India is still struggling to cope with the ferocity of the second wave of Covid-19. The poor citizens are hearing about a third wave, and God forbid a ‘child wave’ also. In this background our Home Minister Amit Shah claims, “India fights Covid-19 successfully under P.M. Modi.” Is it not preposterous?
India has about 95 crore adults. The government assures us that by the end of this year all adults would be vaccinated. But in the light of how we managed the colossal crisis, and the rate at which we are moving, it is estimated that it will take two and a half to three years for complete vaccination.
The mismanagement of Covid care has shattered the hopes of citizens in the capability of the present dispensation.
We are between the dragon and the deep sea. The government also feels that it is also in deep waters. Assembly elections in the largest State Uttar Pradesh are knocking at the doors. It is through U.P. that the road to Delhi Darbar passes. By hook or by crook the ruling party wants to stick to power. If it fails now, as it did in Bengal, it would be death knell for it. The classical mismanagement of governance in U.P. has tarnished the image of Adityanath among the masses. On top of it has been his extreme arrogance along with his questionable style of functioning. But, at least for U.P., he has been projected as the “Hindu Hirday Samarat”.
Recently the bigwigs of BJP along with top RSS strategists deliberated for days together. They feel it would be harmful to disturb Mr. Yogi at this critical juncture. Changing the horse in the middle of race may be counterproductive. Now they are reflecting on their initial blunder of putting a man like Yogi on the throne. Dismounting the tiger seems to be dangerous. The rider also has become a lion. Utter disillusionment of U.P. electorate is hanging like a bad dream before the ruling party. The party is busy in its old tactic of re-engineering of caste calculations. Observers are of the view that the communal card would come handy in this situation. It always worked. It appears to be the last resort now also. This can be seen in the spurt in lynchings and murders of innocents. The world knows who are the victims and who the perpetrators. They are bound to reap what they have sown. Therefore it is feared that the lawlessness, apathy and dereliction of duty by the authorities as a policy will continue. The people of the largest state of India have to pay a heavy price for their choice.
It is very disappointing that the judiciary, in spite of best intentions, feels that its edicts have limited effect. The things are falling apart, hopes are dimmed and darkness is everywhere. The people fear for the worst and pray for the best or at least for their survival. One ray of hope is the fundamental goodness of the people. Let civil society act and unite the people to end the “reign of lawlessness”, parochialism and tyranny. It is a challenge to the now 23 to 24 crore strong Uttar Pradesh.