By raising the issue of DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information about all living beings, prime minister Narendra Modi, on July 25 last, perhaps compelled more people to learn something about Biology than Politics.
People know that as a political rival he has said something against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. But many of them do not exactly know as to what is the real essence of the term DNA. So many among us fail to appreciate whether it was actually a below the belt attack or not as the Bihar CM wants to prove. Besides, whether it is really an insult to all Biharis or not?
So the people of the state are first trying to go to the bottom of the term DNA before making their opinion about it. It is other thing that the cyber war between the supporters of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar has started even before fully understanding this biological term.
But it is not for the first time that the BJP leaders have used the expression DNA in Bihar. Union transport and highway minister Nitin Gadkari made even a more serious comment when, a few months back, he said that “casteism was in the DNA of Bihar”. Perhaps he failed to realize that caste politics is played in a large part of the country––may be more subtly in some states. And it is the caste card which helped Narendra Modi come to power too.
Similarly, just before the Delhi Assembly election a BJP advertisement referred to ‘Upadravi gotra’ (destructive sub-caste) of Aam Admi Party leader, Arvind Kejriwal. The latter reacted sharply to the use of such term against him.
As Kejriwal made it an election issue and cashed in on that advertisement Nitish Kumar too is trying to do the same. Some BJP leaders are no doubt defensive over the use of such expression, but are of the view that Nitish is making mountain out of molehill.
Average voters of the state are bemused over the standard of debate on the eve of election; as if there is no other important issues to be discussed.
Political observers are just waiting whether Narendra Modi would soften his attack on Nitish Kumar or go even more aggressive at Gaya, where he is to address on August 9.
The JD(U) is reportedly planning to protest against the use of expression DNA against its leader. Party spokesman, Ajay Alok, told the media that Nitish wants the Prime Minister to take back his words as one does not expect any apology from Narendra Modi.
But the recent row has raised a very pertinent question: whether the BJP leaders were weak in Biology or Politics––or both––as it took about 17 long years to understand Nitish’s DNA.
Anyway the frequent use of the expression DNA may work as an advertisement for the multi-edition English newspaper DNA, Daily News & Analysis.