Editorial
Vitriolic talk show touching a new low
Decency given an indecent burial
What happened on RTV talk show on October 22 was the height of distasteful behaviour on the part of a minister who clearly crossed the line vis-à-vis an opposition leader. When things go wrong and the media pick it up, some ministers bristle all their quills and berate the media for alleged misreporting. The account that the Shipping Minister Shahjahan, in particular, gave of himself on the show, does not require media to smear his image. He is enough to do so himself.
In any talk-show, it is possible to lose one's temper. But Mr. Khan being a seasoned politician should have been able to control his temper, especially when speaking on a TV programme that is being telecast live with an audience involving people who are in their formative years. Statements like "I will rip out your eyes" are not utterable in educated and civilised circles. This sort of crude statement is unbecoming of a person holding a senior position of the republic.
Admittedly, Rafiqul Islam was provocative. But then that is in the very nature of the encounter. Even if he was, he did not go to the vulgar extent the minister did. So the onus is more on the minister than on Rafiqul to have contained himself within acceptable limits. Decorous behaviour and normal courtesy are expected both from the government and opposition leaders. Let's not forget that Rafiqul is also a former minister. Our question to the minister is whether it is necessary for him to come out in public with bellicosity that had better be kept private. Must he come out with 'fangs and claws' to make a scene in full public glare? Through this demonstration of brute verbal onslaught, the minister has not only brought himself down in public esteem, but also bad name to his party and government. Let's hope he sees the point.
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