Book review: Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman

February 24, 2020 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman, the book by author Mehool Parekh, is the latest murder mystery cum detective fictional novel to have come out on Indian book shelves.

Over the years or decades we have been exposed to murder mysteries in various mediums like books, movies, short stories, plays, etc. Hence, a story in this genre needs to be completely convincing in today’s times because of this much exposure.

This holds true for me all the more since I have feasted on plenty of James Hadley Chase novels and read all of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda stories in the past. So, how much impact did debutant author Mehool Parekh’s quirkyly titled Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman have on me? Let’s first find out what it is about.

This is the story of the army man cum detective Bartaman Bhowmick aka Batty, who lives in Pune. He teams up with his female friend Robin to solve criminal cases. They spring into action as soon as they come to know about the gruesome murder of the beautiful Rupali Jadhav in her apartment. She was stabbed as many as 16 times.

The lazy police inspector Lokhande, who doesn’t give a damn about truth, is eager to pin the blame on either Rupali’s husband or servant and close the case in a jiffy. However, Batty and Robin realize that the case isn’t as simple as it looks, much to the frustration of Lokhande.

To come straight to the point, Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman majorly succeeds in keeping you hooked, engaged and interested despite the genre being done to death. This is no mean feat. Of course, it is the basic story that is the most responsible for this. Although you can guess where the story is heading, the finale does take you by surprise. This point alone is enough to make this book worth your time.

An interesting bit about Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman, which is hardly seen in most murder mysteries, is that the victim isn’t shown to be a helpless person who deserves the readers’ sympathy. The author goes on to the bold path by not shying away from giving grey shades to the character of Rupali right from the start of the story. The use of flashback over here is smart which makes the tale more layered.

Parekh’s writing isn’t rich but it is something that the average Indian reader can connect with. He has maintained the balance of being creative but at the same time kept it simple enough for readers from any walk of life to feel comfortable.

Also read: Book Review: Murder In Mahim by Jerry Pinto

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman also comes with a common negative point. There are incidents that are stretched without need. The book should have ended before 317 pages. Also on a couple of occasions the author has generalized negative behaviour of males and females which should have been avoided as it’s unfair.

Overall: Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman is an interesting murder mystery cum detective saga that leaves you impressed.

Author: Mehool Parekh

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Publishers: Leadstart Publishing

Pages: 317

Additional reading:

Short story: The Orange Garlands Of Bharatpur

An Open Letter to Arvind Kejriwal

February 16, 2020 by Keyur Seta 7 Comments

Dear Mr Arvind Kejriwal,

Firstly, congratulations for winning the Delhi Assembly Elections by a huge margin and becoming the Chief Minister of India’s capital yet again. Another feat you have achieved with this victory is that you have indirectly compelled me to do something I never thought I would – to write an open letter.

I have always admired you for showing guts when it comes to standing up against wrongdoers. But my opinion about you has always hanged between you being the best politician and way better from the lot we have [big difference between both]. But the one thing that has remained constant is that you have always proven me wrong.

I have been observing you ever since Anna Hazare’s India Against Corruption (IAC) movement. Like scores of youngsters, I too took part in it. It was only through this movement that I started taking interest in something like politics out of the blue. Trust me, before 2011 I didn’t even know the meaning of an MP and MLA and also the difference between both.

After nothing much happened due to the agitations and protests, you decided to form a political party in 2012. I completely disagreed with this decision and my interest in the movement started by Anna with able support from you diminished. The fact that Anna himself didn’t support the decision of forming a party was also responsible for this.

But you proved me wrong in 2013 by gaining people’s trust and winning 28 out of the 70 seats in your political debut in the Delhi Assembly Elections. But I again disagreed with your decision of forming the government with the help of Congress MLA’s since your entire IAC movement was against the corruption carried out by the leaders of their party.

