Foot-in-the-mouth disease

Was R R Patil trying to be filmy when he made an utterly callous remark like Bade shehron aisi choti batein hoti rehti hain? Or was he just following the footsteps of his immediate boss...

Why do politicians say the wrong things at the wrong time?

Was R R Patil trying to be filmy when he made an utterly callous remark like Bade shehron aisi choti batein hoti rehti hain? Or was he just following the footsteps of his immediate boss, Vilasrao Deshmukh, who toured the terror sites with actor son Ritiesh Deshmukh and director Ram Gopal Varma in tow? Hardly had one got over the insensitivity of the above that we had Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi making a derogatory comment on women who came out to offer homage to the victims of Mumbai attacks “wearing lipstick” followed by Kerela chief minister V S Achuthanandan shooting off his mouth with a remark that has ballooned into a huge controversy.

Just what is it that makes our politicians succumb to the foot-in-the-mouth disease at such crucial times? Times when they need most to show whatever little sensitivity they are capable of? And should we, the public just ignore these paltry and petty comments given the source they come from or make this blatant abuse of the freedom of speech punishable in a concrete manner? A cross section of Puneites react.

Anup Raj, manager

While they are holding such important positions as leaders, they must be really careful about their words. Such statements are definitely going to hurt many people and the ones who lost their lives. Ignoring their statement will mean encouraging them, so they should be punished for making such foolish remarks and using their powers in a wrong way.

Farida Postwala, doctor

I think public should not be ignorant about such statements. And even though they are political leaders, a punishment has to be given for making the wrong use of freedom of speech. If the public ignores them once, even the future politicians wouldn’t learn anything. In fact we, the public should decide the punishment.

Sankalp Dutt, student

I think politicians these days are not competent enough and they don’t know what words to use when and where. Hence we should just ignore them and actually pity for them. I think we can do a better job. It’s a sentimental issue, and politicians like R R Patil, Achuthanandan and Naqvi are just testing the patience of people.

Sagar Rathod, graduate

Well, when I heard the comment by R R Patil, it just prompted nothing more that the height of ignorance of a minister’s role and responsibility. His exit was a truly deserved one. But in spite of it, I think a legal action should also be taken against them because Indian politicians, who should otherwise focus on safety and security of the citizens, give undue time in making such senseless statements.

Pragya Agarwal, consultant

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All this reflects on nothing more than irresponsibility. Such politicians should leave politics and write dialogues for B-grade films. That’s the best post they deserve.

Sunil Khandbhale, entrepreneur

They can certainly not be ignored because they are representatives and ideally need to be the idols of the society, but at the same time cannot be punished also. They must be asked to give answers and explanations to people. .