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Is this the right time to mock the “Acche Din” concept?
July 21, 2014
Elections are won by selling dreams. This is one mantra that Narendra Modi learnt much early in his political career – it was the dream of a still elusive Ram temple at Ayodhya that consolidated Hindu votes and catapulted the BJP to the position of a major political force. The economic development was the other big dream that he showed to the youth and the dominant business community of the state to win successive state assembly elections in Gujarat. Experts still debate over the merits and demerits of the Gujarat model of development. But Modi’s journey as a dream merchant continues to cast a spell on many. This time he has sold the dream of ‘achhe din aane wale hain (Better times are about to come)’ to the masses!
A Utopian dream?
Sigmund Freud defined dreams as manifestations of our deepest desires and anxieties. Has the Modi-led BJP, its quest for power, ventured dangerously far to sell a Utopian dream that is impossible to realise?
The concept of ‘Achhe Din’ is also fraught with the possibility of boomeranging every time something goes wrong with the government. It is in this light that Modi has lamented that his government is not given the luxury of ‘honeymoon period’. Expectedly, the Opposition parties have indulged into a practice of mocking ‘achhe din’ slogan at every given opportunity – ranging from the hikes in the freight charges and rail fare in the railway budget, hike in oil prices, rising food prices, to the power crisis in Delhi!
At this point, I wish to make a detour before we discuss the ‘achhe din’ (better days) concept at the desired political level.
When was the last that we had enjoyed real ‘achhe din’ (good days) and why can’t we have ‘acche din’ always? Why do we always have to crave for better days?
‘Achhe Din’ is a relative phenomenon
One often hears elderly persons recounting stories about the ‘good old days’. On an individual level, obviously ‘achhe din’ signifies youth, energy and action for an elderly man. That’s why ‘good old days’ for him are frozen in the past. For youngsters, their pursuit for a good life makes them explore new vistas for opportunities and growth. Therefore, a good day for them doesn’t come till their goals are accomplished. Till then it’s all struggle and yet once they reach the summit, that’s a fait accompli – a time to look back wistfully at the ‘good old days’! As for a middle-aged man, he perennially faces the ‘mid-life crises!
Similarly, for a poor, getting two time meal would make the day good for him. For a professional, accomplishing a task would make the day for him while for a businessman, earning more profits would make him feel good!
Obviously, the idea of ‘acche din’ can be interpreted differently given the temperaments and perceptions of different individuals, but none of the interpretations can neglect the political aspects of the concept. This is perhaps the reason why we behaved like the rats before the pied piper of Hamelin, when the BJP promised us good days ahead. We have done so in the past and just before being mesmerised by the saffron force, we prostrated before the Aam Aadmi Party too, only to be badly disappointed.
Obviously, the idea of ‘acche din’ can be interpreted differently given the temperaments and perceptions of different individuals, but none of the interpretations can neglect the political aspects of the concept. This is perhaps the reason why we behaved like the rats before the pied piper of Hamelin, when the BJP promised us good days ahead. We have done so in the past and just before being mesmerised by the saffron force, we prostrated before the Aam Aadmi Party too, only to be badly disappointed.
Years of bad governance have numbed our reasoning faculty
One may disagree but years of bad governance, piggy back rides on corrupt practices, have numbed our senses and taken a toll of our logic and reasoning. More so in the last few years, that passed off as a phase of policy paralysis.
Over the years, our political institutions have degenerated into outfits of political manoeuvring to cling to power by any means. Hence the poor are cultivated as vote banks in this country. (Have we forgotten Laloo Prasad’s ‘Gareeb Railas’? Or Narendra Modi’s repeated cries for policies for the poorest of the poor?). The middle class is taxed in the name of financial prudence while the political class and the rich are doled out sops. (We know about the privileges extended to our Members of Parliament and ministers. It is also much easier for a political party to acquire a prime property in the national capital. Similarly, we also know how an elitist Delhi Golf Club, spread across land valued at nearly Rs 47,000 crore, is allowed to pay a pittance (Rs 5.82 lakh per year) to the government as lease amount.
Over the years, our political institutions have degenerated into outfits of political manoeuvring to cling to power by any means. Hence the poor are cultivated as vote banks in this country. (Have we forgotten Laloo Prasad’s ‘Gareeb Railas’? Or Narendra Modi’s repeated cries for policies for the poorest of the poor?). The middle class is taxed in the name of financial prudence while the political class and the rich are doled out sops. (We know about the privileges extended to our Members of Parliament and ministers. It is also much easier for a political party to acquire a prime property in the national capital. Similarly, we also know how an elitist Delhi Golf Club, spread across land valued at nearly Rs 47,000 crore, is allowed to pay a pittance (Rs 5.82 lakh per year) to the government as lease amount.
Obviously decadent politics guided by rampant corruption in every sphere of life, inaction of the government, joblessness, high inflation and constant daily struggle for survival have shaken the core beliefs of the gentry to such an extent that they chase whoever dangles the carrot in front of them. The BJP with its “Acche Din” catchphrase caught the imagination of the voters, who were looking for a positive change in the election after a prolonged phase of “policy paralysis”.
Good governance means fulfilling the aspirations of the citizens. It means removing corruption, and making things affordable for the poorest of the poor. Yet more than that, it requires a resolute commitment. After all, the BJP sold a dream and we bought it. It is the turn of the BJP to deliver now on the pre-poll promise.
The initial days of the BJP government have evoked a mixed response. The prices continue to soar and the Union Budget did not insulate the poor from inflation.
Can the government deliver its poll promise?
So, is the tall poll promise of ‘achhe din’ indeed turning out to be a hoax? Isn’t it too early to mock the campaign slogan?
On a slightly optimistic note, I can vouch that even a little sincere effort from the government can make the people happy. After his splendid show in the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will need to make efforts to retain the trust of the people through well intentioned decisions. This requires a firm political will. The absolute majority in Parliament empowers the government to take better decisions now and Modi will be in no position to offer excuses.
At his very first election victory rally in Vadodara, Modi had declared triumphantly, “Achhey din aa gaye hain” (Better days have already arrived). Now he needs to quickly provide evidence of such assertions because the people have had enough of such claims in the last six decades.
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