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From lipstick to cur, politicians have come in for sharp criticism for their shooting-from-the-lip with eminent personalities saying time has come for them to think before opening their mouth.
Be it Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan's "dog" remark or former Maharashtra Deputy CM RR Patil's "filmi-syle" statement or BJP Vice-President MA Naqvi's "lipstick" reaction and their respective parties taking exception to them these kneejerk comments are now being subjected to public scrutiny.
Says India's first woman IPS officer-turned-social activist Kiran Bedi: "The politicians have long been suffering from the foot-in-the-mouth syndrome. But, thanks to media now, they and their diseases are getting exposed. We need change in the country."
Concurs historian Ramachandra Guha. He says that the anger of people after the Mumbai mayhem "was aggravated by the cavalier behaviour of the politicians".
Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra disagrees. "In no way, we can generalise the politicians who make comments from time to time which are not in good taste. Politicians as a class are not suffering from the foot-in-mouth disease.
"Each of the comments has to be seen as a specific case. The only exception is Kerala CM's 'dog' remark about a martyred Army Major -- that statement is despicable. However, other comments don't fall in that category."
Achuthanandan had ignited a controversy after being "snubbed" by the angry father of NSG officer Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was brutally killed by terrorists in Mumbai, when he went to Bangalore to offer his condolences, by saying, "If it had not been Sandeep's house, not even a dog would have glanced that way."
However, noted social scientist Shabnam Hashmi disagrees with Mitra.
"A majority of politicians suffer from some sort of disease. You take BJP leader Naqvi's audacious statement on 'women wearing lipstick and powder' and protesting against the politicians in the wake of the Mumbai carnage. These comments reflect one's feudal mindset.
"Likewise, Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi's announcement of compensation for the slain policemen Anti- Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar who died fighting the terrorists in Mumbai is also condemnable.
"It's evident Modi did it for political gains. But the bereaved wife of brave heart officer Karkare showed the nation what the politicians actually deserve by refusing the largesse from the Chief Minister," she exclaims.
Congress MP Adhir Choudhury fully agrees: "Some of our fellow politicians are suffering from the foot-in-the-mouth syndrome, no doubt. It's due to the deterioration of political ethics in this country. It's unfortunate and I feel ashamed.
"We are people's representatives. But, people hardly respect us nowadays due to the irresponsible and immature comments made by some flashy politicians.
"The father of the slain Major showed the nation what politicians deserve by shooing the Kerala Chief Minister out of his home. That was the perfect treatment which needs to be meted out by the civilian society to what is now seen as a despicable species of Indian population called politicians."
Mitra interrupts. "No I don't agree to the bracketing of all politicians as despicable people. In case of Naqvi what he was really wanted to convey was a sudden excitement among Mumbai's chattering classes."
But, Choudhury feels that whether it's his party MP or whosoever it be, any politician who indulges in irresponsible remarks should not be "punished".
"See both Shivraj Patil and RR Patil had to finally resign -- one for his sartorial fetish while the other for saying 'bade bade saheer mein chota chota blasts hota hai' respectively after the Mumbai terror attacks."
Sums up Kolkata-based psychologist Dr SK Dasgupta: "People's anger against politicians is more due to fear coming from a sense of insecurity."
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What is the name of the disease that "noted social scientist" Shabnem hasmi suffering from? She always targets Sangh Parivar.
I do not agreee with the criticism of Kerala CM.He has nothing to do with terrorism orhe has not created any terrorist with his actions or politics.He has every right to pay homage to an officer.He went to the major's house and he was insulted by major's father.Thats why he reacted in such a way.If sandeep's father is loyal to some party,lethim show it.VS Achuthanadan just replied in the same way as sandeep's father behaved.It was Sandeeps father who called CM a dog.So you cannot criticse VS for what he has said
I am a Bangalorean.Initially the Kerala govt wanted to ignore this whole issue of paying homage to a martyr, just to placate their muslim supporters. It was evident from the CM's reponse to the mediamen while he was in Delhi.When they realised the public mood was growing hostile, they took a U turn and botched up the matter.The Keralites in bangalore must have pumped up the emotions of the martyr's father.CPM is the most communal party in this country.
