On the phrase of it

Now, with terrorism entering the metropolitan discourse of fear and complaints, a new jargon seems to have hit town.

Don’t you find it touching when the public plays — forgive the self-indulgence — the pundit? Already, everyone is an expert on cricket, an astute political commentator and knows the real truth behind every high-profile crime. Now, with terrorism entering the metropolitan discourse of fear and complaints, a new jargon seems to have hit town.

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During the encounter between the Delhi Police and terrorists on Friday, local residents were reportedly ready with their informed sound-bites. ‘Terrorist’ terminology and phrases used by television talking heads and hyper-talkative anchors have mutated their way into mohalla discourse. While one gent explained that there was no ‘cross-firing’, someone else dismissed the event as a ‘fake encounter’ ‘planted’ by the police. And someone knew that it was a ‘raid by the Special Cell’, while pretty much everyone dropped the word ‘operation’ as if it was on its way to extinction.

The power of television is a thing to behold. This Diwali, watch out when your kids pester you for some ‘low intensity blasts’. And maybe, it’s a good time to exchange that TV for a CCTV.