Seeing Saffron, Seeing Red

One wonders if Mr Amitabh Bachchan had any idea of the twists in this script. But one is sure that the legend didn’t have any axe to grind when he expressed his willingness to be the face of Kerala Tourism.

And, the government had responded to the star’s wish, and written to him that discussions could follow.

Good, one thought. After all, Bachchan is Bachchan.
But reality always strikes late. And, it strikes hard at soft, vulnerable spots.

For a moment, all have forgotten that this State is not ruled by a people-elected government, but a bunch of people who still hold dear some of their doctrines and ideologies irrespective of the passage of time and fashion.

A bunch of people who smirk and spit at Capitalism even from the depths of deep sleep. A bunch of intellectuals who see America’s shadow even at midnight.

The sacrosanct politburo has its thump firmly on the State, it seems. No matter what the ministers think or do in tune with the people of the State, every decision, it appears, have to get the illustrious nod of the powers that be at the Politburo.

The pillars of Politburo don’t want to see Bachchan, who is a brand ambassador of BJP-ruled Gujarat, wearing the holy red robes of the southern State.
He has become a sacrilege. A taboo to those drunk on ideology.

When can we learn that Gujarat and Kerala are two beautiful States of this beautiful country, ruled by two beautiful parties guided by some beautiful leaders?
Gujarat and Kerala—BJP and CPM. Saffron and Red.
But, the star is not a personal ambassador of Mr Narendra Modi. Nor will he be one of Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Kerala minister for tourism.

But any learning is selective, isn’t it? Who wants to touch Modi even with a barge pole? No matter what he does to bring in crores of investment to Gujarat, he is still Modi, the BJP man.

Who wants to antagonise the Muslims by shaking hands with someone who has shaken hands with such a man? Especially when we can hear the distant drums of elections.

“The Left-front government in Kerala will not have the same brand ambassador (who has already been appointed by the Narendra Modi government),” CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury has said.

And, Mr Yechury is a wise man. He’s come to bury Caesar, not to praise Brutus.

The Kerala tourism minister has expressed his “surprise” at some stiff opposition from Delhi.

The upper lip is always stiff, Mr Minister!

Oh, the shenanigans of party politics! Haven’t we had enough of them?

But facts are facts, not the truth.

The fact is that the State is seeing a drop in international tourists, and is trying to woo domestic visitors to keep the income steady.

The fact is that tourism remains a cash cow for our industry-allergic State. The fact is that Kerala Tourism has been hunting for that face which could enchant and entice tourists to this strip of land.

But the truth is that saffron and red do not match. The truth is that Politburo dictates terms. The truth is that Mr Bachchan has seen the real red.

And, the truth is that it is a shame on all of us.

(Published in Yentha.com)