<div><em><strong>Sutanu Guru</strong> takes a look at the parallel narratives revolving around India</em></div><div> </div><div>Two completely unrelated stories have hogged a few headlines today. The first continues the frenzy over beef. Apparently, a self-styled protector of Hinduism called Vishnu Gupta whose complaint about beef consumption led the Delhi Police to the door steps of Kerala Bhavan. For passionate Modi critics, this was yet another instance of intolerance, fascism, persecution and majoritarianism being practiced in Modi's India. The irony is: even sane supporters of Prime Minister Modi would agree that his regime has simply not done enough to rein in Hindutva nut cases. The other story was about India jumping 12 places in the Ease of Doing Rankings released by the World Bank for 2016. The irony is: even sane Modi critics admit that a jump of 12 places for an economy the size of India is something the Modi regime should be proud of.</div><div> </div><div>Do note: I have carefully used the word sane while describing both Modi supporters and critics. When it comes to Modi, a majority of supporters (Bhakts) and critics (sickulars) actually resort to varying degrees of insanity in their ideological and propaganda wars. Just look at one example; or rather ne recent story to see how far this insanity has gone. About one week ago, The Times of India (and most other media outlets) featured a story with the following headline: "British medical journal Lancet to take Modi to task for ignoring health sector". The Huffington Post had an even more telling headline: "PM Modi has failed India on health: Lancet study". Apparently, the reputed health journal Lancet will release a report on December 11, 2015 that will severely criticize India for failures in the public health arena. In case you missed, the report is supposed to be released on December 11. So why this fuss almost two months in advance? The editor-in-chief of Lancet merrily gave interviews to media outlets to explain how Modi has failed India. In an exclusive interview to Times of India, Horton passed his verdict: "Since Modi has come in, health has completely vanished. India is on the edge. If PM Modi does not tackle health, India's economy combined with rising population is not sustainable." </div><div> </div><div>Now Lancet is surely a globally respected journal. But even a senior school kid can figure out that Horton of Lancet is teetering on the verge of insanity by making such ridiculous statements. A serious and credible health professional or policy expert would know that the abysmal state of public health in India is a legacy of six plus decades of neglect. Inefficiency and corruption. Surely, Modi-despite what his phalanx of bhakts think he is capable of-cannot wave a magic wand and solve India's public health crisis in just one year? And to say that "health has vanished since Modi has come in" is either grand standing or an acute case of schizophrenia. I simply don't recall Lancet r its editor-in-chief passing such judgments in the past. Or maybe similar verdicts were passed but ignored by the media.</div><div> </div><div>Either ways, we seem to be suffering from collective schizophrenia while dealing with the Modi regime. We are in a classic situation where reality and illusion depend on what narrative you follow. Take one more example. A few days ago, Gen. V. K. Singh, a minister in the Modi cabinet, triggered a huge controversy by making insensitive remarks after two Dalit children were burnt to death near Delhi. Around the same time, the Modi regime announced a decision (largely ignored by the mainstream media) that interviews would no longer be required for category B, C and D jobs in the central government. This has been a Modi promise to eliminate corruption from government recruitments and postings. Modi critics completely ignored this historic decision that would directly affect the lives of millions. They remained focused on the narrative of intolerance and fascism. Modi bhakts used the opportunity to point out yet again how Modi critics were blinded by their hatred towards the Prime Minister.</div><div> </div><div>It may sound schizophrenic: but both happen to be right in their own ways. In my opinion, we will know by the end of 2016 if Modi the reformer has won or if the Hindutva nut cases have. But one thing is for sure: as long as the bhakts and sickulars are around, the schizophrenic narrative will continue!</div>
