AAP leader Mr. Aravind Kejriwals' arrest for refusing to pay bail money has been in the news. Among all the news related to Mr. Modi's swearing-in ceremony this was the only news that managed to get attention in electronic media. They ignored the killing of a couple of soldiers or a rail accident but only focused on these things, but that is media, after all, it is a business and they show what people want to read. Kejriwal's arrest because of his refusal to pay bail was called another drama from his side to attract media attention and cheap publicity. This was not the first time his actions were termed as drama, his decision to reject the big bungalow that normally chief ministers occupy was called a drama, and so was his dharna on the road to demand the suspension of a few police officers. Even driving his own vehicle to the office or his dress was considered as a drama or an attempt to attract media attention. Most of his actions which defied the so-called normal behavior patterns of conventional politicians in India were called drama not only by his detractors but also by the media. Why Mr. Kejriwal's actions are labeled as drama? Why anything that deviates from the conventional norm is labeled as drama by people who like to follow the conventional line of thinking? These are very interesting questions and as usual, Mr. Kejriwal has given us another opportunity to discuss another interesting issue here.
Actually, I have some personal connection with this issue which is the main reason I decided to write this post. There was a time in my life when I absolutely hated to wear a suit or any fancy dress (no matter what the occasion). I still don't like to wear them but back then I was totally against some of these things. Any time I opposed any of these ideas, it was called a drama. That too when I was the one who was opposed to dressing up or for lavish celebrations. People who were dressed up like movie stars were called normal and a person who refused to do that because he really didn't like to dress up was accused of doing a drama. The real problem is that many people can't believe that some individuals don't like to follow conventional norms or stereotypes just for the sake of being accepted by society. Many find it difficult to believe that some people can break the conventional norm and behave differently. It is also ironic that when everyone is wearing flashy, expensive, designer, and fancy stuff, a person with simple clothes is called a dramebaaz.
This mainly happens because people think that if a person can afford these things but still refuses to do so, then they must be a dramebaaz. Poor people who can't follow some of these conventional protocols are not accused in this way but if you can afford it and still don't follow the norm then you are dramebaaz. If you can afford then buy a fancy, expensive, branded car; if you don't do it and are still driving your old, used, or rusted car then you are a dramebaaz. If you can afford designer suites and expensive jewelry, then you should wear them but if you go to parties or functions with very simple or regular clothes then you are a dramebaaz. I am not saying that people who wear expensive clothes, like designed stuff or fancy cars are doing something wrong or should feel bad about it, they have the right to buy and wear what they like. It is their right to choose what they want to wear or what they want to do with their money and their life. I really appreciate their sense of fashion and their ability to manage all these things but some people don't have any interest in these things so why not respect their choice also.
Our society needs to accept that some of us believe in a different set of values and want to live our lives by those values. How can it be called a drama? If Mr. Kejriwal wants to live his life by his own beliefs, he wants to stand up for what he believes is right and is willing to face consequences for his actions, why is it called a drama? This also shows a mindset where people expect everyone to fit in the same mold and behave as per society's norms. We must learn that certain people travel a different path and their choice also matters like everyone else's.
This mainly happens because people think that if a person can afford these things but still refuses to do so, then they must be a dramebaaz. Poor people who can't follow some of these conventional protocols are not accused in this way but if you can afford it and still don't follow the norm then you are dramebaaz. If you can afford then buy a fancy, expensive, branded car; if you don't do it and are still driving your old, used, or rusted car then you are a dramebaaz. If you can afford designer suites and expensive jewelry, then you should wear them but if you go to parties or functions with very simple or regular clothes then you are a dramebaaz. I am not saying that people who wear expensive clothes, like designed stuff or fancy cars are doing something wrong or should feel bad about it, they have the right to buy and wear what they like. It is their right to choose what they want to wear or what they want to do with their money and their life. I really appreciate their sense of fashion and their ability to manage all these things but some people don't have any interest in these things so why not respect their choice also.
Our society needs to accept that some of us believe in a different set of values and want to live our lives by those values. How can it be called a drama? If Mr. Kejriwal wants to live his life by his own beliefs, he wants to stand up for what he believes is right and is willing to face consequences for his actions, why is it called a drama? This also shows a mindset where people expect everyone to fit in the same mold and behave as per society's norms. We must learn that certain people travel a different path and their choice also matters like everyone else's.
Thanks for reading and please share your views on this topic.
[Copyright: Vinay Thakur. Please contact the author for re-posting or publishing]
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