Indian Politicians: Disrupting Patriotism, Consolidating Egoism

Written by: Nadeem Ahmed

Shashi Tharoor, the famous MP from Kerala was recently sacked from the post of All India Congress Committee Spokesperson following a complaint by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) against his praise for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for voluntarily participating in the much publicized ‘Swach Bharath Abhiyan’. If one is not mistaken Article 19 in the constitution of India clearly provides  the freedom for any citizen of the nation voice his expression on whatever he chooses without being accountable to anyone provided that, it is not against the laws of the country.  However, Shashi Tharoor, a stalwart of the Indian National Congress and also a significant leader of India on a global level was not even allowed to justify and defend himself and that by the members of his own party.

Is a party's ideology above an individual's ideals?

Politicians as representatives of the people of a state must be responsible and dedicated towards the development of the nation rather than confining themselves to party ideologies. It is necessary for them to think and act prudently by coming out of the nutshell of egoism and unhealthy prejudiced agendas and motives that are often seen to be at the core of all tactics they display to tarnish the opposition for their own development and progress.
Being a patriot is more important than proclaiming oneself a political leader. India being the largest democracy in the world with a startling amount of history, tradition and culture, must stand out from other nations by displaying the virtuous notion of ‘unity in diversity’. It is quite surprising how the opposition leaders (Whichever political party they may be affiliated to) rhetorically attack the government, only to oppose the progress of their ‘enemies’ without even pondering over the motive or idea that the enemy is trying to convey. After scrutinizing enough one will only reach the verdict that the ‘Swach Bharath’ Campaign was advertised and propagated for the betterment of the nation, be it for a short or long term.

KPCC president VM Sudheeran said that the praises lavished on Modi repeatedly by Tharoor had hurt Congress and UDF workers who worked for his [Tharoor’s] victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.

On the other hand, the Congress Party General Secretary Digvijay Singh supported Tharoor by tweeting

I see nothing wrong in Shashi Tharoor accepting to be Brand Ambassador for Swachhta Abhiyan. It is Congress Party programme adopted by Modi.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) October 9, 2014

The internal divide in Congress ‘Party Ideology’ makes it clear that the muddle is not because Tharoor went against the party’s ideology or viewpoint but because he was in support of an idea propagated by the opposition for a sinless and virtuous cause.

Augmenting baseless ideologies and criticizing for gaining power only leads to the disruption of the unity and shattering of the idea of patriotism. It is important to perceive aptly the motives of the leaders and analyse them vigilantly.

As citizens of this wonderful nation it is of utmost significance for us to spread the distinct light of patriotism and convey the virtuous message of unity to be able to cut the strings of corruption. Let us work for a nation which can mould praiseworthy leaders and glorify the notion of ‘India’ through an exceptional effort by questioning, criticizing and demanding these leaders’ sincere obvious obligation.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharath.