Silence as Strategy

Silence as Strategy

1988 12 December 15 Silence as Strategy (333) At the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation election held in April 1988, the Shiv Sena captured 27 out of 60 seats. Yet, just three years ago, the Shiv Sena was considered to be a spent force. Moreover, its sphere of influence was supposed to be confined to Bombay. But its success at the Aurangabad election has shown that it has not only revived, but has also extended its influence all over Maharashtra. How has this success been achieved? Principally, by raising slogans which project Hindu unity, for example, “Be proud to say you are a Hindu.”

The population of Aurangabad is more than 25% Muslim, and there are certain constituencies where Muslim votes are in the majority. But the Shiv Sena was reported to have won in one of the Muslimdominated constituencies, because there were three Muslim candidates, and this split the vote.

The Shiv Sena success was actually aided by two blunders on the part of the Muslims. The first was, the raising of a great hue and cry against the Shiv Sena, which caused its followers to reunite and strengthen its defenses. Had the Muslims shown more constraint and circumspection in publicizing their hostility, the Shiv Sena would have died a natural death. As things stood, they felt they had to unite in the face of a common enemy. The second mistake which the Muslims made was to fail to do likewise. They could not even unite against a party which they believe poses them the greatest threat. Muslims, by remaining divided, indirectly contributed to the success of their opponents.

When discretion is known to be the better part of valour knowing when to speak and when to remain silent is obviously of the greatest value. Those who speak only to indulge in ill-advised provocation would do well to consider that there are times when the best possible strategy is total silence. It is a concept which has not only to be understood as a positive strength, but practised as a fine art.