Why only Gandhi?

The media frenzy surrounding Varun Gandhi's inflammatory speech last week and its ramifications leave me baffled. Every time a commentator starts taking us through the transcript of the young politician's speech, the reaction of the Election Commission and bytes from leaders on all sides of the political spectrum, the argument boils down to one point of contention. How can a great-grandson of Jawahar Lal Nehru, a member of India's first political family make such anti-minority remarks? Did he not learn anything from his family's legacy? Does he have no respect for the Gandhi name? Some feel he is a right-wing avatar of his father Sanjay Gandhi, who sent shivers down the spine of every Indian man during the Emergency days of the 1970s. Others observe that Varun was not brought up at 10 Janpath, hence how can we expect him to hold the same regard for constitutional fundamentals such as secularism as supposedly his cousins do?

One minute. Let us pause and think. What are we saying here? Varun Gandhi should not have said what he did because he is Jawahar Lal Nehru's great-grandson, Indira Gandhi's grandson? Why is he being measured by a different moral parameter, when day in and day out we hear similar rhetoric (less or more restrained) from politicians and leaders all over the country? Is it not reason enough that you want to serve the people of India, hence you must respect the ideals that founded this country? Any politician making ludicrous statements like those of Varun Gandhi must be held accountable.

The strength of a leader cannot be measured by the force of his speech-making. Content matters. Unfortunately, in a nation where a vast sum of people ready to cast their vote are not educated or politically astute, it is easy to get swayed by charisma alone and the appearance of being strong (not that this has not happened to some degree when an electorate is educated and politically astute). Hence, it is up to the liberal media and public to voice their concerns when we hear speeches of hate from people claiming to lead our country and give direction to our future. There is no point in making comparisons between cousins or kin. If Rahul Gandhi has not made anti-Muslim remarks, he did once give his family all the credit for making India an independent country. For someone aspiring to be Prime Minister, it is advisable that he take some history lessons.

Politicians use false rhetoric and try to divide the electorate on religion, caste, ethnic or class based differences when they fear losing or when they can think of nothing concrete to offer. More than moralizing why a Gandhi would say what he did choose to, it is better we ask ourselves why do we let such men and women scare us? And once we are comfortable embracing our differences as an asset, we must try and help those countrymen who are still swayed by the last names and fiery speeches of their leaders. So raise your voices when you hear such rubbish, start a campaign, direct the media's attention to such nonsense. And do it for one and all - Gandhi or Gandhi.