Reel Ram’s Real Rally: Mythology & politics intertwine | India News – Times of India
MEERUT: From the narrow alleys of Mairashtra (the ancient name of Meerut) to the vibrant streets of the modern-day city, Arun Govil, instantly recognisable as ‘Lord Ram’ thanks to the hugely popular TV version of Ramayan in the ’80s, hops out of a luxury car and steps onto a decorated truck, at times walking through the congested streets to meet people at their doorsteps.The more devoted ones reach out to touch his feet.
In most areas, BJP flags flutter, marigold petals carpet the ground, and religious chants — mostly ‘Jai Shri Ram’ — echo from speakers mounted on vehicles. The people in the crowd lining the Hindu-majority Suraj Kund Road have their mobile phones ready to capture their very own ‘Ramayan’ moment as Govil waves at them from the truck, occasionally ducking to dodge the low-hanging power lines near the walled city.
Kamal Dutt Sharma, a BJP functionary accompanying Govil on the truck, issues a cautionary note on the public address system. “Bijli ke taaron se koi dosti nahi… in taaron se bachkar chalein (These wires are no one’s friends. Please steer clear of them).”
Children run alongside the truck, which is adorned with photographs of Govil dressed as Ram. He is presented with sweets and handed a decorative bow and arrow. The ‘demon slayer’ draws back the arrow and points the bow towards a locale known as Ravan ka sasural (the home of Ravan’s wife, Mandodari, believed to be in Meerut). As the arrow is released, the area resounds with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Arun Chandraprakash Govil (72) has returned to his janmabhoomi to contest the polls, spurred by the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya earlier this year. “Meerut is my new karmabhoomi,” he tells TOI. Accompanied by actors Deepika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri, who played his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, respectively, on the show, Govil exerts the Ramayan magic ahead of the looming second phase of the polls that cover eight west UP seats.
Despite the orchestrated spectacle, there are diverse opinions about Govil’s prospects. Stuck in a serpentine traffic jam behind his truck, auto driver Amit Kumar offers a cautionary tale about the fleeting charisma of actors. “In 2006, actor Nagma, too, had caused similar euphoria as a Congress candidate. She was indeed beautiful, but she couldn’t win Meerut. I believe she lost her deposit as well. Whether Ram’s aura translates into votes for Govil is to be seen,” he says.
In contrast, trader Ashutosh Gupta perceives Govil as BJP’s potent Hindutva face, buoyed by PM Modi’s support. “It’s a BJP wave, as we can all see. Govil is new to politics, but Modiji as his back. He and us need not worry,” he says, making it clear which side of the political fence he is on.
Amid the enthusiastic crowds, passerby Aftab Ansari remains indifferent, seeking an escape from the “madness”. Hurriedly negotiating his way through the ecstatic crowds, he does not stop walking even as he says, “Arre sahab, mere liye to bas yahaan se nikalna hi behtar hai (Getting out of here is my priority right now).”
One thing is clear though: Challenges loom for Govil, and the contest won’t be a cakewalk. With SP fielding Sunita Verma, a Dalit and former mayor of Meerut, and the absence of a Muslim candidate, the dynamics have shifted significantly.
Analyst Puneet Sharma underscores the importance of minority and Dalit votes, highlighting Govil’s uphill battle. “With Sunita’s candidature, there is no split in Muslim votes since no major party has nominated any candidate from the minority community,” he says.
“The Meerut-Hapur constituency has six lakh Muslims and three lakh Dalits on the voter rolls, together constituting 50% of the electorate. Additionally, there are 1.3 lakh OBC votes. Meanwhile, Devratt Tyagi of BSP will attract Tyagi Brahmin votes,” said Puneet Sharma, a resident of Meerut.
Sharma, too, cautions against predicting Govil’s win as a foregone conclusion. “Remember the last election? BJP’s Rajendra Aggarwal secured victory by a slim margin of over 4,000 votes against BSP’s Muslim candidate Yaqub Qureshi. Govil faces a formidable challenge,” he concludes.
In most areas, BJP flags flutter, marigold petals carpet the ground, and religious chants — mostly ‘Jai Shri Ram’ — echo from speakers mounted on vehicles. The people in the crowd lining the Hindu-majority Suraj Kund Road have their mobile phones ready to capture their very own ‘Ramayan’ moment as Govil waves at them from the truck, occasionally ducking to dodge the low-hanging power lines near the walled city.
Kamal Dutt Sharma, a BJP functionary accompanying Govil on the truck, issues a cautionary note on the public address system. “Bijli ke taaron se koi dosti nahi… in taaron se bachkar chalein (These wires are no one’s friends. Please steer clear of them).”
Children run alongside the truck, which is adorned with photographs of Govil dressed as Ram. He is presented with sweets and handed a decorative bow and arrow. The ‘demon slayer’ draws back the arrow and points the bow towards a locale known as Ravan ka sasural (the home of Ravan’s wife, Mandodari, believed to be in Meerut). As the arrow is released, the area resounds with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Arun Chandraprakash Govil (72) has returned to his janmabhoomi to contest the polls, spurred by the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya earlier this year. “Meerut is my new karmabhoomi,” he tells TOI. Accompanied by actors Deepika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri, who played his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, respectively, on the show, Govil exerts the Ramayan magic ahead of the looming second phase of the polls that cover eight west UP seats.
Despite the orchestrated spectacle, there are diverse opinions about Govil’s prospects. Stuck in a serpentine traffic jam behind his truck, auto driver Amit Kumar offers a cautionary tale about the fleeting charisma of actors. “In 2006, actor Nagma, too, had caused similar euphoria as a Congress candidate. She was indeed beautiful, but she couldn’t win Meerut. I believe she lost her deposit as well. Whether Ram’s aura translates into votes for Govil is to be seen,” he says.
In contrast, trader Ashutosh Gupta perceives Govil as BJP’s potent Hindutva face, buoyed by PM Modi’s support. “It’s a BJP wave, as we can all see. Govil is new to politics, but Modiji as his back. He and us need not worry,” he says, making it clear which side of the political fence he is on.
Amid the enthusiastic crowds, passerby Aftab Ansari remains indifferent, seeking an escape from the “madness”. Hurriedly negotiating his way through the ecstatic crowds, he does not stop walking even as he says, “Arre sahab, mere liye to bas yahaan se nikalna hi behtar hai (Getting out of here is my priority right now).”
One thing is clear though: Challenges loom for Govil, and the contest won’t be a cakewalk. With SP fielding Sunita Verma, a Dalit and former mayor of Meerut, and the absence of a Muslim candidate, the dynamics have shifted significantly.
Analyst Puneet Sharma underscores the importance of minority and Dalit votes, highlighting Govil’s uphill battle. “With Sunita’s candidature, there is no split in Muslim votes since no major party has nominated any candidate from the minority community,” he says.
“The Meerut-Hapur constituency has six lakh Muslims and three lakh Dalits on the voter rolls, together constituting 50% of the electorate. Additionally, there are 1.3 lakh OBC votes. Meanwhile, Devratt Tyagi of BSP will attract Tyagi Brahmin votes,” said Puneet Sharma, a resident of Meerut.
Sharma, too, cautions against predicting Govil’s win as a foregone conclusion. “Remember the last election? BJP’s Rajendra Aggarwal secured victory by a slim margin of over 4,000 votes against BSP’s Muslim candidate Yaqub Qureshi. Govil faces a formidable challenge,” he concludes.