But I was still happy to see you Mr Kejriwal at the helm of affairs in Delhi as the CM and appreciated the few decisions you made then. However, your resignation after 51 days came as a blow to a lot of Indians, including me. Then your party’s stint in the 2014 General Elections where you won only four seats despite contesting in the entire country forced me to accept that the new wave of Indian politics has come in danger so soon.

But interestingly, you worked hard to gain people’s trust yet again and bounced back like never before in the 2015 Delhi Assembly Elections. Your party winning 67 out of the 70 seats came as a pleasant shock as no political pundits had predicted such a result.

The result coupled by your period of self-introspection before the elections made me your fan yet again. However, the post-results period of 2015 was when my feelings for you took some beating. The entire controversy regarding Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan following which they quit the party didn’t go down well with me and many others who admired you.

This was followed by your drubbing in the 2017 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections where you won only 49 out of the 272 seats, which would have come as a shock to you too Mr Kejriwal. This was enough to make me feel that your time is slowly getting over.

From here onwards, surprisingly, we saw a changed Kejriwal. Your harsh and negative criticisms against the Centre and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular [‘coward and psychopath’ as you called him], which was a regular feature in the previous few years, was hardly to be seen. I don’t disagree with your views against the BJP or Modi but I just feel that a CM like you should let his work speak.

Fortunately, this is what you and your government in Delhi have been doing since close to last three years. Your turnaround in government schools has been revolutionary to say the least. Your efforts in giving free water and electricity to the Delhi citizens have also been praiseworthy. [I didn’t think much of the Lok Sabha Election results of 2019 as that was mainly contested to choose the Prime Minister for the next five years.]

Following this, your victory in 62 out of the 70 seats in the recent Delhi elections is another proof of how much the people of the city are pleased with your work. And hence, you proved me wrong yet again and I don’t mind this at all.

But this also reminds me of the controversial period that started for you and your party just after the huge 2015 victory. I really hope such a thing isn’t repeated and you continue your good work and show the kind of maturity you have been showing in the last few years.

The reason why I am writing to a politician for the first time is because I have hopes only from you Mr Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party. It was you who made me and many others realize that one should not bury politics under the carpet believing it’s a place only for the crooked and the wicked.

Also read: To choose Gandhi or Godse: Confusion of a Bhakt

More importantly, the stakes are very high this time around. The Right Wing fascism has escalated tremendously in recent months. And I see you as a major force that can stand up to it. As we can see, the Congress party is hardly any force to reckon with now.

I don’t know whether you should now go national as you have better knowledge than me. But my only advice for you would be to look at long-term goals for Delhi and slowly and unhurriedly make your way to the rest of India.

From here on, it is you who will decide the future of Indian politics. So, please take each step carefully.

I hope, for a change, you will prove me right this time. Wishing you all the very best as you start your third term as the CM.

Yours fellow Aam Aadmi,

Keyur Seta

(Additional reading: How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters)

To choose Gandhi or Godse: Confusion of a Bhakt

February 2, 2020 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Ever since Narendra Modi became India’s Prime Minister, he has shown tremendous respect towards Mahatma Gandhi. He started the nationwide Swachh Bharat Abhiyan dedicating it to him. The PM has also spoken highly of the father of the nation during his numerous speeches. But senior members of his party have been showing support for Nathuram Godse, the person who cold-bloodedly murdered Gandhi.

The one person that immediately comes to our mind is MP Pragya Thakur [Sadhvi for some]. She hailed Godse twice last year. In one statement, she went onto say “Nathuram Godse was a patriot and will remain so. People calling him a terrorist should introspect. They will be given a befitting reply in these elections.” She is also someone who hailed the death of cop Hemant Karkare at the hands of terrorist Ajmal Kasab but that’s another story. (See the video below)

Just last month, BJP leader Amitabh Sinha, during a debate with Kanhaiya Kumar, refused to answer whether he is against Godse. But when Kanhaiya persisted with the question, Sinha openly said, “He is not against Godse.” (See the video below)

Similarly, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj said in an interview that Godse was a nationalist but then quickly made a U turn. (See the video below)

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, also defended Godse’s act of killing Gandhi. (Read it in detail HERE.)

