Its clearly fascist mindset when ruling class in a democratic set-up expects you to dance to its tunes. When exercising dictatorial power, forcibly suppress dissenting voices and regimenting society and economy to the subservience is the order of the day. This is what is happening in India right now.
The fascist people want you to speak what suits them. Practice and preach what they tell you to do. Eat and wear what they like and breath the air filled with saffron rustic rhymes filtered by divisive overtones.
Otherwise, in a democratic country, why so much of fuss is being made over Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone over her visit to JNU. She is a free citizen and has every right to visit anyone of her liking. And by the same logic, why should people object to Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to Pakistan and his friendly relations with Prime Minister, Imran Khan. In a democratic country every citizen has the right to live and act the way he likes. Its for the people of Punjab to give their verdict on Sidhu's Pakistan visit. Similarly, its for audience to pass verdict on Deepika's JNU move.
Lately, India has witness some tense moments which have only escalated the slowdown of the economy. The growth rate for the current financial year has been pegged at 5 percent- the slowest in 11 years. This much below the targeted level of 9 percent if India is to become $5 trillion economy in next 5 years. A climate of violence, hatred and regimentation can't help Indian economy to accomplish the target.
A latest report says that after article 370 was scrapped in August, Kashmir's economy has suffered more than Rs. 18,000 crore and 4,96 lakh jobs were lost in 120 days. Its multiplier effect will be colossal. And as the nation see more and more violence and protests over Amended Citizenship Law, the loss to economy is going to be very heavy.
Sadly, fascist mindset is not ready to accommodate any shade of opinion and is out to implement its agenda at any cost. The amended Citizenship Law is seen as dividing the nation on religious lines. And it meets saffron party BJP political ends. It seeks to divide people and polarize its vote. It succeeded by raking up Ayodhya issue and may succeed by implementing amended Citizenship Law. But it is almost certain that economy is growing to suffer immensely and India may not become $ 5 trillion economy by 2025.
(Chander Sharma)