Rodrigo Duterte is almost set to become the next President of Philippines. How many of you are aware of his existence? Let’s  introduce him to you. The Mayor of Davao, as of now doesn’t hesitate to make the most caustic of remarks. He cracks jokes at an inhuman act like a rape but still people vote for him.

Donald Trump is arrogant. He has a tongue that is ‘bereft’ of reluctance. The Republican almost set to win a US Presidential candidacy gets away with the most commendable of speeches, because a huge section swears by him.

Back home in India, revered politicians get personal and lose control over their tongue, but they still hold a place in people’s hearts. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee calls the police force cowards, but some exit polls reveal she will manage to return to power. And they are not the only ones. Examples are galore of  lawmakers who suffer from verbal diarrhea, but are still forces to reckon with. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Amit Shah says there will be celebrations in Pakistan if BJP loses in Bihar.

Have we lost our mind? Perhaps we have. Or else, a major section wouldn’t have owed allegiance to such personalities who don’t hesitate to transcend limits of decency on a public platform. A prominent Mamata supporter is of the view that human memory has a deadline. “It’s her developmental works that matter and not her speeches,” he points out. There is a section in USA which endorses Trump as the next President. God knows why. But don’t be surprised if he beats his Democratic rival to the coveted post. After all, human beings are emotional and love histrionics.

And political leaders play a dubious role on this front. "Don’t show and print the derogatory remarks of any politician as such act encourages them,”  Partha Chatterjee, a minister in Mamata’s cabinet was quoted once. This was in reaction to a comment made by his colleague Madan Mitra who threatened to slap cops if they did not fall in line. So, the message is clear: Let politicians say what they want to, but as a responsible media person, be selective. By the way, Mitra, now incarcerated has contested in the just-concluded state assembly elections and don’t be caught unawares if he goes on to win.            

What goes in the mind of voters is baffling. They look at the larger picture and their own interests before heading towards the polling booth. But do voters realise the people they are voting for have a record of making derogatory remarks? One bets, they don’t. In the process, they are gifting foul-mouthed leaders a chance to misuse the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Incidents of frequent violence at the behest of senior leaders who use young people as pawns say it all. Allurement draws the youth towards netas who tend to take the right to freedom for a ride. Unfortunately, most of them enjoy the most luxurious comforts of life while their supporters face the wrath for wrong-doings.

Don’t blame the ‘frank’ leaders who wield dominance. Blame the normal people who cannot differentiate between the good and the bad. Well don’t even blame the commoners. We are living in a world where an elected member of the Parliament encourages his supporters to even resort to raping women of families of his opposition party.  And he still enjoys the affection of his party supremo.

 We are in a democracy and we love democracy. Lol!!