I’d planned on staying off blog for the duration, and re-surfacing only after my move to Bangalore was complete. And even the farcical happenings at the Firozeshah Kotla didn’t tempt me back onto this platform — but the whole “controversy” about Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor and his recent post on Twitter is a whole other story.
Everyone and his uncle seem up in the air about those 140 characters, so how about backing up a bit and taking a look at the back-story?
George Headley, a United States citizen, reportedly entered India multiple times to scope out possible terrorist targets. So our government in its infinite wisdom decided to “do something about it”.
The “something” was a tweak to existing laws, which now mandate that holders of multiple entry visas cannot re-enter the country within a two-month period of their last exit. That is to say, if you leave India tonight, you have to wait two months before you can come back in. [You can, however, apply to the Indian consulate/embassy in your native country for an exemption].
First question: does this cripple the plans of terrorists? Have we, by asking a potential terrorist to wait two months between one recce mission and the next, made this part of the world any safer?
Clearly, the answer to that is no. This is classic governmental syllogism in action: We have a problem. We must do something. This is something. Therefore we must do this.
The government had no clue what Headley was doing when he was here. Despite the best post-facto investigative efforts of various “intelligence” agencies in this country including the newly formed NIA, no hint of Headley’s involvement surfaced on our radar — in fact, the revelations re Headley have come as an embarrassment to our cops, who in their FIR had named others as being responsible for scoping out the 26/11 targets.
Now that the extent of Headley’s activities has become common knowledge, the government, typically, has to be seen to “do something” — and as per usual, the “something” happens to be a half-baked measure that does not address the problem.
What it has done is created a national embarrassment. Britain and the US have officially protested — and their protests are based on complaints by their citizens [including, in the case of the US, various Indian Americans living in that country]. These include the story of a family who came on a month long visit to India. While here, they decided to take in the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka, and flew to Colombo. Three days later, when they tried to re-enter India — where the bulk of their luggage was stored in their hotel — they were told that they could not get in; they had to go back to wherever they came from, wait two months, and then come back if they wished to continue their holiday and/or reclaim their property.
That is one story among the dozens that are pouring into foreign missions on a daily basis — stories of people unable to enter the country for a wedding, a funeral, because two months have not yet elapsed since their last visit; stories of unaccompanied kids turned back at the airport because they had visited India en famille within the statutory period and so were deemed a threat if they re-entered…
Much of these problems arose because the government did not take the trouble to brief its consulates about the intent behind the rule change; nor did the Home Ministry/MEA properly brief the immigration officials at our international airports, leading to considerable confusion in the application of the new law.
An embarrassed government has since had to back track, and dilute the provisions of its hastily passed, ill-conceived edict.
So much for the back story. Now for Tharoor’s tweet. These are his posts:
#Is all that worth it just in hope of making it difficult for a future Headley to recce? R we going 2 allow terrorists 2 make us less welcoming?
# Making it more difficult 2 visit India, return here frequently or stay long hurts large nbrs of innocents, costs us millions of$ & alienates.
Those are his posts. Did the minister say something that is demonstrably wrong? Clearly, no.
So what then is the fuss about? Why did SM Krishna feel the need to reprimand his junior?
The answer, I suspect, lies in the growing gap between an antediluvian India and the more modern one. Our governments, state and central, are packed with ministers of varying levels of literacy; they fear the light of questioning and tend, wherever possible, to shut themselves away from the public gaze. The very concept of talking directly to the public is — horrors! — anathema to them.
Therein lies the central irony of this manufactured controversy: the crime Tharoor has committed, apparently, is to talk to the people of this country without the intervening filter of the “media”.
So why do we call ourselves a democracy, again?
For instance, had a journalist approached Tharoor after the new visa norms were introduced and asked him if he, as a minister, thought the new rule would make India safer, what should he have said?
Yes? That is a patently stupid answer, since it clearly does nothing of the kind. What if he had answered, no? What if he had said to the journalist what he ended up saying on Twitter? The media would have lauded him for his frankness, and trained its guns on the twit who framed the asinine law in the first place.
