26.9.12

Rumours, News and Selective Probity

 
If it is gossip, then the consequences can be damning. It is about two powerful people. Hina Rabbani Khar is Pakistan’s foreign minister. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is seen as the political heir of the Pakistan People’s Party. A Bangladeshi tabloid splashed a story about their affair. Besides an 11-year-age gap, she is married with two kids.

The Indian mainstream media, as well as non-mainstream avenues, have highlighted this bit of news. Hindustan Times front-paged it.

I do not see how it is any different from carrying a story on former Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s CDs or the daily dose of scandals, which include intimate medical updates.

The media has quoted from the story in the tabloid.

The Blitz mentions a greeting card Hina sent Bilawal on his birthday with a hand-written message: “The foundation of our relations is eternal and soon we shall be just ourselves.”

Despite Zardari’s tough stand, Bilawal is said to be adamant on going ahead with his plan to marry Hina. The tabloid claimed that Bilawal has even threatened to resign as President of PPP.

The Bangladeshi publication has been called “sleazy”. Had it talked about new terror training camps in Pakistan, do you think we would have seen it as suspect? It would be given the status of evidence. There is a platonic tone to the article, unlike what the tabloid press in the UK indulges in. Incidentally, Prince Harry’s nude pictures story as well as Kate Middleton’s did make it to our front page as news items.

Therefore, the Hina-Bilawal one is nothing to get stuffy about. While it is true that Indians will make a meal of anything Pakistani, do we accord similar respect to a Veena Malik or a Shoaib Akhtar? Why, a while ago there were rumours about Asif Ali Zardari’s affair with a lady in Canada. Bilawal’s own outings in London were splashed as news.

If a publication uses improper language or passes moral or any sort of judgement on this, then one may question it. Right now, we have a situation where the social media that invariably spills over into mainstream media is now judging the probity of such a move. Some well-known names have been repeating the story, only to say how wrong it is, not to forget even tagging Bilawal so that he knows that they are against it.  Does it not amount to wanting to be on the right side? Had both the individuals not been in positions of power, would the attitude be the same?

Recall how Imran Khan’s love child as well as Jemima Khan’s affair with Hugh Grant later became big news. If the current rumoured affair is a personal matter – and obviously it is – then we need to ask whether the media should continue to carry stories about industrialists’ families or actors and their private lives. I am talking about those that are on the front page where dirty linen is washed, property disputes, sex change, amount of belongings robbed, everything is delineated in disgusting detail.

We seem to get this call of the conscience selectively. I remember the insurance company ad with cricketer Yuvraj Singh. He had already shot for it before he went for his cancer treatment, but when it was aired some people found it offensive, insensitive, in bad taste. Now that he is back, the ad has changed. He speaks about surviving. He is as much a part of the game. Where is the recollection of concern over insensitivity now? The same happened when Aishwariya Rai Bachchan put on weight post-pregnancy and the pictures were online. People were full of empathy. “Leave her alone, she is a true mother,” seemed to be the chorus. Had she got back into shape soon after, these same people would have admired her for being a “yummy mummy” instead of letting herself go.

Replace these names with less known ones and they’d be toasted, if not dismissed derisively.

If the Hina-Bilawal story turns out to be true, it will be interesting to watch the reactions. I’d also like to see if there will be any op-eds doing a ‘sociological take’ on the matter of “privacy”. Therefore, everyone is culpable of adding to what they dismiss.

If it is false, or denied, the Bangladeshi tabloid will have to apologise at the very least. There will be theories about who planted it. It is possible that there could be political rivals or even a foreign hand behind it. The stories about the stories will keep the ‘non-story’ alive. 

11 comments:

  1. FV,

    Didn't we recently speak about 'Year of the Moderate Muslim'? Here, it seems, are two who believe in making love, not Jehad!

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  2. if this story turns out to be true then with utter chagrin I have to hand it to the media for unearthing a wannabe cougar :) what is it matrimonial monotony or lustful boredom

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  3. FV,
    Nice new look for the Blog.
    As a Pak news enthusiast , I guess the best news in 2012 has been this, Hope Ms Khar doesnt become victim of her "Feudal Lord"" and put her foot down as a woman who wishes to follow her heart irrespective of where she was born and her marital status.
    For Bilawal, best decision to use the assests earned by dad, mom and their cronies, live in Switerzland and host Yaum e azaadi parties. The politics in pakistan has got too murky for a kid with brit accent fighting maulanas and maulvis in TV debates , or driven by Vadheras and Khars.
    Good luck to both of them , May Love last .....

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  4. F&F:

    Didn't we recently speak about 'Year of the Moderate Muslim'? Here, it seems, are two who believe in making love, not Jehad!

    There is nothing moderate about this. If true, it is jihad. Subhanallah!

    PS: Can't wait for the 'Year of the Moderate Hindu'. Or did it finish off after the Kama Sutra was written?

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  5. Rizwan:

    What do you mean by "wannabe cougar"? I find it offensive. Had the guy been older what would you have said?

    what is it matrimonial monotony or lustful boredom

    Irrespective of this particular story, there are people who find love in different ways. Is that why Muslim men have more than one wife then? (I might add that bigamy is not uncommon in other communities.)

    I have no clue what "lustful boredom" means.

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  6. Manish:

    A lot happens behind closed doors, and the feudals just have a better shot at it. Indians are not far behind, and the women here too are trapped in social norms. I will not dismiss the need to have a broad value system, but for those who choose to move away with no casualties, good luck to them.

    I'd think people in such situations could just as well continue to live in Pakistan. It really is not as uncommon as it is made out to be.

