Politics and optics.

Source: Times Now

Recently, Rahul Gandhi was seen with truckers. And then, with mechanics. And then, with paddy farmers. Before that, he met thousands of common folk during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. And he continues his people connect program wherever he goes, whether Manipur or Surat.

The Modi regime, and their right-wing apologists, have several pejorative terms for him. Unfortunately, ‘unintelligent’, ‘irrelevant’, and ‘uninterested’ have run their course and have become so jaded that even the people uttering them have stopped believing them. So, they turn to another, similarly jaded, argument: ‘He is doing politics. All this is just drama. It is for public consumption. Nothing but दिखावा.’

I am a bit surprised, no actually rather amused, at this line of thought. I mean, what does ‘doing politics’ mean? Of course, a professional politician is doing politics. What else would you expect??

‘Why is the politician doing politics?’ is not just the wrong question, but actually a dumb question. The answer is, ‘Because he is a politician. Just like the other politicians. Are you even thinking before using your mouth to make sounds, mate?’

The correct question to ask is: ‘What is the politics the politician is doing about?’

To accuse a politician of ‘doing politics’ is like accusing a writer of ‘doing writing’ or an entrepreneur of ‘doing business’ or a doctor of ‘doing medicine’. It is a stupid accusation. And mostly exposes the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the accuser (who is out of rational argument) rather than stain the reputation of the accused.

Does that mean any politician can do any politics? No, there is good politics and bad politics. And it is our right to call out bad politics. So, by all means, question the politics of a politician, but asking why the politician is ‘doing politics’ only shows your lack of application of mind.

Ditto, optics.

Optics is something we all do. As students, entrepreneurs, employees, consultants, artists, retirees, even friends, spouses, offspring, parents. Optics in itself isn’t a bad thing. Hence, ‘Why all the दिखावा?’ is, once again, the wrong question.

The correct question is: ‘What, using optics, is the politician trying to project themselves as?’

As is well known, there are a plethora of options available to a politician. As are for everyone. Now, of all those options, of all the things he can be seen as, of all the things his image can be moulded for public consumption, of all the ways in which he can choose to appear before his constituents, you have a politician, Rahul Gandhi, who chooses being seen as empathetic, inclusive, and stoic.

And you hold it against him. Why? Because he is doing politics and optics?

Or do you prefer a politician who wants to be seen as a majoritarian authoritarian? A benevolent dictator? A Hindu raja? A royalty? Someone who one should bow down to and touch the feet of? Someone who appears in regal robes performing religious and quasi-religious ceremonial duties?

Tell me truly, what would you rather have your politician do, portray, and be like? No, wait. Don’t tell me. I know. At the same time, I will have you know what I would like mine to do, be like, and show themselves to be. So be it, then.