In the Congress era, there used to be a favorite slogan – ‘Public property is your own.’ Times have changed. If a leader of the Congress were to say something publicly today, it wouldn’t be considered their personal opinion. No. This doesn’t imply that the party will automatically endorse any statement made by any leader. Instead, it means that if a leader issues a statement, and the ‘party’ does not scrutinise it, the party may not only distance itself from it but might also issue a notice asking for an explanation. And this won’t be done quietly; it will be done publicly. The party’s new stand was on display in Madhya Pradesh recently when a leader was asked to refrain from crossing the ‘line’.
Thakur’s Parliament sprint
During a special session of Parliament, when Prime Minister, along with other ministers, was heading toward the new Parliament building, suddenly Anurag Thakur started walking in the opposite direction, before breaking into a run. Before anyone could make sense of it, Thakur was seen running back toward the new Parliament building. It was a puzzling sight for everyone. Later, it was revealed that the Prime Minister was supposed to enter the new Parliament building with a copy of the Constitution. So, to check whether there was anyone present at the gate of the new Parliament building with the Constitution, Anurag had to sprint back and forth.
Nari Shakti Vandan vs women’s reservation
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 was passed in Parliament. On the historic occasion, there were more female film actors, athletes, and women from various fields present in Parliament building than women MPs. When someone asked a film star about her reaction to the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, she seemed puzzled and said she didn’t have information about it, they had gathered for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The person who asked the question was stumped.
Reservation in English
But it was a Bihar minister who was real confused when his colleague asked him what the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would be called in English. He gave a bewildered look. Isn’t it called the Women’s Reservation Bill? He asked.
Superstitious thoughts on reservation
Meanwhile, the political superstition linked to the Women’s Reservation Bill is back in chatter. Many say that anyone who brings this bill goes out of power. Deve Gowda, Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh are cited as examples. It is also being cited that it is sun that favours the Prime Minister. While it is moon that symbolises women. Scared by this astrological logic, BJP supporters have begun seeking advice from their favorite astrologers.
Classical music or noise?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s plan to introduce classical music and Indian sounds in vehicles as horn to reduce noise pollution may face one challenge. If a driver turns out to be a lover of classical music, they might stop on the road, especially in areas with traffic congestion, just to listen to the tunes blaring from vehicles. And if a reckless music enthusiast takes the wheel, the roads will be filled with honking sounds.
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar.