Articles
Shocking Statistics versus thoughtless slogans
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 14-Nov-2024
I wish to begin this write-up with certain alarming statistics:
- 129 million Indians are living in extreme poverty (World Bank)
- In the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105thout of the 127 countries.
- One farmer/farm labourer dies by suicide every hour in India (NCRB)
- India is likely to have 33.4 million children in child labour in 2025 and 22.7 million children in child labour in 2030 (UNICEF).
- Incidents of student suicides in India have grown at an alarming annual rate, surpassing the population growth rate and overall suicide trends (NCRB).
- Unemployment rate in India stood at 7.8 percent in September, 2024. The labour participation rate fell from 41.6 percent to 41 percent and the employment rate fell from 38 percent in August to 37.8 in September (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy).
· A report by NCRB revealed that crimes against women have been on the rise, with 4,45,256 cases reported in 2022, which means 51 cases every hour. In 2024 this rate is found to be ever-rising.
- Manipur has borne witness to ethnic violence for the past 16 months. The victims of violence are spread across the valley and the hills, with thousands displaced from their homes. The same Manipur is once again witnessinga surge in violence. Protests are erupting on the streets. Despite efforts by the government and agencies to control the situation, peace remains elusive in this northeastern state.
- Union Budget – 2024-2025 allocated 11,11,111 crores for capital expenditure which is 3.4 percent of GDP. This amount is meant for infrastructure development. But shockingly newly constructed/under construction bridges and roads are collapsing in various parts of the country. Road/Rail accidents are also on the increase.
It is in this scenario, the ruling BJP leaders are going around to various parts of the country with slogans like: “Batoge toh Katoge” (Divided you fall); “Ek Hai toh safe hai” (if you are united, you are safe); “Ek rahenge toh nek rahenge” (if we are united, we will be good-natured). The opposition parties have come up with another catchy slogan: “Daroge toh Maroge” (if you are afraid, you will die). According to sensible citizens these slogans and those who are using these slogans are stupid. Let me explain with certain imaginations:
To the 129 million Indians living in extreme poverty, the BJP is telling: “What is wrong if you live in extreme poverty? The urgent need for you today is to remain safe by your unity. To these same persons living in utter poverty, the opposition party tells “If you are afraid, then, you will die”.
- To those people who are dying out of hunger, the BJP tells: “It is true that you are affected by hunger. But you need to be safe by being united.” To the same people, the opposition party is cautioning: “You will die if you are afraid”.
- To the debt-ridden farmers and the families who lost their beloved ones due to suicides, the BJP tells: “We know that your crops have failed. Many of you have lost your loved ones due to suicides. We advise you to remain united and keep yourselves safe.” To such farmers, the opposition party tells, “If you have fear, you will die.”
- To all the child labourers, the BJP tells: “Dear children, truly you have lost your childhood due to child labour. Do not worry, you all can be safe if you are united.” To the same child labourers, the opposition party tells: “Hi children, if you are afraid you will die. So, continue to struggle without fear.”
- To the restless student community, the BJP tells: “Please be united so that you all can be safe.” To the family members who have lost their sons and daughters in suicides, the BJP tells: “You fall if divided.” To the same student community and their grieving families, the opposition party tells: “If you are afraid, you will die.”
- To all those who are unemployed, the BJP tells: “We know that you are facing severe unemployment crisis. Do not worry! You must remain safe by being united.” To the unemployed community, the opposition party tells: “Do not be afraid because fear will cause death.”
- To the women who face various types of atrocities, the BJP tells: “Your life is tough and unsafe. You are raped anywhere and everywhere. Crimes are committed against you continuously. You can be safe if you are united.” To the same women, the opposition party tells: “You should not be afraid of atrocities. You will die if you are afraid.”
- To all the victims of Manipur violence, the BJP tells: “Your state has been burning for more than one year. You have lost many lives and your properties. Yet, you all must be united in order to be safe.” To the same victims, the opposition party tells: “Fear will cause more damages. If you live in fear, then, you are already dead.”
- To all those who are affected by sub-standard infrastructure like roads, bridges and transports, the BJP tells: “Every year we allocate a huge amount for infrastructure development. Yet there have been regular collapses. Thousands die in road/rail/plane accidents. We feel sorry for you. We have only one advise: “Be safe by being united.” To the same victims, the opposition party tells: “Do not be afraid of poor infrastructure and road/rail/plane accidents. You will die if you are afraid.”
Irrespective of political party, the politicians never or rarely speak on issues like poverty, growing hunger, unemployment, child labour, crimes against women, religion/community/political party induced violences, corruption, corporate-loot of public wealth and resources. During the British period they followed a policy called: “Divide and Rule”. Today the politicians follow a policy named: “Manipulate and Rule”. The stupid slogans raised by the stupid politicians are real testimonies of “Manipulate and Rule”. Common citizens become victims of such manipulations. Politicians always take people for a ride. It is time for us to wake up and guard ourselves from all types of manipulations. “Into the heaven of freedom, O God, let my country awake”.
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(The Author is a Freelance Journalist who writes columns on social and religion issues. He can be reached at mlsatyan55@gmail.com. Views expressed are personal)
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