A LEADER IS TESTED BY POWER; A STATESMAN BY FORGIVENESS; AND MODI, BY FORGIVING ABUSIVE CHILDREN, ANSWERED HATRED WITH HUMANITY: DR. CHANDRA

In the latest offering of the JC Show, Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra throws light on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the NEET paper leak controversy and the nationwide student agitation that followed. He explains how Modi personally led the damage-control exercise through direct outreach to students, major administrative decisions and legislative reforms aimed at ending paper leaks and examination fraud. Dr. Chandra also examines the restoration of trust through dialogue, the significance of Modi’s communication strategy, Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and political future, Prahlad Joshi’s appointment as Education Minister, the future of the Cockroach Janata Party, and the debate surrounding ethanolblended fuel and Nitin Gadkari. (Part I)

• Today’s headline of The JC Show is “Crisis to Cure: Modi Delivers.” What does it signify?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: The headline conveys a simple message: Narendra Modi has a cure, a solution, for every challenge facing the country. He delivers. Narendra Modi listens, Narendra Modi responds, Narendra Modi reforms. He does not postpone problems or push them into the future. Instead, he resets the entire system. He does not shy away from crises, nor does he delay dealing with them. He tries to resolve them immediately.
  That, in my view, is one of Narendra Modi’s defining characteristics. It is also the reason why, within just one week, he was able to dissolve the crisis, bring the situation under control, and restore stability. Today, it can be said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the situation has come completely under control.
  For example, the first step Narendra Modi took was to establish direct contact with the protesting students. Within a week, he released four video selfies. I was told today that those videos have received around 900 million views. The biggest achievement was that he established direct communication with the students through emissaries and negotiators.
  After opening that channel of communication, he took four major steps. The first was the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The second was the passage of the new law providing for up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 crore. It is a historic law, one that can be described as the most significant legislation in the country’s history to curb cheating, paper leaks and examination fraud.
  He also constituted a high-powered committee under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani. Fast-track courts were established, with strict timelines under which investigative agencies must complete their investigations within two months, while trials are to be concluded within three months.
  Thereafter, the Education Secretary was removed and 47 other officials were also removed. Those were routine administrative actions. Throughout this entire process of damage control, the Prime Minister’s Office, led by P.K. Mishra, played a very vital role. P.K. Mishra is an exceptional functionary.
  The point is that by taking three or four decisive measures, Narendra Modi diffused the crisis and restored control. That is why the headline is “Crisis to Cure: Modi Delivers.”
• How do you assess the way PM Narendra Modi handled this entire crisis with humility, courage and conviction?
  Of course, Modi is a man of courage and conviction. He has always believed in confronting challenges head-on. There is a saying, “Catch the bull by the horns,” and that is exactly how Modi operates.
  As you rightly pointed out, he handled the situation single-handedly. He delivered. He devised the strategy himself and worked to sort out the entire crisis. Modi understands that whether a success or a failure belongs to someone else, the people of this country ultimately look towards him. They credit him for every achievement, and in times of failure they expect Narendra Modi to step in and decide what needs to be done next.
  From that perspective, this was a crisis not only for the government but also for Narendra Modi personally. For some time, the situation remained a challenge, but he transformed that crisis into an opportunity.
  He used the opportunity to introduce major historic reforms aimed at preventing cheating, copying, examination fraud and paper leaks. He capitalised on the crisis and converted it into an opportunity. That is what Narendra Modi is all about.
• Have the government’s six major steps helped restore trust between the government and the protesting students?
  To a large extent, yes. Two things are important here: time is a healer and dialogue is the key.
  This is only the beginning. A dialogue has now been initiated. I have said this before—whether you agree or disagree, the dialogue should continue.
  The first objective, which was Narendra Modi’s effort to establish contact with the students, has been achieved. As for restoring trust, that will happen gradually with the passage of time.
  I am sure that within the next few weeks, Modi will once again emerge as the hero of the youth in India.
• How do you view the Prime Minister’s decision to release a selfie video at midnight, which attracted more than 400 million views during the crisis?
  It was a remarkable initiative. It reflects the Prime Minister’s immense popularity. Despite the crisis, Narendra Modi’s popularity has remained intact, and so has his audience.
  You mentioned 400 million views, but I was told today that the number has already reached around 900 million. He also has nearly 100 million followers. The CJP account has around 26.8 million followers, whereas Narendra Modi has now crossed the 100 million mark.
  Today, it can rightly be said that Modi is the world’s number one face on Instagram. He has the highest number of followers, viewers and popularity anywhere in the world. That is a fact.
