Jaswant's Jolt

In a shocking development before the start of the much hyped chintan baithak held by the BJP to contemplate on the reasons for its failure in this year’s elecyion and to provide solutions and look for a revamp, BJP Leader Jaswant Singh was expelled form the party. The reason-he had eulogized Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who had so far been demonized by the highly communal BJP and is not held in high regard, even in India. Let’s look at the treatment from different aspects.

Why is BJP correct in its intolerance to jaswant’s views?

BJP, even though it claims to be secular is not. Everybody knows that. Be it the wounds of the Ayodha massacre still fresh or the alleged hate speech of Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit, they have left no stones unturned to drive home a point-that of secular intolerance. In that context, Jaswant Singh, who has been in the party for the last 30 years, and is one of the leaders instumental in driving forth the party;s image in public, did a blunder. By eulogizing Jinnah in his book. He attributed the India-Pakistan partition to Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (who the BJP look up to) more than Jinnah. I am not going to delve on Jinnah’s role in the partition. But, this idea, which is a clear anti thesis of what the BJP holds as its ideal, has been boldly presented in the book. Still in public life nd while attached to the principles of a party, Jaswant should notr have made his personal beliefs and opinions public. Also, Jaswant has been an old prick for the BJP. He targeted the team Lal Krishna Advani picked for Parliament, comprising of Sushma Swaraj as Advani's deputy in Lok Sabha and Arun Jaitely as Opposition Leader in Rajya Sabha. Naturally, for a party brass, so stringent in its outlook, it has led to serious consequences. The matter of the step taken is though, controversial.

Why is BJP wrong in sacking Jaswant?

Because he is a senior leader who is present in the team, the party since its days of inception. Holding high profiles in the cabinet, Jaswant was one of the most respectable figures in the party. 30 years of servitude, loyalty, devotion and service has in a whiff being dismantled and it has been a rude jolt for Jaswant, who was almost teary eyed during his press conference from Shimla. Out Constitution’s Fundamental Rights involve the freedom of expression and Jaswant, in sharing his personal views for Jinnah, did no wrong as an individual and as a critic. But the only ‘fault’ perhaps was maybe his affiliation to a party so strong in its outlook and so sudden in its actions.

What the BJP should have done instead?

I think that like every shrewd political party, the BJP should also have capitalized on the view of Jaswant in the book, blaming the congress and its members like Gandhiji and Patel for the partition and the Hindu-Muslim discord. This step, neglected, is a very foolish thing that the BJP has done and is a respite for the congress, which has averted a criticism. And I also feel that the BJP should have taken a less strict step for jaswant’s book. He could have been asked to step down from his post or asked personally to bring out an apology etc. The sort of treatment meted out to him-a phone call by Rajnath Singh, informing him about his expungement, that is after Lal Krishna Advani got away with his comments in favour of Jinnah three years back and also a nod of approval to bring out Jaswant’s book by the same man, is nothing less than a hasty step taken, which has created ripples against the party.

What it trickles down to...

Basically, Politics-not intolerance to opposition of principles, is what I conclude is the reason behind the expulsion. The Chintan Baithak aimed at revamping the party’s image has led the party to be quite non-lenient in its operation. This is the first step towards purging the party out of its obstacles, perhaps. But this step, I feel, was not called for, is hasty and I believe would be a source for dismay and regret for at least some of the party members later on. Let’s wait and watch what other chintans emerge out of the baithak in the cool and serene surroundings of Shimla. Another Jaswant episode, maybe…Beware Arun Shouries, Vasundhara Rajes and Yashwant Sinhas and put your hands up for the Varun Gandhis, the Jaitleys and the Sushmas.