Lack of respect and decline of cultural values

He has just been nominated as a candidate for the forthcoming by-election in constituency 7, by respectable electors who are renowned for sending to parliament some of our best parliamentarians but I am sorry to note that his first steps into politics show that he has inherited the worst defects of last century’s politicians. At the end of the second decade of this century, we would have thought that his mentors would have taught him better – at least to inspire respect for himself, if not to endear himself to the electorate. But no, he shows he carries the worse manners of his stable. Constituency No. 18 has just shown our people how they treat those upstarts who have no respect for their betters. Arvin came out first, well above the other candidates of respectable parties and groupings.

Verbal attacks, yes, but not baseless invectives

I hope none of your readers will treat me as a reactionary when I state that in our multicultural society with people from all the most ancient cultures – African, Chinese, Muslim, Indian and European – we have internalized over the years respect for the elderly. Our Prime Minister, who hails from a respectable family, leaves no stone unturned to impress on people the great respect we owe to our elderly. The new nominee for the electoral bout forgets that an election at this level is not a matter of fun and insult. The campaign leading to polling day is not a matter for boxers who engage in touting, to who attract crowds to increase the prize money. It is rather unfortunate that in their rage to win they have recourse to below-the-belt blows. Up to now I have not come across any chivalrous politician, except probably Sir Harold Walter, who after realizing that he had been elected in Grand Port/Savanne with an overwhelming majority said: “This will teach Bissoondoyal and his clique that they are beaten for the count.” This was quite strong language, But it was not meant to demean his adversary, i.e. it was the truth and not invective! Invective is baseless, cheap and intended to insult one’s adversary. It is to appeal to the basest instincts of human beings. Such reckless behaviour often leads to similar irresponsible language that may rouse uneducated people to retaliate and shed blood.

“Courtesy is a stronger weapon than invective and insult. The electorate can teach unruly candidates manners!”

What is it about? A peccadillo or what?

He was known as “Le roi de l’Est”; we’ll turn him into “Le rat de l’Est”. Very well said! I forced myself to smile but I could not. As a play on words it was at most stupid and at worst cruel.

Does it set the tone for a campaign of invective without substance? I should think that political leaders should rein in their stallions and request them to have more respect for an enlightened electorate. Our electors will not brook any disrespect for themselves and their families especially when speeches reach them in their drawing rooms on radio and television. Bachoo, for all we know, did not crown himself “roi de l’Est” others did it for him as he had become invincible in the eastern region just as Bhagwan has become in no. 20, Ganoo in no.14 and Arvin became in Rose Belle. The people, the press and their supporters crowned him! To be insulted by a newcomer is the height of ignominy. Chaucer said somewhere that asses should shut up lest they poison everyone around them – friend and foe. Mauritius is a young state, only fifty or so years old. But even under the English we had “free and fair” elections. Democracy has prevailed throughout and freedom of speech has always been valued as well as the truism that “your freedom stops where mine starts”. Mr. Bachoo, Labour’s choice of candidate to fight the forthcoming by-election may not be to the liking of Labourites themselves, but he is entitled to regard himself a guru for many who have learnt at his feet.

An appeal for a change of language in the next elections

We are now twenty years past the emergence of a new century. Most of our politicians- Right, Left and Centre hail from reputable learning institutions. As alumni of these institutions, they have a duty to safeguard their image. And this they can do through their unblemished behaviour in public and, probably, in the “visible” private. Our culture is an addition of all the best in several ancient cultures.

Respect for all others allows us to enjoy the benefits of cultural co-existence and peace. The choice of a political candidate in Mauritius is dictated by a number of considerations – ethnicity being the most important. Mr. Bachoo, from his past records, may prove a failure like in 2014 but he may also prove to be the dynamo that will boost up the drooping red flag at the next general election. With the support of the like of Arvin and the young Parliamentary labour leader, Shakeel Mohamed, he promises to shake up the MSM citadel. But he should not retaliate in the same vein. Politicians should realise that the electorate may be tired of seeing the same old faces on television and the same candidates in every general election. We are looking forward to seeing some fresh new faces with new ideas communicated to us in a civilized language. This is an opportunity for the independent candidates to show their mettle. Courtesy is a stronger weapon than invective and insult. The electorate can teach unruly candidates manners!