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Madrasigate: Blogging and the Desi Psyche

By: Santosh :+: Under: Culture, Desi Ishtyle, Opinion, Technology
On: ⋅ February 9, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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Desis, especially Indians, by their very nature, actively seek to avoid conflict and it reflects on the blogging world. Most blogs are about arts, entertainment, politics and sports, relatively softball topics, often with much humor. Please note that I’m not excluding myself or denying my indulgence in any of the above. It was the way I was brought up: “Jaane bhi do”/(insert Tamil version of “Let it go”).
Every so often, some incident comes to pass that galvanizes desi bloggers: the Power 99 call, Macaca, Jane Goody versus Shilpa Shetty and, more recently, Madrasigate.
From Vulturo’s Blog (Madrasigate link):

If the site had pictures of a shit load of them Madrasi chicks (with equally unique sounding names) instead of the Punjabi ones, the contest would have been an absolute non-starter. Or maybe not. Madrasi boys would have flocked to see them, for sure.

and

This one would perhaps have been better if she didn’t try to look as if someone was gonna rape her in the next thirty seconds.

As a “Madrasi”, I admit to being livid at his slur on South Indian folks. And joking about rape? Downright trashy. And surveying other bloggers’/netizens’ comments to his post, they range from netizens who were saddened

Traim: Sad

to disgusted

Sriram: That’s positively one of the most racist statements I’ve seen and you, a racist (complementary bleep courtesy UberDesi), are incharge of desipundit?
Sridhar: This is the most insensitive, riduculous blog post I have ever read, go (bleep) yourself mother(bleep).

to delighted and supportive.

Gaurav: Hoooo boy! Bookmarking this page. Getting popcorn.
Samir: Madrasi chicks (anything south of Goa) is plain ugly. You have some exceptions Ash Rai, Shilpa Shetty, Vidya Balan but thats about it.

There are some in there who actually make a sensible argument (kudos Anantha). But overall I’m really surprised at the lack of class shown by some of those who commented on the post, and that includes the original poster, Vulturo.
Al Gore’s invention is a very powerful tool in that you can disseminate your ideas and thoughts worldwide, without fear of direct repercussion. Vulturo’s post and the anonymous profane comments in response to his post are evidence to that statement. Free speech is a very powerful thing and we in the (mostly) free world – India, US, UK are lucky to have it. I’m a big fan of both and will defend someone’s right to free speech on the Internet to the bitter end, disagree I may with it. In that context, I agree with DesiPundit Patrix’s decision not to expel Vulturo from DesiPundit for his despicable views. Hat-tip to DesiPundit for not succumbing to mob rule.

Personally, I was disappointed to read his opinions which were not only distasteful to South Indians but also insulting to women in general. However, I have had a tough time getting around to understanding the concept of free speech but now that I am convinced, there is no greater freedom. In that regard, Saket is entitled to his opinion because he clearly uses his blog as his pulpit. Everyone does. Even the bloggers you usually don’t agree with. Heck, I do.

I believe that when you choose to air your views over a wide-open media as the Internet, you are free to do so. But, like it or not, you have a social responsibility and that includes not making disparaging remarks and sweeping generalizations. You have been empowered, use it wisely.
“The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use ……….”
Robert F. Kennedy (1925 - 1968)

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