There have been occasions when I have had the pleasure, a dubious pleasure some might say, of overhearing conversations at unexpected moments and in unexpected places. I have not gone in search of snooping around expecting to pick up spicy gossip from strangers. I am not that kind of person. Things just happen. One minute you are sitting on some park bench trying to empty your mind of all thoughts, a practice yoga masters encourage their students to indulge in but extremely difficult to achieve. Just when you think the last vestiges of thought are beginning to ebb away and your mind is on the cusp of attaining supreme mindlessness, everything is shattered by hearing a voice close to you saying, ‘I say Rajan what do you make of this Deep State thing? What is Deep State anyway? All these years, I never heard anyone mention Deep State, and suddenly that is all I am hearing and reading about. Can you enlighten me?’
That’s it, end of yoga session and mindlessness. I have been called mindless before but not in a good way. Will have to try it again some other time when I am not even remotely close to any form of human habitation. For now, I am all ears tensely waiting to hear what this Rajan, whoever he is, is about to reveal on the mysterious Deep State. I could have ignored the whole conversation and walked off to find another place to sit where no one else was around. I realised soon enough that that was a hopeless task as the park was buzzing with walkers, many with their pet dogs in tow, joggers, clandestine young lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other and people just sitting around gossiping. Then again, they could be Deep State agents pretending to be clandestine young lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other. It was hopeless. I was in a deep state of helplessness. I might as well have been continuing my yogic asanas sitting at home on my toilet seat. For the present, I decided to do what any sensible person would have done in my place. Make the most of a dicey situation. Curiosity might have killed the cat but I decided to enjoy a bit of eavesdropping. One of them was Rajan, as I was able to glean. The other’s name was soon revealed. They might both have been in their mid-to-late forties, prime of life. Intellect as sharp as a tack. At least that was my impression though one of them was floundering while attempting to unravel the depth of meaning involved in the expression Deep State which has gained wide currency in our political patois.
Rajan responds. ‘Look here Dilip. The Americans are the ones who are openly talking about the Deep State. Apparently, the term refers to a machinery within the government that in reality runs the government, as per the dictates of some higher power. Like George Soros for instance, to pick a name out at random. Those occupying the Oval Office or other important offices in the White House merely follow the dictates of these shadowy individuals in the Deep State. Are you with me?’ Reader, you will have observed that I have assigned an upper case to the term Deep State to stress its importance, except when I employ the term in common parlance, like being ‘in a deep state of helplessness.’
Dilip looks perplexed. ‘I hear you Rajan, but I am not sure I follow. These are deep waters. What higher power? What can be more powerful than the President of the United States?’
Rajan sports a knowing smile. ‘That’s all you know, Dilip. The President is merely a rubber stamp. At least, in the party that is currently in charge but soon to relinquish its position. If the Deep State tells Biden to press a red button that will send guided missiles to Russia from Ukraine, he will press that red button.’
‘But look here,’ interjects Dilip agitatedly, ‘if the missile is to go from Ukraine to Moscow, should not Zelenskyy be pressing that red button instead of Biden? Is that not a huge risk? Biden is not well. Have you seen him walk? He might even be colour blind. Age can do that to people. He might press the yellow button instead of the red one, and the missile might just take off from Washington and blow-up New York and most of the east coast. Did you ever think about that?’
‘You have a vivid imagination, Dilip. Biden is not that unwell. He slurs on his words now and then. Says London when he means Leningrad, which could be a problem. He also has a tendency to trip and fall every now and then, but I think we can count on him to press the right button when it really matters. Particularly when some sharp aide from the Deep State will carefully guide his hand and place his finger on the red button. And if he is really feeling under the weather, they could always call on Kamala to do the honours.’
