Reflections on #JantaCurfew and why it was a missed opportunity. It COULD have been an opportunity for people to understand and practice the principle of #Social_Distancing. Instead you had crowds celebrating the defeat of Corona at the hands of Modi ji. Why this fiasco?
Modi didn't use facts, logic, persuasion, empathy combined with a relief package to make it possible for all to actually practice #Social_Distancing. Instead he and the BJP relied on their usual staple - blind faith in the Great Leader, in a ritual, WA fake news.
The result was predictable. People thought Modi ji wanted a grand show of support which would miraculously chase away Corona - and they gave it to him. Not their fault. This fault rests with the leaders who discourage people from understanding principles & thinking for themselves
Big media also is at fault. They simply did Wah Modiji Wah and cheered the Govt on the "Success" of the "masterstroke" of #JantaCurfew, instead of doing their job and educating their audience calmly about the actual facts, and focusing on holding the Govt accountable for action
We at @cpimlliberation did not mock & jeer at #JantaCurfew, even at clapping & banging, hoping against hope that perhaps this would help involve people in #SocialDistancing. We just urged the Govt to #DeclareCoronaReliefPackage with concrete steps, in addition to #JantaCurfew
#JantaCurfew like #SwacchBharat and #SelfieWithDaughter model relied on a superficial spectacle of people's participation, refusing to invest in education about the actual principles involved + policies to stop open defecation, sex selective abortion, encourage social distancing
I feel no satisfaction in the debacle of #JantaCurfew. This time, this fatal flaw of the Modi model could kill millions, cost lives. The crowds celebrating #JantaCurfew cd have dramatically increased transmission of a killer virus. The virus is politically impartial, unbiased.
The only thing that can save us even now is if the media does its job, AT LEAST NOW, and pressurises the Modi Govt to recognise that it MUST #DeclareCoronaReliefPackage without delay. If the Govt gets only adulation and congratulation, it will not act with the urgency India needs
Dissent is a DUTY now. Question the Govt, hold it accountable for concrete measures. Even if you are a BJP supporter, you must see how ALL our lives are threatened by a model of governance that is high on ritual, low on content.