While I was writing this post, I had a call from TimesNow, asking me to appear on Arnab Goswami’s show tonight, on a panel that will debate this issue. The Times journo who called told me there are two sides to this debate: one, the side I am on, which says there is no harm in a minister speaking his mind, whether in a news forum or directly through social media. And the other, he said, was the side, represented by the Krishnas of this world, which says Tharoor had broken the rule governing what ministers can talk about.
Wait a minute, I asked — is there a rule that says ministers cannot speak on Twitter or through any other means, directly to the people?
The journalist said, actually, no there isn’t.
Repeat: there is no rule, no norm anywhere that prevents Tharoor from posting his thoughts directly to the people who elected him. Yes, there is the Official Secrets Act — but that does not cover a law that is public knowledge anyway, nor does it cover a man’s opinion, even if that man happens to be a minister.
So here’s the question: by what law do the Krishnas of this world seek to hinder Tharoor’s freedom of speech?
Frankly, this nonsense needs to stop. And the media — large sections of which appear to be angst-ridden that a minister, rather than give them “exclusives”, talks directly to the public — needs to play the lead role in stopping this, where today it is acting as an echo chamber that amplifies “controversies” where none need exist.
You can, too. Follow Shashi Tharoor on Twitter — at last count, over 500,000 people already do. In doing that, we encourage openness among those we select to represent us in Parliament, to make our laws for us. And you flip the bird at those in government who would treat us, the citizens of this country, as farmers treat mushrooms: by keeping us in the dark and feeding us unadulterated bullshit.
81 comments
Absolutely! Well said!
Right On, Prem! Time for the bullshitting old guard to play with their grandkids and not our country! Enuff said!
Superbly put .
Go Prem! Hope you stick it up the politicians’ backsides on the show!
Absolutely spot on!
1. High time the old media (and platforms of traditional journalists) realized that internet is the new media and must be given due respect
2. While as a society has to learn to ask questions than submit to unwritten idiotic rules just in the name of protocol/culture/discipline/religion/whatever
superb!
this should be highlighted in a more public forum. Prem, i suggest you accept the invitation of Times Now so that you can say this to a wider audience.
once again – superb.
How effective is his tweeting? It’s great he is candid with his opinions and all that, but apart from tweeting (and it took me 2 mins to understand that garbled nonsense), what does Shashi Tharoor actually do?
Politics will be politics. People will fight across and within party lines and will do everything they can to get stay relevant and get re-elected. I don’t condone Krishna’s remarks, but meh, such chatter is part of any democracy.
I think we’re all pissing in our pants just because someone in the ministry can use an electronic device. I want to know, after all that attention whoring, does Tharoor actually get any work done?
Didn’t you hear about his exemplary work at Sharm el Shaikh!
Eaxctly. How many voters in India follow Twitter. How many twitter followers bother to vote? Like Prem says, this is the media feeling left out because the Minister is talking to the public directly instead of through them. Can you imagine what would happen to the media if all ministers started doing this? No more exclusives; no more leaks; no more interviews – in short, soon no more media. It is this horror that makes them overreact to Tharoor’s Twitters and create a controversy everytime he tweets about anything remotely related to government matters. What I don’t understand is, why as members of the public, are you all siding with the filter media instead of whole heartedly supporting and encouraging Tharoor so more ministers follow his example and engage in direct communication with us, the public.
Lol dude, you are funny. Do you want Tharoor to talk to you or do his job and run the country/state/ministry that YOU elected him to run? My position , unlike many, is not influenced by what media said and so shouldn’t yours. Make your own mind up. It’s not about media leaks, exclusives etc – you are just obfuscating the issue. If all ministers start tweeting about their policy disagreements with the govt then GOD help us coz that means shit has hit the fan and the govt is utterly dysfunctional. Direct communication with people – you are having a laugh surely! Like this? Instead of furiously defending his position internally and influencing such decisions coz he is in the power to do so (unlike you and me) he’s doing something that’s very easy – typing ill thought 140 chars and pressing a submit button. Did you elect him to do that or bring the so called change?
