I was deeply disappointed by the Dravidar Kazhagam’s decision (double-back?) to put off (call off?) the Thali cutting program (protest?). Maybe the date was inauspicious or probably Periyar’s parivar had more pressing problems. I was looking forward to see the modus operandi and participants, for some grist this week. In any case, whatever the fate of that project, I stand provoked. You can read this now or await Veeramani’s next call … whenever it comes(?)!
Author: T R Jawahar
Who said there is no fairplay in politics? Rather, all is ‘fair’ in this art of possible too. Sure, the raging debate, albeit skin deep, is an unfair diversion from real issues like sizes of tobacco warnings or of Marans’ frozen assets. But as our netas are so worked up over complexion, it is in fairness of things we prajas chip in too.
Who is an activist? Just about anybody today. That probably is the ultimate symbol of a ‘sound’ democracy, wherein every citizen raises his voice on every issue, pauses for air, and then resumes the charade for a fresh issue, the earlier one having faded under his/her own din over the latest fad. Sign of the times, now.
I am shocked. In fact, I am outraged. Actually, ‘devastated’ would be apt. Summons to Manmohan? Mr Clean, corrupt? No way. If I was in New Delhi I would have hit the streets for the Cong road show, even if it entailed the unseemly idea of walking with Sonia Maino. I am sure Rahul too would have taken a stroll wherever he is holed up, in support of the former PM just as he lent ‘voice’ for Kalavathy.
‘Make in India’ is surely a stupendous success in one sector: Unaccounted money. Financial policy is a mockery because much of the economy is still outside the system. And political sleaze is the biggest source, topping the charts, but rarely tapped, while hard-working but careless citizens get routinely raided and officially ripped.
Suddenly in the last six months there is a spurt of CMs, present and potential. The CM cup is now overflowing. The abundant choice is actually fun if not for the fact that 2016 seems fixed. By God, I meant. Unless He is overruled by the courts, that is.
The irony is striking and sickening. Srirangam, for the devout, is Buloga Vaikundam, the Lord’s abode on earth. Periyar’s parivar in their prime, for their part, wanted to blast it with a cannon, making Srirangam the key target of their ideological, iconoclastic ire. But here’s also where believers and atheists alike now stand united on one ‘count’.
I did not go to the Capital nor could I follow the happenings fully owing to my Hindi handicap. Still I had kept track of the Delhi polls very studiously by all possible ways. Apart from the professional call, the interest was also propelled by an earnest eagerness to understand how our electoral democracy is evolving.
Since I plan to write about freedom of expression today, I am afraid I must be very careful. That in a nutshell is the comic contradiction that mocks speakers, writers, thinkers, artistes, nay, virtually anyone who feels the urge to correct, convince or simply convey something. It looks, free speech will have to slowly seek sanctuary in the suffocating space ‘between the lines’ or worse, get exiled to the oblivion of words unsaid.