Waiting to happen

Please refer my previous post of the "issue". That sounds prescient now. But it was not a slum dog who did it, but a privileged member from the media who had access to the establishment.

The shoe throwing incident, brings another episode to mind. I remember how I got into an argument with my ex-boss about how there should be no pretenses that we Indians are basically uncivilized. This was when one cricketer slapped another on field. Apart from the fact that both incidents were hilarious and both gentlemen at the receiving end should have seen it coming, its still drives home the same message - that we do not know how to express ourselves constructively. But who cares really? We are after all as a society are as uncouth as one can get, despite increasing our footprint on the Forbes list, below the veneer of progress, we are deeply unconcerned and unashamed of the inequalities...etc etc...So to pretend we are civilized is a joke.

Now coming to the "baser" level of the issue: the shoe throwing incident itself will not accomplish anything. It will not bring justice to Sikhs nor will it make politicians in general less arrogant. It is at best symbolic. But thank god, it is at least symbolic. Predictably, the journalist has become a hero overnight. I deeply regret not being around for this briefing. I am guilty of drawing vicarious pleasure, having witnessed this behavior from the minister concerned during the last five years of this administration. One instance, where his car nearly drove over journos standing outside North Bloc, having knocked out a potted plant in the process. Fitting as it may be, it has come at the very end of the tenure of the current government. I attribute such episodes to cosmic design. I hereby celebrate such spectacular dissent. But what a great liberal government we have. If preliminary reports are to be believed, the journalist has been let off without a case being registered against him. We will only know in future, what are the real consequences he will have to face. And guess what across party lines, this incident has been "condemned". Of course. (Clearly, we are more civilized than Iraq, where the journalist was given a three year sentence)

While journos in general are not popular among politicians or otherwise, I still feel, my community as it were, deserves more respect despite our accommodating attitudes to "free lunches", shoddy work, sensationalism and the like. That's a cultural thing about Indian journalism, but its fine. Not everybody is guilty of these vices. But the larger point, I am trying to make is, politicians whether in power or otherwise will need to be "professional" in their interactions with the media. More importantly, they should be courteous even while dodging questions about issues of "serious concern".

Although, I have spent relatively less time as a journalist, I have time and again observed how very senior reporters and editors who have spent years in the profession are less reactive about being meted out such treatment by the powers that be. For one it may show, the maturity of media people on not spending too much time fretting about "baser" issues, but on another, it calls for some serious overhaul in the way we see ourselves. My contention is why should we take "attitude" from anybody? (To be clear, for the moment, we ignore the attitude of extreme "self-importance" many journalists throw around)

p.s. I do hope some mainstream newspapers will stop the vulgar, repulsive display of affection for Finance Ministers.