BJP, RSS leaders push for 'Positivity' to counterbalance criticism over covid

During this second wave of coronavirus, the central government has been criticized for the worst situation in the country. The statics also shows that the government has somewhere failed in handling the situation. People are losing their lives and cases are increasing rapidly. 

Meanwhile, to improve the public image of the Modi government, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the party have started a positivity drive. 

The drive would focus on highlighting the positive work done by the central government to negotiate the criticism of the handling of the Covid cases. However, this positivity drive is criticized by the opposition especially Congress. 

Also Read: "False Propaganda": Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishore slam Centre over 'positivity push' amid bleak pandemic

This positivity drive focuses on a three-pronged strategy to improve the image, these are:

1. Officers have been trained in a special workshop to deliver messages 

• The center conducted the workshop of high-rank officers last week. As per the sources, officers were introduced by the ways through which they can communicate in better ways to highlight the positive work done by the government during the coronavirus crisis.  
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio program Mann Ki Baat also focuses on positivity messages.
• Some Union Ministers are sharing the articles and stories related to the ‘Oxygen Express’ and other efforts by the central government on the microblogging application. 

2. BJP highlighted the Modi government’s work, countered the criticism by the opposition

• On Tuesday, BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda answered Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi’s criticism in the Congress Working Committee met with a sharply worded letter. In this letter, JP Nadda listed how the government has supplied ventilators under the PM Cares fund and how continuous efforts have been made to handle the Covid crisis. 

3. RSS started the virtual events called ‘positivity unlimited’ 

• These events will include lectures and speeches by the religious gurus, motivators, and prominent personalities. These virtual events will concentrate on spreading positivity. One such online event has been started on May 11 and will end on May 15.  
• It is expected that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat would address the nation as a part of this positivity drive. 

Opposition on this positivity drive:

Election strategist Prashant Kishore and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called this positivity drive propaganda. Prashant Kishore said that amidst an atmosphere of misery and tragedies everywhere in the country, there are continuous efforts to spread lies and propaganda. This is disgusting.