The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh should desist from adventurism riding on a contentious population control law which, if legislated, will lead to greater vulnerability and scrutiny of those not falling in line.
From a Romeo Juliet squad to a law prohibiting interfaith marriages (love jihad), UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has broadcasted his admiration and adoration for peddling rhetorics, ensuring his soft landing in a state known for preserving and nurturing caste affiliations, obedience and loyalty.
With this persuasion, Yogi has propagated his politics of Hindu Rashtra, conveniently broadbasing his audience and constituents with an aim for consolidating Hindu unity and solidarity.
OBCs, Scheduled Castes and backward castes are but a reality for thoroughly picking, arranging and presenting this political practice of representation and participation. Thus, neutralising fears of backlash as for a population control bill demanding dialogue and deliberation inside and outside assembly and parliament.
Pushing it otherwise would only be wasteful for the common and ordinary, doubting their agendas and motives with a present being in turmoil given the ascendancy of a pandemic and related aspects. Who is afraid of involving and engaging with the people having their own set of values, views and opinions.
Does this regime consider them as political peters unable to take their charge and call? Electorally, this bill may be advantageous for the BJP, giving it an edge, but socially it would lead to strains and fragmentation, which will be challenging to overcome amid all the greys around us.
Involve and engage with the woman through social awareness programs responding to positive and alternative reform in the society. No doubt, Total Fertility Rates have to be brought under check but not through the way it is being sorted. From early child marriages to sati, Hindu society has literally transformed for the better with the active encouragement and motivation of our woman folks.