Actually he’s doing both. He’s opposing it in the ministry, as he said in his original tweet, and also told us about it, and explained why. His points are valid and common sense. The rule change has no rationale. Its typical bureaucratic knee jerk. If it achieves something, or if they can actually explain the rationale behind it, I’d understand. As it is, I have no sympathy or faith in Krishna or his babus.
Yes.
May be he is not able to bring change because the other fools in the ministry do not understand or agree with what he says!
What can an individual do when there are a 100 fools around him?
I believe the biggest cause for the current situation is the LACK OF LEADERSHIP in India. Yes, I want to vote. But I don’t find someone eligible!! What can I do? I would elect someone who is better than the others even though I feel bad that this guy is not the best.
Hi, all this hair-splitting about Tharoor’s tweet being personal &/or official reminds me of the classic Yes Minister quote –
“Sir Humphrey: The head of state must greet a head of state even if he’s not here as the head of state.
Bernard: It’s all a matter of hats, Minister.
Jim: Hats?
Bernard: Yes you see, he is coming here wearing his head of government hat, he is the head of state too, but it’s not a state visit because he’s not wearing his head of state hat protocol demands that even though he’s wearing his head of government hat, he must still be met by the crown”
I love the series because many of the quotes & situations are so apt in the context of Indian politics. Another classic example probably highlights the Indian way of doing things –
“”It is axiomatic in government that hornets’ nests should be left unstirred, cans of worms should remain unopened, and cats should be left firmly in bags and not set among the pigeons. Ministers should also leave boats unrocked, nettles ungrasped, refrain from taking bulls by the horns, and resolutely turn their backs to the music.”
Don’t agree at all. Tharoor is a minister for God’s sake. Expressing angst on twitter is what you and me do. He should focus on debating and influencing from within. He seems to be more keen on playing to his audience on Twitter. You seem to be missing the point by focusing on whether what he said was right or not. Is that really the point here? If Tharoor disagrees on major policy matters, he needs to either resign or fiercely debate them within the party, and if the verdict is against him (as it can be sometimes, not saying no party has disagreements) he needs to take one for the team. He cant have his cake and eat it too. People say he’s apolitical but by doing this he is clearly taking the easy option and trying to be a hero and definitely playing to a certain audience for long term political gain.
Are you seriously that brainwashed? SM Krishna’s quote splashed all over Indian news media today more or less says “Policy should not be discussed in the public domain”. !! WTF!!?!?! In a democracy?? PUBLIC policy, should not be discussed in the PUBLIC domain? Rules that impact me should be concocted in secrecy? I pay taxes. I vote. I volunteer. I suffer these idiots who LEAD me. Why? Because India is, at least in name, a democracy. In a democracy, the public has a say in public policy. Then this geriatric retard opens his mouth and stuffs his entire crippled leg in it. Krishna should resign for the sheer stupidity of what he said and what he is trying to defend.
Nope not brainwashed. So you think policy debates by ministers should be carried out in 140 character tweets written like high school teenage girls are discussing prom nights? When did going against your own govt idiotically on the wrong forum start getting classified as “public debate”. If that’s the sort of debate that you are aspiring to get in the disguise of “democracy”, this is what you’ll get.
Sorry, but I feel that some visibility is better than none. Any sort of debate on policies that impact me as an NRI is better than “policy should not be discussed in the public domain”. I guess my faith in babus and netas as guardians of my best interest, is way less than yours. And why is Twitter the wrong forum? I’d say that for a very busy executive level functionary whose time is measured in tiny bites, it is the perfect forum. He’s atleast talking to me. I guess you don’t aspire to any debate unless the proper protocol is observed and schoolgirls are disbarred. Perhaps a move to Afghanistan or Fata might be in order? They share your views on schoolgirls there.
