In a curious move, the Madhya Pradesh government granted minister of state status to five religious leaders — Computer Baba, Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, Narmadanand Maharaj, Hariharanand Maharaj and Yogendra Mahant. They were given the privileges going with MoS status ostensibly to promote the Narmada conservation project. The high court is questioning this move, sending a notice to the state government. The issue, however, goes beyond the legality of this move, although questions arise on how they are eligible as they aren’t elected representatives. This is clearly appeasement politics. Ruling party members are themselves asking questions, saying there were hundreds of other Hindu leaders who may be jealous of perks like security cover, etc given to just five to win support for the project.
The saints were given these privileges mainly to stop their criticism of the project. As Computer Baba had threatened to take out a Narmada Ghotala (corruption) Yatra, it stands to reason the move was motivated by the need to win him over to the government viewpoint on the Narmada issue. What makes this more bizarre is that a party known to criticise rivals for pandering to religious sentiments through minority appeasement is roping in leaders of the majority religion to win them over. Such conferring of official benefits with ministerial status is only likely to set a bad precedent, which rulers can use to reach out to sections of people of a particular group while pleasing their religious heads. The questionable legality becomes important now so that things can be nipped in the bud.
