Calicut's own moral multiplex

Sociologists and other commentators often lament the lack of policing in Indian society, where our law enforcement agencies are too busy protecting political leaders from scams to look after the safety of the so-called Mango people.

However, to make up for this inadequacy, we seem to have spawned a whole host of vigilante self-appointed `moral police'. These protectors of our socio –cultural values have been particularly active of late, diligently performing their voluntary duties. Unlike their counterparts in Khaki uniform they receive no monetary recompense.

After successful performance in the northern part of the country, these forces have entered the Literate (Liquor) state of India. The most recent of their activities being restricting students in school uniform to watch films in theaters. When contacted how this will fall into the socio-cultural value protection act of moral policing, Calicut team head Mr.Sashi had a clear defined answer. According to Shashi “This proactive step is being taken in order to prevent American government and MTV channels strategy, of reducing our literacy rate of the state”.

Though lot of petitions had been submitted for inducting the “Moral Police Team” to the, Kerala state police department; government has still not giver her consent on the same. Kerala Police minister have however agreed to have a discussion on the same after today’s Harthal. The "terms of reference regarding the same shall be based on Manorama vision's "COUNTER POINT" discussions and Malayalam bhoomi editorial.

However Mumbai Police have already taken steps to induct the moral policing team to the state police. In February last year, a 25 year old youth Kuber Swarup was fined Rs.1,200 by the police when they spotted him kissing his girl friend on her cheeks while saying good bye. The youth was fined under section 110 of the Bombay Police Act, for 'indecent behaviour in public'. The act doesn't define what 'indecent behaviour in public' is, leaving the interpretation to the local constable as to what constitutes 'indecent.' 

(After a year long battle which ended in April this year, Swarup finally won the legal battle when he was acquitted of it, incredulously he got saved because the police did not have sufficient evidence to show that he kissed his girlfriend. If there was sufficient evidence then he could be in trouble.)


Moral Police - Welcome to Kerala - Cheers(I am a male so guess I can say cheers)

The Name is Tharoor.. Shashi Tharoor

Nothing gets social media more excited than a good scandal. And when the scandal unfolds on social media itself, well that's just icing on an already delicious cake.New age media has been a curse and blessing for politicians involved in sex scandals. It is now harder than ever to hide an intimate relationship with a colleague or a journalist and yet even easier than ever to make a quick come back.

The news feeds from India is filled with Shashi Tharoor again, and obviously for the wrong reasons.However if political analysts have to be believed, Shashi Tharoor has greater acceptance among the youth, more than any other congress leader.Does this mean that overly conservative Indian society are more willing to overlook at politician’s sexual interest and behavior?

Not necessorily, I believe politicians still need to go through a process to regain the trust of the voters after a sex scandal, but today that process has sped up.A sex scandal would have required politicians to go for state wide convention, a political yathra(National explanation tour), media discussions, editorial interventions and would take years to build back the lost image, but it is a matter of couple of months now.That’s because the pressence of social networking site, blogs and 24 hour news channels.But Politicians still have to follow a strict script if they really want to make a come back.

While the private behavior of Shashi and other politicians makes for compelling voyeuristic reading and may help sell newspapers and television news shows, it really has no direct connection to their stances on critical public issues. Still, one can certainly argue that private immoral behavior raises serious questions about one’s moral fitness to serve in a political capacity as a public representative.

But if you play your card correct and stick to a full proof script post the scandal, the secrets between the sheets will not hamper your political career.And if you are looking for  statstics, a recent survey in America reads Bill Clinton has 61% approval rating higher than Obama(52%) and Bush(45%).

Shadow of shame is the right ecosystem for the seeds of forgivness.So be cool Tharoor, the scandal would change the discussion but not the game.

Jai Hind