Periods in history when seemingly normal incidents trigger a
wave of change. The trigger incident is
just that nudge which helps history tip over into a new era. Digital
connectivity has swamped the human interaction. It almost obliterates direct
interaction which was limited anyway but gushes with a resurgence of network of
electronic sinews that makes historical human communication seem insignificant.
Consequently the swamp of information also has created a new
power equation for the people. The waterfall of opinion which seemed to flow
down from the people at the top of any profession and landed at the lowest
common denominator. Today the water fall has collapsed to a common pool and so
has the power equation. The common man / woman feels empowered to pitch in
their opinions in real time thanks to the electronic tools now available.
Is it any surprise then that discrimination and exploitation
look vulnerable themselves? It is not to gush about these words disappearing
from the vocabulary. That could be a fairy tale. But a renaissance where the
oppressed find a voice.
When #Metoo excited the cable lines a year back in USA, it
looked like a western phenomenon in a country known for its outspokenness and
where the powerful media put their weight behind such movements to shake people
and even governments. It was truly heartening as the fire singed big stars and
studio bosses who must have had their exploit fun times.
So when a lesser known ex Indian actress returned from the
USA briefly to give what seemed like an ordinary interview, it seemed like a
sensation that could die down soon. But then she had more spunk and seemed to
find the right flame of intention and took names of some people considered
almost untouchable partly due to their star status and in part due to the aura
created by their affiliations to political parties and some social work thrown
in.
But this is 2018 and there are 460 Million subscribers on
the net in India. This mass is hungry and angry. Hungry for programming, sensational news and angry over what
seems to be a continuing period of angst towards living conditions that don’t seem
to improve with the speed they got access to their smart phones. There is also
a simmering discontent with the current equation of respect for people with
authority and money. Psychologically these masses are ready to see their
default champions collapse in a heap. Lack of Ethics in behavior, lackadaisical
attitude towards the law does not get lost in the glare of glamour and
political authority anymore. The people are baying for uniform justice.
Result what could have been swept under a carpet a few years
back or victims further victimized has turned into a raging firestorm that
threatens to singe anyone that dares to differ or cross its path. Entertainment
Business houses, big idols , big directorial names and now even a minister are
falling victim to a movement in India that is threatening to reach the top echelons
of the political class besides now
swallowing the entertainment industry and it is a matter of time before the
corporate sector feels the heat. The business houses are not bereft of
exploitation irrespective of Gender.
Hierarchical bullying is prevalent though
spoken of only in whispers. There have been heads of tech giants and now
the heads of some banking industry who are being named.There have been conspiracy whispers of the timing and the
intent of this campaign. But assuming there is even an agenda behind it, how
does one justify not acknowledging that the wrong people are being teased out
of their sick exploiting cocoons. Clearly it seems like Split personality and
existence of Mr.Hydes is an epidemic that needs to be addressed.
This is not a movement that will vanish overnight and should
not. It is here to stay and will probably go down as a history changing
movement for India when the under privileged and the exploited found their
voice and paved the way for a more egalitarian society
No comments:
Post a Comment