Sanskari is a Hindi word meaning cultured, well-mannered, but in general implying orthodox.
It is sought to be applied more to women though. The world over of course women are supposed to be the guardian angels of racial purity and miscegenation is a horrifying prospect.
Sanskari, however, has become popular only post Narendra Modi’s ascent to power in 2014. In social discourse, sanskari has become a signifier for a Hindu supremacist world view.
We all know how those who never tire of the term can actually be lecherous. Cutting across all religions, we find many who swear by orthodoxy ruthlessly exploit the gullible women.
Transposing such a hypocritical attitude to a larger space, one can find in the social media those who flaunt their patriotism, their sanskariness, as it were, being most offensive in their posts.
Sanskari, however, has become popular only post Narendra Modi’s ascent to power in 2014. In social discourse, sanskari has become a signifier for a Hindu supremacist world view
We just saw Abhijit Gangobadhyay attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in revolting terms, forcing even the Election Commission, dubbed craven these days, to react strongly and bar the former Honourable from campaigning for a day.
To see things in perspective, former US President and a strong contender yet again, Donald Trump is notorious for his comments like ‘grab the xxx,’ and crooked Biden – he doesn’t restrain himself and reacts in crassest terms to anyone and anything adverse. But his base is supposed to adore him despite such outrageous comments.
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If one scans X or Face Book, one can easily see the pattern – those who can be described as rightwingers fume the most, in terribly strident terms, sans all propriety.
Comparatively speaking the left and liberals seem considerably sober. It is possible they are rattled or cowed down by the alarming rise of the right.
Whatever the reason, social media platforms seem poisoned beyond help because of the tendency of the right to pounce on their opponents, with scant regard for decorum.
Western commentators seem to think such aggressive communication styles could stem from their penchant for social dominance and note they revel in stereotyping and cursing the outgroups in vile language.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a recent interview that he perhaps was not born biologically, but sent by god Himself to do His work. Presumably the Godhra riots of 2002 too as also whatever has transpired under him.
Adolf Hitler declared in 1936, “I believe today that I am acting in the sense of the Almighty Creator. By warding off the Jews, I am fighting for the Lord’s work.”
Such comparisons might sound odious, but I am only pointing to their professions and what actually they did in real life.
The invectives of iconoclast Periyar EVR of Tamil Nadu are well-known, and his ‘followers’ continue to engage in such vituperation to this day, never mind there has been a sea change in the social situation
The self-styled conservatives screaming blue murder at the drop of a hat could be called enablers of hate crimes everywhere. The correlation has been extensively documented.
Let me also clarify here that the left are not exactly above board. One does come across virulent reactions from those sections too on occasions.
The invectives of iconoclast Periyar EVR of Tamil Nadu are well-known, and his ‘followers’ continue to engage in such vituperation to this day, never mind there has been a sea change in the social situation.
Also Read: Why atheist Periyar is loved by the religious in Tamil Nadu
During the days of Jayalalithaa, her political rival Karunanidhi himself led the charge in despicably sexist terms. When there was a nationwide uproar after she was set upon right inside the assembly, the then ruling DMK retaliated by organizing a campaign to denounce her for ‘provoking’ it all. This correspondent was appalled to see the Chief Minister laughing heartily when a senior minister excoriated Jayalalithaa, a la the Calcutta Lordship mentioned earlier.
One is reminded of a herd of hyenas when seeing DMK handles descend upon their critics in strength, no holds barred, throwing decency to the winds.
Thirukkural, the Tamil classic, to which Karunanidhi himself wrote a good commentary, stresses the need to use pleasant terms. Bhagawad Gita has a similar counsel to offer. But those who pride in their Tamil nationalism or in Vedic origins don’t heed.
Only the liberals are generally tempered and sober even while being strongly critical.
Will things change if the right is defeated in India and elsewhere? Unlikely. Intolerance is eating into the vitals of the society.
“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any,” said Mahatma Gandhi eloquently.
Few seemed to realize the profound wisdom of his words when he was alive. Why would anyone bother now?
It will be a while, if not too long, hopefully.