One stark reality is that leaders represent the public. When we direct a finger to them is it not that three fingures are directing towards us. It is now time to self estimate ourselves and start improving upon us The casual attitude we find on the information given by the IB reflects the common mindset. The time has come that we start improving ouselves with right earnest. I am infact pained at the degradation of our attitude. It is again blame game we so vehemently enjoy. No doubt those responsible should be brought to books. But unless we mend our ways the recurrence of such events can not be ruled out.
a tailor made chiefminiser doesnt no what to say in real sense what has he done to kerala he has made more dept has he given any jobs to any one in his rule no factories no companys nojobs that is his rule gone to newdelhi looted three crores for his travel and for saying zindabad when will the people come to know the pathetic condition of kerala no proper roads only hartal everyday sitting and eating and saying dirty words no developments nothing atall what a pity state
Sir, Not all of our politicians might suffer from the foot in the mouth syndrome. But almost to a man(or woman) they suffer from the head in the clouds syndrome. Otherwise, how could one justify the sports minister of Zarkhand getting Z security
I do not agree with criticism of Kerela CM. He was not paying homage to a person. He was seeking to pay homage to a man in uniform. Nation has a right to pay homage to the man slain in uniform and the father of this person can not deny that just because the person happens to be his son. I think that father merely belittled his son, his service to the nation. He did not have problem with Karnataka CM paying the homage. Than why single out Kerela CM? I think the father played his personal politics while nation viewed his son's demise as national event.Similarly, Mrs Karkare refused the financial help offered by Gujarat Government. If you recall, Modi had announced Rs 1 crore to families of slain police officers. Once again, the help was from government to men in uniform - it was not from Modi, it was from Gujarat government, it was not to Karkare, a person, but it was to a man in uniform that served government. Mrs Karkare chose to belittle it and demean the uniform.
I do tend to agree with you to a certain extent. However we need to draw a line here where the public is welcome to personal privacy. A grieving family versus a politician trying to get political mileage out of the whole exercise. The father's behaviour is not fully supportable versus a Chief Minister of a state who reacted like a street urchin (no pun intended against the urchins). Who needs to grow up here.In another post which clearly states the objective of the visit was from the Government (and not an illitrate CM) to pay homage to a slain uniformed officer, and this according to me must be acceptable. Maybe I am wrong .....
If you apply the same tests to scribes, how many foots out media would have in their mouth? And who the hell is "noted social scientist" Shabnam Hashmi? Why elevate these idiotic voices with phony self-proclaimed titles? Who are they accountable to? Nobody. And you expect us to take them seriously? At least out politicians, we can fire them.And why were they mad at modi? Because Modi exposed the usual congressy game of announcing the sops to the victims for hiding its sins of appeasing terrorism? Those who fell in line of duty are national heros and nation has a right to pay homage to the men in uniform. The tribute is not to persons, but men in uniform. Gujarat Government announced aid to men in uniform - its is Mrs Karkare and that father who are belittling the uniform and politicizing it for their personal politics.
After going through the views of various politicians on the recent terrorist attack on Taj in Bombay, one thing is for sure, we can't expect from these politicians that they will ever come out of their purview of their idiotic political reproachments. Some days before, it was Lalu who was quoted blaming Mulayam Singh Yadav responsible for the attack. Achuthanandan's 'dog' remark and Modi's typical idea of providing compensation only suppliments politician's pathetic ideology of playing politics for the sake of votes. Unless and until they will not free themselves from this pathetic tendency, they will never find it possible to gain any reputation in the eyes of a comman man.
regarding substandard bullet proof jackets supplied to police,many police officers in mumbai would have been saved,had our politicians and higher officers are not corrupt.those business houses manufacturing it are also terrorist and anti national.i know personally many army officers are given air conditioners fitted in their homes
Such derogatory comments by our so called leaders just show how highly they think of themselves and have no concern for the people who elected them. They do not have the slightest tinge of humanity nor any concern for feelings for people who suffered. CM did not think twice what it was to lose a child so brutally, all he reacted to what was his "insult". Politicians do not realise the suffering of parents whose children died in this attack.
There are many more examples. rajnath singh, BJP president saying that Hindu can never be terrorist, L K advani saying that he was moved by reading affidavit of sadhvi pragya etc. How can a person who wants to become primeminister of the country can be so partisan and give statements without verifying the facts. Does he agree with people like sadhvi who make volatile speeches against one community?
Politicians in India have always made such remarks. Remember J.Nehru's "Nonsense" remark and his later retraction? Rajiv's "big tree" remark on anti-Sikh riots? Down south, in TN, such indecent remarks are daily occurances. The only difference in the case of "dog" Achu is that it was made against decent people, not politicians(!). So long as our courts do not muster enough courage to send politicians to jail and keep them there, and so long as the election commission does not bother about rapists, dacoits, murderers and extortionists becoming legislators, and so long as our IAS / IPS officers can not gather courage to be honest and so long as we people do not insist on merit being the sole criteria for elevation, there is no scope for India to progress. Corruption is at the root of every problem in India but we are discussing so many other things. Gandhi's wish that the country should be ruled by Honest people rather than intelligent ones is the only remedy.
There is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section"49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm hisidentity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding electionofficer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seeminglynotorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if acandidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward hasreceived"49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled andwill have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of thecontestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling,since people had already expressed their decision on them. This wouldbring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates fortheir parties for election. This would change the way; of our wholepolitical system.
Wow, Thanks to Sankaranarayanan, I've learned something new about our consititution. I am sure that this informatioin will be taken by a lot of people positiovely, and will indeed vote for nobody. However, are you sure that the presiding officers are aware of this ? I hope they are... Thank you Sir.
Dy. CM of Maharshtra calls terror attack "minor". The CM of Maharashtra was complacent and bored at his own press conference. The VP finds it insulting if someone with lip stick is too intelligent for him. CM takes his non-officiating son for a tour with the “Movie Man” RG Verma hoping to make a hit. Kerala CM insults the family of a hero. Pakistan with empty coffers and inflation of over 30% ready to move 1 lakh troop its troops at our borders .Indian President on Indonesian visit did not break her visit. Army Chief on tour did not break his visit to Southern Africa. When Field Marshal Sam ‘Bahadur’ died you saw the attitude of these politicians. The Indian cooperate sector is extremely efficient. The same cannot be said for the public services and definitely not for the Indian politicians. They have failed miserably to understand the Indians, their worries and their sentiments
Our media have been very selective in protecting or exposing the politicians. Dog remark is dirt cheap in our country. I remember an erstwhile congress minister of Gujarat once boasted in the election that none can defeat even his dog if it was a candidate. He was shown the door by the public. In western countries such outburst could bring politician's carreer to an end. But we are the nation of -forgive and forget Politicians too know that public would forget their inadvertent remarks sooner or later. Some events are kept in light for little bit longer by the selective media while others are swept under the carpet. There have been many incidents by opportunistic politicians trying to earn political brownie points. Even our gentleman PM is no exception He, in his adrress to the nation mentioned late Hemant Karkare's name only who have been in public limelight recently ignoring other two equally notable senior officers A slain PSI's family had to speak for themselves about his sacrifice
Our B(p)OLiticans are ONLY concerned about VOTES and NOT BOATS.Our B(p)OLLYiticans are ONLY concerned about RGV and NOT RDX.Our B(p)OLiticans are ONLY concerned about LIPSTICK and NOT BOOMSTICK.Our B(p)OLiticans are concerned about (OVER)DOG(S) and NOT (WATCH)DOG(S).
I hope the politician will now learn their lessons.And more so political parties. Let us hope the standard of our politics will improve now.
Indian politicians learn anything. You must be kiddin yourself. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks (ask Achu - he is one of them). You can take the donkey to the watering hole - but you cannot make it drink.Hey we are the numb ones. How come we elected a 4th standard fail - like Mr. Achu and made him our CM. Don't we have educated people in God's own Country? Were we brain dead or something? Then why make this blah blah ?
Naqvi must be thinking, that he is living in taliban street near Kandahar when he made the lipstick remarks. The dog remark was also very pathetic. But sir, the Jinnah remarks made by Advani cannot be beaten by anyone.Advani praised the person, who divided India on the base of religion, but Advani called him secular!
Lot being written on Politicians and their qualities. One fundemantal question, the world is very competetive. Every one of us are driving very hard to achieve things in our owm ways( We claim that we are always ethical). How is that we expect a section of the people to render services to the society without any returns? What right we have to expect that? If you can preach a politician , how he should be , why not you become one and do selfless services and become a role model and get Nobel prices, Bharat Ratna etc? You people will be very happy , if some bukras are there to serve you free of cost while you are all busy enjoying and amasing wealth for your children.Learn to practice , stop this nonsense of preaching.
Mr Prabhu,You might have wanted to write something different from others. You and I can save maximum of 20 - 30 lakhs in our life time after losing 30% as tax withheld. Our MLAs and MPs are counting 20 crores, 50 crores accountable apart from Swiss bank savings. Don't write something rubbish just to project yourself as an intellectual. Nobody blames Our PM or the present home minister or defence moinister or a very few people like Mr Karpoori Takur and Mr Kamaraj who have really served the country. To other politicians, the only request is ' Have some consideration for the country!
