Before we begin, I have to point out that all this
offense taking and sudden sensitivity to otherwise obscure issues is not a new
development. In the recent times however, we have almost developed it into an art form.
And since it is more than slightly amusing to see everyone convince themselves
that we may be able to change anything by taking offense to it, I have taken it
upon myself to deliver a lecture on the issue. Now that purpose and warnings
are sorted, let’s get cracking.
What was it that Stephen Fry said on being offended?
"It's now very common to hear
people saying 'I'm rather offended by that' as if that gives them certain
rights -- it's simply a whine, it's no more than a whine. 'I find that
offensive'. It has no meaning, it has no purpose, it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I
am offended by that' -- well so fucking what?"
Believe me, I have found to my lasting regret that taking offense
in itself is an exercise in futility. This probably surprises quite a few
people, but I should let it be known that I am not entirely thick-skinned; I do
get offended. Often. By little things. Like uncouth nitwits peeing on street
corners. But the problem is that once you make your errm… esteemed opinion
known to the offenders (say by clapping and shouting “Wah! Wah! loudly) more
often than not, people just come up with vexing things that offend you more
that what you complained about(like say, turning around and flashing you. And
of course all the other people who gathered when you kicked up your little
scene.)
Furthermore and more importantly, a lot of times the point
we are trying to make gets lost(much like what you may have encountered on my
blogposts :|.
Including this one.)Take for example the Ambedkar cartoon row. The cartoon
depicts Nehru whipping Ambedkar who is sitting on and in turn whipping a snail
which is our constitution. The cartoon was probably trying to show how slow the
constitution drafting process was and how it frustrated everyone involved. That
brilliant little snail metaphor from the cartoon remained relevant even after
the drafting was done, because the constitution is a damnably slow read too and
it frustrates the hell out of most people who attempt to do so too. (Statutory
disclaimer: in saying so I don’t mean to insult anyone who was involved in the
process (why start another war, eh?) it is just the nature of these things,
it’s very difficult to have a way with words when you are trying to be legally
sound.)
Anyhow, getting back on track, the offending point here was
that there is an upper class snob, Nehru, whipping a dalit, Ambedkar. And our suddenly
sensitive netas made sure a scene was created in the parliament. I am sure the
news panel discussions, candle light marches all followed. The offending
cartoon was removed. The offending official has his property ransacked.
Let us for a moment try and imagine how this came up. Some
neta, who is of course a champion of the Dalit cause, trying to teach his kid history.
Imagine his horror when he suddenly comes across a cartoon of Ambedkar being
whipped. This is wrong and must be set right he decides.
Now I find this disturbing a many levels. First of course is
the images we encourage and reinforce through such protests. Some person looks
at Ambedkar and immediately thinks Dalit. I am sure he is deserving of much
respect. He must have been brilliant, he had to be, to be entrusted with a task
so important as the drafting of the constitution. But most of us can remember
only one thing about him, as if only that one thing was significant. All
because people keep taking offense on his behalf.
This is entirely similar to the Mamatadi cartoon row. She
took offense to a cartoon. She has done a lot of things in the past few year,
big news worthy stuff. She fought for some measure of justice for the people of
Singur. She overthrew the communist regime. She has been driving around trying
to bring about change. And yet, when we think of her, we think only – Oh that
Loon.
Then there is the issue of what we believe passes for
setting things right. These (non)issues touch a raw nerve because somewhere
they link back to reality. The Ambedkar cartoon was found offensive possibly
because this is how people from the lower castes were treated once upon a time.
Scarily enough, this is how a lot of them are still treated today. Which is
wrong. So wrong. Yet, all we can seem to do is to get the cartoon removed. All
we asked for is to get the cartoon removed. We do nothing to address that reality;
instead we attack any representations of it. We may succeed in getting people not to represent our society in such offensive terms, but just because no one talks
about it, doesn’t mean there is no problem.*
So next time you think about taking offense, either take
some action along with it (and please make it more worthwhile than a candle
march) OR get some Sensodyne for your soul, and for heavens sake SHUT UP and
stop the incessant whining.
(*NB please. If you have been paying close attention, which
I hope is not the case, you will notice that these observations do not tie in
with my initial example. This leads me to believe that I have I have meandered
enough for today. Good night.)
(I just realized, I took offense on taking offense. That is
so…)