Ignoramus Leadership

by abhay mokashi

When the nation is ruled by a bunch of irrational and ignoramus leaders, it is not surprising that a large section of the population ignores standard precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID 19. This has led to India registering over 2 lakh cases in a day today, not to speak of those patients who have gone undetected.

Like the leaders and followers of the Indian National Congress, their counterparts in Bharatiya Janata Party swear by Mahatma Gandhi, not because they believe in his ideology, but because they believe it helps impress the people, to procure electoral success.

The Mahatma is used selectively, with most of his teachings being ignored. Among other words of wisdom, Gandhiji had said, “Practice before you preach.”

The Union Cabinet comprises ministers who attend office and cabinet meetings only to warm the chairs and collect their thick pay packets, since like their leader Narendra Modi, they too do not speak to the media. Only two persons seem to be running the country, Modi and his Man Friday Amit Shah and are doing a bad job on that front.

Modi and Shah not only conveniently ignore the simplicity and austerity practiced by Gandhi, but also overlook the ‘practice before you preach’ message of the Mahatma. Modi has appealed to the nation, over the television and radio, to wear a mask and maintain ‘social distancing’ to prevent the spread of the corona virus. However, he is often seen moving around without a mask. Modi and his government can be credited with maintaining social distance in the failure to take care of the social issues concerning the nation; the problems of millions of migrants and labourers affected by the lockdown and by ignoring the farmers and their demands.

While the people are asked to avoid crowding and organising large gatherings, Modi and Shah have been organising, what they call ‘mega rallies’. All the norms prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO) and by the government led by Modi, to prevent the spread of corona virus have been thrown do the dogs by both these power-hungry politicians. Leaders of other political parties are also guilty, but the head of the government should set an example; in this case he has, but a bad one for that.

Modi is clearly a narcissist, no speech of his ends with his ‘I, me myself’ mantra. Through his speeches he does give an impression that he is concerned about the well-being of the people, but his acts do not reflect that. As a narcissist he cannot see the problems and sufferings of the people.

He is also a megalomaniac, this is clear from the way he endangers the lives of thousands of his followers in various states and holds rallies to win the assembly elections.

Since Modi uses Hindutva and Ram for the electoral purposes, he will not ban religious congregations by Hindus. Uttarakhand government issued full page advertisements through newspapers last month with photos of Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, welcoming the people for the Kumbh Mela. The two of them have thus encouraged people to gather in large numbers. Rawat is blinded by his religious belief and is on record that Ganga will prevent the spread of the disease. Two days ago, nearly 14 lakh people gathered at the Kumbh Mela, already over two thousand positive cases of COVID 19 have been reported from among the Kumbh Mela participants. It is a matter of days, before more cases come to light.

Another person from the Bharatiya Janata Party, to make a non-sensible statement happens to be the Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu. Last year, as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha he ordered members of the Upper House to leave the House and return after removing the masks. Maybe, he thought that the corona virus would not enter the House of Elders. Better sense prevailed upon him, when the learned C Chidambaram argued in the House that members, who feel vulnerable to the infection should be allowed to wear the mask. Following this, Naidu amended his order.

The nation is going through the toughest time, with people dying like flies. There is no placer for the dead in cemeteries and crematoria.

History remembers Nero as the ruler who played the fiddle when Rome burnt. Modi will be remembered for campaigning as corpses burnt all over the country.