Shockingly, members of a Right Wing group recreated Godse’s murder of Gandhi. The ‘event’ was attended by BJP leaders, including the ex-Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan. There was an uproar in the nation and social media over the event but none of the BJP leaders even criticized it, leave alone taking action against them. (See the video below)

And just today, BJP’s senior leader Anant Kumar Hegde said that Gandhi’s freedom fight was just a ‘drama.’ (See video below)

These aren’t small-time karyakartas of the party who can be ignored. CMs and MP’s are chosen as the representatives of the people of India and if they are openly showing support to the murderer of Gandhi, it raises several questions on PM Modi’s unending praise for the Mahatma.

Also read: Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir on CAA and NRC

If not for us, at least clear the dilemma for your Bhakts. They defend PM’s sweet words for Gandhi. But on some days they are forced to defend Godse, the diametrical opposite of Gandhi, to support the statements of the aforementioned leaders.

Jokes apart, this clearly looks like a clear strategy to keep the supporters of Gandhi as well as Godse happy. If only the people of India can see the bluff.

Additional reading:

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

Is Chhapaak a box office disaster?

January 18, 2020 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment

Chhapaak wasn’t the first film that was asked to be boycotted by people of a certain political ideology after Deepika Padukone joined the students protesting at JNU. But the film has become the first such ‘boycotted’ film that hasn’t succeeded at the box office.

There have been various reports and posts on social media floating around about the film being a ‘box office disaster’ or a ‘washout’ at the ticket window. Well, the film is certainly not a box office success but at the same time it won’t be right to label it as a debacle. Here’s how.

There is something called the budget of a film. We media people have our sources and they tell us that Chhapaak is made at a budget of around Rs 30 to 35 crore.

In case you don’t want to believe our sources, try thinking that the film had only one known name, which is Padukone. There aren’t any expensive sets or VFX heavy scenes. The film is also not shot at some exotic foreign locations. I hope this proves that it’s not an expensive film.

BoxOfficeIndia.com is considered the most reliable source for box office collections. As per them, Chhapaak has earned Rs 26.50 crore nett till yesterday [Saturday 17 January 2020]. It made Rs 75 lakh yesterday [other box office websites will also give you a very similar number].

The film still has five days in the second week, including Saturday and Sunday, before two prominent films Panga and Street Dancer 3D release on 24 January.

So, in all probability it looks like Chhapaak will end its box office run at either its cost of production or just short of it.

Hence, if a film earns exactly as much as its cost of production, it is called below average or at the most flop. Words like ‘disaster’ and ‘washout’ are reserved for films like Panipat and Kalank which are made in over Rs 100 crore but end up way short of it.

We should also take into account that the subject of Chhapaak is extremely niche. A film on an acid-attack victim can best be termed as a festival film. You won’t see family or college-going audience flocking the theatres to watch such a film.

People who feel that the film hasn’t performed well at the box office because Padukone’s act got the film ‘boycotted’ are mistaken. On the contrary, Chhapaak has earned such a number because it stars a popular name like Padukone.

Last year, a film called Gone Kesh showed the journey of a girl who suffers from premature baldness. It starred a lesser-known name like Shweta Tripathi [not undermining her talent at all]. It was a light-hearted film which was fairly appreciated by the critics.

But as it didn’t have a single known name, it simply went unnoticed at the box office.

I am also able to see that the same people who have been rubbishing off Chhapaak as a ‘disaster’ are also hailing Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior as a ‘blockbuster.’ This is the only reason I am dragging this historical here.

