There is a scene in one of P G Wodehouse's Books on Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, where Jeeves narrates the rioutous scene on a village school annual ceremony. He explains the scene where Bertie Woosters friend Augustus Finknottle, under the influence of liquor while addressing a village school gathering, enters into an argument with the parent of a student, leading to an acrimonious exchange. Jeeves abruptly rounds it off by saying " Then they sang the National Anthem". Bertie wonders how the two antagonists can think of singing the national anthem when they are about to come to blows, and Jeeves clarifies to him that the Principal decided to end the charade by asking the School Band to sing the National Anthem as a prelude to closing the function. The absurdity and hilarity of Bertie wondering ("Jeeves! Surely not..............." were the words if my memory serves me right) how they can think of singing the national anthem at such a time is beautifully illustrated by PGW.
I was reminded of this, when I was watching the absurd proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, just prior to the Mid night adjournment. Vice President Hamid Ansari was in the chair, and the decibel level in the house was at its peak. The time was already past mid night, and Ansari was admonishing the members as to how they are lowering the dignity of the house (as if it has any dignity left!!!), and how proceedings couldnt continue because of the din. Then he abruptly said, "I have to say with deep regret........... (Pause).........National song" and then 'Vande Matharam' was played.
The first absurdity was the VP, hassled, having no control of the House. The second was the need to sing the National song (which is a practice) after the members (mainly the Government) having done its best to not pass the Lokpal Bill, which was being watched by everyone in the Nation. And the third absurdity was Ansari's words in effect coming out as he is asking National song to be played with 'deep regret'!!!
What else can we expect from a bunch of criminals, clowns, self serving politicians led by a nincompoop Prime Minister who gives a damn about Nation and the people they are supposed to represent???
