Will Varanasi elect a Ronald Reagan or a Vladimir Putin ?

Varanasi, April 22. Will Varanasi elect a Ronald Reagan, committed to free market mayhem or iron fisted Vladimir Putin from " God's Own Constituency ". 

                            High priests of American think tanks and some political analysts are speculating. But Banarasis are empty headed of intellectual garbage and they have little knowledge or interest in Reagan or Putin.So, if  you will ask them about Reagan or Putin, dismissive answer will be " hoyi kehu".

                           Actually Banarasis have in hand more important leaders than Reagan or Putin. Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal both in a way  are potential Banarasis. They only need some training and refinement to be fully initiated in Banarasiness. A cursory look on history of the holy city would reveal that Banarasi psyche favours both the candidates- Modi and Kejriwal. The jham was only created by these outsiders posing a dilemma for Banarasis to choose one of them. 

                          Varanasi is holiest city of Hindus and survived the barbaric assaults of foreign invaders and hostile political establishment of Delhi over the centuries. In 10th or 11th century , the city was the prime pilgrimage centre and seat of learning;a thousand years later in 20th or 21st century, it is still true. The survival  instinct and phoenix character of the city is unique. 

                        At the same time Varanasi is egalitarian in metaphysical and temporal terms. Advaitin spirit is very deep rooted in Banarasis which enabled them to overcome brahmin- chandal, rich-poor and learned-illiterate duality. Varanasi is the birthplace of public protests.

                       First characteristic favours Modi and the other Kejriwal. In a sense both characteristics favour almost equally,both the candidates.

                       Even Kejriwal might not be aware that " jhaadu Movement" took place in year1790 in city. The (anti) sanitation movement erupted in the city when British officials introduced a "novelty" of public latrines prohibiting defecation in open places. Despite all the homilies of civilized world and Vidya Balan's campaign." jahan soch hai, vahan shauchalaya hai" Banrasis still not ready to give up their right to answer call of nature in the way which ever they like, preferably across the Ganga.

                     In sanitation movement citizens launched a massive protest with total closure of bazaars. British officer Jonathan Duncan tried to impress upon the people that the step is for public health . The citizens' objection was that it is none of the business of government to decide where to defecate. Latrines might be more convenient for womenfolk but for men any prohibition was uncalled for. Later the protest was called off; perhaps a middle way was worked out that people will gradually adapt to latrines and a ban on defecation in open will not be enforced strictly.

                   Banarasis will not argue with Vidya Balan about , " jahan soch, vahan shauchalaya" philosophy but they will certainly not allow any authority to determine their way of life. They also believe that Soch is in Varanasi while elsewhere it is only Shauchalaya. A few decades later the city witness historic House Tax movement in 1810-12, almost 200 years ago before the Anna Hazare's Jantar Mantar satyagraha. It was well recorded by Gandhian historian Dharmapal as first public protest in the world.

                  Survival in hostile environment and defiance are well ingrained in the Banarasi character and psyche.In a way both Modi and Kejriwal match this character and psyche. And these two human phenomenons are far more important to Banarasis than Reagan or Putin. ( continued)