Anyone who watched Mr. Shivraj Patil address a bunch of press-walas after the bomb blasts at a mosque in Hyderabad on the 18th of May this year will understand what I am talking about.
There he was, appearing on national television to make a statement about an act of terrorism that killed a dozen people and wounded over 40, reading words off a bunch of sheets stapled together. He didn’t trust himself to say something extempore at a time like this. There was no emotion. No anger. Not a trace of genuine, heartfelt sorrow, regret or outrage- in intonation or content of speech. He spoke slowly, but not out of a desire for clarity. The pauses seemed like they were necessary- because he seemed confused about a few words that were written, and even fumbled a bit. I felt ashamed and sick.
There he was, appearing on national television to make a statement about an act of terrorism that killed a dozen people and wounded over 40, reading words off a bunch of sheets stapled together. He didn’t trust himself to say something extempore at a time like this. There was no emotion. No anger. Not a trace of genuine, heartfelt sorrow, regret or outrage- in intonation or content of speech. He spoke slowly, but not out of a desire for clarity. The pauses seemed like they were necessary- because he seemed confused about a few words that were written, and even fumbled a bit. I felt ashamed and sick.
“PM condemns act of terror”. I am sick of hearing this. It doesn’t help at all. Not only does it not help, it actually makes me angry to see the same words spewing forth from the mouths of the leaders of the country every time lives are lost to brutality and merciless murder of innocent persons. Rather than bursting forth as a powerful reaction to events that ought to shake the deepest hollows of one’s being because they chip away at the backbone of humanity and of the nation, they seem…obligatory.
Do I want to see Manmohan Singh and the rest of them pick up guns and burning torches marching the streets shouting anti terrorist slogans and swearing on their family members that they will find the culprits and shoot them at sight? Probably not. Probably not.
All I ask for is a genuine show of emotion, some indication that despite the fact that is has become a daily occurrence, we haven’t got used to it. They haven’t just got used to it. I understand that approaching crisis in a dispassionate manner that allows one to think objectively without getting drawn into the emotionality of it all is usually good. But only when there is some indication to suggest that its importance has been registered, and that one is choosing to appear unperturbed and in control.
Or maybe not. Maybe I do want to see a minister going red in the face with anger and grief over senseless violence and lost lives for once. Maybe even watch him struggle to hold back tears. He’ll come out looking stronger in my eyes than if he sits there and, his voice becoming a monotonous drawl, says things like- “The Government of India condemns acts of this kind.”
It makes me wonder if I would prefer that the ministers just shut up and don’t give a statement. At least one could then interpret it any way one wanted- Maybe they’re too shocked to say anything. Maybe they can’t find the words to communicate how they really feel.
Don’t journalists who go to their homes and offices looking for “statements” get tired of hearing the same thing? I won’t be surprised if they don’t even bother anymore and just call the PM’s PA and ask “Statement dena hai. Wo hi wala daal den kya phir se?”
At a time when the country looks to its leaders to offer some solace and comfort, the nation waits with bated breath for what the man has to say, we hear:
“PM condemns act of terror”.
Well, thank you very much for allaying our doubts. The country had actually expected otherwise.
“PM condemns act of terror”.
Well, thank you very much for allaying our doubts. The country had actually expected otherwise.