You are right Rahul. The system that the politicians are not ready to change is the real change we need. If everyone from a political Party says something, doesn’t mean that it is perfectly good for the country. There is also a chance that it can’t be right for the country. There is where the people like Shashi Tharoor stands up and say their views which is benefitial for the Country and its citizens.
The irresponsible politicians (sorry to say ‘Politrickicians’) are the ones who made my India delayed the boost that we have now.
They (the corrupted politicians) are forgetting the fact that they are no more party members only but forms the governing body of the Country once elected. They need to stand together towards the betterment of the Country. Unfortunately, there are only few have the right attitude and Mr. Tharoor belongs to them and this furiate the polititians majority who are illitereate in general. (like a Frog in the abandoned Well !!)
You are not right Rahul. Apologies for missing words. Gaurav is RIGHT. The system that the politicians are not ready to change is the real change we need. If everyone from a political Party says something, doesn’t mean that it is perfectly good for the country. There is also a chance that it can’t be right for the country. There is where the people like Shashi Tharoor stands up and say their views which is benefitial for the Country and its citizens.
The irresponsible politicians (sorry to say ‘Politrickicians’) are the ones who made my India delayed the boost that we have now.
They (the corrupted politicians) are forgetting the fact that they are no more party members only but forms the governing body of the Country once elected. They need to stand together towards the betterment of the Country. Unfortunately, there are only few have the right attitude and Mr. Tharoor belongs to them and this furiate the polititians majority who are illitereate in general. (like a Frog in the abandoned Well !!)
Well said! If only SM Krishna, who is ostensibly among the more sensible ministers in the cabinet were to not be so against this, our right to free speech could’ve been more honourably enforced.
You are there Prem. Well said. Sashi Tharoor says things openly to the public where as majority of our politicians are cowards and self oriented. Mr. Tharoor is showing them to behave as a public servant, not owners of public. And hereis my special thanks to you for promoting Mr. Tharoor for more twitters.
Here is an other one:-
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=206865517566
Great one !! We shud all come out this way in the open to support the ONLY Politician of our times to represents Modern India and connects with him…
We shudnt let the media take him down.. Shashi is too precious to lose !!
As far as I know, Sashi Tharoor is a minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs. Everyone is taking up the cudgel on behalf of his right to tweet a policy matter. Has anyone bothered to check whether Sashi Tharoor has taken up the issue and made his point known WITHIN the Ministry. If he has not done, then S M Krishna has all the right to ask him to raise it at the appropriate level and not to tweet around. If he has done and then he has been overruled, then Sashi Tharoor has no business to air his views publically. It is a collective decision, he has made his dissent, but the decision stands. That is how professionals work. It is not as if all our opinions are heeded all the time.
If Tharoor has tweeted about it, then he should be prepared to accept both the bouquets and brickbats that emanates from it. Like he has a right to freedom of speech, S M Krishna, who is his boss has a right to his freedom of speech too. Why are we cribbing then?
Very well said Swamy!
Only your part on this entire page makes sense! 🙂
It is no way all will agree for everything. Swamy’s and your Comments reminds me of the famous phrase in malayalam “If someone beat his/her own mother, there will be two opinions.” here is also the same but it doesn’t mean that you are right. !!
Jacob
I never claimed I am right. I just gave my point of view just like every one else. People can concur with it or oppose it. That is their privilege
Shashi Tharoor represents a parliamentary constituency with a significant expatriate population, in a state whose economy is highly dependent on tourism, and on remittances from those expatriates. The center’s new diktats severely impacts tourists and expatriate Indians. If Tharoor made his views known only privately, how would his constituents know that he was standing up for them? Isn’t tweeting better than leaking? I’m his constituent, and I will take his opinions on this matter in his favor the next time I go to vote.
