MATTERS OF HEAD AND HEART 

Eureka!  Eureka! (but not like Archimedes running out naked from the bathroom)  There is some good news for those of us who always think the worst of politicians.  I mean the revelation that those in the profession of politics are not heartless, which they are normally supposed to be.  Some might treat this bit as some practical joke, or an advance preparation for the ‘All Fool’s Day.’

Some detractors might very well argue that this is only the latest in a series of scams, for it is easier to get a needle out of a haystack than find one heart from amongst a thousand politicians.  They might further say that this is the time when Indian politics is usually gripped by rumours of all sorts, with an impending election and one cannot easily believe such a thing as politicians having hearts.  But then, the fact is that they possess weak hearts, far too weak to stand any pressure.

One particular politician first lost his heart to a lady and then broke her heart.  This lady then lost her head and painted the town red with stories of how this politician broke her heart.   It is still not clear whether this politician was heartless, or headless – or both.

Recent events, particularly the arrest of some former ministers, one thought, had medieval overtones.  People could not believe their eyes and ears.  After all, it was possible to send ‘powerful’ people to jail in independent India, when prisons are meant for the defenceless? 

Before 1947, going to jail was deemed a supreme act of sacrifice.  During the freedom struggle, freedom fighters’ long stint in jails helped them in introspection and soul-searching.  Some of the best works and golden thoughts about the freedom movement had their roots in jails.  Though circumstances have, no doubt, before Independence were treated as heroes and freedom fighters.

When I read the newspapers quoting one of the arrested politicians as saying that he was having a heart problem, my heart went out to him.  The simple reason was that all along we had been under the false impression that those who alternately ruled and aspired to do so were totally heartless.  I was moved, for here was a chap who was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, oscillating between the confines of hospital and jail.  The truth may well be that hospitals are preferred to jails and sickness is feigned, but then I am not supposed to assume that.

Indian policemen, wherever they are, are known to this day as those who are no good, either as friends or as enemies, and jails are dreadful places where third degree measures are more the rule than the exception.  But then government hospitals are no worse, or better as the case may be.  I for one, would prefer going to jail rather than suffer the mental, physical and psychological torture, besides the financial shocks that the hospital bills would give me.  In a jail, one might stand a chance of survival, but not so in a hospital.  The only request you have to make to the jailer is that please do not beat me so much that I land up in a hospital!!

As long as the heart is in question, it is Ok, but what about another important component – the head?  What will happen, if these politicians argue tomorrow that they also have a head!  I am sure, many hearts would fail and a few would even rack their heads.  As far as I am concerned, it would be heady stuff for me and I could even end up losing my head!!!

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