Right now, the majority is caught up in euphoric triumphalism, uninhibitedly celebrating the return of the BJP and PM Narendra Modi to power with a thumping majority. There is, of course, the small but very worried minority that sees this win as a rejection of the democratic and secular credentials of our nation; that views the weakening of institutions, the anti-intellectualism, centralisation of power and lowering of national discourse with a great deal of concern. Here is how a nation responded to the verdict that was a clear and unequivocal endorsement of one man, his party and their ideology.
People are cheering everywhere for a win that leaves no room for doubt. There will be no coalition compulsion and the government will be free to govern as it deems fit. This delights many, but worries some deeply.
Perhaps there was the apprehension of loss but few from the opposition expected the clean sweep that we saw.
The supporters of the winning side could barely contain their glee – many happy to offer Burnol to the opponents who lost so badly.
The seat that has been with the Congress for generations finally slipped out of the hands of India’s Grand Old Party. In a performance only slightly better than their all-time low 2014 tally of 44 seats, the face of the party Rahul Gandhi faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of the BJP's Smriti Irani.
This clever side by side placement of images from GoT characters and some of the principal players of the election tells the story pithily and fairly accurately. Of course, Amit Shah is Tyrion Lannister, the king-maker.
The ever topical Amul advert made clever puns upon the words ‘kamal’ (lotus) and ‘kamaal’ (fantastic) and lotus and lots.
Obviously, BJP and Modi supporters were in a self-congratulatory mode. In addition, the felicitations poured in from world leaders as well. However, one does have to wonder whether this meme is actually meant to be ironical – after all Thanos was that one uber-villain who wiped out half of all living beings.
Very few states did not give a mandate to the current dispensation, such as Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The people’s endorsement of a terror accused; the fact that an undertrial accused of the deaths of innocents including children will now sit in parliament seems to horrify a lot of people.
Of course there were many who made tongue in cheek references to the fact that throughout his tenure, the PM blamed previous governments and to the fact that there has been a concerted ongoing campaign to malign India's first PM.
The Congress has shown itself to be inadequate, deluded and arrogant; out of touch with the reality of India and Indians. They did too little, too late to make any kind difference and were completely unable to present any sort of alternative to the Modi juggernaut.
Now that the dance of democracy is over, the average Indian turns their attention to another spectacle in the offing – the Cricket World Cup.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
