Amidst the intensity of the Lok Sabha elections, Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam has stirred controversy with a statement sparking widespread discussion across the state. In this speech, he equated the BJP’s detractors with demons. In contrast, those favoring Prime Minister Modi were compared to Lord Rama. Addressing the party leaders at the event, Modi vowed to cross the magic figure benchmark of 400 seats, irrespective of stumbling blocks.
Addressing a campaign rally for BJP candidate Chintamani Maharaj in Surguja Lok Sabha seat, Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam also interacted with the media, personally testifying to what other political leaders of the state were doing during the political time period. He perceived them as characteristics of Hindu gods like Surpanakha, Dushasan, and Kansa and made props of high politics in the area.
In addition, Netam praised the BJP on the basis of being the same as the Bhakti of Lord Rama, highlighting its performance and determination. He firmly believed in the BJP coming out on top, proclaiming this as a rule of nature.
Netin’s claim has stirred a flame of flamboyant discussions and gotten a lot of thought around the word. To many people, his words are thoughtless and may have a negative impact. The equation of dissent with the opposition to Prime Minister Modi rather raises oblivion of his being the re-incarnation of Lord Rama is really harmful and justifiably perceived as a mixing of religion & politics in the electoral arena.
With the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the hard-line bias of Netam’s comments demonstrates the gradual elevation of this state to the focus of charged campaigning marked by a wide political divide that emphasizes one’s ethnic and religiously-affiliated identity. The effect of such comments on electoral issues and public perception remains unclear because politics and political actors will be repositioning themselves regarding identity, ideology, and political strategy complex terrain.