Ideology, values and principles have their own special importance in Indian politics. This is not only necessary for the development and stability of the country, but it is also a proof of the responsibility of political parties towards the public. But, when personal attacks, baseless allegations and false propaganda start in politics, it only shows the declining level of politics. Unfortunately, the kind of politics that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to do is unacceptable for Indian democracy.
There should be no hesitation in saying that the Prime Minister’s silence on this decline in level is encouraging the talkative class. The baseless allegations made by the BJP on senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are indicative of this distorted mentality. The repeated allegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Rahul Gandhi are also the biggest proof of their political fear. Because, Rahul ji constantly asks questions to the government in the interest of the country. He raises the voice of the village, poor, labourer and farmer. He makes the issues of women oppression a national issue. Therefore, with the protection and encouragement of the Prime Minister, everyone from the Central Government ministers to the MLAs of different states make unnecessary allegations.
Personal attacks in politics
The trend of personal attacks has increased significantly under the political policy of the BJP. The allegations leveled by BJP on Rahul ji are not only in his personal life, but are also an unsuccessful attempt to challenge his political stature. This act of distorted and opposite ideology is also carried out by senior BJP leaders. This taunt points towards personal insult and ridicule, far from discussing any ideology or policy in politics. The purpose of such words and allegations is only to tarnish the image of Rahul ji. BJP forgets every time that due to all such efforts of theirs, the image of Rahul ji as a leader of the people emerges with more strength.
Perverted mindset of BJP
The baseless allegations leveled by BJP leaders on Rahul Gandhi are a symbol of the distorted mindset of BJP. Instead of healthy debate and discussion in politics, when there is politics of allegations and counter-allegations, it only creates division and rift within the society. Such allegations are an example of the mindset of the BJP, where opponents are not respected. Opposition parties play an important role in a healthy democracy, but for the BJP, the opposition is only a target of criticism. This mentality not only insults democratic values, but also shows how the BJP is ready to go to any extent in its greed for power.
Falling level of politics
The baseless allegations on Rahul ji are also a proof of the falling level of Indian politics. Politics used to be a platform of ideology and public service, but now it has become a game in which personal attacks and abusive language are used. It is because of the false arrogance of the BJP that there is a lack of healthy debate among political parties in today’s era. Instead of discussing policies, schemes and problems of the public, personal attacks keep happening more. This situation not only shows the falling level of BJP, but also tells how BJP, which is in power from the center to running the government in many states, has left behind democratic traditions and constitutional values in its greed for power.
Diversion from public issues
The truth of today’s political era is that the allegations and personal attacks on Rahul ji are not only against an individual, but it is a way to divert attention from the real issues of the public. When political parties fail to solve the problems of the public, they try to hide their failures by blaming their opponents. BJP’s attacks on Rahul ji are also a part of this strategy. Instead of facing criticism on the policies and schemes of the government, BJP is trying to hide its failures by targeting Rahul ji. This not only ignores the issues of the people but also undermines the basic purpose of politics.
Threat to democratic values
The allegations levelled against Rahul ji and the strategy adopted by BJP are a big threat to Indian democracy. In the basic definition of democracy, it is an established fact and truth that the place and respect of the opposition is important in a healthy democracy. The opposition criticises the policies of the government and raises the voice of the people. But, when there are absolutely baseless personal attacks on the top leadership of the opposition, it weakens the dignity and seriousness of the House as well as the foundation of democracy. The allegations levelled against Rahul ji garner short-lived discussion, but weaken the faith of the people in the democratic system. This sends a message among the people that personal attacks have become more important in politics than ideology and principles.
BJP lagged behind in the ideological battle
BJP may have forgotten but the people of the country know this truth very well that the allegations levelled by BJP against Rahul ji are not just personal attacks, but are a part of the ideological battle. The ideologies of both BJP and Congress are different and this ideological conflict is at the centre of Indian politics. BJP promotes its hate-filled ideology and divisive political sentiment, while Congress advocates a secular and inclusive society. Despite losing this ideological battle time and again, BJP targets Rahul ji only because it still finds itself dwarfed in front of Congress’ ideology. It gets defeated, but still keeps fighting shamelessly.
In the court of the people, now it is the responsibility of the people
In this era of falling standards in politics and baseless allegations, the public also has an important responsibility. The public has to understand that instead of allegations and counter-allegations, BJP wants to divert attention from the real issues. The allegations made on Rahul ji are only a part of politics, but the public has to understand that these allegations are made only for political gain. The public also has to learn to differentiate between truth and lies. It also has to be seen which politicians are committed to solving their problems.
In a healthy democracy, there should be discussion on ideology, policy and problems of the public, not the game of personal attacks and allegations. The public has to be alert and see which leaders in politics are paying attention to the real issues and who are resorting to falsehood only in the greed for power. The allegations made by the BJP on Rahul ji are not only an attack on a person, but also an attack on the values of Indian democracy, politics and society. The public has to understand that this is the falling level of politics and the responsibility of improving it lies in the public.
The author is the state president of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee.