Lovebirds primarily refer to a pair of a species of birds known for their amorous attachment to each other. But, the word is also used to describe a fascinating aspect of human relationship when a man and a woman become besotted with love for each other. Eventually, of course much sooner than later, that love may wander on to some other partner but we shall deal with that aspect of love another time. Now that Valentine’s Day is celebrated February 14 and it epitomises this concept, the date in the calendar is now globally embraced as much for the emotional bonding of love by both the young and the old as also for furthering commercial efforts. An almost “love” industry has thrived over the years for this occasion. Very similar to the ‘Bol Bom’ or Kaunriya march which is very foreign to Oriya culture but has taken roots because of the business links. The flourish with which these days are celebrated makes cash register machines ring almost ceaselessly for days leading to the events. There is nothing wrong in it till politics gets injected into it. In today’s India, ‘love’ is definitely a foreign sentiment that could possibly have a minority angle to it. Not to forget that St. Valentine also is a Christian figure!
Valentine’s Day acquired a political dimension from the day the BJP came to power in India and Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. BJP activists found the concept remarkably easy and interesting to beat up since it involved mostly the young who, anyway, never wish to be under the glare of scrutiny. It fitted nicely with the BJP’s politics of skewed Hindootva that seeks to pick non-essential battles that are pointless and irrelevant. Hindootva propagandists have made minority-bashing a virtue in order to mobilise majority Hindoo votes and capture political power. Hindoo religious symbols and aspects of Vedic Culture have been given a twist to suit political ambitions. Their hatred against the minorities also seems not genuine but simply aimed at garnering votes. This may have been the prime reason why slaughter of cows and beef eating was converted into a political weapon to target Moslems and whip up communal passion of majority Hindoos. So many lives were lost and yet so many votes could be cornered.
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Similarly, Valentine’s Day has in the recent past been used by the BJP to attack young men and women expressing their love for each other.
However, such politicization has, it seems, not found favour with most people which has forced the BJP to tone down its rhetoric against such celebration of love. A great example is the announcement made by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) February 6, 2023 to celebrate February 14 as the ‘Cow Hug Day’. It went on to claim that “In view of the immense benefit of the cow, hugging with cow will bring emotional richness hence will increase our individual and collective happiness. Therefore, all the cow lovers may also celebrate February 14 as Cow Hug day keeping in mind the importance of mother cow …” Barely three days later this appeal was withdrawn and no reasons served amidst the incredible amount of jokes and lampooning on social media. For anyone watching the current play, this back footing is a clear sign of times changing.
Interestingly, an agency for the protection of cows – the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) – set up in 2019 by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, introduced a new course called “cow science.” Two years later it was forced to indefinitely postpone the exam after the curriculum was widely criticised for its unscientific claims about the animal.
Although no one may be able to predict what and how such reactions can be linked to casting of votes in future elections or the impact these will have on other issues of similar character, yet such roll backs are not to be brushed aside, however small they may seem now. And the tide after tide of social media bashing of the government also indicates change.
The current group in power seems to be in grave trouble for its inept handling of the economy and the snowballing financial market scam in which the closest ally of the Prime Minister, Gautam Adani, is allegedly involved. Hence, it is only natural that religious sentiments will be whipped up to relegate economic issues to the background. Unfortunately for them, since February 14 Cow Hug was not stirring the pot with enough strength, a new idea had to be quickly hatched and media attention drawn on to it with force. A recently retired Supreme Court judge, hailing from the majority-in- minority community, was appointed as a Governor. His good deed was he had pronounced a positive judgement favouring Demonetisation just before retirement. This appointment intends to silence the so called ‘secular and liberal’ part of the population, draw attention away from Adani and set things right again.
How it will work out can be seen in the coming days.
