What can be said about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi having begun new innings of his political career as Leader of the Opposition? The beginning has of course been marked by there being virtually a verbal duel between him, his party and the BJP-stalwarts over his comments on the latter’s “religious” standing. In addition, his attempt to show picture of a Hindu deity was stopped by the Speaker on ground that placards cannot be displayed. Nevertheless, the cameras did succeed in taking the necessary shots with the picture in his hand which have of course reached the public. In one way, irrespective of whether he could actually “show” the picture for just a little while, his key mission was apparently accomplished. That of his asserting his belief in and respect for Hindu deities. This was followed by his pronouncing ethics and values such as peace and non-violence which Hindu Lord Shiva promoted. Rahul was trying to show his picture. Rahul moved on to talk about similar values promoted by other religions practiced in India, including Islam, Sikhism and Christianity. Subsequently, he questioned the ruling party’s “religious” stature by openly stating that it could not claim to represent all Indian Hindus. What does all this suggest?
Clearly, Rahul has begun this innings by display of his “religious” card, but from a totally different platform than it has been used by BJP to promote its political interests. The anti-Muslim as well as communal angle targeting several sections cannot be de-linked from use of so-called religious card by certain right-winged factions. Rahul, it seems, has made the extra-effort to project multi-religious nature of Indian secularism. It is apparently his way of communicating to those around him and people at large, that one can be religious as well as secular without being communal, that is by targeting other religious communities. This only suggests that Rahul is well aware that religion bears a lot of importance for Indians at large. He has also been apparently a keen observer of the manner in which it has been used, exploited as well as abused by certain leaders and parties for primarily political gains. It seems he is also fairly well aware of the limited electoral impact of “religious” strategies’ communal designs.
By questioning BJP leaders’ religious “claim,” Rahul has openly stated that they cannot be viewed as representatives of the entire Hindu community. Interestingly, this point has been repeatedly asserted by this scribe, since the demolition of Babri Masjid. The ones engaged in demolition did not represent all Hindus of the country. Similarly, if a Muslim, Sikh, a Black or any other person indulges in any militant activity, it would be erroneous to label his/her entire community as terrorist. With regard to Rahul’s comment, till date, such a stand has not been taken so assertively and so openly by him or any other important politician. Certainly, it may have been expressed in various circles and maybe in writings but the fact it has been made at this juncture bears its own importance.
From one angle, this reflects that the “fear” and/or “apprehension” which probably has restrained many from expressing such a stand has apparently ceased to prevail considerably. To a degree, BJP’s failure to win a majority and opposition parties’ success in giving it a good fight has contributed significantly to Rahul and probably many others to become more assertive in expressing their stand against “religious” rhetoric with communal designs. There is no denying that the common Indian has become strongly conscious of the need for their religion not to be mixed with politics. If this was not the case, the manner in which BJP-stalwarts, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to go overboard in displaying their religious moves would probably have played a greater part in helping them win more seats. But that did not happen. And this has probably made Rahul more confident in playing his “religious” card from a secular angle, by laying emphasis on its peaceful as well as non-violent nature.
The manner in which Rahul has played this card is also suggestive of his hoping to pull apart the “religious” looks donned by his key rivals. The key issue is not whether they continue their “religious” exercises or not. But his primary aim is probably targeted to indulge in strategies which lead people to cease accepting their politico-religious drive. Undeniably, if Indian voters had not already started practicing this move, 2024 electoral results may have been different. This also suggests, Rahul’s confidence in this “religious” card’s appeal for the people also prompted him to begin this political innings by using it in this manner. It has certainly helped him gain considerable media coverage and publicity. A lot may next be decided not just by Rahul’s moves but also how allies and rivals of Congress play their cards. On his part, Rahul has begun his new political innings with a shrewd political strategy, targeting his rivals on the very ground they seemed confident of being in almost total command of. Now, they certainly seem shaken on this very turf!
Nilofar Suhrawardy is a senior journalist and writer with specialization in communication studies and nuclear diplomacy. She has come out with several books. These include:– Modi’s Victory, A Lesson for the Congress…? (2019); Arab Spring, Not Just a Mirage! (2019), Image and Substance, Modi’s First Year in Office (2015) and Ayodhya Without the Communal Stamp, In the Name of Indian Secularism (2006).
