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Rasheeda Bhagat

Students training to be teachers at a college in Anand, Gujarat.

(Recently in Anand)

THE atmosphere at the group of colleges belonging to a single group in Anand is highly charged. One thing that you hear all the time in Gujarat, particularly Ahmedabad, when it comes to the Assembly elections is that the youth, particularly the educated youth, will vote for the BJP. So one ventures out to get it from the horse's mouth.

Rameshbhai, the watchman of the college, who is enjoying his chai at the tea stall outside the college, warns you that all "these youngsters are interested only in themselves and nothing else."

Kher Ramesh is 26 years old and is training to be a teacher. He says youngsters like him are actually disenchanted with all political parties.

"Today the youth is interested neither in the Congress nor the BJP. When it comes to development work or improving our lives, nobody is bothered. We know all parties are interested only in capturing power. After that they forget the voters." But would he vote?

"Of course I will; I was earlier confused but now I have decided to vote for the BJP because thanks to the Congress (I) propaganda after Godhra, aaj Gujarat ki chhabi kharab ho gayi hei (the image of Gujarat has been tarnished). The world believes that the average Gujarati is a communal creature, rapes Muslim women and kills innocent children. But look at what the Congress did to the Sikhs in 1984, and what its supporters did in Godhra. So I think BJP is at least better than the Congress and I have decided to vote for it."

But he has a rider; he hopes even the BJP will not get a clear majority and will have to form a coalition government, so it will not be able to do what it pleases and will have to concentrate on providing a decent administration.

Is he confident that once he completes his training he will be able to get a good job?

His fellow-student, Malik Ilyas chips in to say, "Not at all. Do you think the BJP is interested in creating jobs for educated people like us? Unkey pas to communalism ke siway koi aur mudda hi nahi hei (It is not interested in any other issue except communalism).

Ashutosh Vyas is 25 and the son of a teacher from Rajasthan, and he is scathing about the performance of the Congress government in his State. "People are dying of starvation in the Congress raj there, and here they are promising people food, water, cheap electricity and jobs. From where will all this come?"

He adds neither the BJP nor the Congress have done any great service to this nation. "But to make this nation internationally notorious the Islamic countries have woven a plot, and the Congress has helped them. So I will vote only for the BJP."

At this point Mahesh Arjun Vaghela pitches in. "Mahasatta hei Bharat, aur duniya ko hila sakti hei (India is a super power and can shake the whole world). That is why this plot against India, to keep us in check and suppress our growth."

Even though in the minority, Muslims were very aggressive and have put the Hindus on the defensive. "But aaj ka Hindu jaag gaya hei (Today's Hindu has woken up)" and the majority community will "no longer be afraid of the minority community." This young man feels that if the propaganda against Hindus carried out from some mosques by people like Syed Bukhari stops, the two communities will be able to live in peace.

He adds that so many temples have been attacked in India and the Hindus were expected to live with that. Anu and Deviyani are II year B.Com students and rather reluctant to talk about their political leanings. But a little coaxing and they divulge their preference; both will vote for the BJP. "We feel somebody strong like Narendra Modi is required to keep terrorism under check." But the other girls in their group refuse to discuss politics; even when invited by their fellow male-students, most of whom are waxing eloquent on the BJP's virtues.

"These guys talk a lot, but we believe in using our vote effectively. We will be there on the polling day and will vote for the party that will allow us to live in peace. We abhor violence, because any form of violence always goes against women," says Smita. And therein hangs a tale!

Response may be sent to rasheeda@thehindu.co.in

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