Editor,
One is thoroughly amused by Dy CEM, Sniawbhalang Dhar’s declaration that he is totally ignorant of the existence of a ‘VIP Culture’ in our state, (ST Nov 22,2024). I for one entirely agree with him that perhaps there is no Very Important Person in our political menu but where only Ministers, MLAs and Chairpersons exist. Spoken like any blue blooded politician! Perhaps what Sniawbhalang Dhar meant is not Very Important Person (VIP) but the existence of ‘Villains in Politics’! Yes such villains do exist. They throw money during election time, buy votes or use muscle power to win an election. Then they claim that they have been elected through popular mandate and based on the oft corrupted slogan of “Vox populi, Vox Dei”, begin to act as God himself. Yes such people are many both in the State Assembly and in the District Councils. They either walk among us or simply whizz past us.
Using the siren to shove you out of the National Highway; teach the common man and the pedestrian to be quick and nimble on their feet or run the risk of being run over by a Government vehicle; setting by example how to make a substandard road that gets washed away with the first monsoon rains; use crores of public money under the Smart City Project to simply set up a few “Smart City” signboards next to heaps of stinking garbage; use Cabinet positions to siphon off hundreds of crores of public money for personal benefit. Yes I agree one hundred percent with Sniawbhalang Dhar’s definition of VIP. It does not stand for Very Important person. “Villains in Politics” is more appropriate.
Yours etc.,
Vanesa Khongdup,
Via email
Toxic masculinity at its worst!
Editor,
It is a shame that an 18-year-old MBBS student of a medical college in Gujarat’s Patan district died while being ragged by his seniors. The accused, all second-year MBBS students, allegedly made some juniors, including the victim, stand in a hostel room for more than three hours on November 16 and subjected them to mental and physical torture.
It is a wrong notion that victims of toxic masculinity are only women. A 17-year-old Jadavpur University male student, who fell to his death from the second floor of the university’s main hostel, had allegedly been sexually assaulted and ragged by the senior students in the hostel before his death in August last year.
Those two male students are also victims of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, the perpetrator of toxic masculinity can even be a woman, like Lynndie England, whose photographs showing her torturing the prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq war shocked the world.
That toxic masculinity is gender neutral has aptly been shown by Konkona Sen Sharma in her film, ‘A death in the Gunj’. The main male character in the film, Shutu, becomes a victim of toxic masculinity at the hands of his relatives.
People should demand justice for those two male students who were killed in their alma mater after being ragged. A society needs to protest as much against the ragging-murder of a male student as against the rape-murder of any female student. Both rape and ragging are ugly manifestations of toxic masculinity.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Political populism hinders mindset change
Editor,
The editorial “Traditions, identity crisis” (ST 22, November 2024) made interesting reading. I found two important points raised in the editorial “Conservative mindsets do not change even through generations” and Indian politicians “lack the grit and determination to change India so that it is in tune with the changing times”. Conservative mindsets can persist through generations due to a combination of cultural, psychological and social factors. Values and beliefs are often passed down from parents to children. Families and communities play a significant role in shaping an individual’s worldview, and conservative values can be deeply ingrained through this process. People tend to associate with others who share similar beliefs and values. This social reinforcement can create an echo chamber where conservative ideas are continuously validated and reinforced. Conservative mindsets often emphasize tradition and stability. Individuals with these mindsets may be more resistant to change and prefer maintaining the status quo. Familiar beliefs and values provide a sense of security and predictability. Changing one’s mindset can be uncomfortable and challenging, leading individuals to cling to their established views. Institutions such as schools, religious organizations, and political parties can also play a role in perpetuating conservative values. These institutions often have significant influence over individuals’ beliefs and behaviours. Change can be perceived as risky or threatening. Conservative mindsets may arise from fear of the unknown and a desire to protect what is familiar and known. These factors, among others, contribute to the persistence of conservative mindsets across generations.
As for the second point raised in the editorial, Indian politicians often face several challenges that can hinder their ability to drive significant change as frequent party-switching undermines the stability and integrity of the political system, making it difficult to implement long-term policies. Many politicians are entrenched in traditional values and practices, which can resist modern reforms. There has been a decline in moral responsibility and accountability among politicians, leading to a reluctance to take bold actions. Then there is bureaucratic red tape and institutional inertia that slows down or blocks progressive changes. Politicians often face public pressure to maintain the status quo from various interest groups and constituents who may be resistant to change. These factors create a complex environment where driving significant change requires not just determination but also strategic navigation of the political landscape.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email