The Making of a 'Bhakt'

A bhakt in the making is liberal (at least initially) benign believer in his religion who feels that India may have some problems but still one should feel patriotic. Basically believes in live and let live philosophy and likes movies like Upkaar and Border. Also feels an extra tinge of satisfaction when India defeats Pakistan in a cricket match.

        Then happens Rohith. Blames Brahminism despite being a Brahmin (usually). Ardently believes that the problem of caste based discrimination is not related to Hinduism per se but only a small number of upper castes who are blatantly casteist. Then happens Kanhaiya and all hell breaks loose. Starts believing that slogans are the biggest threat to the nation. Foregoes logic and starts  championing a colonial law which was used to target freedom fighters. Bays for blood of students who are supposedly bigger threats to nations than sword yielding desh bhakts. Bays for blood of Nehrus, Gandhis and others (long dead though) who established these educational institutions that gave the critical space for thinking and questioning.

            

         Then comes news of Mahishasura puja. The largely tolerant fellow gets heavily offended that in some local traditions the goddess of the dominant religious group is portrayed in a negative light. Demands that those who practice these little traditions should also be booked as anti national. Categories get metamorphosed when anti Brahmins become anti Hindus who in turn are conflated to anti India. Goes conveniently quiet on the Rohith issue and believes that Islamophobia is a myth.

            

      Starts ranting regularly about the shortcomings of Congress which was no more Nehru’s Congress, Left which was not red enough and hence concludes that saffron is the best option for this country. Laments that Congress and Left have led to the growth of right wing fundamentalism and then goes on to celebrate the same fundamentalism.

         

      Blames his/her transformation into a supposed ‘sanghi’ on students, university professors, intellectuals, scientists, historians, writers, Arun Shourie, Ram Jethmalani and anybody for that matter who critiqued the growing right wing fundamentalism. Conveniently forgets that governments are elected for five years and political convictions are for longer.

          

        Believes that BJP is the best that has ever happened to the country. Ends every Facebook post saying – ‘Proud to be a Sanghi’, however is actually a bhakt as becoming a Sanghi would need a longer training, a bhakt just needs to be hoodwinked once. There you go.