In February this year, United States President Donald Trump lashed out at Olympic skier Hunter Hess, labelling him a "real loser" after the athlete expressed disapproval of certain US policies.
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In February this year, United States President Donald Trump lashed out at Olympic skier Hunter Hess, labelling him a "real loser" after the athlete expressed disapproval of certain US policies. When asked for his opinion on the current situation in the country, Hess stated, "It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now." What followed his unfiltered, honest, personal opinion about the situation in his country shocked many, as Trump blasted him in a Truth Social post, which read: "U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real loser, says he doesn't represent his country in the current Winter Olympics. If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the team, and it's too bad he's on it. Very hard to root for someone like this." This comment drew widespread criticism and sparked debate online. However, Hess chose to take the high road by turning the insult into something positive. He created a clothing line called “Real Loser”, a merchandise campaign wherein the entire proceeds would go towards supporting youth sports and providing mentorship for athletes taking up action sports. A similar incident occurred in India when Chief Justice of India Surya Kant likened certain unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a Supreme Court hearing regarding a plea for a senior advocate designation on May 15. He remarked that some youngsters become media personnel, social media users, and RTI activists to attack everyone. As the head of the Indian judiciary, the custodian of constitutional guarantees including fundamental rights and freedom of speech, the CJI is expected to handle tense situations responsibly and with grace. He later clarified that his observation was 'misquoted' and that he was only referring to those entering various professions using fake degrees, not to the nation's youth. However, the harm was already done. By then, it had sparked an online movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which amassed more than 22 million followers on its Instagram page within a few days. Internet users turned the remarks into a rallying point to highlight the challenges faced by the youth. Then the CJP X handle was withheld, which only consolidates claims of growing intolerance to dissent. Instead of resorting to gag attempts, the government would do well to listen to the youth, address their concerns, and take stringent measures to prevent frequent question paper leaks, including the recent NEET-UG incident, which erodes public trust and jeopardises the future of lakhs of students.
The decline in democratic culture worldwide, with politicians and those in high offices resorting to provocative rhetoric and personal insults against critics, is a matter of concern. While Donald Trump is known for mocking opponents and calling names, he is not alone in this. Indian lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, frequently engage in personal attacks and communal remarks, especially during election times. Sadly, civility in political discourse is becoming a luxury. Those with differing opinions who criticise the establishment are often targeted and labelled as anti-nationals. Yet, it is dissent that fuels democracy. Shrinking spaces for political engagement will be counterproductive, particularly for democratic health. The abuse of decency must come to an end.