Re: Rahul Gandhi Speaks in the Parliament: On the No-confidence Motion: An Update (including further response from Rahul Gandhi)

[Sukla Sen]

A relevant exchange with another Friend. In reverse chronological order.

From me (lightly edited):

Thanks a lot for your thoughtful response!

When a virtual civil war is going on spearheaded by two rival groups of militants -- one backed by the party in power, the use of the Army, which is also widely deemed as "neutral" in stark contrast with the state police, can in no way be ruled out. In fact, it has got to be ruled in.

But, even then, it must come as a part of a package consisting primarily of an appeal for peace anchored in an initiative for dialogue to find a (just, fair and viable) political solution.

The assertion that "the Army can stop it in two days" is too simplistic and such naive faith in the efficacy of coercive power is dangerous too.

The problem, however, is that the masses hardly have any appetite for something complex and nuanced. They look for something stark and straightforward. That's what, to my estimate, impelled Rahul Gandhi to go for that catchy one-liner.

In any case, we're broadly very much on the same side.

Here's Rahul Gandhi's response to the Prime Minister's (eventual) reply in the Parliament: <https://www.youtube.com/live/eE4Pz1FJh9s>.

He's evidently not in a mood to let the unfolding huge tragedy in Manipur slip out of the memory of the Indian mainland. He'd keep harping on assassination of Bharat Mata. He has also opted to specifically red flag Prime Minister's scandalously cavalier attitude towards the tragedy.

Alongwith that, he has also made -- at the very fag end -- a veiled but clearly recognisable attempt to wriggle our of the "Army" thing. (Please watch 20:40 mins. onward.)

Also may take note of a response from a BJP Ally to the Home Minister: <https://twitter.com/iindrojit/status/1689843905184055296>.

Sukla

On Fri, Aug 11, 2023, 11:07 XXX wrote:

I don't think I'm in the Socialist email group but you can respond on the group and then this may reflect there too. 

I'm in broad agreement with you on the points you make, but have a different take on the use of the Army..in fact the central forces are what are standing between the two factions and a certain civil war like situation, because the state police and local militia like the arambai tenggol and even the meira paibis are more like vigilante groups. So the government has allowed civilians civilians to arm themselves by looting the police and other armament stores and things are on a knife edge right now. Only the army is there inbetween. The Kuki women are begging the army to stay. But the cruel Machiavelli that he is, it's quite possible that Amit Shah will ask the army to stand down so as to allow the groups to set at each other.

XXX 

On Fri, 11 Aug, 2023, 08:32 Sukla Sen, <sukl...@gmail.com> wrote:

An exchange with a Friend.

One may find it relevant.

From the Friend:

I somehow felt a bit disappointed.

He need not have spoken so much of his own reflection and learnings during Bharat Jodo. Perhaps, could have connected to the yearning for peace and harmony by ordinary people and connected to Manipur.  Could have shared data on State Govt’s complicity and ineptness along with callousness of Central Govt.

I, in fact, like Gaurav Gogoi’s speech more.

My response:

He, to my mind, had limited time and anticipated interruptions.

He also wanted to cause a big splash to break through the impenetrable wall of media indifference.

With all these in mind, he made the false and deceptive promise of doing nothing sensational.

And, to be sure, he is no great orator. And he can hardly do anything about it.

He started with the BJY.

It serves two purposes. One, to sell himself -- as opposed to Modi. Two, more importantly, it connects to his narration of Ravana, at the very end, and his destructive Ahamkar. Thus, to my estimate, it's very thoughtfully structured [even if not too neatly delivered ].

It's not a stand-alone speech.

Gogoi's and his are parts of a package -- these are complementary.

Most importantly, he wanted to make the final point -- to be reached with stunning abruptness allowing least scope for interruptions -- the central point. 

You're the assassin of Bharat Mata! You're traitor!

[That sets the tone for the coming the days. Or at least tries to.]

An admittedly risky venture to challenge the BJP's (nationalist) narrative upfront, to upend it.

Markedly different from Sonia Gandhi's measured, cautious and somewhat conservative approach.

His call for using the Indian Army is, as it is, hugely problematic. Goes against the [very] grain of his gestures of visiting relief camps or hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk without any significant security deployment -- quite unimaginable in the recent years.

Unless it's seen as a part of this schema.

Sukla

From: Sukla Sen <sukl...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 9:03 AM
To: foil-l <foi...@insaf.net>; Discussion list about emerging world social movement <wsm-d...@lists.openspaceforum.net>
Subject: Fwd: Rahul Gandhi Speaks in the Parliament: On the Noconfidence Motion

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sukla Sen <sukl...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 at 08:56
Subject: Re: Rahul Gandhi Speaks in the Parliament: On the Noconfidence Motion
To: foil-l <foi...@insaf.net>, Discussion list about emerging world social movement <wsm-d...@lists.openspaceforum.net>

 

Sorry!
Checked this link: <https://www.youtube.com/live/dK6CyalKRjk>.

There was no switch-off of telecasting.

 

Sukla

 

On Wed, 9 Aug 2023 at 15:48, Sukla Sen <sukl...@gmail.com> wrote:

 

What a contrasting style! With the one who should not be named.

 

A homely chat. As regards his own transformation.

Never loses his cool by the noisy interruptions.

Then, all of a sudden, starts rushing to the climax.

 

Levels the charge of assassinating Bharat Mata.

In Manipur.

In Haryana.

All over India.

In the minds and hearts of people.

 

Against the Prime Minister. 

The vainglorious, the cruel and the scheming one. 

Equates Him with the Villain Ravana. 

The real destroyer of Golden Lanka.

 

Now, "Manipur" is going to be an unparliamentary word and be expunged!? Or "Bharat Mata"!?

In between the live telecast itself was switched off. A new technique!

Still they could have not prepared for what was coming.

 

<https://www.youtube.com/live/HEsoct7UE5g>

 

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Peace Is Doable

 

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Peace Is Doable