The rising popularity of Narendra Modi has been forcing various parties in the opposition into uncomfortable twists and turns. From arch rivals BSP and SP forging a friendship of convenience to Raj Thackeray emerging as the new ‘liberal’ hero, these elections have been seeing it all. This general election has been witnessing meek and desperate attempts from the opposition to save political ground from the BJP. Staying with the trend, the opposition camp has left no stone unturned to attack current PM Narendra Modi. India, a vibrant democracy provides ample space to criticize even the Prime Minister of the nation however, irresponsible conduct by a few has taken the political discourse to new lows.
Narendra Modi is surely the most unfairly criticized politician in Indian history. From calling animal names to using blatant casteist slurs, PM Narendra Modi has faced it all. A twitter user had posted a compiled list of all the abuses hurled at him. These comments were not just an attack on PM Narendra Modi as an individual but some even transcended barriers and challenged the decorum of Prime Ministers chair.
https://twitter.com/rahulsharma9400/status/1126082314553794561
This list not only includes abuses hurled by seasoned and experienced leaders of the Congress but also includes a few with insignificant political age. Gandi naali ka keeda, gangu teli,Pagal kutta, bhasmasur, Durydhan, Lathkhor, is just a small part of the abuses hurled at PM Modi.
The worst of the bunch was by Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who had made blatant casteist comments when in an interview he referred Narendra Modi as ‘Neech aadmi’ with a direct reference to his caste roots which saw widespread criticism not only from outside but from within the congress. Speaking to ANI, former Union Minister had said, “Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This man is a low-life person, he isn’t cultured… at this moment why does he need to practice such dirty politics?).”
After this condemnable slur, Rahul Gandhi had to intervene to save the Congress’ face from another big embarrassment and Mani Shankar Aiyar had to apologize and was in an optical move was ousted from the Congress however later his suspension was revoked.
The newly Inducted Priyanka Gandhi also did not refrain from making such comments and accused Narendra Modi of indulging in “neech rajniti”. However what accompanied this crass mindset was also blatant hypocrisy. After Congress has been building its campaign around Indira and Rajeev Gandhi, Prime Minister Modi’s taking aim at the rampant corruption during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure and referred to him as “corrupt no. 1”. PM Modi’s comment by any scale of political correctness is just a valid criticism of the rampant corruption that plagued the Indian Government under his Leadership.
However the top opposition leaders who have been indulging in hurling a number of abuses at PM Modi started crying foul over Modi ji’s criticism. This hypocritical hate campaign against PM Modi also got support from the Media machinery, which has been operating under the garb of ‘neutrality’, however just acts on the whims their political overlords.