The central tenet of BJP, RSS and Narendra Modi’s narrative building and their brand identity has been around becoming the self-anointed “Thekedars” or custodians of Hinduism, and the ensuing actions or repercussions from this rhetoric are obvious for anyone with a functional brain, and some logical thinking power. We have witnessed the constant and continuing demonization of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and other minorities through the past decade plus, although the favorite bogeyman are the Muslims. Hinging solely on being the proverbial protectors of Hindus, the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS have tried to install themselves as the sole custodians of the Hindu faith, that they alone know what is best for Hindus and are protecting them from some imagined takeover by the minorities in India.
This imagined custodianship is evident from their blatantly divisive rhetoric via their slogans like “batenge toh katenge”, “ek hain toh safe hain” and the rabid fearmongering through the snatching away of “mangalsutra”, “betiyan”, “bajra”, “bhains” etc. by the minorities, a debased level of rhetoric which engages in othering every citizen that is not a Hindu, threatening the very integrity of our nation. Tokenism, grandstanding and cult-based fascism aside, a question that burns in the minds of most Hindus is: Does the BJP/RSS truly have the well-being of Hindus in mind?
Recent multiple stampedes during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj have answered this question, without a doubt, for all Hindus. Although the official death toll is reported to be 30 dead, the testimonial evidence via video statements from survivors of the stampedes puts the estimated figure at well above that paltry official figure. Figures aside, which is still under dispute and unsubstantiated, not a single leader from BJP, RSS nor the Prime Minister himself have found it necessary to apologize for their gross oversight and failure. Whether it is 1 or 30 people dead, or even more, they not only have not uttered a single word but have also gone to the extent hiding the actual number of deaths by making the dead bodies vanish from public view with great urgency, so that their negligence is not exposed in the public domain. At such a crucial time, isn’t catering to the people, their needs more important than a cover-up? What about justice, shouldn’t there be a high level enquiry constituted to investigate what happened and how?
Another pathetic step taken by the Government has been to immediately manufacture a conspiracy that the stampedes were instigated, which is yet another example of their habit of passing the buck and not taking any responsibility for their massive mismanagement. It wouldn’t come as a surprise, that suddenly one or more manufactured people from the minority might get booked for instigating the stampede, despite being banned from the Maha Kumbh. This is the sordid reality of India as of today.
As I write this, family members of the victims are still trying to locate the victims’ bodies, and people are reeling under the weight of this massive tragedy. The worst part of this whole scenario is the gaslighting by not only by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and the Centre, but also the mainstream media that has played an equal role in hushing up this matter systematically. It would bother any human being that their suffering is being wiped away and overlooked just to save face for an inept regime, that is obsessed with VIP culture and holds no love for the citizens of India. One shudders to think about the mental and emotional state of the survivors, whose voices have been silence and ignored.
The valid question here is, if one claims custodianship for a faith or religion, isn’t the well-being of its constituents the sworn responsibility of the purported custodians? Power without taking responsibility is pure drama, and nothing more than that; if this regime cannot even bring itself to acknowledge the pain and suffering of so many Hindus, which is a result of their mismanagement, then what is this custodianship of Hinduism all about? For those still naively wondering, it is a mere ploy to grab and remain in power.
Taking advantage of people’s emotions and faith to usurp power at any cost is a naked greed that disguises its true objective under the garb of religion and/or spirituality. The modus operandi of this regime has been an open secret to many Hindus like me from the very beginning, because we know as well-read people that Hinduism cannot have custodians; those who understand the plurality and diversity within Hinduism well, know that this aspect is the very core of our faith. Whoever holds intolerance against this plurality and diversity of Hinduism is against the faith and a chronic pretender.
Coming back to the scale of the tragedy at Maha Kumbh, it did not just stop at the stampede and the deaths; pilgrims were stranded en-masse post the horrific incident and had to further deal with an apathetic, unresponsive and guilty government that did nothing to step in and help. It is noteworthy in this scenario that where the UP BJP government failed, our fellow Indian citizens stepped in. Muslims of Prayagraj opened their Masjids, Dargahs, Imambadas and their very own homes to help the stranded pilgrims. Both Sikhs and Muslims provided food, water and blankets to the people, to ensure they received the care and support they so badly needed after such a heartbreaking and disorienting incident.
Nobody asked the Muslims and Sikhs to help, but they stood with their fellow Hindu citizens in this difficult time out of love, fraternity and a sense of duty, despite the blatant bans (discrimination) against them for entry during the Maha Kumbh by the BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh. What is so heartening to see as a Hindu, is that every attempt by this regime to divide our citizens based on religion is met with resounding and overwhelming acts of love, compassion and fraternity. This is the true character of India, which is a thorn in BJP and RSS’ side, a living tradition that refuses to go away, no matter what. This is the idea of India that lives on with resilience in our DNA, an idea that instils respect and love for our oneness and unity in diversity.
For the Hindus that are confused right now, here is some food for thought:
Would you continue to side with those who abdicate responsibility for your well-being, the first chance things go south?
Should you place your faith in the hands of these “thekedars” who only see you as a medium to capture votes and usurp power?
Do you benefit from this regime in any way?
If any right-thinking Hindu has read the news critically in the past decade, they would realize that this regime is not interested in the well-being of Hindus at all. You talk of mass and rising unemployment, which religion has the greatest number of unemployed people? You talk of the regular train accidents, which religion has the highest number of casualties? You talk of atrocities against women, which religion has the highest number of victims of such heinous crimes? You talk of Farmers’ suicides, which religion has the highest numbers in this regard? Everything that is wrong with the country right now, and too much is, the religious community bearing the brunt of it all are the Hindus. Pray someone tell me, under which logic is the BJP/RSS pro-Hindu or a custodian of Hinduism?
Hindus are being cannibalized by the so called “thekedars” of Hinduism, and majority of us are sitting as mute spectators, witnessing our systematic persecution. If you decide to play close attention, you will see it as plain as day that this regime is the biggest threat to our well-being and future; certainly not the minorities, who are being vilified and persecuted every single day without any fault of theirs. We, the Hindus, are sitting ducks who are being hunted, subjugated, controlled and persecuted for the benefit of a few vested interests. We must decide whether we want to be cannibalized by this regime to satisfy our itch of seeing the minorities demonized, or do we stand up for our rights and well-being.
If we don’t wake up and smell the air even now, it will be too late. This recent incident should be a wake-up call for all Hindus, about the true nature of this regime.
The choice is ours. What will you choose?
Devsurabhee Yaduvanshi is a Marketing Professional, Political Activist and Lead Coordinator of Organization Engagement Work with All India Professionals’ Congress (INC). She is also the Founder and host of Democratic Dialogues, a YouTube channel that holds important conversations on pressing political and social issues of the day (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@DevsurabheeYaduvanshi).
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