Marriage of the rich, political and powerful in a poor, cashless India
December 8 marked one month of notebandi, the onset of real Delhi winter and it was also the night of Union minister for transport and highways Nitin Gadkari's daughter's wedding reception.
The reception of Ketki Gadkari was held at a Lutyens' bungalow decorated to resemble a fairyland on Moti Lal Nehru Marg. And, Gadkari, who is always a genial and welcoming host, did not let down his guests, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the entire Cabinet of BJP MPs, including Subramanian Swamy, top industrialists and a sprinkle of stardust via Bollywood.
The Hindustan Times had reported that Gadkari had chartered 50 private aircraft to ferry guests to Nagpur for the wedding. He had denied this and apparently only 11 chartered aircraft came to Nagpur, including that of yoga guru Baba Ramdev. The wedding was attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Gadkari, a known foodie, served a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Chinese, Rajasthani, Marathi, Gujarati, Thai and even a south Indian spread. One of his millionaire Cabinet colleagues presented his daughter with a diamond necklace.
While all BJP MPs attended the opulent reception, some were chary of any display of "pomp" when ordinary people are queuing up 24X7 to get their own cash and a limit of Rs 2.5 lakh has been imposed on cash withdrawal for weddings.
Recently, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been on the forefront of protests on demonetisation, had questioned the lavish wedding of Kartik, Union minister for culture Mahesh Sharma's son, held at a five-star hotel. Sharma had retorted that he had made the entire payment by cheque.
While no one grudges big fat weddings for the offspring of millionaire ministers such as Sharma and Gadkari, it is indicative of a certain lack of sensitivity. Several families have had to cancel weddings after the abruptly announced demonetisation drive – and nearly 80 people have died while waiting in endless queues. Two women even gave birth while waiting to access their own cash.
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| Nearly 80 people have died while waiting in endless queues, while two women even gave birth in the ATM line. (Photo: AP) |
In an earlier era, those who were in public life were expected to embrace simplicity as an example and in empathy with the people they represented. Those rules clearly don't matter anymore.
Says a senior BJP leader: "Why do you want us to be hypocrites clad in khadi? Let everyone aspire to a great lifestyle."
It's a valid point, but Modi recently in a public meeting likened himself to a "fakir with a jhola'' who has no vested interests and is happy to leave at a moment's notice, while justifying the demonetisation decision. So signals sent by politicians do matter.
The bigger point is that while the country is going through seemingly never ending turmoil unleashed by demonetisation, should politicians not share it?
While the government expects all citizens to go digital in the fast-changing goalposts of digitisation, it would be fitting if the BJP, which gets 80 per cent of funding in cash from anonymous donors, led the way by embracing digital donations. In fact, all parties should embrace it. That would be a real move to end corrupt-funding and practices.
Till then, big fat political weddings provide entertainment for those of us queuing up for our own money.