Smell the coffee, but not with Karan.

Dear Compatriot,

Over the last year, I have observed an extremely disturbing trend that, if unchecked, could really spell disaster for the future of this once-great land. For the sake of this appeal let's call it the trend of "Being Outraged at Social Events that Demand Kinesis" (BOSE DK) for short. In 2013 alone, there were at least 6 major BOSE DK's - where almost everyone and anyone worth his social network expressed outrage at an event. (Which were promptly forgotten within a week until the next BOSE DK was upon us). The latest one is what's being billed as the "anti-gay judgement by the Supreme Court". Please bear with me - as I dissect this BOSE - so that we may all really contribute constructively at other such events as they arise, in future. 

1. Nomenclature: Most BOSE DK's are given their nomenclature by the totally manipulative media around us. So, the first question that we should be asking ourselves is from where did the nomenclature of "anti-gay judgement" emerge? If we use our brains and do some research, you'll find that "anti-gay" is not just what this judgement about. It covers many more forms of sexual activity. Then why are even highly educated people calling it an "anti-gay" judgement? Because that's what "everyone else is calling it" and so, it becomes the "mass label" that actually loses it's meaning. A serious weakness that BOSE DK's thrive on. My question to us would be - why are we not calling this judgement an "anti dog-fucking judgement" or "Anti-felatio" judgement"? Because, then it can't be used to manipulate us into another distraction (or temporary, popular sentiment, if you will) - while the nation continues to get fucked... Think about it. 

2. Half-baked Information from unreliable sources: The particular incident about the SC judgement alarms me - to see how little information the most enraged people actually have and how people are spending hours on social networks/ media to form their opinions. Yet, on casually speaking to a few people NOT ONE has spent some time to read section 377, the HC judgement, understand the role of our central government in NOT taking a stand, peruse the SC judgement and, finally, understand "constitutionality". Too much work? Then what right have we (the educated) - to demand change? How are we any better than the sloganeering supporters of bigots that smash valentine days parties as a different kind of lynch mob? If we, despite all our fancy education, have not bothered to use our inherent advantage to informed opinion (as against just blindly jumping onto the popular bandwagon) - what hope do we really carry for our lesser fortunate fellow countrymen? Our online "goonda-gardi" is just more refined (we're posting aerial views of the supreme court looking like a penis... wow, how fucking witty!!!), but exactly the same DNA aas those "mavaalis" we consider to be illiterate. Under-informed, Mass Fuelled and Singularly Vengeful towards a target. (And in this case, a highly eminent justice - who has delivered some of the most impactful verdicts in this nation - has borne the brunt of our collective illiteracy. Shame on us, really...) 

3. Mass Lynching: This, perhaps, is the culmination of the BOSE D.K. events. We get a sense of gratification by felling down the "villain of the day". It could vary from the SC (as in this case) to Tejpal to the anonymous gang-rapist. Our sense of self is increasingly arising from a) Violent digital posts against a named person/ institution, b) Showing solidarity with the "victim" (the gay community, in this case) or c) A mixture of both. We live in very troubling times and our moral fabric has made our subconscious demand something from us to stem the rot. a, b, c - seem to be our way to handle the weeping soul that lives in this wretched land. The HC order in 2009 (A good 4 years ago) - gave us enough time to repeal 377 - what did we do till yesterday? Did any of us urgently move to make sure parliament repeals the ridiculous Section? For FOUR YEARS - we did nothing and suddenly we're jumping up and down like rabid monkeys? I guess, deep inside we all recognise that WE are catalysts in our social decay, but there is too much effort required to change our damaged way of being. So, to just feel alive we're venting anger on "monsters" that are "worse than our own self". Our pursuit, on a daily basis, seems to be to find someone worse than us. Sainthood through relativity, if you will. The fact is - nothing will change by pointing fingers. Has it? Despite our more than many posts, candle light marches and expressions of outrage? 

4. Hypocrisy: The final nail in our society's coffin is the pure hypocrisy of the urban, entitled elite. If one were to judge by the public stands that most of us take on social platforms - it feels like we're surrounded by saints who do no harm. Let's face it, the truth is far from that. WE are the real culprits in our everyday affairs. Tell me, how many of you pay bribes as a regular activity? Even purchasing from roadside stalls - that directly contribute towards corruption, counts as corruption. How many of us still honk incessantly? Jump red signals (even if it is 2am)? Lech at girls as they walk about? How many of us still buy pirated DVD's at Rs. 100/- knowing fully well that the money funds terrorism? What 5 things have we done differently - that has made us better individuals? Let's take this current BOSE D.K. where everyone seems to be embracing homosexuality with open arms - then why is Bollywood still making fun of gay stereotypes and the auditorium bursting into peels of derisive laughter? And if you really look into the bottom of your hearts - are you really "gay friendly" or do you silently snigger with your buddies and say - "that guy is so gay, dude....". Be honest, at least to our private selves? 

Our hearts seem to be in the right spot - at least we're FEELING something to demand change. Unfortunately, our heads aren't in the right place. If we can get those out of our socially fuelled arses and use it like the educated people we once were - maybe there is some hope. 

And that is all I'm requesting from all of us... To use our own heads more independently, instead of blindly parroting the most popular mass sentiment as the lazier option. 

Else, we'll all just be BOSE DK's on the run... While the unpunished villains thrive on our disease and laugh all the way to the bank singing "bhaag, bhaag"...  

And continue raping us on a daily basis - right under our under-informed, socially indignant, wrongly righteous, snobbish noses... Which, Section 377 notwithstanding, will be fully legal...