Much ado about ‘cattle class’

The Congress’ decision to give a quiet burial to the “self-induced” crisis over Shashi Tharoor’s misplaced sense of humour may or may not put an end to the issue. But the episode has left many wondering whether the minister’s comment on a social networking site merited such frenzy.

It reminds me of the hue and cry raised in some quarters after then envoy to the US Ronen Sen made the “headless chicken” remark, and the threat to haul him in parliament that followed.

It was the Opposition that had gone after Sen. It’s the opposite in Tharoor’s case. The minister of state for external affairs is facing flak from his own flock, the Congress.
What is more intriguing is the fact that even the normally-genteel and soft-spoken Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot demanded his resignation. I cannot remember another occasion when Gehlot displayed such anger.

The “cattle class” comment, flippant as it was, did not relate to him, nor did it relate to his state. Then why this reaction? Was he batting for someone else?

I am also intrigued by the selective sense of outrage of the political class. The word “horsetrading” is frequently used by politicians and journalists alike to refer to our elected representatives’ changing camps. Everybody, including our honourable elected representatives, appears comfortable with the use. Then why get so worked up over the term cattle class?

Did the outrage have something to do with the fact that assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana are only weeks away. Did the Congress want to send out a signal?

Tharoor’s remark is at worst an example of his political naivete, besides a lack of understanding of local sensitivities. Rather than rebuking him and calling for his head, the prudent thing to do would have been for a senior leader or minister to have a quiet word with him on the dos and don’ts. Somebody ought to have explained to him that this kind of humour may be acceptable in New York, not here.