Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker addresses use of abusive language in public discourse
Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker advocates for respectful language
Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has spoken out regarding the increasing normalisation of abusive language, particularly among younger generations. She emphasised the importance of choosing words carefully, stating that language reflects an individual’s personality and character. Bhaker’s remarks contribute to a broader discussion on the use of profanity in public discourse.
The shooter, a two-time Olympic medallist, cautioned against the growing acceptance of abusive language in daily conversations. She highlighted that true ‘coolness’ is rooted in values such as hard work, kindness, respect, honesty, and striving for success, rather than in the use of profanity. Bhaker asserted that using bad language is not cool and should not be mistaken for confidence or modernity.
Bhaker explained her decision to address the issue, noting that abusive language has gradually become normalised, especially among young people. She observed that many now consider the use of such words to be ‘cool’ and casually employ degrading and disrespectful language in everyday interactions without fully realising its impact.
Public figures weigh in on the debate
Bhaker’s comments come amid a wider debate that gained traction following 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, sparking discussions about the boundaries of political expression.
Prime Minister Modi later shared a video message on Instagram, stating he had forgiven the students who used abusive language during the protest. He urged society to guide them rather than seek punishment, emphasising that childhood is a time for correcting mistakes. This message further fueled the public conversation.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher also joined the debate, expressing his distress over the abusive language directed at the Prime Minister. While congratulating students on achieving their protest objectives, Kher stressed that democracy allows for disagreement but not disrespect. He argued that respecting the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office is essential, regardless of political differences, and that the issue extends beyond politics to the culture being passed to future generations.
Actor Ashutosh Rana contributed to the discussion by highlighting the importance of responsible public discourse. He responded to comments made by actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who had described sections of Gen Z as a ‘gutter generation’ due to their language during protests. Rana distinguished between movements and revolutions, advocating for constructive expression among young people.
Rana used a metaphor to underscore the significance of language, stating that just as animals are recognised by their sounds, human words determine whether one receives respect or shame. He emphasised that young people should be encouraged to share their thoughts and vision for the future.
Social media responsibility and positive influence
In a separate message, Bhaker also urged social media influencers to act responsibly and promote positivity. She highlighted that social media is accessible to everyone, including the younger generation, who learn significantly from it. Bhaker stressed the importance of providing positive influences to young users.
She observed that while some influencers do good work, others are overly critical and make negative comments. Bhaker questioned the necessity of such negativity, stating that no one succeeds by trying to pull others down. She added that negative comments can significantly impact an individual, while support through good and bad times is invaluable.
Bhaker, who recently secured a bronze medal in the 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, often uses her Instagram account to share glimpses of her life with her 1.4 million followers.
The remarks from Bhaker, Kher, Rana, and Ranaut have intensified the conversation on whether political dissent can be forceful without resorting to abuse and how the normalisation of profanity is shaping the culture of India’s younger generation.
Source: indiatoday.in
Priya Menon 