Humour
Playing #Me Too
Not a new phenomenon, it is being played for ages under different names all over the world
By Mukesh Sharma
In the last couple of days, #Me Too has become the more popular game than cricket where, evidently, 11 players play the game on ‘ground’, and teeming millions watch it with all enthusiasm and exactitude. It is followed not only on ground but also on talking shops (TV Channels), nurturing newspapers and gung ho street corners, nothing sells like sex in the world.
With the nomenclature coined and phrased by an American social activist, Tarana Burke, the game started as early as 2006, and it got publicity and popularity when an American actress Alyssa Milano joined the game.
Further, with the intervention of The Times and New York, it became the household name in US. Dozens of wishful women came forward with the accusations of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse against the renowned film producer Harvey Weintein, the open secret, though known to all, surprisingly, was taken by the common people with awe and ouch. The itch of jealousy causes a deriding disease, # whynotme syndrome. Anyway, The Times and New York have won the coveted Pulitzer Prize for Public Service 2018, this year.
What is noteworthy, the # Me Too is being played for ages under different names, and the people know it. Like the game of cricket, it is being played in the confines of four boundary walls; it is being played in the serpentine lanes of dump colonies; it is being played in the abandoned parks; it is being played at every imaginable place of comfort and convenience. Apart from innumerable nonentities, there is long list of ‘notorious’ players from all walks of life. They are known for their sixes and centuries in this # Me Too game.
Selectively, it becomes talk of town when the people at very high places are exposed by chance, and are found complicit in the ‘game’. It is the only game where winner and loser are not decided by the pre-set rules of the game or by any umpire. The #Me Too has the right to change the rules even after the game on the basis of her calculated net profit or gains. If it is not as per expectations, # Me Too is free to cry foul. Nobody listens to batsman. The poor fellow is hanged even without hearing. And ever ready media is quick to catch the alleged perpetrator with his pants down, and cook up the story with all the needed spices and sauces. Readers are more interested in scoops than any national issue.
All men love this #Me Too game. They start it right after the development of secondary sexual characteristics qualities. They grow up with continuous practice. Officially, the most of the men end up with just one #Me Too or a few, and the lucky few reach the actual play ground – the position of power and pelf.
The fortunate players come across many willing #Me Toos. They play them well without any discomforts. The loose ball is sent to boundary wall; the fast ball is played to slip; the bouncer sometimes is ducked. However, the game continues between wooing batsmen and willing #Me Toos.
Over the last few days, the ground rules of the game have been broken by some elite #Me Toos. They want to declare the batsmen out who played the balls and batted years ago, taking advantage of the fact that the PAST can’t be changed or tweaked. However, even their (# Me Toos) whisper and hiss have taken the toll of so-called an Hon’ble Minister very recently. Belief is stronger than reason. Indians go by the perception right or wrong and care damn for the reality. Legal luminaries doubt whether the well thrown balls of #Me Toos would stand the scrutiny of law, against the Principle of Acquiescence after the elapse of so many years of silence, in abeyance with the Limitation Act.
Nobody is interested in Future Indefinite. People are interested in simple Present. The #Me Too game must go on.
