When Haryanvi Chodhary in his “Latth maar” Language asked Mr Pranab Mukherjee “Are you a computer “?
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
Extracts from my upcoming book on Politics,culture and governance of Haryana “Murky Politics of Haryana “.Are you a computer, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee?
Politicians are known for clothing even unpleasant statements in the garb of pleasant, or at best, non-committal language. But the nature of the general Haryanavi is quite the opposite. They often express even pleasant or well-meaning statements into jarring or unpleasant words. The people of Haryana are not known for sugar-coating their language or using politically correct language. More often than not, they blurt out at the spur of the moment what comes to their mind. Sometimes, in a jest or derogatively, this kind of language is called ‘latth maar” language. However, most of the times, they have a real point to make.
No less a personality than our President Pranab Mukherjee once had the taste of the sharpness of the Haryanavi tongue. The incident pertains to the days when Pranab Mukhejee was All India General -Secretary of Congress and was in charge of Haryana affairs. He had called the meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee at Faridabad to discuss the ways for improvement of party’s standing in the State. The senior leaders of the state came one by one on the dais and gave their suggestions.
Suddenly, a member of Pradesh Congress Committee from Rohtak, the prominent jat area of the state stood up and interrupted the proceedings. He suggested that Mr. Mukherjee should listen to the views of the ordinary members and workers also. As the proceedings were getting lengthy , Pranab Mukherjee called for a break, saying that the meeting would continue after lunch and then ordinary members would also be given a chance to put forward their suggestions.
When the meeting was resumed after lunch, the same Rohtaki politician came forward and started giving his suggestions. As he was speaking, he noticed that his suggestions are not being noted by Mr. Mukheerji or his personal assistant. Offended at this, he objected and blurted out: “Mr. Mukherjee, are you a computer that you will remember everything. Why are our suggestions not being noted?” Taken aback by this rebuttal, had no option but to take a note pad and note down (or made a pretension of noting down) his suggestions for about half an hour.