India’s Prime Minister, Sri Narendra
Modi, or BigMo (for Momentum), is, to
all appearances, Walking the Talk. Corruption – check, Development – check,
Infrastructure – check, Emancipation for Corporations – cheq…check. There is much activity and motion in the
machinery of governance. Wheels are turning, albeit with no small amount of
rusty groans. Files are being closed, lubricated by fear of professional and public
consequences, replacing the hitherto indispensable WD40 of file movement, money.
People-, Citizen-, Mango People – oriented programs are bursting with green
shoots. Newspapers are replete with portraits of well-fed, well-clothed
middle-class mangoes beaming with satisfaction at Budgets that sop up their
territorial fears with the refrain happy days are here again.
All to the good, no doubt; India has
been governed by the Talking the Talk is More than Enough folks for far too
long.
But, the things that BigMo didn’t, has
not, talked about are beginning to get worrisome. For instance, Mr. Modi has
not made any mention of the role of particularized morality in governance. He
has not categorically stated, (as he has on corruption, et.al), that
religiosity is a private matter and has no place in public administration. He
has not had a quiet word with the young lions in his government A result of
that is, revisionist governors of dubious intellect and incomplete information
are able to thump legislative tables and demand restrictions on swim-wear.
Others, in the mode of Sarah Palin, and irrespective of party affiliation, feel
free to blame cell phones for rape and demand legislation to curb access and
use. Still others, party loyalists and fellow travelers, are emboldened into
pouring vituperation and bile on bloggers who wonder about clay, feet, and
idols. Across the nation religion and religious teachings are becoming the
reason (hah) and the rhyme of rules and ordinances; almost as if the whole
saffron clad lot of them stride the halls of power proclaiming, “He didn’t say
we couldn’t, so we’re gonna, neener, neener, neener.”
Mr. Modi, sir, wonder if I could ask
to have a word with those folks when you get back from Brazil. Or, at the very
least, give your very able lieutenants the okay to talk some sense into the
right wing of your party. After all, I have heard you say, the welfare of all
the people is your concern in your new hand at the till speech. I’m not sure
your myrmidons heard you. I am also assuming that your silence on stifling the
voices of dissent is an over sight and not tacit approval.
