NEET, Ram Temple, Ujjain Land Row: Why BJP Appears Increasingly Untouchable
PM Narendra Modi at the BJP headquarters after Elections206 results (Image BJP on X)
By RAVI SHANKER KAPOOR
The Politics of Whataboutery: Why BJP Faces Few Consequences Despite Controversies
New Delhi, June 26, 2026 — The Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological parent, the RSS, seem to be becoming increasingly shameless and complacent. Convinced of the fecklessness of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the fragmented nature of the Opposition, the saffron establishment is brazening out one scandal after another, be it the alleged leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), allegations of theft of donations made at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, or charges against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over land sales in Ujjain allegedly benefiting his family members.
Typically, the BJP has dismissed all allegations against Yadav despite reports that his extended family’s landholdings have increased significantly. Instead of exhibiting any sheepishness or disquiet, the saffron party has once again relied on the dictum that offence is the best defence—which, in this case, means resorting to the familiar tactic of whataboutery. Thus, the BJP accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s family of acquiring a five-acre land allotment in Karnataka. In essence, the BJP’s defence is simple: my scam is smaller than yours; therefore, I am virtuous. QED.
In the case of the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple, the ruling dispensation has at least spared us its usual shrill whataboutery and casuistry, but its response to the scandal has been far from satisfactory. There have been varying estimates of the alleged financial irregularities, some running into thousands of crores of rupees, but the seriousness of the allegations is beyond dispute.
Similarly, in the case of the alleged NEET leaks, which caused immense hardship to millions of students—with some reportedly driven to suicide—there have been few meaningful consequences, particularly for those at the top, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Quite apart from the ministry’s alleged failure to conduct the examinations efficiently, it also faces criticism over the implementation of the divisive and controversial UGC Equity Regulations.
The BJP’s shamelessness and insolence stem not only from the weakness of the Opposition but also from the fact that its alleged misdeeds have not significantly affected its electoral prospects. Its acts of omission and commission may have hurt people, yet it continues to win Assembly elections. Besides, the National Democratic Alliance, led by the BJP, continues to expand, though critics argue that this has been aided by the use of central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
To be sure, there is little on the political horizon that appears capable of challenging the hegemony of the saffron establishment. There are, therefore, reasons for its complacency. Yet history suggests that entrenched political dominance is often broken not by visible opponents but by unforeseen black swan events.
Further, the real challenge to the BJP may emerge from within rather than from without. That was evident during the controversy over the UGC Equity Regulations, when several vocal Modi supporters openly criticised the government. Likewise, reports about the alleged Ram Temple donation pilferage emerged from within the system itself. Meanwhile, the BJP’s shamelessness and impudence march on.
(This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author’s own. The article brought in association with The Hindu Chronicle.)
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