Are Our MPs Talking and Acting Responsibly?

We, the ordinary Indians, many times wonder about the psyche of some of our politicians – whom we elect after a lot of thought – hoping that they would carry out their responsibilities with sincerity. However, their senseless bizarre acts and inexplicable utterances leave us clueless. Their deeds and utterances make headlines, they are discussed by expert panels on news channels, political parties thru their spokesperson give their version of interpretation, the concerned interest groups – divided on religious, geographical or cultural differences try to escalate or play down such deeds or utterances – depending on how they perceive them. However, an ordinary Indian, is normally unable to make any head or tail out of it. We, at the best either ignore it or forget them with time.

While, we may accept that sometimes the uttered words were misunderstood and were spoken in some different context with no wrong intentions – but most of the times – it is stated with a purpose. Only they know – why did they say and what good purpose it serves to the society.

May be not so intelligent and being an ordinary Indian, I would not like to dissect and analyse the incidences which were in bad taste and were rightly not taken in good humour by the media and the public. My only purpose to mention or quote a few of the incidences (taken from the internet sources) is to solely express my helplessness and amusement at what they do, what they speak vis-à-vis what their responsibilities are as an elected representative of ordinary Indians!

Some quotes for ready reference -

-    BJP MP from Unnao, Sri Sakshi Maharaj gave the statement, "I believe Nathuram Godse was also a nationalist and Mahatma Gandhiji also did a lot for the nation. Godse was an aggrieved person. He may have done something by mistake but was not an anti- national. He was a patriot."

-    Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had earlier this month courted a controversy for allegedly making communal remarks and using unparliamentary language ( Raamzaadaa and Haraamzaadaa ) while addressing a rally in Delhi.

-    Addressing a rally in Moradabad, Mulayam Singh Yadav, MP and supremo of Samajwadi Party, “Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko sey galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein phasi di jayegi? (First girls develop friendship with boys. They when differences occur, they level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape).”

-    Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chief Minister of Bihar gave a statement – ‘Upper caste people are foreigners’.

May good sense prevail and such utterances are avoided in future by our elected representatives – in the best interest of the people they are supposed to serve and in the larger interest of the country.

BJP at the Centre has a good opportunity to prove its credentials – has enough voice to make and break rules in the Parliament. However, the irresponsible manner in which some of its politicians are giving statements and involving themselves in controversial issues - may prove to be too costly for the party.

I hope and wish that PM Modi – the man on mission with lot of commitments – is able to rein them.

I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2015. May we channelize all our energy in constructive thinking and productive deeds. Let’s all work together for a better India.