Ask any citizen on the street, “What do you think about politicians?” It won’t be difficult to identify that the common thread running through all the replies is that of ridicule and disgust. Now, this is an interesting case in itself because it is particularly difficult to locate the source of this disgust for politicians. The media is not so outrageous to paint the politicians in the colours which are reflected in opinions of the general public, whether out of fear or ethics is a different debate altogether. Then where do these hate sentiments originate. The answer is – in the minds of the politicians in opposition. Yes, the disgust is spilling out and creeping into the public sentiments from the relationship that politicians have developed with the others. Open bashing of opposition in press conferences and public rallies is a phenomenon hidden from none. This is the source on which the media bases its statements on a politician. The modern day relationship between politicians has turned from that of opposition to animosity. I use the word ‘modern’ because the animosity is relatively new in origin. Violence has always been a political tool but climate of vicious rivalry is a new feature in Indian politics. A particular case has been raised by PM Bakshi in his book “Our Parliament” in which he recounts an incident where the Speaker of Lok Sabha is upset because some fat politician spoke with his back turned towards him. In today’s parliament this would be taken as grave contempt. To this, the fat politician jokingly said that he did not have a front or a back side since he was fat and round. The emotion behind the response is exactly what is missing from today’s political scenario. Often understood as a non-serious affair, humour has an important role in avoiding over-fabrication of issues. If consensus between various groups of an essentially plural society is possible, the cohesion will come from humour used in the right spirit. For if we are looking towards cooperation instead of competition between the groups, humour is the key. It’s time we started considering humour as a part of education system. A piece of advice here, if you are ever to face a grave problem in your life, joke with it. - Aditya Nayak
0 Comments
|
AuthorAditya Nayak Archives
February 2017
Categories
All
|