The recent Padmavaati controversy sadly represents India, circa 2018. Is the all powerful government losing the plot? Will India be third time Unlucky?

The controversy surrounding the film sadly represents India, circa 2018. A little known outfit, ostensively to defend Rajput honour, stirs the political pot and gets four State Governments to ban the film. The media goes into a frenzy looking for the most vicious sound bites. They get it when some politico announces a bounty of Rs 5 crores to whoever beheads the lead star, Padmaavati aka Deepika Padukone. Sounds familiar? A sign of the times.

The Supreme Court effectively steps in and “freedom of expression” triumphs over “hurting the sentiments of a people”. Also thankfully, the Censor Board under its new Chairperson finds nothing objectionable in the movie and certifies its release. Imagine if the previous gent had been in the chair. As a laughing-stock, our stock would have soared further.

The movie itself, not much to speak about, is breaking box-office records. A 100 crores or so is thanks to this self-styled Sena. Ironically, it glorifies the “Aan Ban Shan” of the Rajputs whilst over-dramatizing the tragic custom of Jauhar. Also the four States which had abjectly surendered are grudgingly falling in line for the release of Padamaavat under tight security.

It is a pity that the majority government at the centre has again succumbed to the threats from some fringe elements. The Baba Ram Rahim episode is still fresh in memory. The powers that be do not seem to realise that even their genuine achievements are being drowned in all this unnecessary intimidation,noise and confusion.

Cut back to 1972. After the Bangladesh war, Shrimati Indira Gandhi is compared to Goddess Durga. A truly powerful pan-India leader at the top of her game. Just three years later the Emergency happens and the rest is history.

1984. Riding on a sympathy wave, Mr Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress wins an astounding 404 seats in the Lok Sabha. A young, modern leader will pilot the country to unprecedented heights. Just three years later, the government is engulfed by Bofors, Mandal and Shah Bano.

Forward to 2014. Enter Shri Narendra Modi on the national stage. People vote for him in droves and the BJP cruises to a majority of its own. His clean image and CEO style of governance holds a lot of promise. The mantra is Development. Just three years later Vikas (aka development) has become the butt of jokes on social media. The level of political debate has fallen to a new low. Regressive and uncouth motor-mouths hijack headlines every other week. Nothing has changed. The same political machinations prevail. Horse-trading, whole-sale defections, criminal candidates. Money, muscle, caste and community-the formula remains the same. Only today’s chanakya has a different name. Has Modiji lost his mojo?

Will India be unlucky a third time around. Has another golden opportunity for progress been missed?

At the risk of sounding naïve and foolishly idealistic, I stick my neck out. India has thousands of politicians- most of them corrupt, feudal, venal and full of themselves. Isn’t it high time we are blessed with a few Statesmen. Mature visionaries who act for the greater good. A few good men who do not surround themselves with “Yes” men. Tall leaders who are not bothered about the next election. A few public personalities with the ideas and the drive to change the narrative for this vast and great nation.

There is a still a year to go before the next general elections. It is time for some more big bang reforms to positively change our economic, social and political future. If I had the honourable PM’s ear, I would earnestly recommend that a Padamaavati bill be tabled in Parliament asap ensuring 33% reservation for women in both houses. Yes, a majority of them will be proxies for their politician fathers, husbands and brothers. But even if 50 get elected on merits it will be a tipping point in our toxic politics.

Then, fresh winds of change will blow through our corridors of power.