It is no surprise these days that many journalists or reporters whine about the nature of responses they get on social media. However, when one of the leading voices goes a step further by imploring one section of people to respond, it does raise many questions. Ravish’s article (or narration) is another instance of misinformation propagated by our media. Let me take him head on.
Ravish starts by saying that he was made to believe that the Left was far more superior in communication than the Right. Who could have told him that? Of course my guess would be his comrades – as he started his career in a Left Wing media organization. Early 90s hardly was a communication masterclass by the Right, as they did not control the narrative during the Ramjanmbhoomi movement. This would have cemented Ravish’s views on Right’s ineffectiveness in communication. He effectively boxed himself in that cocoon and started looking everything else as the other side. Remember, he is supposed to be a journalist.
Ravish mentions the alacrity with which RSS embraced technology. Staying in Germany for sometime now, I see many initiatives by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). HSS is one organization or community which facilitates overseas Indians to be in touch with fellow overseas Indians and Indian culture. Technology has played its part, but awakened citizens would also want people to hear their views loud and clear. Ravish also slips in an interesting point – “They (Right) would not let a single idea slip without contention”. This reveals more the true nature of the Indian Left intelligentsia. They would have hoped and prayed for the Right to remain dormant like they did for an entire decade and the Left could continue bullying their ideas on India. They were, after all, creating their own ‘idea of India’.
Ravish also comes across more as an egotist than a reporter or journalist. He accepts that his or Left’s arguments are effectively demolished by the Right on social media. However, it does hurt him that it isn’t someone from the leadership stable of RSS who does that, but ‘aam aadmi’s. This takes away any pleasure he may have had continuing his agenda of tarnishing RSS. Also, it does take him by surprise that people are no longer taking his preachings lying down. I would guess that the mainstream media will learn that more Indians understand the differences between the Left and Right, only after 2019.
Ravish then moves on to another hilarious part: that RSS supporters apparently view things in binary. For starters, I am sure he does not see his own shows where he has 6-8 small boxes with people from each party giving a for or against views. I wonder how many times, he has asked for a nuanced view from a guest. Moreover, this is the same journalist , who went around UP prior to the general elections, asking everyone his caste. A journalist who sees any policy or any initiative through the caste lens asks for nuance.
Ravish also comes across as someone who hasn’t understood social media yet. He mentions about the apparent “synchronized attacks” of his tweets. He should well know that he doesn’t own the space. People would express their opinions on his tweet and move on to the next one. To think people are waiting for these Left journalists’ tweets to pounce on them, is giving too much importance to themselves. For every tweet from you that needs a befitting response, there are other more critical patients who need counseling. (Hint: think about any of your Left colleagues)
Ravish also feels so sorry for not being able to debate “Aadarsh Gram Yojana” and smart cities concept initiated by the Modi government. He laments that the conversion row has taken prominence. Well, this is a textbook case of the Left hypocrisy. Both the aforementioned programs were announced on 15 August by the Prime Minister from the ramparts of Red Fort. PM candidate Modi had also mentioned about smart cities in many of his campaign rallies. The conversion issues started from late November/early December. If Ravish wished, he had atleast 3 full months to debate on these programs. It’s anybody’s guess how many debates he would have moderated in his show debating nuances of these programs.
Ravish insinuates that most of the recent debates are making people nervous. Well for starters, Ravish hasn’t been paying close attention to Assembly election results. Also to say that people didn’t have an alternative to the Corrupt Congress than BJP/Modi, he hasn’t looked at the ballot papers too. He would have found many candidates vying for seats. In his shows, he continues to deny credit to Modi government for reigning in inflation or improving India’s brand abroad. Am sure he hasn’t heard of Napolean’s quote: “I know he is a great General, but is he lucky?”. Whatever external favorable factors, I would rather have a leader who is a lucky charm for India than the one who quietly takes India to the abyss. Ravish would surely disagree. I guess it is too much to ask for someone who has blinkers on.
Notice how only mentions the BJP, RSS or Right supporters to make his points. Not once does he mention the eulogies given by the Congress or AAP supporters on social media. Oh well! I almost forgot…!
