Language of politics is becoming hideous in the Lok Sabha elections

In this upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the majority of our politicians are speaking in a language that is not only indecent or unpleasent, but also extremely awful and disrespectful. Many years ago, I purchased a book from Delhi's Khan Market titled "Dictionary of Slang". The dictionary of abuses. Our leaders' harsh words are not found in that dictionary. Because as much as the yardstick of profanity measures, our policymakers surpass it by a significant margin. "Gutter language" can be found in the dictionary, the ingenious minds innovating new ideas and implementing them are using expressions not found in conventional dictionaries. These respected individuals, who are adept politicians, may use language that could perhaps be found in a slang dictionary if they were to utter profanity. However, they are all skilled politicians. Consequently, I can't recall hearing of a cocktail of profanity mixed with bigotry and sectarianism in any previous election.

If there were a competition for using unpleasant language, our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Damodar Das Modi would undoubtedly win the first prize. Although it's regrettable, it's true. Modi ji, by targeting a specific community, is using derogatory language, something no prime minister of any country has done before. And this is not mere speculation.

What he openly expresses at public rallies is sometimes heard in extremely militant nationalist cinema. However, if the members of censorship are sensitive and assertive, then it will be surly halted. In the competition of speaking obscenely, our honorable Home Minister Amit Shah could be close to Narendra Modi. I have read in the newspaper that he is suggesting his party to hang the opponents upside down.

If the language of the leaders of the ruling party is consistently inappropriate, it's easy to infer what kind of language their supporters might choose at public rallies.

In previous elections, the opposition was often targeted with harsh rhetoric. Some common issues from the 1960s and 1970s persist even today. The name of that old rivalry is Pakistan. Just as there was a tense relationship with China at the time I'm referring to, today it's with Pakistan. As a result, labeling someone as pro-China made it easy to tarnish their image or reputation. Back then, there wasn't the uproar from the BJP or other former Jansangha groups. At least in West Bengal, there was strong rivalry between the Left and the Congress. The slogan written on the Congress wall was, "Chinese-made Hammer and sickle, Pakistan's stars, then who else are the enemies of the nation!"

It's apparent that the election symbol of the left-leaning communists, the hammer and sickle, is being satirized. After so many years, leaders of the BJP are once again bringing Pakistan back into their speeches. The amusing thing is that fingers are now being pointed at the Congress for their alleged "love for Pakistan." Attacking Pakistan makes it easy to evoke nationalist sentiments. It's something that the ruling party's think tanks are well aware of, and whenever elections approach, the fear of Pakistan resurfaces before them.

Currently, there is indeed a lot of tension regarding Bangladesh when it comes to elections. The term "Ghuspetiya" (Bribe taker) is now a favorite among BJP leaders. It's alleged that infiltrators are crossing the border from Bangladesh into various states of India, causing economic disruptions. Even though there are questions, why isn't direct dialogue happening at the governmental level with Bangladesh regarding this issue? Despite this, with a significant number of BSF personnel stationed at the border, how are Bangladeshis still managing to enter India on a daily basis?

It's always challenging for reason to prevail amidst the perpetual state of emotional turmoil in politics. Some political experts believe that behind the use of this inflammatory language lies a political strategy to win votes. Furthermore, there are attempts to boost the morale of supporters by using such derogatory language. Wherever votes are equated with warfare, there is no place for policy or ethics. They must resort to various tactics to exert power. Alongside, inciting opponents with negative remarks is necessary to lead them astray. Just as we witness sledging on the cricket field, similar trash-talking tactics are employed in football and other sports to disrupt the opposition's strategies. However, behind the practice of hurling abuses at opponents lies a kind of authoritarian mentality within the ruling party. It's not just mere political rhetoric; it's a tactic straight out of Hitler's Nazi playbook. Just as Hitler demonized the Jews as the imagined enemies to galvanize the larger German nation, the consequences of his actions are well known to everyone. In India, too, the majority of leaders in the ruling party are spreading religious intolerance in exactly the same way, causing fear among ordinary people who are supporters of democracy.

Unrestrained language is also heard from the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the honorable Mamata Banerjee. However, relatively speaking, it is less compared to others. Though such behavior is not desirable from the head of a state, especially in terms of using abusive language, the left-wing parties in West Bengal are lagging behind in this regard. In terms of posters, banners, and slogans, the leftists are much less prominent. This has been a persistent trend. The works of Utpal Dutt's dramas, Subhash Mukhopadhyay's poetry, Puranendu Patri, Amitav Dasgupta, Asim Ray, Golam Kuddus, Dipendranath Bandyopadhyay, Debesh Roy, and Somresh Basu were significant contributions to the art. The adornment of walls with leftist political graffiti still catches the eye. Perhaps not as prevalent as before, yet the campaign style of leftist and socialist politics remains distinct from others.

Indeed, the fundamental difference lies in the conflict of two philosophies. In the world of neocapitalism, the leftist slogan "some will eat and some will not" still resonates with the common people. Across the country, the intense atmosphere of religious polarization is causing anxiety among the masses. When the Prime Minister himself directly assaults a community and undermines India's constitution, the voices of leftist politics are rising on the streets, advocating for “ Haq, Rooti, Rujee, Janatai Pujee” (Honesty, Food and livelihood, people are the wealth.). The conflict between corporate interests and the common people is now the main driving force in India's elections.

Soumitra Dastidar: Documentary Filmmaker and Writer