It’s shocking the way Shashi Tharoor’s “cattle class” comment, made such halla-bullah among the people and the political leaders. Actually it was only when a tweeter (The person who asked the question at first is also related to media and supporter of BJP as per his profile.) asked him whether he was flying cattle class to Kerala (as per media), Tharoor said that “… absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows.”
Now its clear that the “cattle class” phrase attributed to Mr. Tharoor actually came from the questioner. To many “Cattle class” refers to the economy class on a flight, because many people are crammed into a small space for a long time.
But the way one side Congress party have taken serious exception to his language and on the other side Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan want Mr. Tharoor’s resignation, seems that the both Jayanthi Natarajan, the Congress spokesperson and Mr. Chouhan have not knowledge of wit or sense of humour.
Suppose the US President Obama is among us who referred to a rap musician as a jack-ass (though off record), then think what happens to him, only God knows! The problem is though we are an English speaking country but have not inherited any of the subtle humour that comes with the language. Though Mr Tharoor now apologises for his comment, peoples now hope that the matter of “Cattle class” is now close chapter.
No doubt Mr. Tharoor as a writer may be different from many of our other politicians, but after this wit and humour sad episode Shashi Tharoor may have learned that there is no place for wit and humour in the real politics at least in our country, and the compulsions of “party discipline” over-ride all considerations.
BK Chaterjee