Shashi Tharoor represents a parliamentary constituency with a significant expatriate population, in a state whose economy is highly dependent on tourism, and on remittances from those expatriates. The center’s new diktats severely impacts tourists and expatriate Indians. If Tharoor made his views known only privately, how would his constituents know that he was standing up for them? Isn’t tweeting better than leaking? I’m his constituent, and I will take his opinions on this matter in his favor the next time I go to vote.
It is no way all will agree for everything. Your comments reminds me of the famous phrase in malayalam “If someone beat his/her own mother, there will be two opinions.” here is also the same but it doesn’t mean that you are right. !! You can argue for arguments sake !!
cant be said better than this..
tharoor and his tweets are making a hell lot of guys there uncomfortable..
Yes you are perfectly right. The following Re-Tweet from Mr. Tharoor will explain why he is silent.
Yes you are perfectly right. The following R-Tweet from Mr. Tharoor will explain why he is silent.
ShashiTharoor RT @raheelk: About time 2stop manfctrng controversies arnd sweets of @shashitharoor. He’just trying to make democracy accessible. THX RAHEEL
I completely agree with the points raised by Sashi Tharoor. All valid and I think the new visa rules are regressive.
However, assuming he has raised his points and discontent prior to the decision being made, shouldnt he now, as a team player, either be supportive or silent? Instead of voicing it in the open and embarrassing the government? Isnt that what all teams – in sports and corporate – are told to do?
Yes you are right. The following R-Tweet from Mr. Tharoor will explain why he is silent.
Yes you are right. The following R-Tweet from Mr. Tharoor will explain why he is silent.
ShashiTharoor RT @raheelk: About time 2stop manfctrng controversies arnd sweets of @shashitharoor. He’just trying to make democracy accessible. THX RAHEEL
Since when did our Rulers ever get embarrassed of their governance or non governance .), they have managed to get away, and are still getting away with ‘murder’ literally speaking ???
The principle of collective responsibility does not prohibit public dissent. There’s collective responsibility in the US government too, but that does not prevent members of the US government from dissenting on policy issues. Dick Cheney publicly disagreed with George W. Bush’s anti-LGBT policies and did not face any problems for doing that either from Bush or from his party’s conservative base. The scientists who worked for India’s nuclear program have collective responsibility too, but the media did not criticise Dr. Santhanam for dissenting publicly about the efficacy of the Pokhran II nuclear tests, though his statements would give succor to India’s enemies.
That aside, consider that Tharoor is representing a state that is heavily dependent on expatriate remittances and tourism dollars. This new idiotic policy will directly impact those sources of income. It’s not been a week since this policy was implemented, but there are already lots of complaints from international travelers about it. If he voices his opinion only “within the four walls of the ministry”, how will his constituents know that he stood up for them?
Frankly, this issue was blown out of proportion by a hypocritical mainstream media that has no moral qualms about publishing illegaly obtained (leaked) committee reports, or with quoting a “highly placed source within XYZ ministry who does not want to be named”, or with accepting cash for favorable coverage on their newspapers.
Offtopic: Moving to Bangalore ?! Wow. Welcome sir. I am not there but still my heart lies there and being a long long time reader of your blog, your twitter, I consider it my duty to welcome you to the city. Hope the city treats you well, and you will be able to enjoy it despite the crippling governance and increased traffic.
Wish you happy new year too.
I disagree with this article. Tharoor is not a political commentator who airs his views on govt. policy via his tweets or blogs. He is a minister and part of the set up. Airing his views publicly will either appear as the govt’s view or will show that the govt. is speaking in discordant notes.
I belong to a private organization and we are into product development. I may have many opinions about the quality of the product we develop, but if I post my views on the internet – when everyone knows my identity and what I represent – it will appear as if my opinions are the same as that of my organization. Not for nothing has our organization mandated across the board that nobody can blog, tweet, mail, speak about our products. There are select spokespersons who can do that.
Freedom of speech is a lofty principle and makes sense only when applied properly. Tharoor’s tweets in this connection has crossed that fine line between freedom of speech and irresponsible comments from a person in position.