Now let’s look at this from the budget point of view. The Ajay Devgn-starrer is made at a budget of Rs 150 crore. Till yesterday, it has made a total of Rs 125 crore nett. Hence, it hasn’t even become a hit yet. It surely will become, going by its trend and word-of-mouth. But it hasn’t yet.

Additional reading:

Why people in their 30s should stop believing they are 70

Hellaro (Gujarati movie) Review

How 2019 ended on a hopeful note amidst hopelessness

January 1, 2020 by Keyur Seta 2 Comments

The date was 23 May. It was, as expected, a hot Thursday morning but we were inside the confinement of our air-conditioned Yoga class. It wasn’t an ordinary day. It was on that day that the fate of the 130 crore odd Indians rested on the results of the Lok Sabha Elections, which were also set to be as unsurprising as the weather. BJP was set to win it easily.

As we wound up around 9:15 am, I could hear the excitement of few BJP supporters from the class over the results declared so far. As expected, NDA was leading. That was obvious considering we had an almost invisible opposition that did little to pose any danger to the arch rivals BJP.

As I already knew what the outcome would be, I didn’t keep a tab of it as a travelled from my Yoga class in Matunga to my office in Andheri. However, because of their many blunders and blatant misuse of power by the BJP, I was sure the margin of victory wouldn’t be as high as it was in 2014.

But as I was about to reach my office, a friend from Kolkata pinged and said that they are all set to win with a much bigger margin and that they are performing well even in West Bengal, which wasn’t expected.

Source: BBC

As the day progressed, it became all the more clear that the BJP was all set to win more triumphantly than it did in 2014. They eventually finished with 303 seats and the total of their alliance NDA stood at a resounding 353 seats.

The last five years had seen a number lynchings out of mere suspicion of a person carrying beef, which was banned in 2015. One or two lynchings were even supported by BJP leaders. One leader even went onto garland a group of people convicted [mind you, not just accused] in lynchings. One of the lynchings accused was wrapped in the tricolour after he died and India’s Minister of Culture went to pay him last respects.

The overall atmosphere of communalism was evident with BJP leaders dishing out one atrocious comment after another. After a point, this became a routine exercise.

Demonetization was a blunder of another level. It killed more than 100 people and at the same time almost the entire currency came back to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Not to mention how bundles of new currencies were found in the residences of powerful people, including BJP leaders.

The next year Ajay Mohan Bisht, known as Yogi Adityanath, was made the CM of Uttar Pradesh. The same person who, on numerous occasions, openly incited mobs for riots. Instead of putting him behind bars, he was rewarded with such a post.

The most audacious antic came from Pragya Thakur [not Saadhvi for me] who expressed her happiness at the killing of the supercop Hemant Karkare by terrorists during the 26/11 attacks. On another occasion she openly praised Nathuram Godse for killing Gandhi. While India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuously heaps praises on Gandhi, he took no action against Thakur except lip service that he will never forgive her (wow, amazing!).

It came as a jolt to many like me to know that Thakur went onto win the election with a large margin despite such shameless statements.

This coupled with the overall results was enough for me and a number of friends to conclude that is desh ka kuchh nahin ho sakta. It isn’t surprising to see the saffron party carry out such atrocious acts. But it indeed was a rude to surprise to see that people have absolutely no problems with it considering the even bigger margin of victory.

The results took away our interest from politics because, we thought, when the masses of India themselves are okay with such rulers, there is just no hope.

Anti NRC protests against BJP — Protesters at Azad Maidan on 27 December

But things turned around right at the last month of the year when the same masses got involved in large numbers to oppose the passing of NRC and CAA bills. And these protests weren’t confined to just one city or state but in the entire country. One can find people from all kinds of backgrounds, faiths and age-groups participating selflessly in the protests.

There has been rampant use of violence by authorities to nullify the protest at various places in the country but that didn’t deterred people from taking part in the protests. Even as I write this, I am wondering how such a turnaround happened in the same year. [It reminded me of the protests during the Anna Hazare movement which also I had attended].

