Politicians should start thinking of people for a change

Dahi Handi being celebrated. Pic/ Suresh Karkera

It was disappointing to see that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members defied the state diktat and broke handis on the dahi handi festival in certain pockets of the city. In the run-up, the BJP, too, in opposition in the state had a refrain about the current govt being discriminatory and had vowed defiance.

One would think that as Covid rages, and Mumbai is seeing a slightly worrying rise in cases, at this time at least, politicians would set their differences aside and desist from the usual game playing. Yet, perhaps we are naïve to think so. Our leaders continue to milk opportunities to rile one against the other and score points, with little heed to the price people will pay if they fall into traps like these.

The breaking of handis could have been avoided and should have been as there was a rule stating one should not do so. This for a good reason. Simply trying to get attention and eyeballs by going against the current ruling is immature and, in this situation, also very dangerous.

This is not about siding with any particular political party or dispensation. It is about siding with common sense. The reason the dahi handi was disallowed was because of crowding and the fact that one cannot maintain social distancing as the handi is broken. One has to respect that logic.

Using religion and festivals to try and browbeat and pressure those who make rules, questioning faith because certain festival celebrations are not allowed is the work of rabble rousers.

We want more maturity and a spirit of unity from our politicians, whatever party they belong to. Not attention-getting tactics for two minutes of fame. At least the Coronavirus outbreak should stop these shenanigans and prove, like the world, they have changed, too.