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| Politicians should desist from giving foolish and cringe-worthy statements |
That our political landscape is largely devoid of obvious talent is now all too well known, but that some of our leaders are terribly deficient in even common sense and reason is becoming more and more apparent these days. They are often caught with their foot in their mouth, they just don't seem to get tired of making utterly ludicrous statements every now and then! Every other day we get to hear some bizarre and absurd (of the highest degree) comment from our esteemed politicians. As if a match of ridiculousness and absurdity is on and they are competing with one another to outdo each other.
There have been innumerable instances in the recent past when we have felt that the politicians should have kept their lips sealed and not bring unwelcome embarrassment onto themselves and their parties by opening their mouths. And this has been happening with such unfailing regularity that now it hardly surprises us.
The latest one to join the brigade is the Chief Minister of Tripura, Mr. Biplab Dev. On 17th of April while addressing a workshop on the commercialisation of public distributed system (PDS) at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala, he said, "Internet and satellite communication had existed in the days of Mahabharata. How could Sanjaya (the charioteer of King Dhritarashtra) give a detailed account and description to the blind king about the battle of Kurukshetra? It means internet was there, the satellites and that technology was there in this country at that time. Internet and satellite system had existed in India during lakhs of years ago. The European nations and the United States may claim that it is their invention, but it is actually India's technology". If this statement that Internet and satellite communication existed during the times of Mahabharat wasn't ludicrous enough, he went a step further by accusing the critics of this statement for lacking nationalism!
Majority communalism now masquerades as nationalism. Such politicians are trying to advance their brand of nationalism, making such foolish and cringe-worthy statements (not hesitating to even peddle blatant lies). And anybody who disagrees is at once branded as a “traitor” and “anti-national”! Yes, I am fascinated by the glories of ancient India and feel proud of its rich cultural heritage. Yes, nationalism should be celebrated but I do not need certification in Nationalism from anyone, certainly not from those who are peddling lies.
Aren't our elected representatives accountable and answerable to the citizens for their actions and statements? Also, going by the regularity of various such gaffes by our politicians, doesn't it become imperative for all of our elected representatives in the state assemblies and in the parliament to undergo and pass a basic I.Q test before assuming office? That they are involved in policy formulation and implementation for the nation and its people, shouldn't they possess a basic level of intellect? (And here, by 'intellect', I do not mean the various management or professional degrees from the Indian/foreign universities that our politicians apparently possess. Rather, by 'intellect', I mean a basic level of reasoning ability). That way we and our future generations may be spared of such idiotic statements and also the embarrassment of being represented by such politicians.
Politicians should desist from making such absurd comments. Sigh... If only such politicians could keep their mouth shut!
