BJP Supporters’ Controversial Reaction to Indian Nobel Laureate's Success

When Indian Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee received the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, it sparked a mixed reaction on social media. Some cheered his achievement, while others from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp turned their ire on him. In this article, we examine both sides of the debate and the socio-political context.

Two Perspectives on Abhijit Banerjee’s Success

There are two perspectives on this event, one from a Bengali viewpoint and another from a broader Indian standpoint.

Bengali Pride

Bangladesh influencers and the wider Indian communities are elated that many Nobel laureates of Indian origin have Bengali connections. These connections make them proud as the Bengali community contributes significantly to the Nobel prize tally. Families and friends of Bengali laureates celebrate their achievements, and this pride is a source of community and national unity.

Negative Viewpoint

In contrast, others criticize Banerjee for not cherishing the moment. Instead, they point out his past actions, such as leaving his country, marrying a foreign PhD student after divorcing his Indian wife, and criticizing various Indian policies. These critics see him as one of many international economists who do not support the way India is run, including demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Ignoring Negative Comments

It is important to ignore **internet warriors** and those who belittle Banerjee’s achievements. They often focus on criticizing others and have no positive contributions to offer. However, national pride in Abhijit should not be underestimated. India is known for its diversity, and even a Nobel laureate who criticizes the government is still an Indian success story.

Defensive Measures and Political Rhetoric

Abhijit Banerjee and his co-winner Esther Duflo, both Nobel laureates, have openly criticized the Indian government over certain economic policies. They criticized demonetization and the GST, leading to a counter-offensive from the BJP.

Nobel Laureate's Critiques

Banerjee has openly criticized central government policies. In a talk at Brown University, he advised reducing central government interference in professional decision-making. Additionally, he acknowledged that the Indian economy was in a fragile state and that the growth assurance was gone. In an interview with The Wire, he also criticized demonetization as one of the 'weird things' the government did, without any serious economic basis.

BJP's Preemptive Reaction

The BJP has preemptively criticized Banerjee to mitigate potential backlash. They were wary of the laureate's open criticism of Modi's policies, especially the demonetization move, which was popular at the time.

Political Disagreement and National Pride

It is normal for political parties to have differing perspectives on issues. BJP's opposition to Banerjee’s policy proposals is understandable. However, national pride should transcend party politics. Abhijit Banerjee is a person of Indian origin who made the country proud, regardless of which side of the political spectrum one may belong to.

Imagine if a young girl or a woman had won the Nobel Peace Prize, the reaction would have been far more enthusiastic. This example highlights the gender and demographic biases in societal reactions.

And would BJP supporters’ reaction be any different if an Indian-origin economist aligned with BJP policies won the Nobel? Would Modi being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize change the narrative? The answer may lie in how national pride and individual achievements are celebrated or criticized in this nation.

Contemplation and Reflection

Here is a sample of the hate that was expressed on social media:

“The Indian government failed, and now we have someone who, instead of endorsing the government’s policies, criticizes them openly... The fact that a Nobel laureate openly criticizes the government's decisions is a clear sign of the government's failure.”

In the end, it is crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. National pride should not be based on agreement with government policies but on the achievements of its citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.