The unmaking of Brand Modi: How ‘56-inch chested’ PM bowed to youth power

Quite clearly, after being defiant for several weeks, Modi realised that his belligerence was not effective and possibly counter-productive. Undeniably, his public image and ‘Brand Modi’ were taking a massive beating and his ratings were falling hour by hour.

PM concedes defeat

In his 12 years as prime minister, there have been only a few occasions when Modi bowed to public pressure and agitations of people. But they were all calibrated and at the time of his choosing. In contrast, on this occasion, a bunch of youngsters in the demographic age band of 15-30 years, not just virtually held a gun to Modi’s temples, but also consistently hammered at the cult and image of the prime minister.

Also read: CJP protests expose Modi's Achilles' heel: A government unused to listening

The crisis for Modi, however, has not ended completely even though it will be a relief that protestors in tens of thousands at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, and reportedly in nearly 100 Indian cities, will return home. But they return with victory in their steps and confidence in their voice. Modi will have to, hereon and for long, have to hold back his natural overzealousness and sarcasm while dealing with adversaries.

Ever since Modi began showcasing himself as a strongman, his politics depended on appearing immune to public pressure. It was universally known that when faced with pressure, Modi’s response was not to engage.

He will also have to be mindful of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke’s words: "This is the first wicket. We won't stop here. This is just the beginning."

Fall of strongman

However, the defeat of Modi in this round will have an impact that will be felt much beyond this episode. Shortly after Pradhan's resignation was made public, it became clear that India saw a new dawn of democracy which had been brutalised for more than a decade. Pradhan's resignation will hereon act as a precedent to show that sustained public pressure and non-violent protests can make even a prime minister like Modi bow down and take a step backward.

Ever since Modi began showcasing himself as a strongman, his “strongman” politics depended on appearing immune to public pressure. It was universally known that when faced with pressure, Modi’s instinctive response was not to engage with the protesters at all. Instead, he always intended to bolster his image among supporters as “the 56-inch-chested” leader whose decisions were always the last word. But from the time Modi prepared the template for social media warfare, he was relegated to being the receiver of boos.

Also read: Why CJP’s protest stands apart from previous mass movements

On July 20, when the police baton-charged, fired tear gas shells and heaped several other brutalities on the protesters in Delhi, it appeared that the government had decided not to allow Prime Minister Modi’s image to be dented through the acceptance of Pradhan’s resignation.

Will CJP take battle forward?

The Modi government’s decision to finally accept the CJP’s primary demand for Pradhan's resignation also provides a shield of political legitimacy to the outfit. The CJP, which has received a shot in the arm with the Modi government’s realisation that there is no other way but to let Pradhan go, will now find courage to dream big and rake up more fundamental issues that have wrecked the educational system. These could stretch from drastic cuts in budgetary allocation for education since 2014, to systemic regimentation of universities and institutes, as proven by vice-chancellors, directors and others in positions of authority, to even more impactful changes in the curriculum so as to project the political beliefs of the Hindutva brigade.

Hereon, Modi’s hands are full. He not only has to fulfil the promises made to the protesters, but will also have to make them return home. Not just that. He will have to pocket the victor’s confidence, ridicule and wrath.

The moot point is whether the CJP or other Opposition parties, encouraged by the latest victory and in view of mounting protests across the country, would re-examine various decisions taken in the educational sector under Modi’s regime. The problem for Modi is that the romance and vocabulary of protest have staged a comeback in India after more than a decade.

Modi’s cult image takes a hit

Pradhan’s resignation has seriously damaged the image and cult of Modi that were carefully crafted over the years. Over the past few days, social media has been flooded with videos and memes ridiculing and belittling Modi to an extent that was virtually impossible to imagine earlier.

Also read: ‘CJP’s decision to suspend agitation a tactical mistake’

Hereon, Modi’s hands are full. He not only has to fulfil the promises made to the protesters, but will also have to make them return home. Not just that. He will have to pocket the victor’s confidence, ridicule and wrath. The opposition parties, most importantly the Congress, too are brimming with confidence once again. Possible political ambitions of the CJP leaders and their supporters will play a significant role in politics and elections in the future.

Tough road ahead?

In time, political 'normalcy' will return and the government will resume its legislative business in Parliament. That's when questions will crop up on Modi’s likely intention to once again secure support of Parliament for the three-pronged Bills on Delimitation, Women's Reservation and expansion of Lok Sabha and legislatures across India.

Also read: Minister's resignation, PM's midnight reels: Why CJP protest is a rare political spectacle

Given the fact that he has never had to undergo such political humiliation, much would depend on Modi’s ability to reacquire the power of his fist to quash the Opposition as before. But the remainder of his tenure shall not provide passage. There will be much to keep track of in the coming months as politics becomes more contested than smooth-sailing for Modi.

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