Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has spoken out about the increasing use of abusive language, particularly among the younger generation, calling for respect and restraint in public discourse. Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medallist, emphasized that using bad language is not cool and urged individuals to choose their words carefully.
Her remarks contribute to a broader national discussion regarding the normalization of profanity. Bhaker stated that the language people choose reflects their personality and character. She highlighted that true “coolness” is defined by values such as hard work, kindness, respect, honesty, and making one’s parents and country proud, rather than by vocabulary.
Debate on Public Discourse
Bhaker’s comments follow recent events, including videos from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. These videos showed some protesters using profane slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which ignited a debate on political expression and public discourse.
Explaining her decision to address the issue, Bhaker noted that abusive language has become normalized over the past few years, with many considering it “cool.” She observed that people casually use degrading and disrespectful language in everyday conversations without realizing its impact.
The debate has drawn reactions from various public figures. Prime Minister Modi himself shared a video message on Instagram, stating he had forgiven the students who used abusive language during the protest and urged society to guide them rather than seek punishment. He emphasized that childhood is a time for children to make and correct mistakes.
Public Figures Weigh In
Veteran actor Anupam Kher also joined the discussion, congratulating students on achieving their protest objectives but condemning the abusive language directed at the Prime Minister. Kher expressed his distress at the disrespect shown and framed the issue as larger than politics, concerning the culture to be passed on to future generations. He stressed that democracy grants the right to dissent but not to disrespect, noting that when arguments devolve into abuse, debate ceases and only noise remains. Kher underscored the importance of respecting the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office, regardless of political differences.
Actor Ashutosh Rana contributed to the conversation by highlighting the significance of responsible public discourse. Rana’s comments came in response to remarks made by actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who had described some members of Gen Z as a “gutter generation.” Rana argued that young people should be encouraged to express themselves constructively, distinguishing between a movement and a revolution. He used a metaphor, stating that “Lions roar, elephants trumpet and dogs bark. Every animal is recognised by its sound and the way it expresses itself. Our words decide whether we receive respect or shame.”
Earlier, Kangana Ranaut had criticized the language used by some young protesters, calling it “puke-inducing.” The collective remarks from Bhaker, Kher, Rana, and Ranaut have intensified the broader conversation about whether political dissent can remain impactful without resorting to abuse and how the normalization of profanity is shaping the culture of India’s younger generation.
Social Media Responsibility
Beyond the immediate debate, Manu Bhaker also used her social media platform to advocate for kindness and responsibility online. With 1.4 million followers on Instagram, Bhaker urged social media influencers to be more responsible, reduce toxicity, and promote positivity. She highlighted that life is unpredictable and encouraged people to be kind to one another. Bhaker noted that young generations learn significantly from social media, making it crucial to provide positive influences.
She acknowledged that while some influencers do good work, others are overly critical and make negative comments. Bhaker questioned the necessity of such negativity, asserting that no one succeeds by trying to pull others down. She emphasized that negative comments can significantly impact an individual, either positively or negatively. From a personal perspective, Bhaker shared that it feels good to have people’s support through both good and bad times. Bhaker recently secured a bronze medal in the 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China.
Source: indiatoday.in
