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Our politicians are more indecent than Sach Ka Saamna

The government thinks Sach Ka Saamna, my current favourite television programme, is indecent.

Personally, I find our politicians more indecent than the real people who are spilling their guts aided by some quiet encouragement from anchor Rajeev Khandelwal. I know India loves this show--there are more than 100 comments on my previous post about Sach Ka Saamna, mostly from Indians who want to participate.

"It has been observed that the anchor of the programme seeks answers to questions regarding infidelity, incest and other taboo subjects that are not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, especially keeping in view Indian culture and ethos," the government notice sent to television channel Star Plus said.

What are they talking about? Indian culture breeds incest. Infidelity is in the fabric of our nation. All the participants on this show are Indians. All look quite cultured, thank you very much.

Why doesn't the government focus on improving its own decency rating instead of worrying about what we're watching on Indian television?

A giant chunk of our elected members of parliament have criminal cases pending against them. Highly indecent, wouldn't you say?

And the previous parliament was no better.

A recent story in Newsweek pointed out that in the 14^th Lok Sabha, "eleven MPs were expelled for taking bribes. The coal minister was compelled to step down when he was convicted of murder (though he was later acquitted on appeal). And when the opposition called for a confidence vote, several members had to be transported to the People's House from the big house-where two of them are serving life sentences for murder-to participate. As the legislators adjourned last week, House Speaker Somnath Chatterjee wished them good riddance: "You do not deserve one paisa [cent] of public money," he scolded. "I hope all of you are defeated in the next election."