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New low in Indian politics: Narendra Modi's usage of obscene language
by Guest Sat Feb 11, 2017 10:44 pm
A prime minister is expected to maintain the highest standards even in his political polemics. Narendra Modi has fallen rather short of this ideal
Baths and bathrooms may have something to do with Swachh Bharat, not with a former prime minister. But Narendra Modi, the present prime minister, probably feels especially eloquent when he is talking about these aspects of existence; even more so, perhaps, when he is using metaphors reeking of the bathroom to refer to his predecessor. Mr Modi no doubt believed that he was giving a fitting reply to Manmohan Singh's criticism of demonetization as "organized loot and legalized plunder". The former prime minister, however, was criticizing the policy when he made these remarks, he was not attacking Mr Modi. But for the present prime minister, everything is personal. Hence the personal attack on Mr Singh, in which the former prime minister was described as someone possessing the "art" of having a bath in the bathroom with his raincoat on. Perhaps Mr Modi thought he was being brilliantly sarcastic about the scandals that allegedly raged around Mr Singh while he remained untouched. But sarcasm became rude insult of a sort that went far beyond unparliamentary language into a shocking annihilation of all decorum.
Mr Modi is the prime minister of India, not just a party leader or a local political bigwig. He is also the leader of the House. While it is true that the standards of aggressive political rhetoric have plunged all round, the prime minister and the leader of the House has an overwhelming responsibility to maintain the highest standards in his polemics. Even more striking is the fact that he was referring to a former prime minister, his predecessor in the chair. Mr Modi insulted his own chair, the House and hence the country. Besides, a leader should be looked up to for his magnanimity and largeness of presence. But Mr Modi seems unable to rise above pettiness. The virulent and reckless use of language is a fair image of another leader of a great democracy, whose frustration with judicial decisions resulted in unprecedented comments about judges.
Although no political party in India in recent times can be declared blameless in the matter of making ugly comments about their rivals, leaders of the sangh parivar, together with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have created new standards in crudeness. Mr Modi called Sonia Gandhi a "Jersey cow" in 2004, while Pravin Togadia publicly made an unprintable comment when focusing on her 'foreigner' identity. She was insulted for her colour, questioned as to her character - a tradition of lowness that continues unabated. Most recently Vinay Katiyar has declared that Priyanka Gandhi is not as pretty as women in the BJP, so she will not be able to draw big crowds in Uttar Pradesh. Mr Modi flourishes in this tradition. But none of the other politicians was a prime minister speaking of another prime minister. This one remark has put Mr Modi leagues ahead of his cohorts.
https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170211/jsp/opinion/story_135070.jsp#.WJ_Z1BiZOu4
Baths and bathrooms may have something to do with Swachh Bharat, not with a former prime minister. But Narendra Modi, the present prime minister, probably feels especially eloquent when he is talking about these aspects of existence; even more so, perhaps, when he is using metaphors reeking of the bathroom to refer to his predecessor. Mr Modi no doubt believed that he was giving a fitting reply to Manmohan Singh's criticism of demonetization as "organized loot and legalized plunder". The former prime minister, however, was criticizing the policy when he made these remarks, he was not attacking Mr Modi. But for the present prime minister, everything is personal. Hence the personal attack on Mr Singh, in which the former prime minister was described as someone possessing the "art" of having a bath in the bathroom with his raincoat on. Perhaps Mr Modi thought he was being brilliantly sarcastic about the scandals that allegedly raged around Mr Singh while he remained untouched. But sarcasm became rude insult of a sort that went far beyond unparliamentary language into a shocking annihilation of all decorum.
Mr Modi is the prime minister of India, not just a party leader or a local political bigwig. He is also the leader of the House. While it is true that the standards of aggressive political rhetoric have plunged all round, the prime minister and the leader of the House has an overwhelming responsibility to maintain the highest standards in his polemics. Even more striking is the fact that he was referring to a former prime minister, his predecessor in the chair. Mr Modi insulted his own chair, the House and hence the country. Besides, a leader should be looked up to for his magnanimity and largeness of presence. But Mr Modi seems unable to rise above pettiness. The virulent and reckless use of language is a fair image of another leader of a great democracy, whose frustration with judicial decisions resulted in unprecedented comments about judges.
Although no political party in India in recent times can be declared blameless in the matter of making ugly comments about their rivals, leaders of the sangh parivar, together with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have created new standards in crudeness. Mr Modi called Sonia Gandhi a "Jersey cow" in 2004, while Pravin Togadia publicly made an unprintable comment when focusing on her 'foreigner' identity. She was insulted for her colour, questioned as to her character - a tradition of lowness that continues unabated. Most recently Vinay Katiyar has declared that Priyanka Gandhi is not as pretty as women in the BJP, so she will not be able to draw big crowds in Uttar Pradesh. Mr Modi flourishes in this tradition. But none of the other politicians was a prime minister speaking of another prime minister. This one remark has put Mr Modi leagues ahead of his cohorts.
https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170211/jsp/opinion/story_135070.jsp#.WJ_Z1BiZOu4
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