Opinion: PM wants us to watch Sushma Swaraj’s fiery Lok Sabha speech. What’s so great about it?

I remember my granny saying to me, “You make faces at a monkey, it will screech and immediately attack you.” That’s why I have never dared to provoke any monkey so far.

However, that’s a different story. The import of the message here is…well, perhaps this scene from the Parliament (August 12, 2015) will best explain it:

Apparently, counter-offence is a behavioral trait which we have very much inherited from the Primates, our ancestors. You attack and we attack back. When the Opposition attacked the External Affairs Minister over her alleged involvement in Lalitgate, she followed logic. The lady in question gave a good shot and ripped apart her attackers. She got a pat on her back by senior BJP leader L K Advani and made the Prime Minister tweet about her act as a ‘must-watch’.

A must-watch speech by @SushmaSwaraj ji in Parliament. https://t.co/Lpdg4wKcQf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 12, 2015

Huh!

For what? For shouting above the screech made by House-mate baboons (congress of baboons, they say! Pun intended)? For showing compassion towards a ‘cancer-affected Indian woman who was not involved in any crime’? For fighting tooth and nail to rescue her daughter and husband? For giving the perfect holiday advice to Rahul Gandhi for free? For exposing how a Congress veteran’s wife didn’t flinch to take money under the table? For summoning up the political poltergeists of yesteryear that would haunt the Opposition? Or for telling us how to write Q-U-I-D P-R-O Q-U-O and explaining us the exact meaning?

Her 30-minute speech in the Lok Sobha has been reported as an act of bravery. As if her lines were the only straws for the tainted ruling party members to clutch at while going down in a political whirlpool.

She was made the hero in no time. She has been trending high since. One said she ‘took 44 wickets in one over’ (referring to the strength of the Congress in the Lok Sabha), while the other suggested a player of her stature ‘should train Indian fast bowlers’ (recognizing her breakneck bouncers at the Congress).

All said and done, she was just watching her back while Lalitgate is still looming large on her. Any creature—with or without a tail– would do that!

So, what’s really great about it?

Granny, gives me a gentle nudge on the head, perhaps to evoke my sleeping brains, and says, “Most of us screech. Who stands out is the one who can do the real talking. Today, politicians are hailed not for their actions, but for words. Words that echo loud like the sound of an empty vessel. That’s called gift of the gab, kid! This is how you fool people!”

My friend Rahul to his Momma: Why have I not got this gift yet?

Momma: ???!!!

My friend Rahul whispers to himself: Maybe on my next birthday!

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