Now, Modi triggers bigger debate - claims he is 'God-sent' to serve motherland

Now, Modi triggers bigger debate - claims he is 'God-sent' to serve motherland

New Delhi 

A big socio-political and even religious row has been triggered over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement that he was "not born biologically" and that the energy he musters to work during elections is God sent.

"After my mother passed away, upon reflecting on all my experiences, I was convinced that God had sent me. This energy could not be from my biological body, but was bestowed upon me by God...whenever I do anything, I believe God is guiding me.... I am nobody, I am just an instrument".

Strong reactions and ridicule surfaced once the comments given to a TV channel in Hindi (common and official language in India) got viral. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says any ordinary person saying this would be asked to go to a psychiatrist.

Jairam Ramesh, chief spokesman for Congress, says "It seems Modi has started thinking himself as theGod...." and he dubbed Modi's remarks as reflecting “an unprecedented level of delusion and arrogance”, 

On the other hand, a few BJP leaders say there is no doubt that the Prime Minister is an epitome ofhard work and dedication. "He can really work hard...He can address two rallies, participate in two road shows in the heat and when he is back in Delhi; he gives full scale TV interviews to senior journalists," said BJP leader SanjuVerma.

Modi's critics say his intent to play himself in 'divinity' is purely political and the Prime Minister is aware ofthe sense of timing. This would go down well during poll season and moreover he had first chosen theboat ride in Varanasi to make the statement to a woman journalist.

 "There is always an added significanceto the sense of timing and venue," says rationalist Tushra Bhadra -- also based in Varanasi.

Others say elections in India this year have moved far beyond political arguments and debates.It is perhaps no longer even us-and-they or Hindu-Muslim divide.

"Muslims worry that the BJP and Modi himself will bank on time-tested strategies and tactics of drawing on religious divisions is true; but only one part of the story. The story actually gets completed when he implies that he has been chosen by God to serve the country," says   Assam-based analyst Ashutosh Talukdar. 

He also adds, "English and western media in particular will be mistaken to interpret what Modihas stated in Christian idiom. Jesus is believed to be the son of God. Modi is nowhere saying so.His emphasis is essentially what we commoners say, "everything has a God's programme andhence I am just an instrument or excuse... whatever is happening or I am doing is God's wish".

"Modi is being extremely shrewd as he is encouraging voters to vote for his party candidatesimplying this way they will contribute in implementing God's programmes," says Talukdar.

A BJP leader in West Bengal on the condition of anonymity said, "Personality cult and to the extent ofcomparing with God and Goddess is nothing new in India. In 2016, an opposition Trinamool CongressMP Idris Ali had said in Lok Sabha during Zero hour, that "We believe that our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is like Goddess Saraswati who is doing a lot of developmental work for the state. She should not be disrespected".

In fact, there is another old example on this backdrop.

In the 1970s after war with Pakistan and after Bangladesh was born, the then BJP stalwart Atal BihariVajpayee (who became Prime Minister in 1996) had reportedly called the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi"Goddess Durga" for giving a befitting blow to Pakistan. 

Hinduism says Goddess Durga is a slayer of the monster or demon.

Notably, PM Modi also told another news channel:“I am convinced that ‘Parmatma’ (God) sent me for a purpose. Once the purpose is achieved, my work will be  done. He will not call me before that...This is why I have completely dedicated myself to God".

But analyst Vidyarthi Kumar throws up yet another argument.

"Modi is not saying anything extempore or without preparation. He understands the importance of religion in the nation of multi religious communities. Especially for Hindus, God and religion are like culmination of the BJP’s dominant theme of politcs,” Kumar says.

He further adds that Modi has deliberately "promoted Hinduism" since his re-election in 2019 in particularwhen he performed the stone-laying ceremony on Aug 5 (2020) for the Ram temple at Ayodhya."Whenever he has visited neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, he has visited Hindu temples". 

Hence, he did not waste the opportunity when Ram temple was to be inaugurated on Jan 22, 2024.

"At the same time, he did not mind calling Dec 25 (Christmas Day) as Good Governance Dayin honour former PM Vajpayee as his birthday happens to be that day," Kumar added.

However, Vidyarthi Kumar says - many would be missing the point that Modi and his party colleagues will try to give a philosophical argument to the entire debate when there will be more questioning about the divinity clam. 

"As it is Hinduism or Hindutva is a way of life as even seen from various court orders. In terms of science of IT, one can say Hinduism is like an 'Open Source' and so one can be conformist to rituals, atheist and also animist. There is no bar. If I say my parents brought me to this world, you can always argue my birth itself was God's programme and parents were just tools," he tries to underline.

Modi has also stated: “I believe God has given me abilities, inspiration, and good intentions for a purpose … I am nothing but an instrument".

In the end, the real debate is whether his party will return to power for the third time.

One Left leaning journalist in the southern state of Kerala says, "In 2014 and 2019, Modi played nationalism and preached Development and won 'Hindutva votes'. This  time Modi is pushing divinity and preaching Hindutva and seeking to win Development votes".

Ashutosh Talukdar tends to agree to some points raised by Vidyarthi Kumar and adds, "Look at Hinduism not like Christianity or Islam..It can be called a kaleidoscope. Modi is trying to show this as a mirror to the world but ultimately aiming to garner political benefits".

ends