Early 90s. None of the other ministers in that region was doing exceptional or great work. But during discussion, they'd focus on one minister because he belonged to a minority community. It'd take someone to take stand, 'WTF, he is not doing bad, look at it', to shut others.

Point is that majority in the society decides, & it judges 'other' very harshly. If person is 'apna', then all is forgotten, even after his policies harmed us. He will be made devdoot, the narrative of his greatness would be established. 'Atalji' could've transformed Lucknow but

even if he didn't despite representing constituency, it was fine. No one dared question it or even say why he didn't do it as much, even when he wasn't PM. Anyone else who worries about you is still the 'other'. You may lose but what to do about feelings! https://twitter.com/indscribe/status/1259720556208771074?s=20

So the feeling of 'class interest', 'caste interest', 'religious bonding' or this feeling of 'own', overpowers everything else. The man working for you would become a villain in your eyes and the man who is not doing much, would be a hero. Aadmi 'apna' hona chahiye!!!

So that early 90s experience helped me realise then only that people not interested even in real work or own welfare. What they were upset basically was that why 'this man was made minister', because he was 'not our own', (an alpsankhyak). That's how it works. 'Not our own'.

Just imagine how 'identity interest' is ahead of even 'own interest'. Complex process--approval or disapproval but starts spontaneously, finding ways to criticise person who is 'not own'. Similar to why we want our own caste or community man in politics, thought it won't help us

But role of Hindi, regional papers in making people readily form strong opinions is most unique phenomenon. Wish I cud someday write. It is more enigmatic than anything else in this #democracy. Till then, old thread. https://twitter.com/indscribe/status/1220396478213976069
#Society #Politics #India

This thread is linked to an ongoing discussion about former PM Manmohan Singh who despite his simplicity, knowledge and efforts, policies to bring record number of Indian people out of poverty, was never celebrated and remained the 'other'.
#Society #Democracy #India #Politics