As the time for Assembly elections in Karnataka comes nigh, the BJP and the Congress are locked in a last-ditch battle, rather all-out war. Our politics has become so degenerated that all sorts of illegal and worst type of communal tricks are being employed in this election. One is bound to think that the future of democracy is not safe in our country, which has the reputation of being the largest democracy in the world.
Communal card and divide and rule tactic are being used shamelessly. The Congress in its manifesto said that it would stop communal hatred and, if necessary, would ban PFI and Bajrang Dal. The ruling party has twisted this statement to their advantage and now saying that their rivals had previously jailed Ram Chander ji and now they are determined to put behind bars Bajrang Bali. They have come down to the level of misusing religious sentiments for getting votes. The election code and the Supreme Court’s explanations have specifically laid down that religion should not be invoked in poll campaigns. But they are openly misusing religious symbols and asking voters to say ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ when they cast their votes. The Congress did not say that they are against the belief of some voters in Bajrang Bali. But the ruling party is using this to their advantage of suggesting that the Congress is against the very basic belief of some Hindus in Bajrang Bali.
The chief campaigner’s appeal that ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ should be shouted while casting votes reminds us of the 2019 Parliamentary elections when this honourable man had asked the voters to think of Pulwama attack and sacrifice of 40 jawans when casting votes. It is clearly against the poll code that Indian army should not be dragged in the election. But a subservient Election Commission will not take notice of these wrongdoings. Otherwise, they would face the music.
Resorting to communal hate may do some good to this or that party but it is bound to cause irreparable and irreversible damage to the nation. This party or that party is not important. What is important is the future of our country and that of our coming generations.
Let conscientious citizens and well-wishers of India think about it and devise some strategy to take corrective steps. Last but not the least, it must be remembered that basic values should never be sacrificed for temporary gains and the country’s interest and its future must be always uppermost.