    PS: Thank you...about the new look of the blog.

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  7. What do you mean by "wannabe cougar"? I find it offensive

    why do you find offensive, there are so many women in west who fantasize on becoming cougar :) it is the current lifestyle quotient! (I find these kind of relationships hilarious)

    "Had the guy been older what would you have said?"

    well if the guy is too old then he would known as "sugar daddy" and if the woman is too young, she would probably be called " Gold digger" I don't see any problem, let us assume that Asif Ali zardari wants to marry MS Khar, wouldn't people laugh at him when Ms khar is like daughter to him , but it is not illegal. Now Assume Asid ali zardari as billionaire and MS khar insists on marrying him leaves her current husband when they are happily married then what would I call her , surely Gold Digger :)

    what is it matrimonial monotony or lustful boredom

    don't think your blog will allow me to discuss those terms but I am sure you understand them - it sounds so simple

    man men or rather most of them are polygamous only difference is that some Muslim men have multiple wives and "others" have many mistresses with only one wife and couple of ex-wives :)

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  8. rizwanalam

    I think you are crossing the boundary there. Careful..

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  9. Rizwan:

    FYI, being a cougar is neither an ambition or a fantasy. If women of a certain age wish to get into a relationship, then they will. No man is being forced into it. There is something called mutuality.

    I don't understand why you find such relationships hilarious. You are aware that the Prophet's first wife was older, are you not? Do you find that hilarious, too?

    The terms you have used for older men-younger women alliances are "sugar daddy" and "gold digger". Both demean women. Why can't an older woman be a sugar mommy and her young partner a gold digger, which is not uncommon? Ms. Khar, just in case you are not aware, comes from a wealthy and renowned family, although I'd stick to my views irrespective.

    When Mr. Zardari married Benazir, he was indeed marrying well. The Bhuttos were way ahead, and subsequently it was his late wife's position that helped him.

    Look around and similar instances are there in India and the West.

    As regards those terms, I know about monotony. I wanted to know what you meant by "lustful boredom". Boredom cannot be lustful. Perhaps, you just got carried away.

    I would suggest that you do not use such casual language, especially wrt women.

    It is not only about a "lifestyle quotient" you might disapprove of, but perfectly valid and mature choices people have every business to make as long as they don't get in your way.






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  10. FYI, being a cougar is neither an ambition or a fantasy. If women of a certain age wish to get into a relationship, then they will. No man is being forced into it. There is something called mutuality.

    well for many it is fantasy and I know it but it is hard to explain here, the society where I live, this system is quite popular - I disagree with you there, and anything that is hard to achieve becomes an ambition for some and becomes an obsession for many but it may not be ubiquitous in India (this part I agree), as far as man is not forced into it I would suggest you read about queen of sheeba or any man who ends up marrying a woman of extreme pulchritude (beauty is such a force) :)

    You are aware that the Prophet's first wife was older, are you not? Do you find that hilarious, too?

    the prophet's example is ludicrous because Khadija(RA) was widowed and our prophet was her employee, and she proposed our prophet based on his character and honesty. Ms khar is nether widowed/divorced nor she has proposed , furthermore we consider Khadija(RA) as the mother of the believers , I can hardly say Ms khar as a mother of any clan and nor "baccha" zardari with upper stiff lip a prophet :) bit surprised at your naivete

    The terms you have used for older men-younger women alliances are "sugar daddy" and "gold digger". Both demean women.

    why it demeans women, these words have been used for ages, it has been used in films,media and they are not swear words, it may become derogatory for some ladies but it could hardly be discounted for the mere fact that these characters exists in our society. I don't know how "sugar daddy is demeaning to women, maybe demeaning to men but not me, apparently many older man who are in their 60's,70's ended up marrying younger girls (say 18) in last century and all of them would quantify as sugar daddies and people opposed these marriages because of the apparent fact , that these girls would end up becoming widows at early age and will forgo their chances of remarrying - sad but utterly true

    As regards those terms, I know about monotony. I wanted to know what you meant by "lustful boredom". Boredom cannot be lustful. Perhaps, you just got carried away.

    everyone knows about monotony, but monotony is different for different people- boredom has the ability to induce various vices, The first computer worm writer was a comp sc graduate from cornell and when asked why he ended up creating a worm, his answer was "boredom" - you can transpose lust with vise and apply in wealth, women, crime, greed and various succor of life - And I did not got carried away :)

    I used zardari's as an analogy and I have no intention of defending them nor demeaning them

    I would suggest that you do not use such casual language, especially wrt women.

    I don't use those terms publicly but I use them to express a popular mood, why women have to be so emotional - the intention was to debate and not demean or slander! my humble submission to you madame is not to become an emotional but reason - I find it difficult to understand that in other matters (pols) you really reason them with adroitness and dexterity but wrt to ladies (hands up - I give up)

    It is not only about a "lifestyle quotient" you might disapprove of, but perfectly valid and mature choices people have every business to make as long as they don't get in your way.

    how can people say they have taken mature choice, when the very choice has made them unhappy - yes their choices are valid because they are not illegal but hardly mature. I have a choice of liking or disliking "lifestyle quotient" and the reason is quite apparent. Only 2% in our society is hyper successful and they are different from the rest of the clan not because they are diff but they are also innovative and some may even call them immature or cruel - the choice is yours :)

    Please don't be angry and emotional all the time - so Long! :)

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  11. footloose

    what dickens you are talking about - there are no boundaries in this blog " Bol tera laab azaad hain " Thats the motto

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