I don’t know for sure whether we will succeed in getting the controversial bills scrapped. But I am certain that people will come together to agitate any sort of tyranny unleashed by the government or the Right Wing as a whole in the future.

With that renewed hope for our great country I am stepping into the New Year and decade.

Additional reading:

Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir

2nd Anti-NRC, CAA protest Mumbai: Videos and photos

December 28, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

The second protest in Mumbai against the NRC and CAA took place today at the iconic Azad Maidan. The protesters were earlier supposed to take a march from Byculla to CST station. However, as they didn’t get permission for the same, they had to hold a rally at Azad Maidan.

But this didn’t deter the Mumbaikars from turning up in large numbers. Although initially it looked like not too many people might turn up, the numbers gradually started increasing until a mammoth crowd had formed.

People from all walks of life, religions, age-groups and languages were seen once again. That Mumbai is a multi-cultural city was seen yet again.

Also read: Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir

People were holding banners and placards with serious as well as funny messages in protest of the controversial bills passed by the Government of India.

A lot of the banners contained sarcastic messages for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. A majority of them were memes, which had made their way into the real world from the virtual world. The same was also seen on the rally that took place on 19 December in Mumbai.

A series of speakers expressed their views and protest against the government for passing the bills. These included Varun Grover and Umer Khalid. Grover also recited his famous poem ‘Hum Kagaz Nahin Dikhayenge. See HERE.

Also see: Photos and videos from 1st anti-NRC, CAA rally in Mumbai

Few Bollywood actors like Richa Chadha, Swara Bhaskar and Jim Sarbh also graced the rally.

Just like the earlier rally, one could find quite a few selfless citizens who distributed biscuits and water to the people for free.

Anti CAA rally Mumbai — Two girls distributing packaged drinking water for free.

Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir

December 22, 2019 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

Aarey Forest has been in the news this year for all the wrong reasons and the same is the case now for the implementation of NRC and CAA bills. Earlier, the Maharashtra Government’s plan to make the Metro carshed over there led to a lot of protests by tree and environment lovers. The trees were eventually cut through deceit much to the heartbreaks of many in Mumbai and all over India.

While we are concerned about the trees, what a lot of city-dwellers are unaware of is that a large community of tribal population is also a part of the Aarey forest. The fact that we all spoke about the trees of the forest and not about the humans staying there since ages is alarming.

Considering how the tribal people of the Aarey forest are neglected, things are expected to get murkier for them if the NRC and CAA is implemented since having proper documents is out of question for tribals not only in Mumbai but also in other parts of India.

Tribal activist Prakash Bhoir spoke about the ordeal of the tribals at the chat session ‘Mumbai Rises To Save Democracy’ in the wake of the current widespread protests against the implementation of the controversial NRC and CAA bills on Friday 21 December.

Bhoir pointed out how they had never been outside the jungle before but now they are forced to because of the ‘development’. “If the birds and animals like leopard are also forced to go out of the jungle, who are we then?” he asked.

The protests ensured that Aarey made headlines but not much for its inhabitants. “Because of the protests Aarey came into the limelight for its jungle and its animals, including leopard. [But] this is where we have been staying too. There are 27 adivasi padas who have been staying in Aarey since long. In the whole of Mumbai there are 222 adivasi padas,” he added.

Bhoir added how the change that took place in their lives ever since the jungles gave away to commercial ventures. “We used to live happily among the lakes and wells. We didn’t feel the need to get anything from outside. But these padas were affected and became less in number after Aarey Colony, Filmcity, SRPF (State Reserve Police Force), veterinary college and other things came up and now there is Metro carshed too,” he said.

He added that in all this, the actual residents of the forest are becoming homeless, indicating that it makes all the more impossible for them to show any documents for the purposes of NRC.

