For some reason which is not quite clear as far as the executive role of elected representative is concerned, the Prime Minister of India walked about with peacock feathers, then got into a diving suit and sat at the bottom of the seabed on a red carpet.
The usual media frenzy ensued. However, there was no clarity on the issue. Some said he went scuba diving to promote underwater tourism in Gujarat. Others said he went to pray. Others said he offered peacock feathers (not sure to whom exactly) and meditated. Others said it was some sort of an exploration to see the ancient submerged ruins of Dwarka. Others said the idea was to offer prayers at a submerged temple.
My own feeling is that the Public Relations organisation in charge of this event sent different releases to different people. Even though I am long retired from active journalism, some sweet and kindly PR companies still send me releases for “opportunities” to interview or better “interact” with some famous person I have never heard of or even better exclusive authored curated something, I may have got the order of the words wrong because I don’t quite get current PR speak. Anyway, my point is that all the newsrooms may have received separate, individual, curated, authored press releases – praying, meditating, promoting, divining, feathering and so on.
I feel this is a very clever election to keep the media distracted from reality and in a high state of constant suspense – What will He do next – and excitement – Can you believe He did something so wonderful.
A few cynics – particularly the evil anti-national type who still lurk about at the edges – claim that this entire stunt sorry I mean brave and exciting adventure was a response to this:
Dhruv Rathee is an independent commentator on Youtube. His videos are usually on politics. This particular commentary is on why he thinks India is vast edging towards a North Korea-like dictatorship and speeding away from being a democracy. It was got over 12 lakh likes and has been viewed by 1,3126,342 as of February 22, 2024.
Rathee has not minced his words on India’s current situation and nor has he spared the Honourable Prime Minister and the BJP.
It is intriguing however to conjecture that to counter a strong critical voice which sees shades of North Korea in the behaviour of those at the top, some Public Relations Expert decided that to try something which Kim Jong Un might be jealous of!
Don’t laugh! Instead, admire them for knowing their audience.
Because what is happening in India above the water only seems to prove Rathee’s points. A judge of the Calcutta High Court wasted precious time over what seemed to be an absurd case over the naming of lions. Because one was called Akbar (Muslim), and the other Sita (Hindu name, commonly given to girls, and of epic significance), the judge ordered the lions to be renamed and the Tripura government suspended the forest officer who had named the lions.
Idiotic as this whole episode seems, it points to the consistent atmosphere of official Islamophobia in the BJP and Modi’s India. This underlying theme since 2014 has stopped being the focus of discussion and media interest, and thus attempts to destroy lives and livelihoods of Muslims have only increased.
That the Prime Minister’s PR stunt was about Hindu prayers only strengthens that intent.
A professor of politics and international relations at the University of Westminster is not allowed to enter India. Nitasha Kaul was invited by the Karnataka government to attend a convention on the Constitution and National Unity. However she was detained at Bengaluru Airport and deported to London. Kaul was been a consistent critic of the Modi government.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/harrowing-experience-who-is-nitasha-kaul-indian-origin-professor-denied-entry-to-india/articleshow/108014822.cms
BJP supporters in India have mocked Rathee because he does not live in India. But as one can see from Kaul’s experience, criticism of PM ji has its consequences.
Goodness, I almost feel admiration now for the cowardice of the Indian media. Maybe it’s just survival??
Hah!
Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.