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Opinion National Interest PoV 50-Word Edit

ThePrint On Camera Videos In Pictures

Society & Culture Around Town Book Excerpts Vigyapanti The Dating Story

More Judiciary Education YourTurn Work With Us Campus Voice

Mumbai woman who shouted at minister spoke for many Indians, exposed BJP’s protest politics

Had it been a poor woman shouting at Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over the roadblock, the police would likely have arrested her, raided her home, and terrorised her family members.

You may have seen the video because it has now gone viral on social media. An angry woman walks up to Maharashtra’s Water Resources Minister and shouts at him about the delays caused by a demonstration of which he was one of the leaders.

There are many interesting things about the video. First of all, the woman spoke for many Indians when she pointed out how the politician had no right to inconvenience thousands of ordinary citizens by organising a demonstration through the busy Worli area of Mumbai. In her own case, she was unable to pick up her daughter from school because of the delays caused by the minister’s complete lack of regard for the needs of ordinary citizens.

Secondly, because she spoke English and looked relatively prosperous, she was allowed to complain. It helped that cameras were on. If she had been poor, not only would nobody have listened to her but the cops would probably have arrested her, raided her home, and terrorised her family members.

Thirdly, the demonstration in question was not organised by the powerless who had no other way of protesting. It was organised by fat cat ministers and the ruling party.

Why on earth were they protesting when they had secured every privilege and advantage possible for themselves?

Well, they were agitated because the Opposition had defeated the Delimitation Bill with its added component of women’s reservation.

In effect, this was the government’s way of taking to the streets to avenge a rare Opposition victory.

That’s democracy in action! Or how the rulers........

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