Insensitive statements of political leaders
Some of the recent incidents in Karnataka are the best examples of what transpires when political leaders lose sensitivity. Two cases of audio clippings have not only created political turmoil, but have also exposed the calloused attitude of political leaders.
Speaker Ramesh Kumar set of a stream of tears since his name was mentioned in the audio tape expose case by the state government. He spoke rather emotionally and sent the whole audio issue off track the assembly.
Since issues such as audio recording have challenged the democracy, they have to be discussed rather pragmatically than emotionally. Ramesh Kumar may not have received money from the BJP.
But why should that stop the whole issue from being investigated? Then what would the difference be, between Ramesh Kumar and Narendra Modi?
The metaphor he gave to convince that any further investigation will cause him more humiliation was highly deplorable. Those are not the words that a statesman like him can throw around freely. A rape survivor apparently lodged a complaint and the matter went to the court. In the court, she was questioned many more times about the same incident that she felt even more humiliated though the rape happened only once. Someone asked her if she got justice, she apparently said the rape happened only once but the court hearing forced her to relive that incident multiple times in the court.
This story is what Ramesh Kumar said as a response to the allegations made about him in the audio tape. This example is not too far from the truth. Humiliating the survivor and making her deeply regret the fact that she even made an attempt to complain against the ghastly crime that happened her well within a judiciary system is a fact enough.
The courts are now insisting that the rape survivors be treated with more respect and dignity than what has been the norm so far. Ramesh Kumar says he has been treated like a rape survivor. He has taken the plight of a rape survivor rather so lightly, almost sounding like a joke.
So does that mean the survivor shouldn’t have lodged a complaint at all if she is going to be humiliated in the court time and again? Isn’t it the responsibility of the judicial system that pushed her into this plight?
Ramesh Kumar’s analogy is somewhat smart as well. He is insisting that the audio should not be investigated by Special Investigation Team. If that happens, the speaker feels the officers may question him in various ways that may cause him further agony.
This is an illogical argument that does not weigh well on the case. His image is not any bigger than the constitution. So to save his image, one cannot overthrow the constitutional requirements and protect his image over a sovereign government. He should have been more matured about this and in fact he should have sought a thorough enquiry and through that protected his clean image.
If this matter is not investigated, the dark side of this issue will haunt him forever. If the issue is investigated, and he is proved innocent, it may even get him a cleaner image. His dramatic behavior regarding this has led to serious doubts about the issue.
At the same time, an elected representative from Hassan is facing people’s ire for having spoken rather insensitively about former PM Deve Gowda and CM Kumaraswamy. People may nurse some dissent towards a political party. That’s natural. And they may even create strategies to defeat the competition through various means.
But how does one hope for the death of a senior politician? “Deve Gowda is old and will die soon. Kumaraswamy may also not last longer because he isn’t in great health,” the MLA has reportedly said.
This person must remember sometimes people who wait to see someone’s death die before the person himself! One cannot even get the context of state politics by keeping aside the JD(S) and former PM Deve Gowda.
His contribution to state and central politics is huge. BJP has taken to streets supporting their MLA who has wished death to Deve Gowda. JD(S) activists too have attacked him for having spoken this way. This is not right either.
Both have to be brought to book. At the same time, BJP should have apologized that their MLA spoke in this disrespecting manner to one of the towering figures of Indian politics. This was the least they could do. They should have condemned the words of their MLA before condemning the assault on their activists and workers. It is shameful; that instead of being a sensible party, BJP went to support their MLA and are encouraging them to indulge in violence.
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Rohit identifies Arshdeep, Hardik as key to India's chances in T20 World Cup
New Delhi (PTI): T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.
"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."
Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.
"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."
India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.
"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."
Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.
"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.
"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."
The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.
"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."
Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.
"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.
"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.
"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
