Virtue Signalling is a term used to describe the statement/action of a particular person, who issues a statement aimed at ‘flaunting’ how morally upright he or she is compared to others. This is often done to appear politically correct and win ‘liberal’ brownie points.
Such instances of virtue signalling regularly surface on Twitter, and yesterday was one such day when the virtue signallers descended as a swarm with their full might.
On Wednesday, Congress got into a bit of a swamp after social media became rife with reports of Rahul Gandhi’s name entered in a register meant for non-Hindus before visiting the famous Somnath temple in Gujarat. Later the Congress clarified this ‘gaffe’ by causing extra confusion, and then took things to the next level by calling Rahul a “Janeu dhaari Hindu”.
So the question was — does it matter in politics what religion Rahul Gandhi follows? The virtue signallers were ready with the answer:
https://twitter.com/Zakka_Jacob/status/935855059903987712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/seemagoswami/status/935870517122174976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/acorn/status/935866129762852865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The biggest problem with such statements is that, these same virtue signallers don’t shy away from bringing in religion when they find it convenient.
Take the case of the same Zakka Jacob who here is clearly seen analysing elections via a religious angle:
https://twitter.com/Zakka_Jacob/status/563987894537179137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Also Seema Goswami had herself accused PM Modi of not taking proper care of Muslim sentiments:
https://twitter.com/seemagoswami/status/610833440057921536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Apart from religion these people also can’t stop talking about caste, which is another identity like religion:
https://twitter.com/Zakka_Jacob/status/709170591241256960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/acorn/status/732604906977300481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Hypocrisy aside, which is an essential ingredient for being a ‘liberal’ in India, these people were questioned as to why they can’t stop talking about caste, but have a problem the moment religion is mentioned:
https://twitter.com/Iyervval/status/936070113475756032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/GappistanRadio/status/935937640662163456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/rahulroushan/status/935870801944879108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
People further highlighted not just their blissful acceptance of ‘caste’ being an essential part of Indian politics, but how religion indeed has been an essential part of Indian politics. Users pointed out how for dynasty loyalists, it doesn’t matter when Rahul Gandhi is involved:
https://twitter.com/Biorahul/status/936088152497733632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/amishra77/status/935888426787676165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/freentglty/status/936116699484450816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/prasannavishy/status/935917111427284993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Such a glaring disparity in what these Virtue Signallers practice and preach, itself goes out to prove that neither politics nor caste are issues which can be alienated from politics. Religion, like caste, influences people’s worldview and any attempt to say that it doesn’t matter is an attempt to brush uncomfortable issues beneath the carpet.
https://twitter.com/_NAN_DINI/status/936098106327711744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw