Published in oHeraldo on October 26, 2020
Gandhi Jayanti 2020 in Goa was marked by yet another of those episodic bouts when blind faith and blind love took their devotees for a stroll by selling an illusion of fostering peace. Quite contrary to the core Gandhian teachings, such occasions are often reduced to a circus in which the innocent and unsuspecting participants are reduced to clowns by the ring masters of such arbitrary events. The opaque and ambiguous initiatives which exploit social issues and public emotions get forgotten once the limited selfish purpose is served. The hide and seek endorsed by some religious institutions or leaders does not necessarily make talks and walks holier and credible. While the encyclical ‘Laudato si’ of Pope Francis may get showcased for Machiavellian pursuits, his exhortation on the crisis of communal commitment in ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ is quietly brushed under the carpet. Such hypocrisy and opportunism has only encouraged slogans like “Nathuram Ghodse zindabad" to go trending on Gandhi Jayanti, for the first time in independent India.
In these times of self-centred, impulsive, short-sighted and clamorous crusades, Goans are left confused about which brand and version of people’s movements should be considered popular, progressive, soft or hard. Social action is no more anchored to any vision, but has become more like a free size garment which fits any trending and popular issue. Some elements have their finger in every pie, irrespective of the ideological principles and values, often with private beliefs and affiliations which are antithetical to the cause they appear to support in public. All it takes is exchanging T-shirts with slogans and waving different flags depending on the occasion. When predatory activism calls for ‘ekvott’ (unity), the common Goan cannot help guessing whether the intentions are genuine or, a pretence to block space and negotiate for a share in the spoils from the ‘xevott’ (end) of Goa. Realistically thinking, how can multiplication of social-action initiatives competing for space, duplicating efforts and diverting focus be considered as progressive and effective for a tiny Goa?
Gandhiji’s teachings revolve around Truth. This is what ‘Satyagraha’ (insistence on truth) and ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) are all about. The betrayal of the public’s trust and faith by leaders of people’s movements is also violence. Over the years, several Goans have been left with a bitter taste from such deceptive activism driven by political and economic designs.
There are Goans who are left feeling cheated and betrayed by the politician and activist nexus. Such arbitrary and non-transparent public interest protests have achieved nothing more than settling political scores, promoting business monopolies, building portfolios for national or international awards, gathering resource material for a doctoral thesis, or for cornering funds from NRIs, while the free fall of Goa from the frying pan into the fire continues.
For Gandhiji, the struggle for external change begins with the self, which is about disciplining one’s own body, mind and soul. This is what he means by saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. His Satyagraha is first about a self-introspection to understand one’s own role in the oppressive and exploitative systems and structures before attempting change around. And this is the limitation which ails social action in Goa.
Social movements in Goa appear to be afflicted by the same rot which is prevailing in politics and the media industry. The discourse revolves around singling out convenient issues to shame and target select individuals and projects in order to drive sponsored political or business agendas, instead of redressing the systemic and structural deficiencies. An elite club of opinion makers attempt to squeeze Goa’s problems to fit into a framework which wins them recognition in a global narrative. The Dandi March of Gandhiji cannot be replicated in this 21st century Goa with urban and selfie culture parading in designer costumes and equipped with latest electronic gadgets to boost its online brand image.
Goans need to change their emotional and reactionary outlook towards socio-political problems. The issues may be extremely genuine, but not necessarily the agendas of those championing protests against them around town. This is how policies and projects condemned as destructive by a political party when in opposition, become the flagship policies and programmes for the same party once in power. So also, tackling a problem in isolation and ignoring trans-sectoral linkages and impact on other problems, may land up solving one but generating ten more. This is how the nation is now facing a threat to freedom and democracy as a result of civil society’s blinkered notion and piecemeal approach around corruption since 2011.
Truth is not about what is popular and trending. Gandhiji had said, “even if you are in the minority of one, the truth is the truth.” This becomes even more relevant in these times of psychological warfare adopted by the political and economic forces to manipulate public opinion. We have to respond constructively to feelings of fear, guilt, panic and gloom injected by the movers and shakers of this exploitative system to trick us into irrational and knee jerk responses.
Employing a critical reflective thinking methodology could prevent us being misled and repenting later. We need to invest our precious time and energy in supporting realistic, transparent and accountable social change processes which focus on driving structural and systemic changes, rather than toying piecemeal with the symptoms from political and economic deficiencies.
(The author is a social activist)
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