No longer, possibly, as humour is limited in our times, given numerous sensitivities, across our social fabric. What has also emerged is that humour in relatively closed spaces, like a members’ club, is no longer private as people take videos, put them out. One can no longer take the plea of a safe haven, on the premise that it was a ‘private’ engagement. Out on social media, gone viral, it is sure to attract friend and foe. What is also the writing on the wall, is that what is perhaps the best target of jokes must indeed be the ‘self’, better to take and share selfies of oneself, in whatever self-depreciating manner you are prepared for. Or, your own very circles, if you think they are reliable. Do not pick upon third parties.
The recent Kunal Kamra episode is clearly one such. If it was meant in good humour, it ended in provocation. What is ‘gaddar’ as an accusation is both – nothing much, or everything, depending upon how you wish to perceive it. Every other day, there are people across the political spectrum accusing others openly of being ‘anti-national’. Now, what is ‘gaddar’, but a stronger word, as it targets more forcefully in the colloquial idiom?
Overall, the quality of discourse has not only fallen, it has often become distasteful. Should we not weigh our words, carefully, before uttering them? And, should we have made a mistake, accept it, simple and straight. Learn to apologise, if you have hurt somebody, assuming it was not your intention.
Some jokes are now a no-no. Religion is best kept out, globally, not just in our country. There are any number of more important issues for the nation to debate. These, however, all end in waste of national energy, which is best avoided. While the world is almost at war, on the subject of trade and commerce, each country having to size their challenges and the new opportunities, it is a sad reflection if we spend our time, invoking divisions on what should matter less.
The recent controversy on the life of Aurangzeb is another example. As a social media post says it so tellingly, if “Aurangzeb thought he was history, he finds himself a subject of current affairs.” Dead and gone, consigned to history books, a figure much loathed and despised for atrocities committed simply on the basis of religion, it is unimaginable how we were hearing a new narrative that this ‘foul’ character was also a good human being.
As a nation, we need to get our priorities right. It is time to focus on development, the quality of life we lead, and how we can all become a happier and a proud nation. The first step would well be to get back our ability to laugh, laugh it off, everything matters thereafter!