"We don't associate ourselves with the Hindutva fringe groups propagating communal hatred. They are as obnoxious and as dangerous as the rabid, intolerant fringe in other communities. They are an unwelcome distraction in a country poised to be a world power in a decade. We believe in nationalism, we believe in Hinduism, but we also respect the syncretic character of India and its spirit of peaceful coexistence. We have made mistakes, so have others. Let the finger-pointing ritual be over now. Let's forget the bitterness of the past and have a new India built on mutual trust."
Can we expect a speech along these lines from Narendra Modi?
It's not such a difficult ask from a leader who wants to lead the country to prosperity and greatness. It won't lower his dignity a bit. It would, in fact, earn him the respect that has been eluding him so far. No one thinks BJP chief Rajnath Singh disgraced himself yesterday when he told the Muslim community: "Please note that whenever, wherever, if there has been any mistake and shortcoming on our part, I assure you that we will apologize to you by bowing our heads."
Surely an apology won't go amiss by someone who wants to lead the country to prosperity
Of course, his statement was neither here nor there. And it appeared less than honest given the political context to his admission. He did not utter a word on the elements creating bad blood between the communities, nor did he address the core fears of the Muslim community.
That has been the biggest trouble with BJP leaders. While most of its members are liberal by inclination, and don't obviously subscribe to any hate ideology, they won't come out in the open condemning the fringe elements in the Sangh Parivar which have been giving the party a bad name. They are either incapable of introspection or they are too weak to assert themselves.
The electoral and goodwill dividend from such a speech could be enormous. The uncomfortable truth about the right in India is it has been spurned by the very constituency it wants to be the champion of: the Hindus.
The Muslims or Christians or other minorities are numerically insignificant compared to them, and thus too weak to challenge the majority.
Shaped through centuries of historical experiences Hindus have learnt to be liberal and accommodative. They get emotional and violent at times but in general hate ideas that have the potential to disrupt their lives.
The only way to allay their apprehension is to convince them that the party means good. There has been no sincere attempt at that from the BJP so far.
Its leaders are happy to defend communal nuisance-makers when it suits their interest. An open, caveatless denunciation of such forces has been rare. That has hurt the party's national image. The reason for such behaviour is not difficult to comprehend. But the party needs to change to find pan-Indian acceptance.
Modi has the opportunity to give his party a new character, a refreshing identity. His agenda of growth and development simply cannot co-exist with so many disruptive forces around him. Also, such an agenda is built as much on social capital as on economic ideas.
It cannot be successful when there's so much trust deficit around. He should be the change that's required. It's not easy for someone with such a controversial image. But he can try.
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