How have your political views changed over time?
The evolution of political views in India reflects a complex history post-independence. Initially, revolutionary slogans united the nation against British rule. Nonetheless, disillusionment grew as the Congress Party’s dominance waned amid rising corruption and ineffective governance. The youth, inspired by leftist ideologies, shifted perspectives, leading to movements like Naxalbari. The emergence of coalition governments marked a new political landscape, revealing inefficiencies. Amid fluctuating ideologies, the prioritisation of national interest underscores a return to foundational values, emphasising service to humanity and the motherland.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The evolution of political views in India reflects changes influenced by historical events and shifting ideologies post-independence.
- Disillusionment with the Congress Party’s rule led to the rise of leftist movements, like Naxalbari, revealing deep societal divisions.
- The political landscape transformed with coalition governments, exposing inefficiencies and corruption.
- National interest became a priority, steering a return to foundational values of service to humanity and the motherland.
- Despite ideological differences, the essence of patriotism remains central in shaping political views.
Introduction
“Inquilab Zindabad…” These powerful words have been echoed by many who hold strong political views.
Decades after the country became free in August 1947, the slogan was frequent. The slogan is “Long live Revolution”. A drastic change is “Inquilab”. After a long and persistent struggle, the country gained independence. Euphoric people would often raise this slogan rhetorically. Oblivious to the simmering sentiments, children used to raise this in tandem with their adult caregivers and peers.
Revolutionaries and freedom fighters used to raise this slogan during the freedom movement. There was a very thin line between a revolutionary and a freedom fighter. Yet, the primary goal was to oust the British rule, and this annexed them together.
Revolutionary vs freedom fighter
The difference between the two is subtle. A revolutionary aimed to eradicate Imperialism and its exploitation. In contrast, a freedom fighter challenged the shackles of slavery. The British had placed these shackles around the neck of “Bharat Mata”, the beloved motherland. The former’s tilt was more towards leftist ideology, while the latter inclined towards right-wing thought process.
(1) “Krantikaari” or “Rastavaadi”
Many looked upon revolutionaries (“Krantikaari”) with disdain and did not like their “violent” means to achieve freedom. The revolutionaries followed the doctrine of Marx and Lenin. They believed that the imperialist government could only be overthrown by gun power. Some claimed to be nationalists (“Rastravaadi”) freedom fighters. They often raised the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Hail Mother India). They also used the slogan “Vande Mataram” (Bow to Mother). Occasionally, these slogans used interchangeably.
(2) Charged atmosphere
The slogans and the charged atmosphere were beyond the children’s comprehension. They thought it was good because their elders were chasing them. Even after years of independence, children would follow suit, their elders followed during their childhood. The common people carried out daily routines and pulled their lives. They were, by and large, least affected by the happenings.
Treachery
Unwanted wars imposed on the newly freed and vivisected India. Shocked people saw that China trampled the slogan “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” (India and China are brothers) and waged a war against India in 1962. There was a shroud of miasma, suspicion and dejection in the country. Elders who listen to the radio drop their heads in utter dejection after listening to the war news. Frightened children would mutely see the prevailing condition. Clueless children only knew that China had attacked their country and also that Zhou Enlai was not trustworthy.
Changing perception
The mindset was changing with time. The sheen of the Congress Party was waning. The first Prime Minister of free India, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and his successor, Lal Bahadur Shastri, had passed away after two treacherous backstabs in 1962 and 1965.
(1) Stagnant system
The country was witnessing a gradual change. People felt cheated. The aim of the freedom struggle remained unfulfilled. Instead, a new breed of oppressors emerged. The white-skinned masters and black “Babu” in Western robes swapped places. The system remained the same as left by the Britons. Nexus of corrupt and haughty bureaucracy, political setup and middlemen took centre stage. It appeared that the establishment did not change except for the leaders. The political views took back seat.
(2) Metamorphosis
Children born post-independence in 1947 had become young. Their interaction gave them insight into understanding and relating the chain of events. They could comprehend the events to reach a logical conclusion. Some of them were changing their attitude with strong leftist political views. Peer’s metamorphosis amused people.
(3) New avatar
Their attire and mannerisms changed drastically. They looked alien in their new avatar. Frail-bodied with tousled hair and overgrown beards, they carried cheap cotton bags on one shoulder. Physical appearance apart, they would shout in debates, thumping their fists on the table, favouring their political views. Holding a “Beedi” in their mouth, they liked to call themselves revolutionary and followers of Marxism. “Beedi” used to be a crude form of cigarette, prepared by filling tobacco in a rolled Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaf. Bourgeoisie, Proletariat, Bolshevism and capitalism, et cetera, were their favourites. They would use them often in their conversation. The “pseudo-intellectuals” mendaciously used to throw their weight on others. Ridiculously, though, they did not know much about the principle.
(4) Idealism or mature pragmatism
A growing individual with an impressionable mind, easily swayed by the hollow idealism of mushrooming aliens. With maturity, the rosy idealism gives way to mature pragmatism. It is rightly said that “a man who has not been a socialist before 25 has no heart. If he remains one after 25, he has no head.” Nonetheless, it was a phase that touched most youth of the time.
