I recently saw an alumni WhatsApp group arguing over a 10-second clip of a teacher asking kids to not shout ‘Jai Siya Ram’ in the middle of an event. The intention was simply to maintain decorum, but who cares for the context these days and of course how could she. Fun fact, many, who have been a part of the institution, would argue it actually leans right.
But it was indeed amusing how senior professionals could waste no time in bashing their former faculty over a misunderstanding that could have been cleared in a minute. God forbid, she had actually said it with specifically more secular intention.
It is actually no wonder that in times of alarming unemployment rate, religion & caste drive our elections. The Supreme Court paved way for making details about electoral bonds public, yet it could not even make a fraction of the buzz Ambani’s pre-wedding celebrations generated across social media.
Even Bharat Mata would be like, “Worship whoever you like, pray whichever way you prefer but let my ‘bhole’ people live.”
I am not a fan of either side, but really miss the safety of a civic society. I remember a professor saying how they have to be careful nowadays with what they speak in the class. How easy it is to be an ‘anti-national’ or ‘modi-bhakt’ rather than simply being a person with an opinion.
We are struck in a time when sensitive citizens feel depressed looking at the daily affairs of our country and the most patriotic nationals are staring at the prospect of migration. People who know and understand are too scared to share their opinions while those never completed a book are flamboyant with their gyaan.
So, I pray for hope against hope that workplace market gets better, my friends and cousins soon get a job, and then we will happily plan our Ayodhya trip.
Vaishnavi Sood 