Well…let’s admit it…there are liberals and then there are liberals! While the word usually denotes a single meaning – that is, “a person who is willing to respect and/or accept opinions/thoughts/actions/behaviours different — and even contrary from one’s own”. However, in India — the word ‘liberals’ come with a multitude of classifications and connotations…after all, the liberals in India are a strange breed indeed!
After all, look at the paradox that exists! Liberals are supposed to respect and give due consideration to all opinions, even when they are diametrically opposite their own. And yet, in India…liberals will cry hoarse and indulge in polemics the minute anything happens that does not fall within the purview of what they think is right! That’s just…wrong!!
After all, if liberals were truly liberals, they would respect the wishes of the majority (after all, isn’t that the true definition of democracy?!), who were responsible for BJP creating history with their landslide victory in 2014 general elections. If these liberals were truly liberals, they would not be so “Anti-Modi”. Unfortunately though, these so-called “holier-than-thou” liberals were quick to shun the wishes of the people and since then have been the staunch(est) critic of the Indian Prime Minister.
But why are these liberals so anti-Modi? [Let’s see if we can break down this strange puzzle…]
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Defamation Campaign
As it is the case with all elections…there was an entire defamation campaign that had been launched against the Indian Prime Minister. Of course, while one can argue in favour of the failure of the campaign (after all, Narendra Modi did become the Prime Minister), yet…one must remember that the campaign did taste some initial success…after all, the American government too bought the argument, when it refused to issue a visa to the man-of-the-moment.
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Hating Modi is fashionable…
Well, let’s be honest. Human beings love to belong in cliques! When “HATING MODI” becomes a liberal-intellectual fashion statement, every “so-called” liberal has no choice but to embrace the fashion statement…if he/she desires to belong in that circle. And so it has been with ‘Modi-haters’ too…anyone who claims to be a liberal is technically NOT allowed to be “pro-Modi”. Of course, while it is not said out loud…in so many terms…every true liberal knows it to be true. And they wear their ‘Anti-Modi’ fashion statement…with “ISHTYLE”!
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Hate needs a Hate-figure
Let’s be honest…it is easier to hate, than it is to love and admire. In fact, there is an entire term to denote this peculiar penchant of man – “SCHADENFREUDE”, which is a German loan-word in English that literally stands for “Harm”+”Joy”! Thus, these liberals derive a strange pleasure from their personal brand of hatred for the man, who they believe symbolises the ‘Hindutva’ demon…whose fall, in their own eyes…will usher in a world of Utopia – every Liberal’s wet dream!!!
