At times it’s just a tempest in a teacup that catches our attention. Politicians in parliament making speeches and responding is not often subject to so much scrutiny, but at times what is said is reflective of attitudes that catch the attention. It wasn’t so much the parliamentary tu-tu-main-main of the politicians but the spirited debate and the hashtags #LaughlikeSurpankha and #LaughLikeRenukaChowdhury it triggered that were of interest.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi was making a speech in parliament when opposition MP Renuka Chowdhury laughed out loud; some say she cackled. In response to this, the PM likened the laughter to that of the demoness Shurpankha in the Ramayan, saying “Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai.” Predictably the supporters of the PM were highly appreciative of the PM's sarcasm and showed their appreciation by laughing loudly themselves while thumping their tables.
MP Kiren Rijiju had thought it was a vexatious laugh and was full of admiration that the PM ‘didn’t get irritated’. However one would think that the quick, belittling response from the PM is evidence enough of irritation; irritation that someone had dared to mock him with laughter.
The Speaker of the House Venkaiah Naidu reprimanded Ms Chowdhary for her unruly behaviour. However, he did not think it necessary to reprimand the many who burst into raucous laughter and desk thumping in appreciation of the PM’s sarcastic jibe.
For her part, Ms Chowdhary shrugged off the incident saying that there was no GST on laughter. She pointed out that the PM felt the need to draw a parallel between her and a negative mythological character, “But he forgets that women today have changed and they know how to speak for themselves. This shows his mindset towards women.”
Many pointed out that there is nothing wrong with a woman laughing out loud and many posted their own LOL pictures. Some others wondered what it is about a woman's laughter that some men find so threatening.
Apart from the many laughing women, there were many who challenged the PM to compare them to Soorpanaka as well. Some seemed to have developed a renewed interest; even admiration for the ‘misunderstood’ mythological character while others commented on the violent response she suffered simply for making a bold advance towards a man.
Commentators also pointed out that grossly unruly behaviour: hurling of mics, upturned furniture, fisticuffs, is frequently seen in Indian politics; laughter ought not to offend. Commentators also drew other mythological parallels: between the laughter of Draupadi that offended Duryodhan so much that he had her publicly humiliated and disrobed.
…Also pointed this out. If one is speaking of decorum and ‘ladylike’ behaviour, maybe we need to look elsewhere as well, suggested one commentator. I for one feel that women are free to both whistle and cackle with laughter; this is nothing that either Chowdhury or Smriti Irani should feel any regret for.
Some tweeple had no hesitation posting exaggerated pictures of themselves laughing – laughter is good medicine after all! Some also tweeted with ‘LOL is passé. Now it’s time to say LLRC. Laugh Like Renuka C.’
Predictably, many defended the PM with the hashtag #ModiHitsBack. Some used the hashtag to make some pointed observations about those who chose to mock a woman while claiming to work for the empowerment of the entire gender.
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