Absent leaders in chaotic times

IT IS IN times of chaos and turmoil that leaders most need to lead.

- Tavleen Singh

The world has been thrown into chaos, turmoil and grim uncertainty since Donald Trump announced his tariffs and India is vulnerable, but our leaders are behaving as if all is well. The Prime Minister visited his constituency last week and, as is his wont, spent much time at religious gatherings and posting on X details of his spiritual experiences. So, on Mahavir Jayanti, he posted that 'the ideals of Bhagwan Mahavir have greatly inspired countless people including me'.

From Varanasi, the Prime Minister spoke of how he was blessed to be able to visit the Sankat Mochan mandir on the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. And how it was the blessings of Lord Vishwanath that inspired him to continue working for the development of his constituency. There were political posts as well, but they related to domestic matters such as the new Waqf law and the achievements of his government. Not a word of reassurance about how he had put in place the safeguards needed for the people of India to be protected against the economic chaos that his 'friend' has unleashed upon the world. If there ever was a week in which your leadership was on test Prime Minister, it was the one just gone by and there was no sign of it. Surely religion and constituency visits could have waited for another time.