Skip to main content

WILL HISTORY CONTINUE TO BE KIND?

Mohan Guruswamy

Ten years ago, today, Manmohan Singh spoke to the media on the looming Modi spectre. He was at his acerbic and pungent best when he commented on the desirability of Narendra Modi as PM and his being a strong man because he presided over "the mass massacre of citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad." 

MMS more than once said that history will be more kind to him. How history will judge him is not important to the country? What he did and did not do during his tenure is. He did preside over a decade of unprecedented growth. He also presided over a decade of rampant corruption, few new jobs and a huge flight of capital from the country. On a net basis more went out than came in. 

But MMS is right. History will be kind to him nevertheless. History is always kind, unless you are a real monster like Hitler. Why even Stalin and Mao Zedong are enjoying major rehabilitations in Russia and China. PV Narasimha Rao and AB Vajpayee too look burnished and bright now. And look at how so many long for Indira Gandhi now. In the end Indians are a very kind people. We put up with so much and yet can be charitable. Thats why we have had six decades of regime transitions without bloodshed on the streets.

Question now is whether history will continue to be kind ever after? What kind of a Modi will history bequeath to us?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Helen Mirren once said: Before you argue with someone, ask yourself.......

Helen Mirren once said: Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective. Because if not, there's absolutely no point. Not every argument is worth your energy. Sometimes, no matter how clearly you express yourself, the other person isn’t listening to understand—they’re listening to react. They’re stuck in their own perspective, unwilling to consider another viewpoint, and engaging with them only drains you. There’s a difference between a healthy discussion and a pointless debate. A conversation with someone who is open-minded, who values growth and understanding, can be enlightening—even if you don’t agree. But trying to reason with someone who refuses to see beyond their own beliefs? That’s like talking to a wall. No matter how much logic or truth you present, they will twist, deflect, or dismiss your words, not because you’re wrong, but because they’re unwilling to see another side. Maturity is...
Post a Comment
Read more

EXPLAINING THE PREAMBLE OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Thanks Hari Singh Shekhawat for EXPLAINING THE PREAMBLE OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION: Given the detailed nature of the Constitution of India, the Preamble serves a vital role in capturing the essence of the Constitution. Let’s revisit its core values on the 76th Republic Day. As India prepares to celebrate its 76th Republic Day under the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Progress), the day also marks a historic moment to reflect on the core values of the Indian Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. On this day, let’s reflect on the core values enshrined in the Preamble — Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic — which constitute the foundation of India’s democratic framework, promoting justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity among all its citizens. The Preamble’s invocation of “We, the people of India” The preamble begins with the famous and stirring words, “We, the people of India”. This invocation of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why BJP is opposing the Telangana caste census?

The BJP opposes the Telangana caste census primarily due to concerns about its political motivations, alleging that the Congress party is using it for electoral gain rather than genuine welfare of Backward Classes (BCs)  1 3 .  BJP leaders argue that the census distracts from Congress's unfulfilled promises to BCs and could exacerbate social divisions  2 4 .  Additionally, there are fears within the BJP that a detailed caste enumeration might reveal ongoing upper-caste dominance in politics and society, which could challenge their support base  7 8 . The BJP's main arguments against the caste census include: Political Manipulation : BJP leaders assert that the Congress party is using the caste census for political advantage rather than for the welfare of Backward Classes (BCs), claiming it distracts from unfulfilled promises made to these communities  2 4 . Threat to Hindutva Agenda : The party views the census as a potential challenge to its support base a...
Post a Comment
Read more