The impression that the average person got before the launch of the movie “Padmaavat”, in certain BJP ruled states was that heavens would fall; law and order situation would collapse, the world would come to an end, plus Rajput pride seriously dented. No such thing has happened in fact the producers and all people associated with the movie are laughing all the way to the banks.  On the other hand the negative publicity has made a lot of people watch the movie. There has been a certain curiosity, “a query”, in every one’s mind what’s objectionable lets ’see it for ourselves, thus increasing the ticket sales. My first reaction after seeing the movie was that the intelligentsia had let down the movie maker. Seeing believes, the movie on the other hand portrayed Rajput pride, showcased historically women sacrifice in our society, and down played the Delhi Sultanate. 

Thus what caused the bubble to bust; one wonders, was it not politics and the Rajasthan bye elections lost by the BJP.  While watching the movie most of us were wondering whether throwing stones at children and causing pain and anguish to these innocent lives was not only condemnable but also barbaric. There was nothing in the movie to show such anger.  Not a single politician that mattered had condemned the horrific incident in which schools going minor children were targeted. The question still remains “what is the guarantee that such a despicable act will not be repeated”? Are human valves so fragile?

The Rajasthan bye elections have become history the resistance to the movie “Padamaavat” has waned in the BJP ruled states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Was this resistance skin deep and manufactured?   The voter it seems has given the answer aptly summed up by the saying. “You can fool some people some time; some people all the time, but not everybody every time”.  Is Sanjay LeelaBhansali laughing all the way to the bank from his earlier status of “fall guy”, for the polarization of the Hindu vote bank? Does the nation still need to vote on deep caste lines is a point of issue that needs to be debated? India on the other hands celebrates becoming a power in South Asia. 

Over a period of time the levels of intolerance are certainly increasing and with both the BJP and Congress taking a pro Hindu stance, vote bank politics of divide and rule will only increase. Are we as civil society going to be rather naïve in this age of social media and watch these promises of “Saab KaSathaur Saab KaVikas”, just go by?

There are some deep under currents in our society. The judge’s outburst, senior minister of the government asked the Navy “why they are in Colaba”, and a movie not watched by people had become a matter of pride. Is respect for institutions, and freedom of expression just skin deep?  Padmaavat at best showcases the lust for votes at the expense of saneness. Why was there violence only in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana and to a lesser extent Uttarakhand is it because these are BJP ruled states. Not all BJP ruled states have erupted, but politically expedient states which are critical for going into sympathy vote for two critical states going to polls shortly in 2018 and 2019.

The performances of the BJP governments in Haryana and Uttarakhand have at best been lackluster, thus such an issue is good diversion tactics for a couple of days.  In fact with the BJP in power is facing a strong Congress challenge in Rajasthan.  This movie thus came as a God sent opportunity to whip up Rajput pride and try to win the Hindu vote in Rajasthan, while the voter thought otherwise. Rajput have been and still are a warrior class a movie maker cannot distort history he can only put  across in a manner he sees artistically  fit and also financially viable. We the common people are being divided by those who have till date divided us in the name of religion, caste just for our votes, where is the progress?

Both the BJP and Congress are going to woo the Hindu voter, Rahul Gandhi frequent trips to temples are a curtain raiser. It’s time the common man asked for performance not caste or religion. The BJP has good leadership but lacks good bench strength of leaders the powers are all concentrated at the top.  On the other hand Congress currently has dynastic leadership with good bench strength of leaders while most of Congress state units are plagued by defectors the “Aya and Gya Rams”, thus middle piece leadership of the Congress which was strong being in power for seventy years stands eroded. Into that Atmosphere dear voter the choice is yours between a head that works or arms that flap. Cannot 130 crore people give themselves a better choice?

(The writer is is author of books Gorkha: In Search Of Identity and Gorkha: Society and Politics; and co-authored India –Nepal Seven Decades of Trust and Friendship)