| Dear Mr Srinivasan, Protest communication shall be non-violent in nature as preached and practised by Mahatma Gandhi. All religions born on Indian soil teach it. Gandhi sat in silence protesting the internal disputes and could send powerful communication to the moderate and extremist forces fighting for freedom in unison. Shoecast or Chappalcast, though lesser harmful than lethal weapons on physique, they are more damaging on psyche. Somebody said that shoe is mightier than pen. Good, somebody suggested that the future press conferences can be made chappal free as we do in places of worship. As I already pointed out, the penal provisions are not specific, for this kind of protest communication by throwing shoe or chappal. But, this particular kind of 'protest communication' is a pervertion and a deviation. May God grant patience to Journalist Jarnail and such other easily provocable Journalists. Regards, Y. Babji National Vice President (Admn) Global Forum for Public Relations
--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:
From: Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com>
Subject: [prpoint] Shoecast - Analysing 'Protest Communication' and provocation
To: "Prpoint Group" <prpoint@yahoogroups .com>
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 11:21 AM
dear friends
The discussion on the shoe incident (thought of coining a new word Shoecast like broadcast, podcast) brought out various angles and dimensions. On the one hand, it is argued that no journalist should bring in his personal emotions to the forums like the press conference. It is also argued that journalists should show his neutrality.
On the other hand, it is also argued that journalists are also human beings and when the emotions exceed their tolerance level, such things happen. If an ordinary citizen has shown the protest like this, he would have been put under 'Goondas Act'. Since, the protest was shown by a journalist, the Government could not do any thing, for fear of backlash. It is also argued that none of the media houses will be interested to take the public issues and public sentiments very seriously, for many reasons, including commercial reasons. In that case, it is argued, a emotionally charged reporter would react only like this.
On analysing both sides of the incident, when the Government Authorities behave in an arrogant manner, how the people would protest? How the protest can be exhibited without being branded as 'Goonda'?
I discussed this issue with one of the retired IAS officers, who held very high positions in the Central Government. He did not want to be identfied. He said that many times Government Authorities show scant respect to the Constituional positions and even they do not respect the consensus. The power of arrogance blinds their eyes. He quoted for example, inspite of all controversies, Pratibha Patil was put up as a Presidential candidate. Inspite of all controversies, Navin Chawla was made as CEC. Though many consensus candidates were avaiable then, Government was not willing to consider. Now, against the Sikh sentiments, Sajjan Kumar and Jagadish Tytler were given tickets and given clean chit hurriedly, particularly during election time. . He went on to say that such acts, arising out of " what-can-you- do" attitude, irk large number of silent majority. This leads to frustration and people look for some ways to ventilate the anger.
According to the retired senior official, such incidents are not avoidable from the common man. Irked by the arrogant attitude of Government, Jarnail Singh used the opportunity to show his protest. Jarnail Singh did not target the Minister, but protested by throwing the shoe to a nearby open space. The retired senior bureaucrat was asking a question, when the Government itself was not worried about the ethics, values of the constitutional bodies, where was the question of talking about the professional ethics of a journalist. He wanted the Government Authorities to learn a lesson out of this incident.
I request members to share the views. I think, we need to start thinking about 'protest communication'
Srinivasan
Moderator
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