Padmaavat row: Why Karni Sena shouldn't be ignored

The film Padmaavat is set to release on January 25, the eve of India’s 69th Republic Day. In several parts of northern India, the Karni Sena has launched protests, some of which have turned violent. How should we react? With kid gloves, soft-peddling the issue, or with an iron fist? Perhaps, something intermedial, in between these two approaches, may work best. But the challenge posed by senas such as the Karni should not be ignored or taken lightly. They pose a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law.

Democratic polity

To begin, let us give the right to form associations its due in a democratic polity. It is, in a sense, a necessary component of the covenant between the people and the state. The state cannot be omnipotent or omnipresent in a democracy, let alone omniscient. The people, therefore, must have the right to associate peacefully and peaceably not only to form non-state and community institutions, but also to convey to their rulers the special interests and priorities of such associations.

But here’s the rub: peaceful and peaceable — it is only such organisations and bodies that can serve the interests of democracy. Not those that turn violent, holding both state and civil society to ransom. Forming "senas" or private armies, mostly made of disgruntled and unemployed youth, misleading them with promises or inciting them in the name of upholding their honour is quite a frightening business. Worse, using such bands of volunteer soldiers to disrupt civic life, destroy property, or issue threats is absolutely to be prohibited if democracy is to survive.

This is exactly the problem with the recent round of threats and intimidations issued by the Karni Sena, a caste group formed in 2006. Though the Sena ostensibly stands for “national unity” and is opposed to “corruption”, its politics has been troublesome if not treacherous. The Sena earned for itself the sobriquet of being a Hindu extremist organisation when it shot into national limelight for opposing Jodha Akbar in 2008. Actually, it would appear that the Sena is much more political than social service outfit, with considerable ambitions, which may come to the fore in the 2019 Rajasthan elections.

Its founder-leader, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, teamed with BJP rebel Devi Singh Bhati, to demand reservations for Rajputs. He fought the Rajasthan elections on this plank in 2003 without making much headway. In 2008 he switched loyalties to the Congress, who more or less ignored him. In the 2014 elections, he aligned himself with the BSP, but miserably failed to make a mark. Kalvi also contested the Lok Sabha from Barmer, which was his father’s constituency, but lost. Given his previous failures, it is natural for Kalvi to bank on the Karni to relaunch him to greater politics.

The Sena, however, has acquired a bad reputation for disregarding the law. Its members earlier issued threats to cut off Deepika Padukone’s nose for besmirching the honour of the queen Padmini of Chittor, whom the actor plays in the controversial Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. It is a threat that Padukone seems to have taken seriously, going by the reports that she will ensconce herself in the security of her London home when the film is released.

Bizarre and twisted

Now we hear of the new bizarre and twisted warning that Karni Sena’s female cadres will commit “jauhar”, while male squads take to movie theatres with unsheathed swords if Padmaavat is shown. In addition, many acts of violence, vandalism and violence against the screening of the film have been reported. Not only does this fly in the face of the Supreme Court order not to stop the screening of the film, but also shows utter disregard for the film’s approval by Central Board of Film Certification.

If the authority of constitutional bodies formed by a state are to be flouted by organisations like the Karni Sena, does is not tantamount to open rebellion if not mutiny against the nation? Educated elites tend to make light of “fringe groups” like the Karni Sena, mocking them or poking fun at them.

Nuisance value

This not only shows a lack of understanding of their mobilising power or nuisance value but also strengthens precisely the sense of resentment and insult that increases their appeal. Political parties show their own duplicitous calculations in using senas, aligning, or disassociating with them as best serves their perceived political interests. Such expediency only exacerbates a manageable problem into an uncontrollable calamity. We have seen this earlier with the Bhindranwale-led insurgency in Punjab.

The Karni Sena, which claims a membership of seven lakh Rajput youth, wishes to expand its fledgling base from Rajasthan to the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and possibly even Punjab. Its cache is the huge army of unemployed young Rajputs, a label which also includes many aspirational and disadvantaged castes.

 It is looking at the tinderbox of “honour” to set off a blazing rage, which can be directed against whoever may offer its leaders the best compensation. Will Padmaavat offer the proverbial spark to set off such a fire?

Both state and central governments must ensure that this never happens. Nobody should be allowed to disturb peace, destroy property, or harm other citizens no matter how noble or justified their cause. Such acts or threats thereof severely undermine the authority of government and its elected representatives.

(Courtesy of Mail Today)

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