You haven't seen/heard this new song 'why this kolaveri kolaveri di'? It has turned out to be so much of a popular song. That too in Tamil and English words mixed. Some even claim it has transformed into youth anthem. Not only in India, but the fans are all over the world.
Apparently the meaning of kolaveri is murderous/killer rage. Now I thought whatever is happening/ has happened last few weeks, it is incredible.
We see intolerance increasing day-by-day. Has Amrtya Sen's 'argumentative Indian' disappeared? Or are we, the people enraged beyond limit? The issues are many and people are fed up with the problems like price rise, corruption and they are happy with politician bashing.
Is patience such a rare commodity? People are simply not ready to listen to any excuse for the still-to-come solutions.
The recent episode of a guy trying to literally hit Union Agriculture Minister and one of the senior-most leaders, Sharad Pawar, was an indication of anger. And subsequent reaction of Gandhian leader and darling of masses, Anna Hazare was also equally stunning, although completely unwarranted. He tried to retract, but the damage was already done. To his credit, seasoned and well behaved politician that he is for 50 years, Mr. Pawar reacted very graciously and in balanced manner.
The incident is not one-off. Last few years have seen many such physical attacks on leaders of different hue and ideologies.
But I just cannot understand this craze of hitting politicians. What will that attack by using your hands or throwing footwear have an effect on the political discourse? It will not serve any purpose, apart from fifteen minutes of fame. And the TV news channels will happily oblige.
To exercise restraint by everyone including the TV news channels is the key. I strongly feel, you have right to protest in constitutional ways, no doubt.
However, you cannot indulge in any sort of violence. At least not in our India, not in Gandhi and Ambedkar's India. As simple as that.
