The Indian General Elections are over (finally). It was tiring, boring and extended 3 weeks longer than it should have. It’s shocking the amount of time, money and resources are wasted every 5 years. Do we really need to know what our politicians have to say every 3 hours for 45 days nonstop? Anyway, everyone awaits the result that will be released on 4th June 2024.
Surprisingly enough, the entertainment value of this election cycle was terribly low. There has been nothing memorable that we will remember for years to come. No iconic moments, no funny incidents, nothing. No gaffes, no goof ups. A bit of mudslinging here, and a lot of chest-thumping there. Waste of a beautiful summer.
The most striking part of the past couple of months is that we all knew the results! We just need to know the margins. The BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) was heavily touted to win the election for the third time in a row. However, somehow, we all came together to pretend that it wasn’t the case and that it was a free-for-all. Come June, all myths of invincibility will be shattered by the brilliant counter by the INDIA bloc. Every phase of the election was being microscopically analysed by new anchors (the ones with jobs and also the ones with their own YouTube channels).
“The betting markets have pegged it at 50-50!”
“Huge surprise awaits the ruling party in UP and Maharashtra”
“The South will continue to be the bastion of democracy in India”
And my absolute favourite, “Income inequality is rising!”
From my parents, to my brothers, to my friends to the many strangers we unfortunately talk to online, everyone was discussing how Modi is facing “anti-incumbency”.
I have a serious question. Are you all fucking stupid?
I am saying this with all the politeness I can muster. What is wrong with you? Are you wilfully blind or genuinely bamboozled by oodles of traditional and social media slop that’s served to us 24 hours a day? Which one is it? I will respect you more if it’s the first one. Because the second one is genuinely easy to decipher and ignore. But somehow, incredibly effective.
Why is this important? While today it was an election with a foregone conclusion that we were swayed on, tomorrow it will be something painfully real. A war, a natural disaster, a coup! Who knows. Will you genuinely believe everything you want to or just for once, accept the reality for what it is? Stop believing everything you are told. Question a bit.
OF COURSE THE BETTING MARKETS ARE 50-50! What are they going to tell you? Hey man, it’s actually 80-20 and if I were you, I wouldn’t bet. REALLY?
OF COURSE, THE MEDIA WILL CALL IT A “KAANTE KI TAKKAR”! What are they going to do? Tell you it’s a waste of time to watch them and you might as well just vote and switch on your screen on 4th June?
PLEASE. I beg of you. More critical thinking. A little more doubt about the data and news that’s being shared with you. It’s not as organic as you think it is. It never is! The onus to consume good food and good news is on you. Take it seriously. The certainty with which a few loved ones were talking about the elections was striking. It didn’t show bad knowledge, but something far worse, faith. A belief without a foundation.
Our world is dominated by digital media and we are running headfirst into a world that’s soon going to be digital ONLY. A much more malleable reality for the strong and nefarious. Build your bullshit sensors. Question everything and ask yourself at every step. Why am I choosing to believe this? More often than not, you will continue to believe it, but at least it will be a conscious decision.
The Exit polls have hit some people like a truck. It’s understandable. I had felt the same way when I went for my first-ever interview with Google a decade ago. I was disoriented for a full 24 hours. The gulf between actual and perceived reality was HUGE.
Modi is our Nehru. Our Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A titan who will shape our lives for decades to come. Whether we like it or not. It’s alright though. Nothing is going to change for us privileged folks. Our tax might increase a few percentage points. But that’s still better than the double-digit increase promised by the opposition. I pray our country does well in the coming years and continues its stellar economic performance in an otherwise muted global environment.
But please, a bit more thinking. A lot less castles in the air.
Pol Ke Bol! 