Kejriwal Trains RTI Gun on Modi

Kejriwal Trains RTI Gun on Modi

Major General Mrinal Suman

Once upon a time, a smart rabbit, under misplaced illusions of his own brain power, started masquerading as a prospective challenger to the lion for the kingship of the jungle. To demonstrate his bravado, the rabbit started harassing the lion by nibbling at his tail. The lion took no notice and simply brushed the rabbit aside with his tail. Jungle fraternity took no notice of the rabbit.

Soon, the rabbit realised that he would have to challenge the lion frontally to establish his credentials with fellow jungle mates. Knowing well that a single swish of the lion’s paw would finish him off, the rabbit failed to muster enough courage. Then one day, the unexpected happened. Accidentally, the rabbit fell into a vat of whisky. Having gulped ample whisky, the rabbit became fearless and roared (or coughed), “Get that stupid lion here for a bout with me.” However, before the lion could arrive, the effect of whisky waned and his bravado disappeared. As a result, he got forced to revert to his nibbling tactics.

Does one notice a simile with the current drama being played out? Popular support to his anti-corruption campaign acted like whisky and made Kejriwal dream of leading India. He fought Modi in Benaras elections and came a cropper. The bravado disappeared. Realising that he cannot challenge Modi for his work and policies, he decided to resort to the rabbit-like tactics of ‘nibbling at the tail’.

RTI has proved to be the most useful nibbling tool for Kejriwal. In the garb of seeking information, wildest allegations can be made directly or implied through massive media campaigns. The government gets cornered. If it chooses to ignore RTI queries, it is accused of hiding the truth, thereby giving credence to the allegations. If it responds, it walks into the trap of Kejriwal, who dismisses every inconvenient clarification to be a fraud/cover-up and further media hype follows. In the absence of news of value, multitude of TV channels are only too keen to hang on to any sensational ‘breaking news’.

Take the case of Modi’s educational degrees. Is it a matter of national importance? Agreed that the Prime Minister must not be seen to be a liar, but once the Gujarat University confirmed grant of MA degree, the issue should have got settled. Admission to MA is not granted unless a student produces genuine BA degree and university migration certificate. Kejriwal junked BA degree documents as forged. Even the subsequent corroboration by the Registrar of the Delhi University was declared to be under duress.

It is too much to expect Kejriwal-followers to express regret. On the contrary, they want to inspect the original documents like an enquiry commission. Some audacity! Nothing can convince those who have decided not to be convinced.

It is unfortunate that India produces politicians like Kejriwal who can stoop down to any depths for opponents’ character assassination. Instead of applauding the resolve of a young man from a poor family to acquire education, Kejriwal and party are revelling in the fact that they have exposed that Modi passed BA after a number of attempts and that too in third division. How reprehensible can a discourse get!

     

Surely, Kejriwal is extremely happy with the dividends gained from his above mentioned RTI attack. Throwing muck at the top leadership is the most cost effective option to remain in the limelight, especially for those who have no other achievement to their credit. By needling the lion’s tail, the rabbit does manage some notoriety.  

It is reliably learnt that Kejriwal is fine-tuning his RTI strategy further. Some future RTI queries may seek following information:-

·         When and where was Modi born? The government must release his birth certificate for verification. Do the hospital certificate and the matriculation certificate match? In case Modi is unable to prove the fact of his birth, the law must declare him unborn. As an unborn person cannot head the country, the chair should be offered to born Kejriwal.  

  

·         Did Modi do his home work in school or copied others. How can a tea-boy find enough time to do home studies? Either he never sold tea or he never did his home work. To clear doubts, his home work copy books should be shown to Kejriwal for verification.

·         How could a third-division BA get first-division in MA? It stinks of a scam. Seating arrangement of MA examination must be made public to ascertain if any RSS Pracharak was seated next to Modi to help him write answers.

·         How can a poor tea-boy be so well-fed to have 56 inch chest? Did Adani finance his diet? Moreover, with 56 inch chest, he would have been a wrestler. Remember, Mulayam Singh was a wrestler with only 48 inch chest. To clear all doubts, a panel of Kejriwal approved doctors should be constituted to measure his chest.

·         Modi’s claim of doing yoga daily is suspect. During yoga day function at the Raj Path, Modi’s left arm was not straight while doing some asanas. Will the CIC order the government to release videos of his daily yoga schedule, duly authenticated? Of course, testimonials given by Sri Sri and Baba Ramdev will not be acceptable.

Do the above likely RTI queries appear too far-fetched? Well, Kejriwal can go to any extent. Two cartoons making rounds on the social media are symptomatic of Kejriwal’s RTI antics. One shows Yamraj telling his doots to have their degrees authenticated before confronting Kejriwal. The second one shows Martians packing their degrees before their inter-planetary expedition to earth, lest Kejriwal declines them permission to enter Delhi.

It is time Kejriwal realises that he is fast losing his popular support base. Instead of establishing his credibility as a serious leader, he has made himself a caricature of absurdities. Here are three comments that one recently heard from Delhi-based friends:-

·         “Kejriwal has proved me wrong. I am guilty of voting him to power. He is like the proverbial rabbit. Ignorant of his own irrelevance, he has started entertaining visions of replacing Modi. What a letdown.”

·         “Instead of governing Delhi, he spends all his time in self-promotion through cheap theatrics and mudslinging.”

·         “I change channels whenever I see a Kejriwal spokesperson. I cannot stand their offensive demeanour and obnoxious utterances. It is negativity all the way.”        

It appears that Delhi electoral success has gone to the heads of Kejriwal and his cronies, a la our rabbit’s whisky. Increasing smuttiness and arrogance of Kejriwal and his cronies is being seen as a sign of hollowness of their competence. Where is the humility that ‘aam aadmi’ voted for? Humility is the hall mark of a good leader and a meta-virtue.

Kejriwal must understand that a healthy political discourse is built on logical consistency, factual accuracy and persuasive presentation of arguments and counter-arguments. A debate must remain confined to issues under discussion and never be personalised for character assassination. Issues are important, not individuals.

Dissent is desirable. It improves the quality of debate and helps deeper analysis of issues. However, dissent should not degenerate into a slanging match or street-urchin type squabble. Even dissent should be well-argued and dignified. Civility is not a sign of weakness.*****