Motormouth Mayhem

In a democracy as robust and rowdy as India’s, politicians ought to remember that their words matter. Sadly, many have taken the liberty of speaking first and thinking later, leading to an almost comedic display of unfiltered rhetoric. The latest spectacle involves Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who was recently handed a 15-day jail sentence for defaming BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife, Medha Somaiya. This is hardly Raut’s first verbal misfire, and he is far from alone. An unsavoury trend has emerged in Indian politics where leaders across the political spectrum spout off inflammatory or simply irresponsible statements without considering the consequences.

 Raut’s 15-day sentence, along with a fine of ₹25,000, stems from his accusations that the Somaiyas were involved in a ₹100 crore public toilet scam. No stranger to controversy, Raut is known for remarks that veer from the provocative to the unparliamentary. During the Lok Sabha campaign, he compared PM Narendra Modi to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. While colourful language may win applause from a certain type of audience, it seldom aids constructive political discourse. Such barbs erode the already thin veneer of civility in India’s political arena.

BJP’s Kangana Ranaut recently stirred the pot with her comments on the farm laws. After the Modi government had taken the unusual step of repealing these laws following widespread protests, she suggested they should be reconsidered. While the ruling BJP has rightly sought to curtail her, it must question why such voices within its ranks continue to speak out without proper restraint.

 The list of offenders goes on. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, in 2013 had made a spectacularly poor attempt at humour during a rally, suggesting that urinating might be the only way to solve a water shortage. His attempt at levity was met with outrage. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, often known for her biting rhetoric and controversial remarks, got in trouble in the aftermath of the RG Kar incident for suggesting that riots in one state could spill over into others. Across the political landscape, irresponsible statements are becoming routine. It is time for Indian politicians to embrace a little discretion. A healthy democracy requires debate and disagreement, not denigration and defamation. One might argue that colourful language and exaggerated claims are part of India’s vibrant political tradition. But there is a fine line between spirited debate and verbal brawling.

Politicians need to hold themselves, and each other, accountable. Public discourse should focus on policy and governance rather than personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric. If political leaders spent as much time on improving their states as they do in crafting creative insults, perhaps India would be better off. To paraphrase Voltaire, while politicians may not always agree with each other’s words, they should at least try to say them responsibly. After all, a sharp tongue may win a headline or two, but in the long run, responsible words build a legacy.