Hey Prabhu, which politician is serving the people absolutely free? Those in power get more than adequate salary and perks. Those out of power get the party funds to "manage". Now please tell who requested you to come into politics. If you are not there, there will be tens coming. Remember butterflies and honey bees come to where there is fragrance but heynas and vultures come to where there is stink. Please get out from politics.
You Sefless god sent , kindly enter politics and set an example. Don't teach, practice.
Prabhu I understand that your family is in political business and you are upset. These uneducated idiots are eating my tax money. So they have to listen to what we say.
Mr.Tabu, Your Guess is wrong. But then , is it not wise to see what is written rather than wasting your time in guessing who has written?
Indeed, the press and specially the INDIAN EXPRESS, has done work by exposing politicians.Just before the terror attack on Mumbai,we saw how the Anti Terrorist chief Hemant Karkare and his staff were criticised by the BJP politicians for arresting the presumed terrorists.And the day before the attacks, the media reported that Hemant Karkare had also recieved threats to his life.On the eve of the terrorist attack, the world watch Hemant Karkare on TV when he was given a bullet proof jacket and and just a few minutes later, he was murdered. With leaders like Babubhai Katara and those involved in cash-for-quarry, what can one expect from such persons?It is amazing, that these sorts are also running India.
Kerala CM's outburst is fully justified. When he visited Major Shaheed Sandeep's house to pay homage, it was highly uncharitable on part of his father to make the CM wait and drive him away. CM's reaction was natural and the question of apology is therefore out of question.
I think you are dirty servant of CM...be a father first or more specifically try to give a birth to man like Sandeep then you realise why he refused CM...!!!!!!!!!
stupid. u have to respect the privacy of a grieving family especially when his father expressed his desire not to meet any politicians. Why should CM gate crash ? Is he not irresponsible? We must know to respect the privacy
why make a controversy on the statement. on the other hand, why nobody questioning the UPA govt as nobody from the central govt.has so far visited major sandeep's house. lip sympathy and attacks on others will not take us anywhere. even no central bjp leaders visited.
Of all the statements made by the politicians indicative of their suffering from foot-in-mouth syndrome, the staements of Maharashtra Home minister and the Karela chief ministerwere most disgusting. I do not have any sympathy with Mr. Naqvi of BJP. But judged objectively he did not make an out of way comment which should should have called for so much reaction from the society. After all, after the Mumbai carnage, the whole nation is in mourning and while in mourning In true Indian traditions one never wears dark lipsticks and big make ups while attending a solemn event of candle lighting at India gate. We all have to be serious and our actions should speak our state of mind.The public must be a little more understanding in this regard. It is another matter that in Western society, people attend even the funerals in their best outfits. But we are not living in a western country. So we should be a little more thoughtful in observing such solemn events as per Indian traditions.
Kerala CM was blamed very badly for not spontaneously visiting Mr.Unnikrshnan's house as he is Malayali.He was heckled , drawn into contrversies and all kind abusive lanuage was used .Now some fundamental questions.Major Sandeep is an Indian, Why PM of Inda did not vist spontaneously to Unnikishanan's house? Question # 2: Major Sandeep is a Hindu, Why Advani, Togadia and all other lot did not vist spontaneously being Hindu?
You have now proved that you are from Kerala and your family is related to Unni.
The Kerala Govt. should sue the media for the gimmick they played. They non only demeaned the CM but also brought disrepute the the Kerala people. Nobody can say whether an answer is right or wrong without knowing what the question was. Here the media totally hid the question and played and replayed only the answer again and again (not to mention, with intermittant 'short-breaks'). It is amply proved that these guys in media belong to the category of animals which CM VS mentioned in his answer. Otherwise, why did they fail to telecast live the funerals of each of the victims of the tragedy on 26/11/08? Is it that these funerals did not carry enough "advertisement value"? If the President of our country had faced such treatment from any martyr's family, what would have been the medias response? Rarely we have got a president without any political history. Now both the CM
Dear sir,am hailing from kerala.firstly i would like to say thanks to media to expose achutanandan's insensitive comment.but his words is not reflecting our feelings.we are salute and proud Sandeep and his father.he is not having a good behaviour.everybody can check his last two month comments.Don't look the keralites basis of his comment.jai hind vandemaratam am proud to be an INDIAN