The recent comment on Congress leader Dinesh Gundurao and his wife Tabassum's marriage by BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, sparked a series of spats between the two political leaders and proved yet again that political arguments have a tendency to get ugly and personal. However, are they valid? In spite of the progress we believe have made as a society, why are issues like interfaith marriages still a topic of discussion? Pramila Nesargi talks to Priyam Chhetri.
One’s choices, especially choices as private as one’s marriage is off limits to political spats, said Pramila Nesargi, Bengaluru based lawyer and women’s rights activist. “First of all, it is their personal life. Whether someone marries a Hindu, a Muslim or a Dalit is completely up to them. I personally believe that no one has the right to tell them what to do,” said Nesargi. “As far as political arguments go, it is the ugly side that rears its head now and then. These comments are a sign of weakness. They enjoy the dirt. Acts like these should be strongly condemned, irrespective of the political party.”
About five decades ago, inter-caste and interfaith marriages were unheard of and as much as we may deny it, we haven't progressed enough to accept it, she said. “It was not the norm about 50 years ago. Children were married off quite early and arranged marriages were the law of the land. With laws setting in about the minimum age to get married, things changed. It is a relatively a new concept.”
Politicians need to hold their tongue and realise the value that their position holds and respect it just as much. “There should be a code of conduct, a list of do’s and don’ts for these politicians. As of now, there are none! They should be taught how to speak in public. They are role models to the ones that elected them; their behaviour encourages more of such ugliness.”
Spats like these also show that a person with political power can get away with anything. “If this was a normal citizen, he or she would have been sent to jail,” she said. Or fined!!
