It was a casual day, or so I thought it would. All alone, peaceful and totally absorbed into a book. Knock! Knock!! Was I expecting anyone? No.
Arrogant SoB (Son of a Bitch): Hello sir ... (something in kannada)
bonGu: Can you speak either in hindi, or in english?
Arrogant SoB: We are building a temple to honour so-and-so God. Please be generous and contribute to the good cause.
bonGu: Sorry. I'm not interestedArrogant SoB: Not interested?! What do you mean, not interested?
bonGu: It means I'm not interested. It means I don't want to donate.
Arrogant SoB: Tell me, where are you from?
bonGu (puzzled and confused): How would that matter?
Arrogant SoB: Tell me where you are from and I'll tell you how that matters.
bonGu (furiated): I'm not from Karnataka!
Arrogant SoB: Well then, don't you want to stay in Karnataka?
bonGu: I don't give you money and you start threatening me? Who taught you this? Your parents?
Arrogant SoB (angry and pissed off): ... (cursing something in kannada)
bonGu: Fuck Off!
WHAT THE FUCK!!??
When did we come to this? Humility and reason seem to be a lost altogether. This is not an isolated incident. Similar kind of conflict comes on an yearly basis at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi. Do I have to give out my hard-earned money for your merry-making? And on top of that, you (who is clueless of what God is all about) become judgemental on me? I'm banished from the society! I'm frowned upon! I'm "that person" who did not donate to your "sacrad" event. Fuck You!
If you are totally sloshed out and dance and sing and make hell amount of noise (supposedly, in the name of God), it is O.K. If I was to do the same (on a different occasion), then it is a disturbance to everyone around? It is not O.K if I play loud music at inappropriate times, but, it is perfectly fine if you play loud music till midnight or at 4:30 in the morning. It is O.K because you are a devotee of ayyappa or ganesha or whoever-the-fuck-it-is.
This is not just with the "religious" lot. It creeps into the workplace also. Every often there's an event; birthday celebration, farewell, parties, it doesn't matter. You have to "contribute" to the "team" even though you hate the very idea of a celebration. And in some cases, just contributing will not do. You HAVE to be present in the gatherings. Make no mistake here - You'll be an outcast. Everything boils down to concept of majority-minority or fitting-in-the-society bullshit. Integrity is no more an idea or a thought, but, merely a word in the dictionary.
Don't remember who, but, I had an argument with him long time back - society greater than individual or individual greater than society? I'll kick on the balls and give the answer now.
