The hottest place on earth- a facebook political debate

Temperature of human body- 36.5-37.5 degree celsius.

Temperature of earth’s core-  6000 degree celsius

Temperature of sun’s core- 15.7 million degree celsius.

Temperature of a political debate on facebook- Even higher than that.

Last few months have seen the term ‘argumentative Indian’ take on a new meaning altogether. Now its more the ‘arguing Indian’, the ‘quarreling Indian’, the ‘bitching Indian’.  I was drawn into some of these debates voluntarily, hoping to provide an alternate view to many radical points. As it turned out, not only that I was labelled a rabid supporter of a particular party, I also found myself lowering my previously high standards of debating to ridiculous levels. GB Shaw had rightly said, “Do not wrestle with a pig. You will get dirty, and the pig will enjoy it.” Sometimes I was the wrestler, sometimes, the pig. But, one thing now intrigues me- why did I, or any other debator, who is also pretty well educated, fall to such ridiculous levels?

I do not have the answer, honestly. I can only wonder. Logically, there is no reason to be driven so much. Less than 10 percent of the electorate is active on facebook.  Of those, even lesser are in a particular debate group (306 members in a group I am active on), and of those hardly 1 person might be there whose opinion will change after listening to an argument, no matter how valid. And, we all are not even gonna benefit directly from changing that ubiquitous ONE person. Then, why? My probable theory says that most us are first time voters (in the last national elections, my vote card wasn’t ready). It gives a sense of fulfillment if we are arguing on the behalf of the one we support, thinking that we are doing something for the nation. It is not true, my friends. We will achieve a lot more if we stop posting rude comments on facebook and promise to excel in our respective fields. Of the 306 members in the political group, it wont make a difference if one AAP supporter changes alliance to BJP or vice versa. But it will make a difference if all 306 decide to be honest and excellent in their respective fields, irrespective of who gets elected.

Friends, we have to realize that bad-mouthing each other by politicians is often for political gains. A member of Congress can’t say anything good about Modi and vice versa.  It doesn’t mean that we, the brighter minds should get swayed and start bad-mouthing each other, thinking that this will make us better. We must not become like the people we are going to elect. We have to be better. Negative politics has brought India on its knees today. Everywhere we see only hatred flowing out, and the current situation is a mexican standoff between Congress, AAP and BJP. It doesn’t mean that our peace of mind, our precious time should become collateral damage. It’s a constitutional right to speak what we feel right. So its not wrong if we promote a particular party, but is it right to deride others for not supporting your views? If you have a point which is valid, tres bien. But if someone has a counter-point, you need not get all worked up and call the other person an agent of that party. Utterly not done. 

We Indians are guilty of being extreme most of the time. We often see the world in black and white. So, if we support one candidate he has to be perfect. And more than that, everybody else has to be bad. Why? Why can’t we accept the positives of Arvind Kejriwal and Narendra Modi? Why does a Kejriwal supporter get worked up and start spewing fire when somebody trolls him? Or why does a Modi supporter starts abusing the moment somebody says anything against Modi? We all live in an egalitarian society where everybody has their views, and everybody hopes their views be respected.  Life isnt about finding whats black and white. Life is about finding the right shade of grey.

We are educated, sensible people, friends. If we behave like immature children or hooligans, the country will suffer. No matter who is elected, remember, you support India, and not Kejriwal or Modi. Let the gaalis flow between the politicians coz its their job. Let us join hands to rebuild the nation, coz that OUR  job.

Jai Hind.