Okay, rushed for time. Massively. So will make this response quick, and inclusive of other posts in this thread.
There is a difference between private companies and a government chosen by the public, and ostensibly serving the public. I as a citizen have the right to know what the government is doing, and why. I do not have the right to know matters internal to your company.
Second: “Collective responsibility”. Okay, let us accept that the principle exists. If that is true, how is it that when Pranab Mukherjee has a problem with ministers staying in hotel rooms they pay for as opposed to official homes the government hasn’t allotted to them yet, it is the media he tells? How is it that at the height of the telecom furor, Mukherjee chastised Raja in public, in full view of television cameras, in the corridor outside the Cabinet room? How is it that SM Krishna’s disagreement with Tharoor on whether and where policy can be debated is aired in a press conference?
Never mind all that — think back to the Sham-e-Sharief controversy. At the time, the entire opposition was on the PM’s case. The Cabinet, or at least most of its members, figured on distancing themselves from the PM, and openly made statements disagreeing with the PM [it was only after Rahul Gandhi publicly expressed support that they shut the hell up].
On that occasion, SM Krishna called a press conference — a press conference — and told the media he did not know how the reference to dialog with Pakistan sans pre-conditions got into the joint statement. Excuse me?! He is the Minister for External Affairs — and here he is publicly dissociating from foreign policy articulated by his boss and the head of the Indian government? What happened to “collective responsibility”? What happened to “policy discussions behind closed doors”?
You brought up the instance of your company. Fine. Policy is, don’t talk of company matters in public fora. I have that rule here in Rediff too. Point is, the rule exists, it is written down and we all sign off on it, and it applies to every single person from the CEO on up, or down. No exceptions.
In the case of this Tharoor controversy — first, there is no rule existing [I checked] on the use of social media to voice personal opinion. If you want one, make one.
Second, public policy is by definition a matter for the public. Not analogous to the internal issues of a private company.
Third, if the rule exists even in unwritten form, then it should apply to all. You can’t have some ministers whispering sweet somethings to the media, while shutting other people up in the name of “collective responsibility”.
Let’s be honest for a minute here. No one in government likes Tharoor — he is seen as an elitist upstart with his own “rabble” on call and with a mind of his own, and worse, he is seen as building a dangerously high profile in a party where all but the “high command” maintain the lowest of profiles. All of that is anathema to the dogsbodies of the Congress Party who routinely genuflect at the altar of the One.
Secondly, the media doesn’t like him either — because rather than give them “exclusives” they can tom tom all day, he talks to the people.
Hence the current furor.
Incidentally, among the WTF moments of yesterday’s debate, there was this: a former spokesman for the MEA actually on TV, on record, said that he saw his job as obfuscating, putting a smiley face on everything, and airbrushing out all signs of dissent. Am I the only one who sees something dangerously wrong with such thinking, and believes it is time to take a stand?
Here’s the other WTF element: The visa legislation was flawed. Massively. It led to considerable international furor. What the media hasn’t bothered to report [we did, in India Abroad] is the fact that the decision was taken unilaterally, that matters involving visa regulations were decided by the home ministry and then communicated to the MEA, that the MEA was fairly pissed, that the government, fatally, then had to walk the legislation back in the face of sustained, and well founded, international protests. None of which apparently matters — what does matter is that a minister told the public the policy was flawed. Which it indisputably was. Seems a strange way to run a country.
Sorry, guys, would love to respond to you individually, but over the next 10 or so days, time is in very short supply. See you all on the other side of this decade. Happy 2010.
supereply!
Wells said Prem. Noithing more they deserve. All the best for the new year !
Prem,
For a moment, assume Manmohan Singh Tweets (god forbid!). Lets say he gets out of a meeting after signing a climate change accord and later that night he tweets ‘that accord sucks!’. Would you be cool with it because there is no law that prevents him from airing personal views to social media?
