The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has been seen adopting BJP’s stances recently. Sukhu government ministers, while speaking on the Sanjauli mosque issue in the assembly, echoed words that seemed borrowed from BJP leaders. In less than a month, the Himachal government has decided to implement one of Yogi Adityanath's policies from Uttar Pradesh, showcasing its independence from the Congress high command. On Wednesday, the Himachal government ordered street vendors to display name plates, mimicking a similar decision made by Yogi's government during the Kanwar Yatra. What’s surprising is that Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, who had vehemently opposed Yogi's decision, remain silent on their party's government's actions in Himachal. Does this indicate a silent approval from the top leadership?
1. Is the Silent Approval of Congress High Command Behind All These Actions?
The Himachal Pradesh Congress government continues to take steps that seem to align with BJP’s agenda. The silence of Congress on the Sanjauli mosque issue puzzled party members and workers. The recent actions, particularly the mandate for street vendors to display ID cards, have also surprised party members. Minister Vikramaditya Singh previously stated the Food Supply Department would check the hygiene and quality standards of street vendors, which seemed reasonable. However, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh mentioned concerns raised by locals about the increasing number of migrants, leading to the decision that street vendors must show their ID cards provided by the street vendor committee.
These decisions didn’t come overnight. Even when the Sanjauli mosque issue became a national topic, the silence from prominent Congress leaders like Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi sparked curiosity. They neither tweeted nor visited Himachal to check on the minorities' status, granting an unspoken permission for the state government to follow a Hindutva path. Echoing recent steps taken by Yogi's government in UP, the Himachal committee's decision to make street vendors reveal their identity was not an overnight decision. A committee formed recently made this decision official on Wednesday.
2. Is this an Attempt to Divert Attention from the Government's Poor Economic Condition?
The sudden escalation in Hindu-Muslim politics in Himachal raises suspicions that the government might be orchestrating these strategies deliberately. It’s no secret that Himachal’s economic situation is dire, with the government struggling to arrange salaries for state employees. The lofty promises made by the Congress to win over voters are now visible, draining the state treasury and leaving the government clueless. As a diversionary tactic, local leaders might be focusing on such issues to distract attention from the financial state of the province.
3. Is There a Strategic Shift Towards Soft Hindutva?
The Congress government's sudden alignment with soft Hindutva appears to be a calculated move. Himachal’s Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's inclination towards soft Hindutva became evident during the Ram Mandir inauguration. The state declared a holiday and organized special prayers on the inauguration day, urging citizens to light lamps at their homes. Sukhu understands that the only way to counter BJP in the state is by adopting Hindutva strategies.
Despite the Muslim population being just 2 to 3 percent, the rising issues between Hindus and Muslims suggest a long-term strategy from Congress. Recent events in the state, particularly revolving around mosques in Shimla's Sanjauli and illegal mosque constructions emerging in other districts, indicate a deliberate strategy. The controversy started with the Sanjauli mosque when a Congress minister labeled it illegal and accused it of being built by infiltrators. Congress leader Aniruddh Singh claimed the mosque construction began without permission, deeming it an illegal structure. This issue wasn’t resolved when a new controversy about a mosque and prayers arose in Kusumpti, followed by tension over an old mosque in Mandi district. Similar reports are coming from Rampur, Sunni, and Kullu district headquarters.
4. Is Vikramaditya Singh the Root Cause of the Uproar?
Within Congress, some believe that the Hindutva narrative is driven by Vikramaditya Singh, son of former Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who holds significant ministries in the Sukhu government. Despite acting against the party line, Vikramaditya Singh announced his participation in the Ram Mandir inauguration. However, if Vikramaditya is steering these actions, why hasn’t Congress removed him from the ministry? The decision about street vendors was concluded by a committee, not solely by Singh.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania formed a seven-member committee led by Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan to draft a policy for street vendors, which was later announced. However, Vikramaditya Singh is known for deviating from the party line, as evident in his comments on the Wakf Board issue. He posted on social media about necessary reforms in the Wakf Board, emphasizing that,