Also see: Video and photos of NRC, CAA protests in Mumbai

Bhoir shared the horrific night when trees were forcefully cut in Aarey in October. He said that they were about to have dinner when they heard noises. “The trees were getting cut and we could hear the sounds. There were barricades. When we confronted the police, they told us none of the trees are getting cut, although we could hear noises of the machines and trees falling,” he said.

He also recalled how they have been offered accommodation in the past by the authorities with the pretext of keeping them safe and away from wild animals. “We said we don’t have any such complaints against them [animals] and neither have they against us. They are our neighbours. Don’t mislead us. They are saying we are poor and living in problems but we are definitely not. We are happy staying with them. We don’t fear them. We fear you,” he said.

Stressing the need to protest, Bhoir signed off saying, “I feel only those who are alive can protest. We don’t have hopes from those who are dead. They won’t feel anything. A lot of dead people are seen around. I feel they should shake themselves up to check in case they might be alive.”

Additional reading:

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

NRC, CAA Protests in Mumbai: See video & photos

December 19, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

In Mumbai, all roads lead today to the historic August Kranti Maidan where NRC and CAA protests will be held. A huge number of Mumbaikars are expected to turn up in what is the first major protest against the two controversial bills.

People started pouring in much before the scheduled time of the protest at 5 pm.

The scenes easily bring back memories of the Indian Against Corruption (IAC) Movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011. Mumbai hasn’t seen any major protest by common citizens after that movement, until the ongoing one at the August Kranti Maidan against NRC CAA.

Earlier in the day, a large number of students from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) got into the local train to reach the venue and started shouting slogans during their journey itself.

The crowd contains people of all ages and walks of life. Mane of them have banners which they must have prepared before leaving their residences or offices.

We have just come to know that the crowd has increased and there is a general mood of anger among the people who have gathered. People are heard chanting slogans against India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is a rising discontent among the people against the passing of NRC and CAA bills.

Additional reading:

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

Kusur (Play) Review – Amol Palekar’s return is an interesting emotional thriller

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Kusur: The Mistake is a Hindi play that sees veteran artiste Amol Palekar’s return to the stage after 25 long years. The play is adapted from the Danish movie The Guilty (2018, original title ‘Den Skyldige’) directed by Gustav Moller and starring Jakob Cedegren in the lead role. It’s adapted by writer Sandhya Gokhale, who is Palekar’s wife, and directed by the latter.

Kusur revolves around retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Dandavate (Palekar) who is now volunteering for the emergency services in Mumbai wherein distressed citizens dial 100 to receive help. He is accused of killing a young man while he was the ACP and the hearing is on the next day.

The set designer has smartly created the emergency call room. There are no extravagant props used but only the necessary ones, which adds realism. But the use of blue lighting borders is questionable.

As calls keep coming in for help from different citizens, you get easily involved in the proceedings. I don’t know how people handling these calls carry out their task in real. But the working style displayed by Palekar appeared convincing. Even otherwise, the actor has given an impressive act while showcasing different emotions.

Kusur is more of an emotional thriller. The makers haven’t changed the plot from The Guilty. It wasn’t required since the content is not only interesting but also one which can be placed in Mumbai as well in today’s times.

The story takes a turn when a woman calls up 100 and starts speaking with Dandavate as if she is speaking to a child. Dandavate quickly realizes that she needs help but is unable to say openly as she is with a man who is sounding angry.

The ex-ACP instantly realizes that the woman is in danger and starts making valiant attempts to rescue her from the trap. Dandavate is unaware that this is just a starting point of an unusual maze he has got involved in.

Along with him, the audience also goes through various turns and are eventually brought to a point that is both shocking and emotional. The final twist speaks a lot without speaking much and forces you to ask questions related not only to this story but also about the society. The writer has succeeded in fooling the audience, which was so very necessary here.

Also read: Play Review: Ashrunchi Zali Phule

But Kusur also has few questionable aspects. The murder case against Dandavate appears half-baked. Having not seen The Guilty, I don’t know this sub-plot was handled in the movie. But it is not explored much here. There was an opportunity to explore it more since the length of the play is too less at around an hour and 15 minutes or so.

