A Different Ball Game
Does the fish soar
to find the ocean,
The eagle plunge to find the air—
That we ask of the stars in motion
If they have rumour of thee there?
These verses in Francis Thompson’s
In No Strange Land, fish ascend toward the ocean, and eagles dive to
seek air. These striking metaphors symbolize an innate yearning—a quest for
something essential and profound. Inevitably intertwined as these creatures are
to their habitats, they yearn for a life beyond mere existence. Bhaichung
Bhutia, renowned for his illustrious football career, ventured into politics,
symbolizing the universal human quest for deeper significance beyond what he
had already achieved. Just as Thompson's fish and eagles embody the innate
drive to pursue essential truth and venture beyond their natural realms,
Bhutia's journey, on a philosophical level, parallels this pursuit. As a
footballer, he soared to the pinnacle of his sport, yet his transition to
politics reflected a deep yearning to explore new depths of meaning outside his
element - namely football. I must admit, Francis Thompson’s implications run
much deeper than the context of my current application: humans, like creatures
in their elements, are compelled by an intrinsic desire to seek connection with
the transcendent. However, it is safe to say that, like Bhutia, we all aspire
to discover meaning that surpasses familiar heights, depths, and expanses.
Now, let’s leave the
philosophical musings behind and look at Bhaichung Bhutia’s story within the
framework of the narrow political context of Sikkim. I want to explore four key
questions concerning his motivation to enter politics, his subsequent, rather
premature, retirement from it and an assessment of his political journey.
The first question as to what
drove him to try his hand at politics is best answered by him. However, insight
gleaned from his press conferences, interviews, and speeches provide a glimpse
into his stated intentions. He launched the Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) in 2018,
intending to create a viable political alternative to the then ruling Sikkim
Democratic Front (SDF). His campaign focused on combating corruption,
addressing unemployment, and advocating for local protection. The Inner Line
Permit (ILP) issue was also central to his campaign. In that sense, he embodied
the quintessential Sikkimese political aspirations held by the merger
generations. He initially supported the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in the
2019 elections, but his alliance soured soon after the SKM party took office.
He became a prominent critic of the SKM government, straining relations
further. Eventually, he merged his HSP with the SDF, in an attempt to bolster
the opposition against the SKM. He contested the 2024 state assembly
election as the SDF candidate from the Barfung constituency and faced
defeat. This electoral setback proved decisive, leading him to announce his
retirement from electoral politics. The rest is not history yet as his
retirement is only from ‘electoral politics’. Whether he will contribute to
Sikkim politics in other capacities remains a matter of speculation. However,
for a determined fighter to bow out prematurely speaks volumes about the
harshness and unforgiving nature of the political battleground. It is another
ball game indeed!
The second question of why
Bhaichung Bhutia failed electorally is complex. Despite his celebrity status,
he struggled to sway voters—an uncommon challenge in a country where
celebrities often hold significant influence. In Sikkim, however, local
celebrity appeal never works, with public admiration predominantly reserved for
incumbent politicians. In the Sikkimese political theatre, the Chief Minister
is the megastar, the ministers are the superstars, MLAs supporting actors, and
other ruling party members the aspiring performers. Sikkimese politicians,
though less recognized beyond Sikkim's borders, wield such influence over the
local populace. Therefore, despite Bhutia's national and to some extent global
iconic status as a footballer, he remained an unconventional figure in politics.
His failure as a politician was also because he chose to be on the opposing
side of the power dynamic every single time. That was a tactically unrewarding
move, but it reflected his character—he did not compromise his political campaign
for easy power.
His electoral defeat also
indicates that his political agenda did not resonate with public expectations.
His campaign focused on safeguarding Sikkim from perceived threats to its local
protections, amidst concerns that these could be overshadowed by the BJP's
national agenda - the “one
mission, one direction for the country”. He also vociferously campaigned
against the “corruption and violence” under the SKM government but to no avail.
However, his electoral defeat does not definitively decide who was right—him,
or the electorate who voted him out. The jury is out. That has always been the
case in politics because it transcends, as it should, mere electoral success.
Third question -why did he choose
to step away from electoral politics? The message of repeated defeat was a
clear signal of public rejection. He himself admitted that “politics was simply
not for him”. While there may be other factors at play, it's important to
consider the stress and trauma that a political leader faces, especially when
incidents like vandalism of his house occur after an electoral loss, which, to
some extent, may have contributed to his retirement decision. The burning of
his effigy in Nmachi, merely for advocating the preservation of a scarce
playground in Sikkim, was deeply troubling. It starkly highlighted the
anti-intellectual currents within Sikkim's political environment.
This man, once celebrated as the
"first Poster Boy of Indian Football" and honoured with prestigious
state and national awards such as the Sikkim State Award, Arjuna Award, and the
Padma Shri Award, faced disparaging attacks from his political opponents, some
of whom would never achieve half of his feats in a million years. He became a
soft target of Tom, Dick and Harry just because he ventured into politics.
Apart from the mental and emotional stress, the indignity of such vitriolic
campaigns was a disgrace for a man of his stature to endure.
Furthermore, navigating the
financial challenges of electoral politics and staying afloat can be
understandably overwhelming. Generally speaking, one of the most disheartening
aspects for aspiring politicians is the influence of money in electoral
politics. If rumours about the substantial sums spent covertly during campaigns
are even partially true, it becomes a field where those without a hidden
financial reserve are at a disadvantage. If money is allowed to rule the roost,
it will completely erode the essence of ideal politics. Wealthy individuals,
regardless of their political vision or lack thereof, will hijack the political
arena.
My fourth question concerns the
assessment of his political journey. It is unjust to dismiss it solely based on
his electoral losses. If he persists in advocating for the political issues he
raised and does not compromise his principles for immediate political gain, he
will remain triumphant. His detractors must wait to call him a ‘loser’ until he
admits fault in his advocacy. If he maintains steadfast in his political
beliefs even as an ordinary citizen, he is far from being a failure. He will be
remembered as a person of integrity and significance.
To honour one of Sikkim’s
proudest sons, I would like to end this article with a brief mention of his
iconic feats as “the Sikkimese Spiner”. He achieved significant milestones
throughout his career. Notably, he made history by becoming the first Indian
footballer to sign a professional contract in Europe with England’s Bury FC in
1999. However, Bhutia’s lasting impact lies in his leadership of the Indian
national team. As captain, he played a crucial role in securing victories such
as the Nehru Cup and the AFC Challenge Cup, which saw India qualify for the
2011 AFC Asian Cup after a prolonged absence. He has also significantly
contributed to grassroots football development in India. The Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools,
nurtures young talent and provides a sustainable pathway for aspiring
footballers at the grassroots level.
In conclusion, Bhutia’s journey—from
soccer stardom to electoral defeats—accentuates the challenges of navigating
different spheres of influence. Through politics, he aimed to directly engage
in state governance and contribute to the development of sports and tourism.
However, his efforts to achieve broader societal impact faltered. His journey
stands as a testament to the varied paths individuals pursue to achieve their
goals, and the invaluable lessons they glean in the process.
He will be remembered fondly as
‘the Sikkimese Sniper’ and ‘the Tinkitam Express’ and not as MLA or Minister
Saheb! The former is a rare feat achieved solely by him, while the latter has
been accomplished by many.
“His detractors must wait to call him
a ‘loser’ until he admits fault in his advocacy. If he maintains steadfast in
his political beliefs even as an ordinary citizen, he is far from being a
failure. He will be remembered as a person of integrity and significance.”
(Views are personal. Email: jiwanr@gmail.com)
