Recently a young man was physically assaulted by a group of passengers at a terminating station within Kolkata Metro Railway network. His female partner also got injured in the scuffle, the bone of contention being display of affection in public by the couple. While the jury is divided (might not be tie) on this issue, it is indeed amusing to notice the blatant hypocrisy from all quarters.
Not enough money to even feed the baby or child. How can toilet be constructed in this sorry perspective?
So what to do apart from venturing to the field to answer the basic call of nature; that too even at monsoon or cold mid-night, often falling prey to dacoits, rapists, snakes or leopards! Yet these unfortunate poor hapless souls get abused and character-assassinated in these times of “Good Days” and “Clean India” for “polluting” the environment! Far from acknowledging their woes and ensuring toilet for them coupled with running water; the “guardians” of this society barbarically encourage the public to stone them from behind, beat drums or photograph so as to embarrass them! Some states have also issued diktat that those who do not have toilets at home would not be eligible to contest Panchayat polls! Yet nobody protests against such double punishment being awarded to those pathetic lot!
But when young couples of privileged background perform certain emotion-related activities outdoors or in public transport like Metro Railway instead of keeping it indoors; media to “intellectuals” to “liberal” “progressive” people treat them as “heroes” and zealously raise their voice in support of it!
Who will enlighten these “modern” fellows about certain things named bathrooms and bedrooms and the purpose of it? How can activities suitable to those places be performed in public? By which right can those nuisance elements visually and morally pollute the space frequented by all including senior citizens and innocent impressionable children?
On the other hand (apart from self-defence), nobody holds any right to take law in their own hands and physically assault others. Why don’t those “bravehearts”, acting as “self-appointed moral police”, also protest against the continuous bombardment of vulgar songs and obscene dances of “mainstream” Bollywood films on the platforms of Kolkata Metro Railway stations through the installed TV sets?
Supreme irresponsible selfish behaviour without caring about sensitivity of others, physical violence and the crude mindset of “I will do whatever I like, rest go to the dogs” have indeed invaded all spheres of the society!
