“Laughter is an instant vacation,” said Milton Berle. Here at NK, we would like to contribute to lightening your mood in preparation for a meaningful and relaxed weekend. So here’s the tongue-in-cheek look at the events of the week gone by that you’ve been waiting for :)
Many years after a simple Italian girl got married in India, two prominent/eminent Indian girls have got married in Italy. Exercise your grey cells to add colour to their saris, the myriad colours of which have already washed out debates on a plot to kill the PM by urban Naxals, a term coined to describe individuals who have a politically incorrect thought process… According to the invigilators!
I’m not sure if the couples flew in an Italian Helicopter that the Indian Establishment has grounded, and if there were middlemen who got the venue and logistics approved – Maybe it was a government to government deal – Four of ours for one of yours! The offsets built into the marriage contract will, however, flow back to the country in the form of receptions. That’s part of the deal! In fact, very few were in the know or attended the wedding – just as it should be – a state secret – the costs, the menu, the guest list and the recordings and none of this is subject to judicial review…
Kramer vs Kramer is not going to fade from the box office anytime soon. It’s becoming a bigger blockbuster by the day – with the Director (in this movie the Director is the lead actor as the roles have reversed) being complimented and briq-batted at the same time (Not unusual in a government report), resolving nothing, and enriching employment among the scriptwriter (who in all cases stays in the background – no credits given or asked even – humble as ever and never humbled!) and protagonists in the movie. The villain seems to get stronger by the day which is in accordance with the script, but the climax may bring a twist in the tale!
Meanwhile as two state governments withdrew general permission to the CBI to enter their states at will, because of doubts in their integrity and capability – something all state governments always had depending upon their political orientation (SLGBT), as do normal honest citizens, but did not act upon for fear of retribution (its legal under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act which governs the CBI), the Act and their Acts are the stuff Bollywood films are made up of – David vs Goliath – However in real life unlike in reel life, Goliath always wins unless it’s a matter of faith and in this case – no one has faith in the agency!
Faith vs the law is another debate that has taken the internet, television, a revered deity and its governing board by storm. It’s a gripping drama. But it seems all the protagonists in this drama especially the lead ones – television and political parties – have got the essence of, wrong as usual.
The Debate should be – faith in the law, or the law in faith. The debate was very beautifully framed by one legal pundit yesterday on television – The Court has ruled that (Rule 3 (b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorization of Entry) Rules 1965) was violative of Constitutional morality. The Judges, among other things relied on Section 3 of the Kerala Hindu Places of Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act of 1965. Section 3 of that Act stipulates that places of public worship must be open to all sections and classes of Hindus, notwithstanding any custom or usage to the contrary. It was held that Rule 3 (b) prohibiting the entry of women was directly contrary to this. That is what Courts are supposed to do – interpret and rule on the constitutional validity of legislation or its regulation.
In view of the ruling he said, it’s legal for Devotees, all devotees, to enter the temple, but it is up to the devotees themselves to abstain or sacrifice their legal right to go there in deference to the deity’s wishes and in accordance with their faith. If they do not, constitutionally and legally they cannot be prevented except by force – blockades or push backs or any other means, and there seem to be many, fuelled by Social Media, Electronic Media and Politics and not necessarily in that order, with the result that the Supreme Court is faced with a catch 22 situation – Its order has created disorder and there is now a bunch of petitions for its review. What will be the outcome of the review, given that the preview is attracting packed houses?
As the elections to the 5 states draws near, the garb, barb, blame and meme game have gathered pace. And it’s interesting. While the survey monkeys are quiet for the moment, they will erupt with a vengeance on Dec 7 and bite back. But like in Gujarat before, tea always takes the debate to a new level. According to some tea has created a level playing field for democrats, while autocrats shun it. The reality may be different, but perception is all that matters in a democracy especially with when you vote through an EVM!
Women in India have some great representation on the cricket field if not in the parliament. They are in the semis of the ICC T20 Women’s World cup and they have got there in style, winning all their league matches. Some great knocks and some great come backs and a record for Mithali Raj who became the highest T20 run getter, beating India’s darling Kohli to it! And while they slug it out on the cricket field in the hot sun of the Caribbean, another woman Chef Garima Arora has become the first Indian woman to win a Michelin star for her restaurant Gaa in Bangkok, Thailand. How are the two connected? Well, it’s only if you eat well, can you play well is my guess. After, all we have a subsidised canteen in parliament don’t we?
Last Word
There is another debate brewing – Activist vs Terrorist. Is an activist a terrorist and vice versa? The Debate seems settled thus – Activists are Nationalists while Terrorists are Anti-Nationalists. You have a different view – don’t air it – you will be dubbed one of the ist’s, most likely the latter! So beware…
And on that settled note let me wish you a happy weekend and great week ahead.
The author may be contacted on brian@newskarnataka.com