Yes I will be cool with that. But as a Prime Minister, he cannot stop with ‘that accord sucks!’. He would also tell us why the accord sucks and why in spite of the accord ‘sucking’, he had signed it.
We, the Indian voters, will judge him and his government based on his case and vote accordingly in the next election.
Thats how democracy works!!
Let me ask you Mr. kalki, how much bribe money your private organisation allocate to get the projects? This is where all can understand why you are scared of real politics, I mean public opinion.
Mr. Jacob
I work on product development. Not projects.
Well said , Prem
Completely agree with you!!
Mr. Tharoor should recognize that he is first a politician, then a Congress Minister and atlast an Indian Minister. This is the chemistry in politics, rather hidden. He should gracefully quit before he is sent out unceremoniously; as this is not his field nor any social activities. Perhaps, Manmohan Singh might consider him for a Governorship.
let me tell you Mr. Pillai, I do not want to say that you are stupid nut certainly say that You are simply a slave to the corrupted Indian politics. What do you know about real politics? Mr. Tharoor is the man India need to get the real indian feeling to all inidans.
You shoul realise that mr. Tharoor does not need any publicity at all. he would have been the UN Secretary General if Indian support was there to the maximum. he is really capable of Admistering India. I mean ruling India. I am proud of him with Millions of Iother inidans. You are in a gulf country where the rules re visa does not apply but europe and americas do.
dude, did you even read this post? 😉
Mr. Pillai,
There is something called transparency in Governance. Mr. Tharoor is sharing his views on what is happening in the Government. He is not letting out any classified secrets.
If we do not know what our politicians’ stand on public issues, how are we going to judge them during elections? Towing the party line all the time is not democracy at all. He, as any other Indian, has the right to his opinion.
If at all someone has to quit, it is Mr. SM Krishna. He apparently doesn’t believe in public debate and discourse. (http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article71879.ece)
May the Kuwaiti despots not degrade your democratic values,
Vijay
Prem,
Thanks for clarifying the issue. The picture I had (before reading your piece) was that when the govt issues visas, they are mainly dealing with ‘foreigners’. But the demographics have changed greatly in the last decade or so, and now most people seeking visa from our govt are people of Indian origin or their descendants. The only minister who seems to be aware of this constituency seems to Mr. Tharoor, although there is a full fledged ministry to deal with the NRIs.
Ram
Everyone should register and publish articles at http://www.sarkaripaperwork.com. This will help to reduce corruption in india with the power of collective knoweldge
Very well thought article. Indian politics is still about doing ‘Salaam’ to the ancient cronies and those with political lineage. There is no place for educated and cultured people like Tharoor here. If only we could have someone of his calibre as PM, someone with a mind of his own, how fortunate we would be!
At the same time, I think he should refrain from Tweeting on political issues, as this is quite unprofessional. He must take matters up in the Govt. or hold a press conference, or give a quick interview to the Media to make his point known. What would happen if every minister and every politician began Tweeting? That would be crazy, wouldn’t it? I think Tharoor must use the right channel to voice his views.
The mantra is once the Politicians are elected they are free to do OR Not to do as per their whims and wishes with the blessings of so called High Commands.
Mr. Tharoor I back you 100 per cent with your free and frank views, the ones who can not take this are the ones who feel insecure and fear their positions.
What he said is strengthening of democracy, if there is any ? left ? Frankly I feel Mr Tharoor just does not fit with the System he is part of, he must be feeling suffocated and I am pretty sure sooner than later he will leave his position and go somewhere he can do some good and positive work. He presents the young India, the 70 year plus Club should make way for younger professionals.
Cheers
well written piece prem. and it clearly explains the issue. well done.
best,
umd
I agree with you. Very well said.
Prem,
I think the guys name was David Headley. George Headley was the West Indian cricketer Obviously cricket and politics don’t mix ;).
Hats off to Tharoorji.
Now we realise the role of an educated man in POLITICS.
