25 slaps to democracy

Power is known to corrupt people. Apparently, it makes them dumb too. The by now infamous Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra, Ravindra Gaikwad of the Shiv Sena, has demonstrated his complete lack of sense and proportion by insisting on business-class travel in an all-economy flight from Pune to Delhi. What really shocked the citizens of the country, of course, was the righteous outrage with which he went on to strike an Air India staffer with a sandal multiple times — 25, according to his subsequent boast on television. 

Inasmuch as the prime-time TV audience was aghast at an elected representative’s abuse of power and twisted sense of entitlement, the conduct should not come as a surprise. For the record, he has refused to apologise for his conduct, and his party has merely told him to “watch his behaviour”. That is no surprise. Gaikwad, after all, belongs to a political party that takes organisational pride in boorish behaviour, all in the name of standing up for hapless citizens against an indifferent bureaucracy. And if the electorate keep re-electing representatives like him, then the Gaikwads can continue to feel they have a licence to misbehave. Neither his party nor the BJP, the ally, nor the Lok Sabha Speaker can be expected to take any punitive action against Gaikwad. A sense of political solidarity would ensure that he gets off with the gentlest of slap on the wrist.

The matter should not be allowed to rest at that. This is the age of insistently good governance, an empowered citizenry and a vigilant media. Gaikwad needs to be made to face the consequences of his gross misbehaviour. At least, all the airlines have closed ranks - for now - to ban him from flying. This act of courage and self-respect should be applauded. Above all, a strong and a clear sense of disapproval must be conveyed to the politician by the civil society.