‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ what’s right or wrong with it?

Tell me honestly, what comes to your mind when you hear these words ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’?

Well, to me at least it brings back memories of a young 24 year old Indian Army Capt Vikram Batra.

Vikram attained martyrdom when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 7 July 1999.

Vikram was hailed as ‘Sher Shah’ even by the enemy. For his sustained display of the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy, this brave son of India was awarded the ‘Param Vir Chakra’, India's highest military honor on 15 August 1999.

So what is the issue here?

Well there is nothing wrong in saying ‘Yeh dil mange more’, it can mean different things to different people but surely the law does not bar anyone from using it.

But what was the context and just what was said?

Modi ji said at a rally in palampur in Himachal Pradesh, "I want your best wishes. I want to serve you. You've given them (Congress) 60 years. Can't you give me 60 months? Yeh dil maange more! Give me 60 months."

So he meant ‘Give me more seats’, nothing wrong in that.

Look at it from the point of view of a Martyr’s family.

The armed forces in India have never been taken care of appropriately by any Govt. In Kargil, soldiers were forced to fight without basic gear like snow shoes. Most didn't have bullet proof vests even. Govt didn't allow the forces to cross the LOC which meant the army fought a determined, well entrenched enemy in extreme constraints. As a result, so many lives were lost. Netas came and did lip service but even 15 years after, nothing much has changed, armed forces still have to cope with apathy and red tape. So understandably the forces and their families have a deep resentment with the Govt.

When Vikram said ‘Yeh Dil Mange More’, he probably meant to rid his motherland of the enemy who crossed over. But what about the enemy within ? These politicians who time and again have let the whole country down. So the perception the politicians invoke in our minds when they say ‘Yeh dil mange more’ is that they want more power, so that they can plunder the country further. This may or may not be true though.

So yes Vikram’s parents have a deep angst against this established system of the Govt being run by Politicians mired in corruption. They have every right to be enraged when they perceive that there is going to be no improvement at least in the near future. Or at least they don’t see any hope.

Adding insult to injury.

BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi came out and attacked Mrs Kamal Kant Batra vociferously. She said, "'Dil Maange More' is not a copyright of the Vikram Batra's family." 
If that was not enough, she also said, "Mrs Batra should have joined the BJP before contesting the polls against Anurag Thakur."

I ask you, is this way to talk back to a Martyr’s family?
It’s not a copyright agreed, but there can be a gentler way of saying this.
And tell me; is it a crime to be a candidate from a Political Party other than BJP?
Meenakshi Lekhi has not conducted herself appropriately with a Martyr’s family. If she has any feelings for Vikram Batra’s supreme sacrifice, she should tender an apology. But I doubt she will do that.

So here is what ‘Dil Mange More’ means in today’s context

More respect- Vikram gave his life for all of us, surely his parents deserve our respect and certainly not contempt.

More understanding- We need to understand the problems which armed forces are facing and sort them out.

More freedom- It’s not a crime to oppose BJP. There has to be space for everyone, even opposition in a democracy.

More compassion- Unless we sympathize, unless we have compassion, how can there be healing?
More Humility- Politicians can do with some more humility.

Finally this reminds me of that epic hindi poem by Jagdamba Prasad Mishra

शहीदों की चिताओं पर

उरूजे कामयाबी पर कभी हिन्दोस्ताँ होगा 
रिहा सैयाद के हाथों से अपना आशियाँ होगा 

चखाएँगे मज़ा बर्बादिए गुलशन का गुलचीं को 
बहार आ जाएगी उस दम जब अपना बाग़बाँ होगा 

ये आए दिन की छेड़ अच्छी नहीं ऐ ख़ंजरे क़ातिल 
पता कब फ़ैसला उनके हमारे दरमियाँ होगा 

जुदा मत हो मेरे पहलू से ऐ दर्दे वतन हरगिज़ 
न जाने बाद मुर्दन मैं कहाँ औ तू कहाँ होगा 

वतन की आबरू का पास देखें कौन करता है 
सुना है आज मक़तल में हमारा इम्तिहाँ होगा 

शहीदों की चिताओं पर जुड़ेंगे हर बरस मेले 
वतन पर मरनेवालों का यही बाक़ी निशाँ होगा 

कभी वह दिन भी आएगा जब अपना राज देखेंगे 
जब अपनी ही ज़मीं होगी और अपना आसमाँ होगा