In his unbiased analysis in article
So called eminent, modern, civil, liberal, scientific tempered, respected Senior Journalist and economist Kumar Ketkar has pointed out Single biggest flaw of Modi, or RSS. I don’t know whether Kumar Ketkar identify himself with all the qualities which I have copy pasted from last few lines of his article. But I think he will identify himself as elite (not Elitism).
First we should understand the difference between Elite and Elitism as misunderstood and misguided by
Kumar Ketkar in his article.
Kumar Ketkar says Modi has loyal following of “corporate class, and admirers (even worshippers) in the middle class, especially among the upper castes”. But according to him being upper cast is different from being ‘Power elite’. In very next line Ketkar Says “But that does not constitute the ‘power elite’.” And he conveniently remain does not define the Power Elite.
But we can understand what power elite means. Power Elite was those people who were appointing Union Telecom Minister during Congress Rule. They were the Elite who had Power.
But Ketkar tries to misguide you with his so called elitist argument saying “The ‘power elite’ is a social phenomenon that does not have necessarily negative connotations.” Two things here;
First, Power Elite is as social a phenomenon as Johar/Sati was. That doesn’t mean it is correct or acceptable in our democracy. Power elite are nothing more than power brokers. And even though it is reality we all must toil to eradicate these phenomena from our society.
Second, even he doesn’t dare to say ‘power elite is positive phenomena’ because he knows deep down it is not. So he changes the subject, in very next line, by warning us difference between Elite and Elitism.
Second, even he doesn’t dare to say ‘power elite is positive phenomena’ because he knows deep down it is not. So he changes the subject, in very next line, by warning us difference between Elite and Elitism.
Ketkar further says “And mind you, this ‘elite’ is not the same as elitism, which is the same kind of phenomenon as Brahminism” So in his world Elitism = Brahminism and Elite = Untouchable??? If Elitism is Brahminism then Elite must be called Brahmin. And mind you, Kumar Ketkar himself is Brahmin. But no you are wrong. Kumar Ketkar set idle for elite as “The ‘elite’ actually have to be liberated from elitism for knowledge and education to spread”. If elite is separated from Elitism will it be called elite or commoner?
He further writes 3 paragraphs on Nehru’s Elite and 4 paragraphs on Indira’s Elite. In last paragraph, on Indira’s Elite, Ketkar write off Emergency in just one line. Emergency by far is worst atrocity committed on Indian Elite after Bkhtiyar Khilji burnt down Nalanda University. But Ketkar rejoice that “her power elite survived and became an almost ready-made intellectual support system to Rajiv Gandhi” upon this I dare to ask exactly how Elitism is different from Brahminism or Nepotism or even Caste system? Power Elite supporting Rajiv, lone survival of ruling Family, after his mother’s death is example of how Brahminical and castist this so called Elite has become.
Ketkar then went on bashing RSS for not having roots in classical or modern arts and literature even though it is cultural organization.
He then go on mentioning various incidences which his elitist mind finds absurd ideas. While ignoring the absurd ideas that were put forward by the so called elite and now debunk. I have given a small list below.
Ketkar says absurd ideas in his article
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Absurd Ideas of Power Elite ignored by Ketkar
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Truth
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…mythical Pushpak Vimana as evidence of aviation science
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Ramayan-Mahabhart are myths. Dwarka never existed.
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Dwarka was discovered submerged as the ancient text mentioned.
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…condemning Aamir or Shah Rukh Khan on utterly silly charges
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If Sonu Nigam condemns Morning Azan then it is intolerance.
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Sonu Nigam not only got harassed but also threatened for voicing his displeasure.
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…banning women’s entry into beer bars & banning beef and other non-vegetarian food
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Men and women are free to eat/drink whatever they want where ever they want.
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Mahatma Gandhi called for banning on cow slaughter. And it is part of constitution of India.
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Ketkar went on to say about Nehru and Indira that “Visiting ashrams or temples did not compromise their secular convictions” But when Modi did Ganga Pooja the power elite was all over to question his convictions.
In next paragraph Ketkar start by saying “Nehru himself has written glorious chapters on ancient Indian history in his magnificent tome, Discovery of India.” But he doesn’t not mention the “1857 First war of Independence” or “6 Glorious Epochs of Indian History” By V D Savarkar because it does not fit his Elitist narrative.
In his last paragraph Ketkar has made correct diagnosis on wrong patient. He says “The collapse of civilised behavior, which has become new social norm, is a result of this march towards medieval notions.” People all over the world know who is marching towards medieval notion.
But the best came at the last. Ketkar says “Modernity, civility, liberalism, scientific temper, respect for global knowledge traditions, appreciation of arts and literature must come from the leadership, from the ruling ideology.
That is where the ‘elite’ culture must prevail.”
Just read this statement for couple of times. You could feel the heartbroken Ketkar. It is well known that Ketkar is no fan of Modi. And now that you have found some weakness of Modi, you as being Power Elite, must exploit it. But rather than talking about exploitation of weakness Ketkar is practically begging Leadership/Ruling Ideology to appreciate power elite. Because he seems to have lost all hopes in Congress ever coming back to power and now he is searching appreciation from elsewhere.
He took an ABSURD leap of wishful thinking when he says Elite Culture मेव जयते. And left his readers wondering when Ketkar stepped from Power Elite to Elite to Elite Culture and in what sense Elite cultural is different from Elitism which he himself denounced at the beginning of the article.
