Sushma Swaraj & Poorna Swaraj

On June 5, of this year our respected leader of opposition Mrs. Sushma Swaraj danced at Rajghat while  observing one day Satyagraha. That was just part and parcel of ‘Great Indian Political Tamaasha’. The news booked front pages for a week or so. Then criticism rounds followed by confession rounds were the expectation from within the party or outside the party. Dancing is ‘ecstasy’ by William Wordsworth. So ‘Swaraj’ becomes spiritual. The dance or ecstasy is over; media is looking up for other dancers. Is it that only dancers dance not the politicians? Omar Abdullah specifically tweeted that, his father is a better dancer than Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. Yes, indeed the impact of reality shows is showing up many more, ‘dance netaji dance’. But how does this impact the general public? For them it is only a source of entertainment which is projected by the media. “Dancing is a perpendicular expression to the horizontal desire”. This must have inspired Sushma Swaraj and also many of us. Right to Expression is a fundamental right. Ecstasy is divine and spiritually quoted. It can be expressed in any form and one of which is Dance. Dance lifts the spirit, strengthens body, stimulates mind and entertains self and people. Swaraj means self rule our leader of opposition was ruling herself. And half of her name is ‘Swaraj’ too. What harm has been caused to the public and internal security of the country? Does dancing make someone irresponsible and uncomfortable? Yes, congress was in unrest.

Now let us try to analyze this dancing activity from the perspective of:-

Firstly, ‘aam aadmi’ (indeed a satyagrahi, don’t know of Gandhi’s & Anna’s or a Swaraj fan), this person would have been overjoyed on seeing Mrs. Swaraj in ecstasy. Secondly, the idiot box audiences, who eagerly waited for almost an hour of breaking news to have a glimpse of a video clip with, red circle indicating Swaraj. They were not able to make out the logic of news channels and the dance both. Thirdly the criticizers of the power block were of the view that it somehow didn’t jelled with sanctity of the place (Rajghat). Many co-criticizers objected the act as offending the national pride or more precisely the status and the role of a parliamentarian. Even Nitin Gadkari(from whom words are prized out) opened lips just to confess on behalf of BJP Swaraj.

Now let us go in the past on Poorna Swaraj night (Pre independence era, year 1929 Congress Session at Lahore). Our honourable, radical congress leader Jawaharlal Nehru also was in divine mood on patriotic songs (in the same way as we are on Independence or Republic day). So how dare he dance? Does he didn’t knew that he was marking the occasion of ‘Poorna Swaraj’. This was one of the landmark or milestone in the journey of freedom struggle. So did Mr. Nehru’s action which were much appreciated by our father of the nation and he was happy to see him in ecstasy and advised to be like that wherever he gets an opportunity to express his feelings.

So didn’t Mrs. Swaraj have the same right to express her feelings in the same manner as our first PM expressed? In both the cases the dance was against the government, one at Rajghat and other at Ghat of river Ravi. In the former case the ruling government criticized the action with equal and opposite reaction and the party president confessed. Whereas in latter case, though not criticized by the rulers but was appreciated by inmates.

Mrs. Swaraj needed a shoulder as their own party mates didn’t liked. And in few minutes Swaraj comes in cadre of ‘Sheela and Munni’. So Mrs. Swaraj what is your fault? It is just that you opted for Robert Frosts’ ‘The road not taken’.

Swaraj in half can’t justify, but complete Swaraj can. That is why idea of dominion status was rejected. No one to blame (few blames media), better luck next time Mrs Sushma Swaraj. Hope to see you attain Poorna Swaraj to escape from media controversies and an observational note like this one.