KAGA BHUSHUNDI SPEAKETH
Suman K Sharma
Guptaji, my spirited neighbor, was beaming with happiness as he rushed into my room holding half a ladoo in his sweaty hands. ‘This is for you. BJP has won; ab ki bar, aa gayi Modi sarkar!’ Out of courtesy I extended my hand for the sweetmeat and invited him to sit with me in the baithak. But, as always, Guptaji was in a hurry. ‘I have to go to the party office. Bhaiji is meeting us workers after the fabulous victory,’ he said with not a little trace of self-importance and was gone. Standing on my doorstep, I couldn’t quite make up my mind whether to put that crummy thing into my mouth or feed it to the pigeon that regularly visits my compound looking for crumbs.
‘Better eat that than cast it away!’ said Kaga Bhushundiji at his loudest.
‘You are telling me to eat a ladoo that reeks of somebody’s sweat! It’s not even whole.’
‘Son, you can’t be finicky with a ladoo that’s in your hands. If you resent it being in half, there’s hope that in time you might have a whole one.’
Eating the ladoo as told, I asked, ‘Kagaji, how do you feel about Modi sarkar?’
‘It’s much like the ladoo that you ate a moment ago – smelly and not whole, but still a ladoo.’
‘Your riddles amuse no one, please talk to me straight.’
‘Then listen. Thanks mostly to Narendra Modi’s successful campaign, BJP alone has sent 282 members to the Lok Sabha, albeit there is not one Muslim amongst them. Some people still find it hard to forget the 2002 Gujarat riots and the RSS stamp. With the sweeping majority it has managed and the opposition in shambles, the NDA combine can by itself take any decision, right or wrong, without having to seek the nod or the close scrutiny of an ally or the rivals. Now if the specters of communalism and one-man-having-his-way-ever-and-always daunt those of Bharatvasis who refuse to be swayed by Modi-wave, it is only natural. Remember how you were chary of eating the sweat-smeared ladoo!’
‘And what’s it about being in half?’
‘Look, his achievement is unparalleled. Self-made, Modi is the first man born in swatantra Bharat, to a family of modest means and humble stature (unlike his mismatched rival, Rahul Gandhi, who counts as many as three prime-ministers in direct lineage), to have clawed himself to the pinnacle of power. If this does not inspire your youth what else will? His government betokens uncluttered decision-making after all those years of dilly dallying and kow-towing to the provincial lords and lordlings. Committing himself to good governance and development, he avows impartiality towards one and all, regardless of caste, creed or religion. And yet Modi’s victory means half-ladoo because at present it is but a package of the possibilities and sweet promises he has made, which may or may not be realized.’
And the other half?’
‘The other half will be the real thing: sweeter or bitter as bitter can be – it all depends on how you people make it happen.’
‘Where do we come now, Kagaji? Haven’t we already given Modi a clear mandate to deliver all that he has promised?’
‘Son, even Bhagwan Ram could not perform miracles in His human guise! Modi is only a man. At best he can provide an atmosphere that enables you to realize your dreams. Good roads, electricity, water, control over prices, a simpler tax-system, and a government that works. But it is for you to rise to the changing times, shedding old habits of fear and dependency. Now is the time to take pride in yourself as a citizen of resurgent India. Why should you allow anyone to dole out to you bowlfuls of rice and dal at subsidized rates and breed in turn a whole army of petty thieves and profiteers? Why anyone should dare bestow on you ‘free’ gifts of computers, bicycles and the titbits at sarkari expense? Say no to all such dubious offers. It is your money and someone else is splurging it for selfish ends. There is no time for time-pass. Learn, train and earn for your upkeep and welfare. Only then will you be able to relish the taste of the whole ladoo.’
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