  His first video became a massive success. It reached the protesting students as well as ordinary citizens across the country. That is why it received such an overwhelming response.
• Unlike many former Prime Ministers who generally stayed away from such controversies and avoided taking direct accountability, Narendra Modi stepped forward and personally led the damage-control exercise. How do you view this initiative?
  Narendra Modi is someone who always plays on the front foot. That has always been his style. He remains aggressive, stays at the forefront and sets the narrative. Whenever a challenge arises, he confronts it directly, and that is exactly what happened in this case as well.
  He chose to take the initiative, accept the challenge and work towards finding a solution. That is what he did throughout this episode. Every individual has a distinct temperament and style of functioning. Narendra Modi’s defining characteristic is that he confronts crises head-on. He prefers to play on the front foot, accepts challenges rather than avoids them, and then focuses on resolving them.
  This entire crisis and the way it has unfolded have once again brought that aspect of Narendra Modi’s leadership before the nation. It is a reflection of his characteristic approach of taking responsibility, facing challenges directly and working towards a solution.
• It is often said that Narendra Modi stands by his colleagues in times of crisis. Was that evident in Dharmendra Pradhan’s case, and how do you see his political future?
  Absolutely. Even after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Prime Minister publicly embraced him, while ministers and the government praised his contribution to the education sector. Such a show of appreciation could not have happened without PM Narendra Modi’s support. It once again demonstrated that he does not abandon his colleagues during difficult times.
  I do not believe Dharmendra Pradhan’s political future will mirror that of former ministers. After his resignation, BJP MPs welcomed him with chants of “Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad.” In my twelve years of observing Parliament, I have rarely seen such a reception for anyone other than Narendra Modi. He was even ceremonially honoured with a traditional crown, reflecting the respect he commands within the party.
  His political future appears secure. He could return to the Union Cabinet, take on a key organisational role ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections, or assume greater responsibility in Odisha. Having recently visited Bhubaneswar, I witnessed his popularity, and I believe Narendra Modi will ensure his strong political comeback.
• How do you assess Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister?
  Pralhad Joshi is an intelligent and knowledgeable leader. There had been a view within sections of the party that this time the Education Ministry should go to a leader from the upper-caste community. Jitendra Singh’s name was also discussed, and it is possible that such options may continue to be considered in the future or that Narendra Modi could choose someone else.
  However, Pralhad Joshi has built a reputation as a low-profile but highly efficient performer. He is widely regarded as an intellectual with a strong grasp of policy and governance. If he continues as Education Minister, I believe he has the potential to emerge as one of the finest Education Ministers in the country’s history.
• Following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, what is the next agenda of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)? Could it eventually evolve into a political party?
  Publicly, the organisation has said its next focus will be youth-related issues. According to its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, it intends to raise concerns such as education reforms, the examination system, unemployment and the future prospects of young people. The stated agenda is centred on youth welfare.
  The group’s representatives have also said they will reach out wherever they believe young people or citizens are facing injustice. For instance, they recently sent a representative to meet a student protesting outside a university in Jaipur over student union elections. Broadly, however, its first objective appears to have been achieved with Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Dipke himself reportedly told supporters after the resignation that their immediate mission had been accomplished and asked them to return home. The organisation now plans to enter a second phase focused on youth issues across the country.
  Dipke’s father says his son has no plans to enter politics, while CJP leaders insist they will remain a “leaderless movement,” not a political party. However, Arvind Kejriwal made similar claims before eventually launching a political party.
• After Dharmendra Pradhan, could Union Minister Nitin Gadkari or his ministry become the next target over ethanol-blended fuel?
  There was some speculation about that, but I do not believe there is any likelihood of CJP and groups campaigning against E20 fuel joining forces in any significant way.
  The issue of ethanolblended petrol did generate public debate, and some critics targeted Nitin Gadkari, alleging that E20 fuel damages vehicle engines. Those claims also led to increased consumer interest in conventional petrol, placing Gadkari in an uncomfortable position as he has long advocated ethanol blending.
  However, the government has now categorically stated that E20- blended petrol is safe and poses no risk to vehicles. Politically, this is significant because it amounts to the Narendra Modi government publicly backing Nitin Gadkari. It sends a message of solidarity within the government.
  In my view, the antiE20 campaign has not gained sustained momentum. While it initially appeared capable of becoming a major public issue, it has since lost traction. Consequently, I do not expect any significant collaboration between CJP and anti-E20 campaigners, nor do I believe the issue is likely to develop into a larger political movement.

To be continued...