At almost the fag end of the recent edition of his radio talk show, Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people often requested him to talk about the government’s mega projects. But, Mr Modi explained, he steered clear of these because the forum, for him, was restricted to “halki-fulki, khatti-meethi” talk. Such “light-hearted banter” gives him great pleasure. For Mr Modi’s anand, a huge amount of government resources are spent. This includes cost of radio broadcast, money spent on advertising the event, manpower resources of other government departments — Press Information Bureau, Twitter handles @narendramodi and @PMOIndia, and a Facebook page.
Let me list the issues that Mr Modi focused on in previous editions and you can decide for yourself if they are halki-fulki or bhari-bharkam. In the inaugural show,
Mr Modi talked about khadi and Swachch Bharat; the second focused on black money; the third argued for a drug-free India; in the infamous fourth episode, Mr Modi tried proving that he was on first name terms with the US President, Barack Obama; in the fifth Mr Modi talked about not succumbing to exam pressure though he made no pledge to make school education less burdensome; the sixth instalment canvassed support for the Land Acquisition Bill; in the seventh episode Mr Modi used theatrical skills and bemoaned the tragedy that struck Nepal and later moved to talking about B.R. Ambedkar. The eighth episode was the most important till date because it was broadcast days after he completed one year in office. In this episode, Mr Modi donned the role of the Principal Information Officer of the government and listed the achievements of the government. He concluded the talk by asking people to holiday well and tweet pictures and tag his handle with #IncredibleIndia.
The above listing brings two things to the fore. Firstly, when it suited Mr Modi or when he felt the need, he picked serious issues, both political and social. Secondly, Mr Modi has chosen lighter issues as a diversionary tool in the face of criticism or setback — like in the second part of his anniversary episode or when he talked about exam stress days after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral rout in Delhi. On his first anniversary in office, the government, ruling party and bhakt brigade’s opinions were uniformly appreciative, but neutral observers from the business world, analysts and the media were unanimous in concluding that the government overstated achievements and underestimated challenges. Personally,
Mr Modi was likened to a self-obsessed czar believing that world leaders agreeing to pose for selfies meant acceptance of India’s concerns. Success in diplomacy cannot be measured in megapixels; it must be weighed in the context of progress in resolving bilateral matters.
If Mr Modi faced these charges during the previous Mann Ki Baat, he grappled with graver challenges this time because the government is besieged by the Lalitgate controversy. Because Mr Modi wished to skirt this issue completely, especially what action he intended to take with regard to accusations against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje, he chose to stick to “halki-fulki” baat. But nothing Mr Modi says — or does not say — is insignificant.
Though this is the month of Ramzan, instead of mentioning this and wishing Muslims, the Prime Minister gave people a Raksha Bandhan project. A good project, no doubt, but the premium on social security schemes could also have been a gift on Id-ul-Fitr. If one does not read this as a failure in using the occasion to forge inter-community bonding, as Prime Ministers should ideally do, then the #IncredibleIndia pictures displayed after being retweeted demonstrated a linear understanding of India’s plurality. In his speech Mr Modi talked of how India’s geographical diversity was highlighted in these pictures. There was not even a feeble effort to mention India’s cultural and religious diversity. The problem is that when Mr Modi indulges in light-hearted conversation, what runs beneath his skin and how it shapes his social and political beliefs become clearer.
Mann Ki Baat is a one-way information highway that forecloses the possibility of dialogue. #SelfieWithDaughter may be a great idea among those who use the mobile for purposes other than speaking, but will this actually contribute to lowering the number of sex-selective abortions? Similarly, Yoga Day may have been a great success as an event, but how can yoga become part of the daily routine of Indians unless it is possible for the working class to integrate a minimum 15-minute workout every day? Has anyone in government persuaded factory owners to earmark a brief period during the working shift so that workers can perform yoga? Or on how can yoga be made a part of the life of people in the unorganised sector?
Mr Modi should have looked at future challenges instead of patting himself on the back. Clearly, allegations that Mr Modi emphasises grandstanding, and not
implementation, are not untrue. When words do not convince and voice modulation is not natural, one knows something is wrong. As a child actor, Mr Modi learnt a cardinal rule on stage: sound convincing to the audience. For the past one year, Mr Modi has moved from offering one fantasy after another. But the moment the edifice appeared shaky and unsure, he opted for banter in a setting where there was no one to ask uncomfortable questions.
In less than three weeks Mr Modi will have to face ceaseless din in Parliament. He will be prudent to draw up a strategy and not take refuge in Maun Ki Baat. Speaking the language of silence did not bring Mr Modi to Raisina Hill. But it can surely take him down.
The writer is the author of Narendra Modi: The Man, the Times