You made it …
Go on…
The majority given to you by the people shows their faith in you. Now you seems doing justice to them
I disagree with you here Prem. My thoughts are more in line with Rahul’s and Swamy’s. I think it is extremely unprofessional on the part of a Government minister to show his unhappiness with a government decision publicly via twitter. Rahul and Swamy have done a good job of explaining why. But, let me take another shot. Imagine you are running a firm and one of your employee disagrees with a decision taken collectively by the management (an employee who was part of the decision making body). Would it be professional on the part of the emp. to go and tweet how he does not agree with the decision? If he does so, in a professional setting, he will asked to either shut up or ship out. Your raise your disagreements internally and convince other of why you are right. If you don’t agree I say get out. Sashi Tharoor has all the power and facilities to bring about a change in the way government is done in India and it is shame that he is taking an easy and convenient way out of it.
Yes Mr. Brij — XAACCCTTTLLLYY —- III WUUUDD DEFIINIITEELLY if i was the employee ,,, i wud definitely tweet ,,, because i believe in openness—-This is the basis of the FIRST AMMENDENT IN THE US CONSTITUTION — free speech and free thinking — and no power on this earth can stop that —- — no use hiding the TRUTH — SATYAMEVA Jayate — truth alone triumphs — and i wud gladly ship out rather than SHUT UP —- u cannot shut my mouth up with black mail — and I know my worth as an employee ,,, i know the market does value — good employeees —- SO there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Madhu,
Glad to read your thoughts about openness and shipping out (My thoughts are exactly the same – I will prefer shipping out to rather than shutting up).
I will love Mr Tharoor to move out and show he means what he tweets and will not stand up to rules which don’t make sense to him. How about Tharoor quitting and joining BJP 🙂
But, I doubt he will do anything but tweet about it.
HuLLLOo Mr Brij ,,, u missed the point entirelyyy !! I said i wud ship out if i was given an ultimatum about whether to SHUT UP or SHIP out !!! But I wudnt want to leave the field on my own and then leave it to the next INCOMPETENT Guy !! I believe that to change the system , U have to be in the SYSTEM … Any rejoinders to that ,, Mr Brij ????
And about the BJP the less said the better ,,,, communalists who believe in spreading the venom of hatred !! among religions ,, they are a party who believe in divisive politics for the sake of their vote bank !!! which has given us stalwarts like Narendra Modi who dont think twice before starting a state sponsored and state supported pogrom against people who are in a minority .. and their ideological companions the Bajrang dal and VHP actually support using violence against nuns and pastors (remember Graham Staines who was burnt alive )teaching in Orissa . REAlly how much more degraded can they get ???
Prem, hope B’lore’s treating you well and you are not stuck in its traffic and so not getting time to blog or tweet.
same feeling here – was thinking is Bangalore so backward in terms of cloud availability? 😉 you arent able to get online for 7 days?
Hi.
Happened to read this piece only now. Think we should start a conspiracy theory of sour politicians leaving no stone unturned to malign Mr. Tharoor. I am speaking in the aftermath of the two day old controversy at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas gathering. It looks like there is stage management to malign and draw Mr. Tharoor into every possible controversy. I read the exact quote in “the Hindu” this morning and just realised how so very malicious the reporting has been. If this is not going to stop, India will lose people like him who have the potential to be real change makers.
Can we start a “Save Dr. Tharoor from malicious press” group? I would gladly join in.
I would love to join you Shalini
But like I mentioned in my earlier post here
Mr Tharoor just does not fit into our beloved and corrupt boot licking scratch my back system, sooner or later he is going to get suffocated in this environment and leave.
Some things will never change in India, and this is one of them.
The mantra is do not disagree on anything which the almighty high commands have done and decided or will do in future to run the country, be a yes man always.
Sycophants is the right name actually of our present state of politics and politicians..
Cheers
Same sentiments here .. Would love to join such a group when it is started
mr. shashi tharur, you are right person in bed politics.
We should encourage them to continue !
Follow on twitter is one thing…
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