No Santa-Banta jokes - Welcome all stray dogs to the NE!
Th Mangminthang Gangte *
The connotative statement of a Punjabi Legislator, a Congressman, Ajit Singh Mofar suggesting to send stray dogs in the North East or China could mean more than a thing. Mofar may tickle the ribs of the legislators as if he was cutting some Santa-Banta jokes in the House, but it all proved his naivety when he tabled trivial issues like solving stray dogs problem in the Assembly. More of his incivility and ignorance was displayed when he further suggestively proposed sending the stray dogs to the NE.
Indeed, he not only entertained the House. No more Santa-Banta jokes could amuse us than this one. A day later tabling the issue, the MLA justified his earlier statement saying it was, 'logical and sensible'. Another-e joke!
The MLA sees the North East as a dumping site for stray dogs, which are causing nuisance in his State and from which he wants to get rid-off. And the Congress Legislator has also stereotyped the North East people and Chinese. Here, in lies the difference between skating or skiing and politics. India is not only Punjab and the Northe Ish.
The MLA dare to suggest exporting items which he did not want to be present in his State. Thank God, he happens to live in Punjab, a good thousand miles away from the North East. By the standard of his speech, filled with malice, a tinge of hate and discrimination, Mofar could be easily perceived to be a bad neighbour. His neighbours might surely have something to say about this selfish, narcissistic pseudo-leader.
The North Eastern States are economically cash-strapped, solely depending on Central funding for sustenance, no doubt. It's physical landscapes are characterised by jungles and terrains. Unlike Punjab, the North Eastern States could not produce surplus, if not sufficient, food items for consumption. But most of the people considered dog meat a special delicacy. The price of dog meat is so high that having a sumptuous meal with dog meat's platter is a distant dream for many. Even then, the people never appreciate the idea of accepting something which other people do not like for themselves like stray dogs or anything that goes astray. Never need them...
Though the people may be begging the mercy of someone and being looked down, better all concerned know that the North East people never wanted anything which others do not like for them. We never beg for stray dogs or stray wanderers. We gluttonously eat dogs, we even eat snakes, but not stray dogs from Punjab.
But, here is a say for Mofar: Yes, please catch all the stray dogs of Punjab, and ensure its safe delivery to North Eastern States. We will make good use of them - We will let loose them in the jungles and terrains of the North East. We will not use them to make tandooris or buryani. They will be used to chase and maul all stray men and women who do not have a look like the NE people, you Okay? No pun intended though.
Or simply, instead of sending stray dogs to the NE or China or elsewhere, rope in the service of NE people who are staying in cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, or Delhi for that matter. They surely would solve it within a given time, provided that they stay in peace, sans racial discrimination on them. Peace on Earth! Amen!!!!
Stop all these jokes. Make good use of your status. Or else, go and skate alone, Mr Mofar! You will never make a good politician, Nah?
* Th Mangminthang Gangte wrote this article for The Sangai Express.
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 02 July 2012.
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