‘Kamala? Kamala Harris? Are you kidding me? Have you taken leave of your senses, Rajan? That lady cannot make a single move without a teleprompter placed in front of her and if it goes on the blink, she is dead in the water. Only if the screen shows in large, capital letters the words ‘PRESS THE RED BUTTON,’ will she tentatively stick her forefinger out. Even then there is every chance she might press the blue button signalling one transatlantic, guided missile to head China-wards. And smiling non-stop the while, all 32 teeth in full glare for the cameras. No, no, she won’t do. Incidentally, have the media approached Kamala for her opinion on the subject?’
‘Of course they have, Dilip, but she is unable to proceed beyond “I come from a middle-class family and my mother brought my sister and I up single-handedly,” after which she freezes up, waiting for the teleprompter to come alive. Ask Oprah Winfrey.’
‘Since you touched upon Biden, Rajan, what about his latest masterstroke of issuing a Presidential pardon to his son Hunter, for all his alleged crimes and misdemeanours? With one stroke of the President’s pen, Hunter is no longer the hunted.’
‘Nice one Dilip, but seriously, if a father cannot forgive his own son, who else is going to? Cut Joe Biden some slack. Blood is thicker than water or haven’t you noticed? Don’t you follow Indian politics? Anyhow, Biden will be quitting office soon. His wife Jill must have given the President hell to get Hunter off the hook, though she is not Hunter’s biological mother. Remember this was Joe’s second marriage.’
‘Perhaps his first wife was turning on the heat? I must say Rajan, you are really well-informed on American politics.’
‘Nothing to it really, Dilip. Fox News, podcasts on YouTube and a bit of Google search is all it takes these days to be up to speed on happenings around the world.’
‘Quite so. And soon, it will be Donald J. Trump to entertain us and make no mistake, he is a far more engaging entertainer than Biden ever was. He has some sexy dance steps as well. And he will push all the right buttons.’
‘In more ways than one, but enough of U.S. politics. It’s getting late, Dilip. Let’s do a quick round-up of important happenings in our own country, shall we.’
‘Why not? Shall we start with the post-election drama in Maharashtra?’
‘We shall start and end with that subject, Dilip. Nothing else has been happening to keep us bored stiff in front of our television sets.’
Dilip stifles a yawn. ‘On second thoughts, I think we should skip this whole Maharashtra mini-epic with its unending suspense on the appointment of a Chief Minister and other partners in the coalition acting like spoilt brats wanting more of the enormous political pie. Fadnavis seems to be the anointed one, the frontrunner but conspiracy theories are flying thick and fast. I am referring to one sulking brat in particular who seems to be extremely adept at playing ducks and drakes. Let the situation unravel and we will meet again to discuss this vexed issue.’
‘You said a mouthful there Dilip. Let us conclude on the American situation. Trump is letting the world know how much respect he holds for people of Indian origin. There’s Vivek Ramaswamy, Kash Patel and Jay Bhattacharya. Not to forget Tulsi Gabbard who hails from Hawaii but everything else about her is not just Indian but Hindu. I saw her on YouTube, kumkum on forehead and strumming a guitar, singing Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, like the late Beatle George Harrison. Not forgetting Usha, the Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s wife, who might also have a say in policy making. Above all, Trump and Modi love hugging each other.’
‘Last time Trump was in India he even referred to “Swami Viveka-mundan” (sic). He should take lessons from Tulsi. Small wonder the Deep State has been training its guns on the Indian sub-continent. Not to worry, Trump and his ‘Indian’ team will set everything right. Vivek and Mighty Musk have vowed to fight the good fight and clean up the mess.’
At this point, I decided to make my exit. There is just so much politics one can take of a morning. I have also decided that if I want to get an informed opinion on matters of worldwide interest, there is no point in watching television or reading the papers. Just take a stroll in your park and sit yourself down next to a few wise men exchanging thoughts. You will learn much. And, which is more, you’ll be a Man, my son.
Published with permission from Mr. Suresh Subrahmanyan. He blogs at –https://sureshsubrahmanyan.blog/