Challenging time
It was a challenging time for the country. The trench between haves and have-nots was yawning. Soaring unemployment, price rise, and a high rate of inflation were prevalent. Frequent Communal conflagrations were frequent. Lethargic, stereotyped bureaucracy was ailing with its laid-back approach. They worked in silos. Common people were suffering, and clueless youth were desperate. Newspapers and magazines were flooded with news covering these points.
(1) Brain drain
The dearth of employment opportunities, soaring prices, and inflation were worsening the situation. A large number of unemployed youths were facing serious social castigation and stigma. Those who could afford and manage were going abroad in search of better prospects. This led to a severe brain drain situation. Indian brains were draining out to serve in foreign countries. Because of shaky political views and ideological conflicts, the government seemed helpless in tackling yawning issues. The simmering dissatisfaction and frustrations were becoming a fertile breeding ground for fictionalism and regressive policies. (The Print)
(2) Naxalbari
The rosy slogans ceased to work as a panacea. The chaotic conditions prevailed. An unfortunate incident occurred when a group of peasants having strongly opiniated left-wing political view upraised in 1967. It happened at the Naxalbari Community Development Block. The movement called the Naxalite movement became a nuisance which plagued India for a long.
(3) Karl Marx
Karl Marx, an economic thinker, wrote an iconic book, Das Kapital. He gave a theory of money and its distribution, advocating for equal distribution of wealth. The principle that communism is the highest stage of socialism changed the world. It formed the bedrock of Leninism and the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. This revolution overthrew the Czar’s regime. It established Communist rule in the USSR.
(4) Ideology
The famous last paragraph of The Manifesto of the Communist Party written by Karl Marx declares that,
The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their end can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling class tremble at a communist revolution. The proletariat has nothing to lose but the chains. They have a world to win.
(5) Classless society
The Marxist theory advocates for a classless society. It upholds a “dictatorship of the proletariat”. Paradoxically, it creates a new class in the name of “dictatorship of the proletariat”. This new class emerged as the “ruling class”. The strong political view leaves scanty or no scope of public voices. Paradoxically, it is done by “People’s” participation.
Democracy
Democracy is unquestionably beneficial, but its effectiveness depends on its proper implementation. The system of election through votes was severely misused by political parties, especially the party in power at that time. Vote-based electoral politics further aggravated the situation. To gain votes, political parties entered into a dangerous, divisive game. Fragmentation of society on linguistic, religious, caste and subcaste bases to garner vote support became rampant. Mutual harmony and tolerance shrank to mere rhetoric. Noticeably, it was the majority population that was fragmented into groups, caste and sub-caste, leaving specific religious groups. It helped in creating “Vote-Bank”.
(1) Turning point
The results of the fourth general elections in 1967 proved to be a turning point. Congress won a majority in the centre, but in states, it lost its control. The late Mrs Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister, and Morarji Desai became Deputy. PM and Finance Minister. This was the groundbreaking event in Indian politics. The monopoly of the Congress Party was dented. The first coalition government was formed in 1977, after the lifting of the Emergency. Indira Gandhi lost her election.
(2) Multi-party alliance
From the dominance of the Congress Party, the role shifted to a multi-party alliance. It was good in the sense that it allowed a variety of thoughts and ideas. It has some serious repercussions as well. Big ideological differences, infighting, and ego clashes caused the failure of coalition governments. One serious repercussion was inefficiency and corruption. (Coalition governments in India: A historical overview)
Coalition Government
The pantomime reached its pinnacle from 2004 to 2014. A patchwork government was formed by the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) at the centre. It was a coalition of various political parties headed by the Congress Party. Corruption, inefficiency, and policy paralysis were rampant. This exposed the ideological hollowness of the framework both at systemic and political levels. It became clear how politicians used factions and castes for their parochial gains. The things and information were pervicaciously manipulated for parochial gains.
Changing world order
The changing world order and geopolitical scenario underscore that the world can’t be driven only by ideologies. The disintegration of the USSR and the simultaneous ideological paradigm shift in Eastern European nations have shown that nothing is above national interest. The changing stance of 57 Muslim nations is yet another sign that the nation and its people are of utmost importance.
Nation first
The nation comes first. This is also reflected in the ancient Indian scriptures. The Earth is considered the mother or “Dharti Mata”. People reverently bow to it. Written one and a half centuries ago, “Vande Mataram” was the epitome of the freedom struggle. Mother and motherland are at the highest place. It resonates in our psyche. Both of them nourish, take care of, and keep them lively and energetic. It is an organic feeling which comes from within. People living in a frigid zone at sub-zero temperatures feel attached to their place. It is beyond any ideology which shows the way of running the system. It is not absolute but changeable according to the situation.
Also, read my writing “Celebrating Patriotism: Why Love for Country Matters” by clicking here.
The crux
The crux is the service of humanity and Mother Land. It is the supreme ideology. Primogenitors have rightly said, “Janani Janmbhumisch Swargadapi Gariyasi” ( Mother and Motherland are above the heaven.)
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