In praise of khichdi or, as the general election draws closer, in defence of politics | The Indian Express

In praise of khichdi or, as the general election draws closer, in defence of politics | The Indian Express

Written by Alok Rai |Updated: March 26, 2019 8:04:57 am

The writer taught in the department of English, Delhi University.

In praise of khichdi or, as the general election draws closer, in defence of politics

Political parties will — and should — continue to compete, and jostle, and clamour, and do all the messy things that are internal to the practice of democracy. Provided that the one self-proclaimed “nationalist” party is not allowed to shut down politics altogether.

Opposition party leaders unite at ‘Remove Dictatorship, Save Country’ rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

In the run-up to the impending parliamentary election, a pointed contrast is being sought to be drawn between the higgledy-piggledy chaos of Opposition “unity” — “khichdi” — and the trenchant “vision” that Narendra Modi represents. Well, that “vision” deserves independent consideration. Its blustering muscularity possibly has some adolescent appeal. Certainly, the moustaches of superannuated generals in TV studios have become noticeably fiercer. But my subject is rather more modest today — simply, the simple “khichdi”.