CONTROVERSIES ALWAYS DOG KIRAN BEDI As we all know by now, Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer, has joined the BJP and has been declared the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi elections. Her decision has been criticized and applauded by people alike. Given that the Delhi BJP unit was in shambles with no prominent face to counter Kejriwal’s persona, Shah’s decision to rope in Bedi candidate for Delhi is being termed a masterstroke. No matter whoever wins, Delhi will get a Ramon Magsaysay Award winner as its Chief Minister, which is an extremely positive sign for Indian politics. Overall, it’s a win-win situation. kiran-bedi_bccl However, there is a bigger concern which is hovering in the minds of many. Right from our school days, we have heard about the heroics and bravery of Kiran Bedi, who is a role model for many girls and women. Till now, we have always praised her and held her in utmost regard. Earlier this week, the moment she joined BJP, numerous people criticized her and gave her several titles such as political opportunist, parachute politician, U-TurnBedi, etc. Not just Facebook posts, even on Twitter, there were several hashtags, which mocked at her decision. On Facebook, many posts are being shared which talk about Bedi’s acts in the past such as how she left her postings without completing her tenure, acted as a dictator while being a policewoman, stole the credit from someone else for towing away Indira Gandhi’s car, etc. The posts also questioned Bedi’s choice to join a communal party, rather than Aam Aadmi Party. Additionally, her controversial running away from Arnab’s questions on Times Now has further fueled the fire. Reading these comments and criticism makes me go back to Anna Hazare’s statement that politics is a dirty place. Indeed, Kiran Bedi, who is considered the epitome of honesty and bravery, and regarded as an icon by millions, is now being trolled on Twitter, foul mouthed comments are being made about her, and is being labeled a stooge. As soon as she joined BJP, it didn’t take much time for the internet glitterati to get into anti-Bedi mode and fire their volleys at her. It is extremely unfortunate that if a well accomplished and educated individual joins a party other than Aam Aadmi Party, his/her intellectual and moral purity is put to question. We must realize that joining a political party should be an individual’s discretion and right, and not be at mercy of the public. Furthermore, Kumar Vishwas’s statement on Times Now that Kiran Bedi was pro-BJP, right from India Against Corruption days, and dissuaded Kejriwal from speaking against the corruption of BJP, is a sign of the nasty mudslinging to follow further. Given the mayhem, it is evident that the legendary Kiran Bedi, who was loved and admired by all, won’t ever be the same Kiran Bedi for us. All generations since the 1980s had grown up reading and discussing about Kiran Bedi. Millions of girls, who quoted Bedi as their idol for pursuing their ambitions and dreams, would now have to find a different name. As I conclude my article, my thoughts go back to Anna Hazare’s statement to the media.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:34:07 +0000