The modern thinking Indian

I read an article in the paper today that Mulayam Singh has been pretty nettled by the adverse publicity due to the Noida massacre case, and that this publicity is in turn turning on the heat on the overall crime situation in Uttar Pradesh. Given that elections are close, and with everybody calling Uttar Pradesh as a state without a decent law and order situation, Mulayam is worried, worried enough to try and use the good public image of his friend (Amitabh Bachchan) to try and project UP's image in a better light.
I can't think of a worse thing to do for a person of Amitabh's calibre. He has a very positive portrayal in the Indian media due to the movies he makes successful and his talent. He further establishes a good image by appearing for public service ads such as the Polio campaign. After all, to take on something which all of us know is not true threatens to cast a shadow over his positive image. Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh may be Amitabh's friends, but make no mistake, the day Amitabh actually gets (unwillingly maybe) into the political game of trying to cast UP's current status in a positive light in terms of rule of law and justice will be the day that shadows will start to form on his image. I don't know whether he actually has the courage to face the unprecedented political flak he will face.
The Indian public is very fickle - when Aamir Khan tried to stand up for the Narmada refugees, the timing of this stand along with his film release made people suspicious of his intentions; when he stood up in long ads (for which he must have been paid great sums of money) to try and offset the pesticide issue, he lost some of his sheen (after all, there would be a great number of people willing to believe that a big company can play with their health if a profit is involved); Amitabh should really avoid getting into this trap.

Labels: Development, Governance, Image, Law, Star