Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over – National Institute of Mental Health.
Symptoms of this disorder are becoming increasingly evident in some of our leaders. They are obsessed to the point of distraction from their officially mandated role, with one family, maybe because they miss the company of their own (for altruistic reasons of course) or they genuinely suffer the effects of the disorder described above – else what can explain the negative tweets, speeches, blogs, press conferences and debates harping on one family that, strictly speaking, has no impact on the polity or politics of today? Or do they fear it has? Hard to tell. Maybe too, it is a question of upping one’s self-esteem? Social Media Q&A website, Quora explains this phenomenon as thus: “What might one gain from putting another down? Quite simply, a confidence boost. A false belief that they are, in fact, better than the other.”
The FM bracketed former PM Indira Gandhi with Adolf Hitler, for imposing emergency 43 years ago. Yes, the same man to whom Netaji went for help to defeat the British. It was hell’s anniversary this week. He averred that they both suspended civil liberties, imposed press censorship and chained (metaphorically speaking) the judiciary without abrogating the constitution. True technically. But, maybe you would agree – if you are on a logical plane rather than an emotional one – that the comparison should be broadened to include the current leadership, for what good is reminiscing the past if not to hold a mirror to the present and remind us of our future?
A comparison between the three strong men (Gender neutral – always politically correct!) will indicate that there was one crucial difference – Former PM Indira Gandhi, declared it by proclamation – in accordance with the constitution of course – and then implemented it – with brutality and utter disregard for human rights or civil liberties no doubt. All this after the bogey of anarchy was fabricated on the basis of adverse judicial decisions and a public protests against the government. The other two in the comparison did not proclaim it. Wise men they are – there will be no anniversary to remember… 43 years down the line!
During the emergency of 1975, protestors and dissenters were arbitrarily thrown in jail resulting in the creation of a whole new breed of politicians (they continue to protest while in opposition and are quiet while in government; but there is also a newer breed that protests while in government – that is unique but certainly not the creation of the emergency). Censorship of the press critical of the government and its policies was intense and done openly and the judiciary was under immense pressure to back the government. Are all those elements present today too? This is a question to those logically inclined, of course.
There is the threat bogey of course. Besides, a protest now invites bullets or silence from those mandated to prevent it – depending on where and for what it occurs. Civil liberties are curbed by mobs, Senas or the latest avatar – a task force – actively or passively backed by the state; government agencies hound everyone critical of the government on one count or another (of course they do go after genuine criminals too, but more for the superhero image than from a genuine desire to bring them to book according to the law); the press often censors itself in fear – else, what can explain the blackout of news by major news channels or newspapers that has public interest at its core because the person or persons involved are in the public domain; and the judiciary – everyone knows what’s happening there – the pain is felt but, it cannot show up on the x-ray – the machine itself will be scrapped 🙂 And the constitution is still intact…
The MHA has raised the threat level of the PM (not the office he holds – there is a difference, I assume) and tightened security around him, media reports say, so much so that even ministers and bureaucrats will not be able to meet him without a ‘yes’ from the SPG. That’s a tragedy for democracy as democracy is built on the interaction between the elected leaders and the people who elect them – not of the monlogous kind, but the dialogus kind. However, this new restriction is not expected to disrupt governance, much as most people have reconciled to the former style of interaction by now.
The MHA has, however, not raised the threat level of the public or provided them with more protection. Their threat level, according to the MHA, is the lowest in the history of the country while the general perception is that everyone feels threatened in some way or the other – the majority, the minority, filmmakers, cattle herders and traders, women, inter-faith couples, honest tax payers, civil liberties protestors, tribals, settlers etc. Their Special Protection Group is mostly themselves! Though some have their own private armies 🙂
Heavy rains lashed the Indian western coast from Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai (it’s been a really long time since I saw the monsoon this active along the coast) and many lost their lives, walls, homes and possessions, while society itself lost trees, roads and bridges to the almost incessant rain. The expression ‘down the drain’ received a new definition, when the water refused to go down the drain, but stayed on the road or occupied homes. This, because the tax payer’s money had preceded it down the drain.
The heavy start to the South West Monsoon, however, augurs well for prices, water storage and the government. So many problems get resolved on their own even as the rain creates its own new ones. Nature is a good teacher, but we are bad students.
Towards the end of the week, politics erupted over the video of the surgical strike carried out way back in Sept 2016. The Public is now confused. It’s not clear how or why the video appeared on all channels all of a sudden – especially when it is footage from Helmet Cameras. Was it leaked like the Question papers before it, or was it released by the authorities officially? I couldn’t find the answer on Google… and Google knows everything. The Channels don’t seem to want to answer that question either… and anybody who asks the question is perhaps in for a surgical strike… or a super exclusive news break – News just came in of a surgical strike on a local Newspaper office in Maryland, USA in which 5 staffers were killed. The video will be out shortly.
Meanwhile, the plastic ban has come into force in Maharashtra – ironically in the midst of the rainy season, when it is needed the most – to save the environment. Some say paper is more of an environmental hazard as it involves the cutting of trees to make it. The debate rages on even as the newspaper and people get wet, as maybe even the raincoat is banned! People have to regress to the age when plastic was not available to learn how to live!
Last Word:
The rupee attained a new low (or high – depending on the viewing angle) in the week under review. It is now in the best position ever – for exports – it trades at 69 to the dollar and that’s a great position for Indian Exports.
Hold on to your dollar dude – ‘tis in a good position. Have a good weekend and a great week ahead.
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