• BJP’s performance in 2024 could be like the Indian Cricket team in 2023 World Cup if it does not provide Hindus with equal human rights. Here is what it must do.
• Congress needs to revisit causes of high inflation under UPA2 and look beyond Adani, Caste, Appeasement and Freebies. 

The unexpected performance of the BJP in the state elections of Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh might make the party believe 2024 Lok Sabha polls to be a cake walk!

The BJP must remember Karnataka and Himachal and be under no illusion that its current performance would be replicated country-wide. Further, it has about four months to work on its promises before the Model Code of Conduct sets in.

If the BJP has to retain its core support base it must remove discrimination faced by Hindus and give them equal human rights. After all, modification of Article 370 is the only action of consequence since 2019.  

The assembly elections have shown that the Congress and INDIA alliance are unable to think beyond caste survey, minority votes and freebies. Nitish reduces number of Hindu holidays in 2023 , Congress promises Rs 4,000 crore in Telangana for Minorities welfare

If the BJP has not to depend on opposition parties like Trinamool Congress or DMK to form a government at the Centre it might like to do the following-

1. Notification of CAA and framing of rules much earlier than March 30, 2024.

2. Concrete steps (not rhetoric) to reduce infiltration from Bangladesh and repatriate Rohingyas.

Such infiltration is a big internal security threat. Probably, guided by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Centre seems has gone slow on this issue.

3. Allowing Hindus to manage and control their Temples.

Since states like Tamil Nadu have their own laws and do not want Hindus to manage their temples, the BJP can amend Central laws that allow state governments to control Hindu temples. Temple control is a huge issue in South India.   

BJP can start handing over temple management to Hindus in states where it is in power and create a template of a regulatory/management framework.

It failed to do so in Karnataka and nearly lost the state election in Uttarakhand because of a fetish for temple control.

Read  Indian government cannot be any different from British if Hindus cannot even manage their own temples

The BJP must be given credit for renovating Kashi Vishwanath, making Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor, Ujjain, Statue of Unity, Omkareshwar and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

However, Hindus want right to manage their places of worship.

4. Minority institutions do not reserve 25% of the seats under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Conversely Hindu schools have to.

Why is the responsibility of educating children from economically weaker sections of society placed on the majority community alone?

Dr Radhakrishnan, former President of India, wrote in Recovery of Faith page 184: “When India is said to be a secular state, we hold that not one religion should be given preferential status.” 

5. A Central law should be passed that bans certification of Halal products by private bodies. The exceptions could be processed meat and products meant for exports (latter currently allowed per Director General of Foreign Trade guidelines). The Centre has allowed this halal certification to carry on for long.

What is printed on the packaging material of a product can only be government approved.

According to the MINT article, “The Indian government neither mandates halal certification, nor does it provide a unifying regulatory law. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India’s (FSSAI) standard certification is the requirement for consumer edible products, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.”

6. All Indian Women must have similar INHERITANCE RIGHTS.

Property, movable and immovable, should be inherited equally between brothers and sisters.    

7. Introduction of Uniform Civil Code.

It is a few months since The Law Commission invited suggestions from public based on which a final draft must be prepared.

The roadmap for BJP to give Hindus equal human rights is clear. Will it bite the bullet? If it succumbs to external pressure its performance might be like that of the Indian cricket team in the recently concluded World Cup.

Besides the above the BJP must do the following –

8. Explore extending the Ladli Bahena Scheme (grant of Rs 1,250 per month) to atleast BJP ruled states. To read about MP scheme

It is better to empower women that satisfy farmer’s insatiable appetite for subsidy more so when agriculture is a state subject under India’s Colonial Constitution.

9. The BJP has done well when it has strong state leaders.

Modi must realize that he is a cut above the rest, so support strong state leaders. Do not repeat Mrs Indira Gandhi’s mistakes.

10. A perception has gained ground esp. in Maharashtra that corrupt leaders who align with the BJP shall not be prosecuted by Central Agencies.

This needs to change if the BJP has to do well in Maharashtra.

11. Similarly, in West Bengal and Telangana, there are rumours of BJP’s secret alliance with Mamta B and KCR.

BJP needs to clear its position through action or its performance will falter.

12. Purchase of Cow Dung scheme introduced by the Congress government of Chhattisgarh. The BJP can improvise the scheme and implement it in states ruled by it.

This shall enhance farmer income. Cow Dung is source of Biogas, a clean energy fuel and can be used as manure too.

Call Centre, Dantewada, Bastar. 2018

Student working on 3D Printer at Aastha Vidya Mandir Geetham, Dantewada. 2018

13. The BJP must build on the Education City and Call Centre Yuva started by its government in Dantewada, Bastar.

Read  There is more to Bastar than Naxalism

14. If the BJP is serious about countering tribal conversions in Bastar, Chhattisgarh it should change the law that allows Scheduled Tribe (ST) converts government benefits and reservations even after conversion.  

Here are some thoughts for the Congress.

Freebies do not always work. It seems voters in 3 states realized that freebies and inflation go hand in hand. Read   Freebies are paid for by the common man

The Congress must recall causes of double-digit inflation during UPA2 and 1991 crisis. To read Dr Manmohan Singh’s 1991 budget speech  

Scams, perceived or otherwise stick, like the Mahadev App in Chhattisgarh because the public associate Congress with scams and Muslim appeasement (murder of Kanhaiyalal in Udaipur and Karauli riots. Read   On New Year Rally attacked at Karauli, Rajasthan in April 2022

Further, Rahul Gandhi has failed to nail the BJP government in any scam involving Adani Group. Read  Coomi Kapoor gives e.g. of how Congress helped Adani in 1980s

The Congress strategy of dividing Hindus by caste has not worked. The Sanatanis of today will not accept criticism of their Dharma, even if the critic is Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The Congress High Command must realize that implementation of promises are important. That is why the Modi guarantee has greater value.

People forget that the DBT (direct benefit transfer) implemented by the BJP has allowed the common man to receive grants and subsidy with minimum bribing, a big change from the heydays of the Congress.

Also read

1. Why BJP won MP

2. Rights of Minorities in India

3. Promote Tourism in Gwalior, Chambal and Bundelkhand