11th February 2001

Mentally ill comparison offensive

5 th Column

"That," said Percy Udagedera, Bindu's father, "is supposed to be a protest campaign."

"Against what, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why, Bindu, they are protesting against the rising cost of living."

"But, thaaththa, it looked more like a party."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, with all that music, singing and dancing."

"That must have been done to keep the participants happy." Percy suggested.

"But thaaththa," Bindu argued, "if they are protesting against the rising cost of living, they shouldn't be singing and dancing."

"That's true, Bindu" Percy said, "but plenty of such things happen."

"How can you say that?"

"Why, Bindu, now Satellite has issued orders banning the use of air-conditioners to save electricity."

"But what's wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with that," Percy agreed, "but at the same time they are having flood-lit cricket matches."

"But thaaththa, that is essential."

"How can you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, the moment we start winning our cricket matches, the people start to forget all about the cost of living."

"Then," Percy suggested, "that's why there were so many protests against the cost of living last month."

"Why do you say that?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why, last month we lost almost all our matches in South Africa."

"And then they became angry and started blaming the cost of living."

"Then," Percy said, "they will need to win many more matches."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, Satellite is making sure that we pay more for almost everything."

"How can you say that, thaaththa?" Bindu queried.

"Why she increased electricity charges and banned air-conditioners."

"What else did she do, thaaththa?

"Why, she is about to fix meters for all the wells and charge more for the water we use."

"And she has increased the price of dhal this week."

"Very soon," Percy observed, "we may have to pay for the air we breathe also."

"Then, thaaththa," Bindu argued, "this 'Jana Bala Meheyuma' protest is justified."

"That's what you think." Percy cautioned.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, the PM has said that politicians who participated in the 'Jana Bala Meheyuma' are mentally ill..."

"That's not an appropriate comparison." Bindu said.

"Of course not."

"Do you think those politicians were angry?"

"I don't know about that," Percy said, "but I do know who is angry."

"Who is that, thaaththa?"

"Those who are mentally ill are angry at being compared to politicians."

Bindu didn't disagree with that argument.

The Jungle Telegraph

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