I have observed that BJP, the "Hindu Nationalist" political party of India, suffers from extremely poor media management. I have watched with a sense of wonder the BJP (and the Hindutva folks in general) get bashed to putty by the media for transgressions that other, more "secular" folks get away with fluently.
Our language often reveals our biases. Take the term "Hindutva Brigade", for example. It is used often by the media to refer to the BJP. A flippant, mildly derisive term. Suggestive of rabble. Like the Keystone Kops. Suggestive of militancy. But the media never says, "Islamic Squad" or "Congress Horde", even when referring to those with blatantly pro-Muslim sympathies and decidedly un-secular and unconstitutional positions.
Or take the use of the term "Hindu Right" which is used with effect to paint a broad section of Indians who hold certain views or support certain policies. The vapid morons that infest the Indian media probably don't read the same sort of literature that I do, but in my book, (A) enacting the Uniform Civil Code, (B) removing any special status from Kashmir, (C) curbing illegal immigration, (D) kicking to death with nailed jackboots the unsavory bastards who instituted and perpetuated mindless sops like the Hajj subsidy, and (E) wanting to reduce the birth rate in India, all appear to be very middle-of-the-road and Centrist policies. So why does a Hindu who holds these views deemed to be from the Hindu Right? Shouldn't he be called a Hindu Centrist? Or just Centrist? Is his being Hindu relevant in some way?
Our language often reveals our biases. Take the term "Hindutva Brigade", for example. It is used often by the media to refer to the BJP. A flippant, mildly derisive term. Suggestive of rabble. Like the Keystone Kops. Suggestive of militancy. But the media never says, "Islamic Squad" or "Congress Horde", even when referring to those with blatantly pro-Muslim sympathies and decidedly un-secular and unconstitutional positions.
Or take the use of the term "Hindu Right" which is used with effect to paint a broad section of Indians who hold certain views or support certain policies. The vapid morons that infest the Indian media probably don't read the same sort of literature that I do, but in my book, (A) enacting the Uniform Civil Code, (B) removing any special status from Kashmir, (C) curbing illegal immigration, (D) kicking to death with nailed jackboots the unsavory bastards who instituted and perpetuated mindless sops like the Hajj subsidy, and (E) wanting to reduce the birth rate in India, all appear to be very middle-of-the-road and Centrist policies. So why does a Hindu who holds these views deemed to be from the Hindu Right? Shouldn't he be called a Hindu Centrist? Or just Centrist? Is his being Hindu relevant in some way?
Disclosure: I am a Centrist.
So we see that those who support the BJP and its pretty secular policies get no love from the media (the BJP is no more or less secular than the Congress, my little chickadee; pull it out of your behind). But as is my contention, a significant part of it must be blamed on poor media management.
So we see that those who support the BJP and its pretty secular policies get no love from the media (the BJP is no more or less secular than the Congress, my little chickadee; pull it out of your behind). But as is my contention, a significant part of it must be blamed on poor media management.
Let me bring up an example.
Recently, Praveen Togadia, a card-carrying member of the VHP, which is a sister organization to the BJP, shot off his mouth on the population issue.
Aside: It is popular knowledge that India has a population problem. Which is understating it. As everybody is well aware, India, to be blunt about it, needs to put a rubber on the end of its stick. Right now, as we speak.
Mr. Togadia, god bless his soul, was particularly concerned about this here population problem that India faces. And his concern was sharp when it came to the growth of Muslims. The Muslims were outbreeding the Hindus at a comfortable clip, he noted. His solution? Hindus should have more children.
Yes, that's right. Hindus should have more children to counter the Muslims and to add to the groaning weight of human beings that India already supports.
He did not advocate birth control. He did not talk about education about birth control. He did not talk about the economics of over-population. He instead suggested that we Hindus hit the hay and have some fun.
Now Mr. Togadia is associated with the Hindutva folks and like it or not, with the average, fair-minded Hindu on the street. He is also an embarassment to us all when he makes such statements. I am sitting here stratching my head and thinking why he does not have a full time spin doctor assigned to him.
I know that every cause needs its goons, but are people like Praveen Togadia really necessary?
Predictably, the media lost no time in jumping down the Hindu throat. I read the story on http://www.rediff.com/ a few weeks ago. Many reactions to Togadia--all unflattering--were reported. A Muslim leader from the Muslim Personal Law Board or somesuch came out (of the woodwork) and said, "Higher birth rates is not a solution. We should not make such statements."
Thanks, Mr. Togadia, for that. I do hope that you are as aware of the stark irony of this as the rest of us are. Because when a Muslim lectures to you about the virtues of a small family size, you are definitely not following the instructions on the label right.
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