Political Silence for Gain and the Drama of Uproar

Indian politics is a stage where new drama, fresh controversies, and intriguing stories are born every day.

- BY SANJAY SAXENA, LUCKNOW

It’s a theater where political parties and their leaders sometimes fall into a deep silence on certain issues, while at other times they create an uproar over the most trivial matters. This silence and uproar are both part of their political playbook a well-thought-out strategy designed to distract the public, garner sympathy, or corner the opposition. The layers of this politics are so complex that the common man often fails to understand what’s really going on.

The latest example involves a language controversy in Maharashtra, where North Indians are being assaulted in the name of Marathi identity. Yet, leaders who claim to represent North India remain silent. Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge have all sealed their lips. Even Rahul Gandhi, who visited Bihar for election campaigning to support Congress, avoided commenting on the matter. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, who recently turned a case of misconduct against a spiritual storyteller into a caste conflict between Brahmins and Yadavs, also remains quiet. Similarly, the case in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, involving a Maulana allegedly converting Hindu girls through ‘love jihad’, saw deadly silence from Akhilesh and other non-BJP parties.

Sometimes, political silence on serious issues becomes a statement in itself. For instance, when a major scam surfaces or a social issue like caste violence, religious tension, or economic inequality arises, some parties and their leaders go completely silent as if they are unaware. But this silence is not a sign of weakness it’s a calculated move. They know that speaking on certain matters could hurt their vote bank. For example, when religious tensions rise over a sensitive issue, many leaders choose silence, fearing their statements might anger their supporters or give the opposition a chance to attack. This silence, while not vocal, speaks volumes.