The Kiss of Contradiction

India is the motherland for contradictions. We adore love stories and screen romances. Yet we vehemently oppose love marriage. We consider the nature in its entirety as divine. Yet, we absorbed untouchability. We had wealth beyond measure. Yet, we continued to live in poverty. And this is just a start of an endless list.
So, how could that theme vanish when it comes to the campaign of "Kiss of Love"? Without getting into the merits or demerits of the campaign itself, there is a tangential - yet very significant in a bigger scheme - to this story that cannot be ignored. It is the nature of a political contradiction that faces the large majority of young generation. Like most contradictions, the people who face it may not be even aware of it.

When Narendra Modi ran for the office of Prime Minister, there was not a single educated youngster in India who did not know about his solid RSS background and right-wing orientation. The entire BJP campaign was run by the volunteers who would always stand for what comes of the Nagpur powerhouse. When BJP and Modi took their seats in Delhi with a majority that was never anticipated, the driving force of that victory was not the old generation who found some strength to get out of their deathbeds, but the new generation of 20+ who was eager to stamp their ambitions and dreams onto the electoral map of the country.
As much as the corporate news media want to sell the theory that Narendra Modi's approval rating within this new class of voters is merely due to the development agenda he represents, the fact remains that he represents not just development. His development agenda is always tied up with a bigger agenda of Cultural Nationalism. Industrial development is only one of the many pieces that complete the puzzle.
This was not a secret.
So, when the Cultural Nationalism as presented by the Right-wing is loudly approved by the nation politically, it is very natural that the consequences are felt socially. That is exactly what is happening across the country today. From the high echelons of HRD ministry to the ground level realities of local politics to the faceless Facebook pages, the gathering strength of this wave of Cultural Nationalism can be felt.
The "Kiss of Love" campaign, in a bigger scheme of things, is just one attempt by the opposing ideology to struggle free from the clutches of this strengthening movement. And, do we know who should be coming out en masse in order for this campaign to succeed? The youths! The 20+ somethings who went and voted for the very same Cultural Nationalism which is being protested against.
Of course, the current campaign is being led by liberals who would not have voted for Modi. But, that shouldn't mislead us from understanding that this campaign is meant for the youth. We must also understand that the globalized and educated youth in India wants to enjoy their individual life and freedom as much as a youth in the West (for whom, it must be noted that, expressing and accepting love through kisses and hugs is a normal part of their family and daily lives and is a cornerstone of their relationship with their parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and partners, unlike those in the East).
But, it is the very same youth who went to polls and strengthened the Cultural Nationalism of RSS. On one hand, they politically strengthen an ideology. On the other hand, they socially want to distance themselves from that ideology.
What other term other than "Kiss of Contradiction" to describe this?
Unfortunately for them, both cannot happen together. They will have to consciously choose between the two. They will need to understand that you can't strengthen the political Cultural Nationalism while expecting social liberalism. If they don't, their generation will end up just like their forefather's - adoring the courage of an eloping Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, watching them exchange kisses on the screen with awe, while closing the doors and windows of your house to your neighbour's son who happened to send a love message to your daughter.