There is also this character Pandey, Dandavate’s close friend, whose past incident about his grandmother doesn’t quite fit in.

Overall, Kusur is an interesting emotional thriller with an added bonus of Amol Palekar’s return to stage.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Play Review: Chakravyuh – Nitish Bhardwaj’s return as Krishna

Play Review: Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

The massive twists and turns in the Maharashtra politics over the last few weeks have put some of the best Bollywood thrillers to shame. The events have also inspired memes that shared on social media platforms and What’s App literally non-stop. While the jokes passed around are indeed hilarious and applaud-worthy, the situation is far from funny.

Over the last few years ever since the boom of social media, politics has suddenly become one of the most favourite topics for people across age groups. This has also given rise to most people clinging on to one party and becoming its ardent supporters. So, obviously, the ideology of their favourite party becomes their ideology.

The flipside of this is that most of the supporters of each party start defending their favourite party and its leaders with fierce determination; at times even when they themselves are aware that they are defending the indefensible.

This, in turn, has seen plenty of old friendships being broken over the last few years just because of difference in political views. Those who used to hang out with each other now don’t see eye to eye, literally.

Now, the dramatic events of the last few weeks after the results of the recently concluded Maharashtra Assemble Elections were declared have made supporters of all parties look like fools to say the least.

Maha U Turn:

It all started when Shiv Sena went rogue soon after the results. They fought the elections in alliance with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and people voted for them because of this reason. However, they broke the alliance post-results for their demand of a bigger share of power despite earning almost half the number of seats won by BJP and shockingly tied up with the Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party).

It will be an understatement to say that the two parties have been Shiv Sena’s arch enemies. They have continuously slammed Congress and NCP for the corruption cases against them over the years. You don’t need to be an iota of expert in politics to know how Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the party, hated the two parties and made Shiv Sena successful only by his campaign against the two.

Now spare a thought for the Shiv Sena supporters who have been lambasting Congress and NCP over the years or even decades. The same can be said also for the supporters of Congress and NCP who have been sternly against Shiv Sena for its Hindutva ideology.

Maha surprise:

Last morning the nation got a jolt after knowing that Devendra Fadnavis was suddenly sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after getting support from NCP’s Ajit Pawar and other rebel MLA’s (Member of Legislative Assembly) of his party. Ajit Pawar apparently turned rogue against his uncle and party head Sharad Pawar at the last moment just when Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress were about to form the government.

Ajit Pawar has got highly rewarded for his coup as he is made the deputy CM of Maharashtra. Interestingly, he has been named in irrigation scam when he was the Irrigation Minister from 1999 to 2009. He got a clean chit later from the then Congress-NCP government in 2012.

Also read: Does Thackeray hint at Shiv Sena’s changing relationship with Congress?

Now this is where it gets more interesting. After BJP-Shiv Sena government came into power in Maharashtra in 2014, they, under Fadnavis’ leadership, re-initiated enquiries into the alleged irrigation irregularities. Now, the same BJP awarded the post of the deputy CM to the person alleged in the same scam.

You don’t need to go too far to recall how India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called NCP as ‘Naturally Corrupt Party’ more than once (read HERE). Funnily, a past video of Fadnavis vowing never to tie-up with NCP has also resurfaced.

(Article continued below the video)

Hence, now it is the time of the BJP supporters to feel embarrassed. Any regular social media user would know how Ajit Pawar has faced flak from BJP supporters over the years.

The events and twists of this month have proven that the ideology of a party is only followed by its supporters. And only ideology their leaders follow is power.

Let’s hope this turns out to be a wake-up call.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

When BJP leaders were so against EVMs that they wrote books on its ‘dangers’

Amol Palekar’s fight for freedom of expression goes back to the Emergency