Shame on you Kaka

It has been a few days since the Shiv Sena attack on Zee Television for broadcasting the satire. And the controversy is behind us now, thanks to the mediation by the common friends. Although, I can’t help but comment on it. I happened to see the satire, barring a few disturbances from unscrupulous relatives calling during that time. But never mind that. Coming back to the satire, it left many thinking what was it that would agitate the Sainiks? And what was it that would make the Hindu Hriday Samrat appreciate the behavior of agitating Sainiks. The phrase “kaka malaa vachavaa” (uncle save me) has become a part of the language with a deep meaning to it.

For the benefit of those who are not aware of the history behind this phrase, the origin dates back to mid-to-late 1700s. Narayanrao was crowned the “Peshwa” much to the chagrin of his uncle. Uncle Raghobadada had his own aspirations and under the influence of his very aggressive wife Anadibai, Raghoba conspired to kill Narayanrao. Narayanrao had to run from his own body guards to save his life. He was eventually killed in an ambush, when he was running towards his uncle shouting “kaka malaa vachavaa” – a plea to his uncle to save his life. Raghoba was brought to justice and was given the capital punishment by the venerated Justice Ram Shashtri Prabhune (Later the sentence was reduced and Raghoba sent into exile.). The legend has it that Narayanrao’s ghost haunts the ruins of Shaniwar Wada even today and one can hear the cry of “kaka malaa vachavaa” echoing from the ruins.

Legends are legends – but since then, this phrase has represented betrayal and treachery. The satire was a representation of the condition of political scene we have today - betrayal and treachery. Is the Hindu Hriday Samrat not the uncle of the reneging Raj? Did he not favor his son over his nephew? Did the nephew not expect a fair treatment from his uncle? And didn’t the whole episode play out quite funnily when the aggression and taunting was at its height? What’s wrong if a little fun is made out of it? Is the Shiv Sena supremo so great that he be treated “holier than thou”?

And, as it has been pointed out ad infinitum, didn’t the Hindu Hriday Samrat start his career as a cartoonist and still claims that he is a cartoonist at heart? Has he not made fun of people in the past? Does he not still make derogatory and particularly insulting remarks about Narayan Rane, Sharad Pawar? But when the same or similar remarks are made about him, he and his followers are angry. If he had laughed with us all, people would have forgotten the satire…after all entertainment value of such satires are incidental and does not live long. But now, thanks to the agitations and Shiv Sena’s backing of it, this satire is going to live long enough to make sure more than deserved damage is made to the party.

And what is up with the Valentine’s Day violence? Our culture is not so weak that celebrating just one day a year after a long dead saint who tried to play cupid, will bring it down. And the funniest part of it was the apology by the Hindu Hriday Samrat because Sainiks hit the girls and women as well – which apparently is not okay. Excuse me? So, are we saying it is okay for the Sainiks to hit guys? Because last time I checked, our constitution did not discriminate on gender. If you are so trigger happy and like to hit someone, why be apologetic about it? What are you trying to do here by this apology? If you feel that somehow this apology will exonerate you of this crime, it will not. If you think, in a strange Orwellian sense, you are more equal than others…shame on you…