Dignified Protest

Kiran Prakash

Today the Garden witnessed a peculiar phenomenon. Being a Wednesday morning, the Club was resplendent in regulation green – barring a solitary man. He came wearing black and had discarded the all-important Club cap. On his chest was a placard, the words ‘ON PROTEST’ emblazoned in large capitals.
He took his position in the exercise circle with an unusually stern and defiant look. Some were horrified at the sight, many were amused, a few even scared. But nobody stopped to inquire why Kiran Prakash had adopted such a peculiar form of ‘protest’.

Meeting for the Saturday (April 18) programme

Permission is required for the venue of function

The reason was no secret to us as we were all witness to the unsavory war of words that broke out soon after the exercises yesterday when Prakash’s name got drawn in. The dispute was over the preferential treatment accorded to a recalcitrant member of questionable repute that had become the cause of much heartburn in the Club over the years. Prakash had nothing to do with it. In his bid to seek a clarification and clear the air, he was rewarded with a resounding snub. That got his goat. But being a gentleman to the core, he did not raise his voice and promptly walked out. “I have never been humiliated like this ever in my life,” he said. “This is not fair!”
At that moment Prakash rose in the esteem of all present. Frantic phone calls followed from the Garden – Shekhawat in particular, assuring him that he would personally resolve the matter. This morning also, he reiterated his promise and requested not to take anything to heart. But Prakash had already resolved to leave the Club: “I will come till Saturday because the evening function is close to my heart,” he said. “After that I see no reason to continue with Big Laaf. Why should I come to this place early in the morning, only to be humiliated? I do not deserve it.”
Nobody ever deserves to be humiliated. But such are the ways of the world that you either stand up to fight or suffer in silence. Both ways you risk further indignity. Today Prakash showed us a third way: Register your protest with dignity and leave it at that. The flip side to this is members are already asking if he would loan them the placard (by turn) just for a day! Watch this space.
Kiran Prakash:
The Club belongs to all. It does not belong to one individual. Every member, irrespective of whether he/she is new or old, deserves to be treated with respect. Of course, today's protest was dignified; tomorrow's may not! On the positive side, it gives me immense pleasure to witness that every member is excited about the Saturday's programme and willing to contribute his/her best to make it memorable. This team work is excellent and worth admiring. May God bless us.
Srichand Arora:
Dear friends, due to some health problem, I may not be able to handle the Big Laaf responsibilities and looking to this I am resigning from the chairmanship of the Club. My written letter of resignation is being handed over to the Chairman Emeritus Shri Hari Singh Shekhawat with copies to Chairman Emeritus Shri Yusuf Bhai and the Secretary Shri Jagmohan Papneja. In mean time I thank you all for the cooperation extended to me during my stay with Big Laaf. KHUSH RAHO MAST RAHO AUR HANSTE RAHO. God bless you all. Good bye.
Harish Wadhwa:
Dear Arora-ji, your health is OK. The litmus test is the Badmaash Company chai every day. Besides, khush raho, mast raho, hanste raho... aap seniors sabka marg darshan bhi karte raho.