Recently, I’ve been noticing that previously RW-urban-educated-privileged people (mostly men) have been turning away from their extremist views. They haven’t still gone full-blown anti-Modi yet (Dhruv’s video notwithstanding), but are beginning to crib and complain, talk of ‘all politicians are crooks’, ignore the normal pappu-nepotism-dynasty messaging, and generally be OK with corruption (even admitting that it is endemic to all politics, India being no exception). Some are saying that Modi has proven what he has to prove and needs to retire. Some are not totally on board with the increasingly religious imagery coming out of the north, specifically the Bimaru states. Some are openly critical of ‘some’ of his actions and utterances while grudgingly acknowledging that democracy should mean something other than what Modi has been trying to foist upon us. And some are disproving of the influx of what they were convinced are corrupt Congressmen into the BJP, especially those that are then given weightage over and above the older, more dedicated and loyal BJP workers and leaders. But more or less, there is dissatisfaction and murmuring within the WhatsApp Uncles and WhatsApp Uncles -1 levels.
Is this because they have genuinely changed their minds, are horrified at what was being done in their name or maybe they are tired of this showboating and non-performance, or perhaps it’s just plain old boredom (read anti-incumbency)?
Or are they reacting to Modi’s recent (and rather clever) shift towards the backward castes, having realised that this shift of the savarnas was going to happen?
I suspect it is the latter. The opposition better take notice. The Dalits and OBCs, the Pasamandas and the tribals, the Bahujans and moolnivasis are turning hard right, and quickly. If you lose them, no amount of money from the Savarna bankers and billionaires will save you. Take heed. Or lose your place in history forever.
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