Business of Politics After Business of War

Modi has, once again, outsmarted the Opposition by co-opting their best and brightest, with free junkets for them at taxpayers' expense, and great publicity for the ruling regime

- Makarand R Paranjpae

After the immensely successful and strategically path-breaking "Operation Sindoor," it is back to business as usual in India that is Bharat. By business, I mean politics. Because politics isn't just about gaining and retaining power, whether at the Centre or the states, it is also India's biggest business.

Of course, going back to its original meaning, by "business," I also mean whatever keeps us busy. Nothing preoccupies the nation, as we know only too well, as much as politics. It is so ubiquitous and pervasive that it obsessively involves us in almost all aspects of our lives—from the family to the nation. That is why I rate it higher than Bollywood, cricket or, for that matter, even religion, as both our national passion and pastime. Not to speak of our topmost source of information and entertainment. And given the wartime—or now post-war but still hostile—environment, the distinction between information and entertainment could not be more blurred.

"Operation Sindoor" was a series of strikes so precise, so restrained, yet so audacious that the world paused to take notice, albeit grudgingly. The whole country, on the other hand, was agog as the Indian armed forces, with their deadly resolve and impeccable aim, delivered a resounding slap to the face of "rogue nation" Pakistan.

The result? Mission accomplished. A masterclass in military might.

However, throughout the conflict, we were also embroiled in a deafening, at times sickening, misinformation battle. Not only with our enemy but with ourselves. With political parties jockeying to position themselves as adversarial beneficiaries. Did we forget that we were at war with Pakistan, not with each other?