3 reasons how BJP is proving it is actually a tolerant party

In a marked departure from its recent antics, the BJP is suddenly showing signs of being a tolerant government while the Opposition is doing its best to be intolerant. During a discussion on the "situation arising out of incidents of intolerance in the country" on December 1, the opposition benches were seen provoking the ruling party members, but the latter is keeping their cool and has not falled for any trap.

Despite Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi taking on BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj by mentioning his name, neither the MP nor any member of the BJP created a furore.

Of late, the prime minister has also presented a different side of his personality.

In his reply to the debate on Constitution Day in Lok Sabha on November 27 and on December 1 in Rajya Sabha, he spoke of "India first" as the government's only religion, and of Constitution as its only "holy book". He acknowledged the contribution of all the previous governments in nation-building, lauded first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and all other leaders, particularly BR Ambedkar, who were instrumental in the framing of Constitution. The same day, he also invited his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for tea at his official residence to discuss Goods and Services Bill, all to prove that the BJP has become tolerant.

On the other hand, a large section of the Opposition betrayed "intolerance" by walking out of Lok Sabha while home minister Rajnath Singh was replying to the discussion. Even though the discussion was held on the demand of the Opposition, their members displayed "intolerance" by screaming and trying to shout the members of treasury benches down. It even prompted both Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Singh to taunt that the Opposition was being "intolerant" by raising noise. Strange it might appear, but despite being in power and being the largest party numerically, the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are being tolerant now, and these are reasons why:

1. Readiness for CBI inquiry into Dadri lynching and other incidents

Be it the murder of rationalists such as Narendra Dabholkar (who was killed in August 2013, before the BJP came to power in Maharashtra or at the Centre) or MM Kalburgi (who was killed in Congress-ruled Karnataka in August 2015), the home minister has expressed the Centre's willingness for CBI inquiry. As far as Govind Pansare (who was killed in February 2015 in Mumbai) is concerned, Singh expressed satisfaction over the action taken by the Maharashtra government as a person owing allegiance to Sanatan Sanstha has been arrested. On murder of Mohd Akhlaq in Dadri over beef too, the home minister expressed the Centre's readiness to conduct CBI inquiry. But it was upto the Uttar Pradesh government to take a call. Singh rightly mentioned that the advisory by UP government on Dadri had no mention of communalism or cow meat.

2. Willingness for talks with #AwardWapsiGang

Rahul, in his speech in Lok Sabha, alleged that though best artists returned their awards as a mark of protest against rising intolerance, the government did not even speak to them. But, as the Union home minister pointed out, the government was ready to hold talks with them. The BJP is presenting itself and the prime minister as the worst victim of intolerance. For instance, one of the award returnees had alleged before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that Modi was a source of anxiety and, hence, was not fit to rule the country. At least, the recipient of the award should have respected the mandate of the people, Singh revealed without revealing the identity of the person.

3. PM Modi need not speak always

Rahul made an oft-repeated charge against the PM that he maintains silence while his colleagues crush the people's voice. It is generally alleged that Modi is very active on the social media and posts on all important issues except those which are inconvenient for him. However, it is a fact that even in previous governments, the prime ministers have seldom spoken on each and every controversial issue. As the Union home minister, Singh has always spoken out on all issues concerning internal security. The PM had publicly pulled up his ministerial colleague Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and also expressed sorrow over the death of Akhlaque, though belatedly. But Singh and even information and broadcasting minister have promptly and invariably spoken on all the issues which merit the government's attention.

Modi's mellowing down and the BJP's tolerance may be attributed to their desperation for the passage of crucial Goods and Services (GST) Bill and other legislations or the humiliating defeat in Bihar Assembly elections. However, one expects the BJP to shed its arrogance, be sensitive to the concerns of the people at large and be accommodating towards the Opposition for ever, in and outside Parliament.