BJP Leadership and Supporters: Patriarchy, Strength, and Respect

The Binary of Manliness and Strength: Why BJP Leaders and Supporters Equate Physical Traits and Political Success

The image of a 56-inch chest, or any exaggerated physical attribute, has been infamously used by BJP leaders and supporters to symbolize manliness and strength. This belief is deeply ingrained in their mindset, which sees a larger chest not merely as a physical trait but as a metaphor for bravery, political acumen, toughness, and the ability to take decisive actions. It is a stark testament to the way in which the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders and their supporters equate manliness and physical strength with political strength and success.

One specific instance that highlights this belief is a photograph where Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are seen speaking to a bodyguard and someone is seen holding Manmohan Singh. It seems to suggest that Manmohan Singh, as the Prime Minister, may have made a mistake and the Gandhi family was in the process of evaluating his performance. The posturing and body language in the image underscore a lack of respect and authority, which suggests the BJP's perception of political strength is often tied to assertiveness and physical prowess.

Images of Power and Patriarchy

When we conduct a Google image search for "Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi," we can see similar patterns in various photographs and at different events. These images often depict Manmohan Singh as a weaker figure, with less physical presence, compared to the Gandhi family, who are portrayed with greater confidence and assertiveness. The juxtaposition of these images highlights the BJP's belief in physical strength as a measure of leadership and political strength.

The context of these images is significant, especially as we consider the challenges faced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which was embroiled in several major corruption scandals, including various scams. The BJP's portrayal of Manmohan Singh and the UPA government suggests that physical strength and assertiveness are seen as essential for effective governance and decisive action.

Scams and Political Failures

The allegations of corruption and the subsequent failure of the UPA government have been a key factor in the BJP's rise to power. However, despite these negative public perceptions, the BJP's leaders and supporters continue to emphasize physical strength and assertiveness as hallmarks of political strength. The question arises: if the UPA government was perceived as weak due to corruption, why does the BJP still emphasize chest-thumping and chest-beating as a symbol of strength?

One possible explanation is that the BJP's leaders and supporters are deeply entrenched in a patriarchal mindset. Patriarchy is a system of male dominance rooted in the ethos of war, which legitimates violence sanctified by religious symbols, among other things. In such a system, men dominate women through the control of female sexuality, and men who are heroes of war are told to kill men and are permitted to rape women to seize land and treasures to exploit resources and to own or otherwise dominate conquered people. This system uses violence or the threat of violence to dominate others, especially women. As a result, the BJP's leaders and supporters often find it difficult to understand that physical strength is not synonymous with political strength.

Violence and Inequality

A very telling aspect of the BJP's mindset is the prevalence of violence and threat of violence, particularly directed towards women. This violence is not merely confined to political rhetoric; it often spills over into real-world threats and intimidation. For instance, despite the political constraints on leaders, the BJP's IT cell is known for spreading vicious and threatening messages on social media, often targeting members of the opposition, including women. This pattern of abuse and threats does not reflect a respect for female leaders or a commitment to women's rights within the BJP.

Even more concerning is the response to abuse and threats within the BJP. There are reports of women within the party, such as Sushma Swaraj, who have received trolled online and even face physical and verbal abuse. Interestingly, even female ministers in the BJP have not risen to defend their colleagues, suggesting a deep-seated patriarchy within the party. This lack of solidarity among female members of the party indicates that "independence of thought" is not a reality for women in the BJP.

Leadership Persevering in Patriarchy

The current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, exemplifies the BJP's belief in physical strength and assertiveness. He leads from the front, often showcasing a muscular and overpowering image, which serves as a constant reminder to his supporters of the importance of strength and dominance in leadership. His actions, including the support of inflammatory statements and abusive online behavior, mirror the broader patriarchal attitudes of the BJP.

Conclusion

The BJP's leaders and supporters are deeply rooted in a patriarchal mindset that equates physical strength and manliness with political strength. This mindset is not only harmful but also deeply ingrained in their political ideology. Until there is a recognition of the harmful implications of this belief and a genuine commitment to gender equality and respect for women, the BJP will continue to perpetuate a culture of violence and gender inequality.

Key Takeaways:

Patriarchy is a system of male dominance rooted in violence and religious symbols. The BJP equates physical strength and assertiveness with political success. Lack of solidarity among female members of the BJP suggests a deep-seated patriarchy.