'Chowkidar' in my cup!

In Election 2019 it appears that a complaint made on social media about a model code violation elicits a better response than one that is actually filed with those in charge of the conduct of the elections across India.

This is being proved time and again as the daily list of complaints by political parties against their  opponents on code violations grows. In Chennai, a suburban railway station had Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph in an advertisement. It was put up by the Railway Protection Force and it was right where commuters walk in and out of the station. A complainant tweeted that though he had altered the authorities there was no response. He went on to tag prominent journalists in Chennai and requested them to re-tweet the message. A few of them did. In the next few hours, the Election Commission’s local office acted on the complaint and the advertisement was removed.

In another case, the BJP slogan “Main Bhi Chowkidar” was being used in tea cups provided on board the Kathgodam Shatabdi (train no 10240). There was a large message printed across the tea cup which spoke about the protection of the nation from terrorism. There was no mention of either Narendra Modi or the BJP.

The complaint was made this morning on Twitter by a journalist. Initially, the IRCTC North Zone persons in charge (@irctcnorthzone) considered it a routine service-related complaint and tweeted its stock reply back: “Sorry for the inconvenience, kindly provide your journey details and PNR no. for taking further necessary action in the matter.” The journalist tweeted back that this was a model code violation complaint.

Even as this back and forth continued, the IT cell armies of the ruling party got into action, contending that there was no model code violation. There was also an attempt at humor, normally not the forte of the right wing: “Also please take action against all those people employing ‘chowkidars’ as they remind people of Modi….”

After senior railway authorities intervened, the cups were withdrawn. A statement put out by news agency ANI said: “Ministry of Railways on viral pic of tea being served in Shatabdi train in ‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ cups: It happened today but immediately glasses were withdrawn. Penal action is being taken against the contractor. Action is also being taken against the supervisor.”