Provoking an outcry

What’s common between Rani Mukherjee, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma?

The middle finger. In a matter of a year, all of them have at one time or the other shown their middle finger to express their angst and frustration, both on field and on screen.

When cricketers Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma were recently in the news for showing the forbidden finger, one wondered whether this symbol has become the most preferred weapon of the youngsters today. Metrolife seeks to find out the same.

On close observation, one can see youngsters using this symbol of expression blatantly on campus and at their regular haunts. They use it either as a style statement or to show their frustration. One can even find people wearing T-shirts with the middle finger printed on it. While it’s all part of donning a cool attitude, it’s interesting to know that a section of the youngsters also gives a big thumbs down to the symbol and is critical of actors using it in movies and cricketers during a match.

However, Sagar, a BBM student, begs to differ. According to him, one flashes the middle finger when there is a strong provocation from the crowd, like in the case of the cricketers. “Vulgarity has become a part of many youngsters’ lives. With movies showing top actors speaking foul language and using dirty symbols, many people  think that it’s ok for them to do it as well. Being role models, the celebrities should think twice because when they do it, they make it seem more like a style statement,” he adds.

When Sonam Kapoor was criticised for showing it in the movie ‘Players’, she defended herself by saying that the censor board was there to take the final call. Virat too tweeted in his defence saying that he was provoked by the crowd which was lashing out abuses.

“When celebrities do it, they lose their integrity. In Virat’s case, I would like to point out that when cricketers from other countries come to India, they too are taunted but the only difference is the language. However, they do not react in this manner. All this is part and parcel of the game. When representing India, cricketers must be dignified and control their emotions,” says Ashutosh, a student.

Prarthana, an engineering student, says that there is nothing new about these signs of vulgarities. “Aggression is there in every youngster. But instead of expressing it in this way, it would be better for role models like Virat Kohli to channelise it through their game and prove the point,” she adds. Sociologists feel that public figures are under constant pressure due to high expectations which make them lose their composure occasionally.

Sociologist Tharun says, “Acting on provocation sets a poor example. When a celebrity’s privacy is infringed, it definitely annoys  him or her but there are dignified alternatives to express the same.”