Monsoon, murder, mayhem mark (mar) Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 24: It has been raining, though not cats and dogs but definitely murder and mayhem. Monsoon is meant for rains and floods and allied woes but dancing in the blood pool is gory at its bloody worst. The ruthless hacking to death of a lawyer-cum-politician in Birsanagar last Tuesday is testimony to the fact that corruption, political ploys and all other things illegal are not the last resort of scoundrels. It goes deeper than the blind sensory organs can fathom.

Deaths in their varied forms and hues become political issues over which inconclusive games of allegations and counter allegations are played. Old hands and new feet delve into these serve and volley games that ultimately stumble into deuce with no side getting a clear two-point advantage. People’s interest dissipates and it is love all briefly for another crime is just round the corner for another match to commence. What do the voters gain out of their elected or defeated or to be defeated political leaders dog fighting it out to make gory issues gorier? In any case, the voters have nothing to lose. They have already been rid of their sanity.

But then, in order to remain valid in the political arena, one needs to shelter criminals of all ‘professions’ and makes. They have to be given space for their unhindered operations for the political benefactors’ vote clout. After a time, this ‘understanding’ becomes understood and both segments thrive. Blame games are part of the game and in the final count, none is a loser. All are winners except the stupid voters who are losers anyway.

Then of course, there is the oft broached subject of COVID protection. That has become a joke. For a guy finding it difficult to purchase rice @ Re One a kilogram, penalty for not tying a piece of sophisticated rag to choke the nostrils and block the mouth has been determined @ a mere Rs One lakh and two years’ free food and lodging at ‘special government guesthouses’ as an initial offer. Though the ruling is intentionally not a joke, it certainly tickles the funny bone and perhaps splits it. But orders are orders and they had better be observed or else pay the legalised ransom and be entertained at homes away from homes.Those who cannot afford masks are suggested to split their jockeys into halves and tie them around to save face and money.

 Those who do not wear jockeys may go to hell or to COVID Centres or to jail where they will be tested corona positive anyway and sent to COVID Wards for free treatment if they survive, that is.

Fine may not be fine in the monetary sense but mirth definitely is. The galloping instances of pandemic infections and deaths have added to the gaiety of Jamshedpur markets which have become, like sabzi bazaars, corona bazaars where sale promotions are like ‘take one and get a million — all free!’ If this is not mirth then what is? But this observation tends to be on the harsher side. At least, there is one out of one thousand persons who sticks a mask to his or her dirty face and maintains social distance in the toilet till before he or she flushes. After that, it is  free for all.

Alright, let there be a deal. The citizens will wrap the clones of N95 around their faces and noses. Let the politicians gag themselves in return. Any takers?