither For Audit nor For Inventory,' Odisha Govt Has No Plans to Open Jagannath Temple Money Vault”
Out Look November 27 2019.
The law minister Pratap Jena was replying to the question on that was asked by senior Congress member Suresh Routray in the state Assembly. A ordinary household checks its valuable every now and then and here is a state government which refuses to verify the assets blatantly. The Congress central leadership ignored this major lapse as it is accused of the same offences elsewhere. No government has missed any opportunity to temper with temple money. Building bridges, flyover, food or money to other religious bodies diverting temple money is a regular practice. BJP made it a point to be debated in its election campaign.
The audit on its part kept exposing the lapses but temple management is not responding. As per ALPHA audit report dated 1.1.2016 Para-14.6:
“Utilisation Details wanting (AOSP- 110) Scrutiny of BPV No. 1428, dated 18.03.2015 revealed that as per SJTA Sanction Order No. 2792 / 16.03.2015, a sum of Rs. 5,00,00,000/- has been transferred in favour of the Collector, Puri towards acquisition of 30 feet land around Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri for widening the existing road to facilitate de-congestion. The same was duly acknowledged by the Land Acquisition Section, Collectorate, Puri vides their MR No. 757459 / 45 / 14-15, dated 18.03.2015. In this context, the relevant Utilisation Certificate along with details of expenditure was asked for production through issue of audit objection memo for necessary verification. But, in response, neither the requisitioned documents were produced nor was the objection memo returned till close of audit. As such, the entire amount of Rs. 5,00,00,000.00 is held under objection till its utilisation is substantiated.”
The issue is why temple funds to be used for widening the road and why at this rate.
Search on internet does provide any progress thereafter.
“Puri seer, social outfits oppose Odisha govt's beach shacks plan.”
ET July 30 2021
Under this plan liquor and wine was to be provided on the Puri beaches, but the million-dollar question is why attempts were being made to convert a pilgrimage place of international value to Goa beach culture. I had been to temple during that time and felt the hurt feeling among masses. the development plan for the temple and its surrounding was destroying the heritage. Many maths established by great saints were removed. I wondered who was the ill adviser.
Ignoring warning provided by 2019 election.
In 2019 BJP candidate Sambit Patra lost election by 11,714 votes. It should have alerted the government about the changing mood of the voters, but listening to civil servants led to more mistakes. Which includes closing the three entry gates of the temple, leading to discomfort and long waiting lines. Destroying the centuries old temples and math built around the temple. Delays in payment of compensation. Here party is not important as the same reaction has been noted in Ayodhya. Providing facilities is one aspect and not mitigating the discomfort of local residents is another.
VK Pandian debacle led the miracle of BJP now ruling the state.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale advised Mahatma Gandhi the hero from South Africa to travel throughout India for a year, which helped him to know the land and its people since arriving in India from South Africa in 1915. Navin Patnaik failed to give the same advice to Pandiyan who attempted to deal with Jagannath temple and people there in a way being done in Tamil Nadu. Had he walked through Orissa hinterland he would have understood the emotional bonding they have with the lord Jagannath. The mighty rulers had to eat humble pie when they tried to play with puri temple management in 1880. The massive public protest made British government to keep a safe distance from Hindu religious ceremonies. A deeper look would have made the duo understand that Lord Jagannath's big, wide eyes encourage self-reflection and introspection. This shortcoming resulted in the alienation among the other leaders and workers of the BJD. despite 40 star campaigners for the party, no leader other than the CM and Pandian campaigned for BJD candidates across the state. Whatever good work was done by the government could not be projected.
Can one conclude that Patnaik tried to break the shackles of ‘Parivarvad’ but hasty implementation boomeranged?
Not appointing niece or nephew as a successor was a very good move. It needed a large heart. If succeeded it would have set an example for most of the politicians who have made political parties a family business. Gandhis, Yadavs, Mamta, Reddy the names in endless list would have got a contrarian view.
BJP exploited above lapses in a big way. It was a sad campaign where PM who has won third time from UP despite being a Gujrati made an issue out of a Tamilian politician leading in Odisha. Manmohan Singh got elected from Assam, Rahul Gandhi from Waynad in Kerala then what is wrong with a Tamilian participating in Odisha politics. Amateur Pandiyan served this opportunity on plate by regularly offending the sentiments of local voters and alienating the senior leaders of BJD.
Resurgence of Hindutva played a major role.
Success might have come now but work started long ago. Professor Pralay Kanungo who visualise RSS as far right organisation too predicted two decades ago, how Hindutva politics and its organisational strategies adapt to the diverse cultural, social, religious, and political conditions in Odisha. He demonstrated how Hindutva politics led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and affiliated organisations could effectively navigate and integrate into the unique cultural landscape of Odisha, ensuring their ideology resonated with local sentiments. What the professor missed here, is the work done on ground. It was to integrate marginalised communities with the main stream. The work done in tribal belt had challenged the monopoly of the missionaries. This developed a great connect between sons of soil and the policy makers at the centre.
BJP focussed on recognition, development and collaboration.
BJP on its part has given great importance to Odisha. From awarding Padam awards to unsung son of the soil to electing a tribal woman to be the president of the India. I wrote in one of my articles that the trail which has brought a tribal girl to president house will inspire the young tribals. I also made an appeal quoting the Hindi poet Neeraj “ek din aisa bhi ayega jab raj ath Janpath ban jayega” (a day will come when Kings way will become people way) the name Rajpath needs to be changed. Indecently Rajpath was renamed as Kartavya Path on September 8 2022.
Past three election BJP has given ticket to genuine social worker associated with party. Some of these would not have the capacity to bear the expenses of fighting a municipal council election even. It has motivated millions to join main stream. Reducing impact of Mao Vadis on masses is proof enough. It has worked in harmony with BJD government which was on board on policy matters, most of the time.
Conclusion.
Had the naysayers been right BJP would have chosen the chief minister from the upper castes. Electing Mr. Mohan Charan Majhi as the new Chief Minister of Odisha representing a tribal community that struggles with different forms of underdevelopment, marginalisation. The ongoing challenges being faced by the non-inclusive development taking place. Mr. Majhi’s ascension to Chief Minister will inspire his community and all other working people in the state. This is a big challenge and rise of Odisha will contribute in making India a leading economy of the world.
By Rakesh Kumar
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
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