Not frequently do we get to see a veteran politician break down and cry in front of the cameras while apologizing for an allegedly misinterpreted casteist remark against his counterpart. Blame it either on his guilt or on the series of violent protests the comment had triggered.

Even though such incidents are nothing to be proud of and are bad for healthy politics, personal verbal attacks, instead of criticizing a party or its policies have been on the rise, much to the embarrassment of the leaders who make and receive them, and on the masses.

Until recently, such stunts were performed by the party loudmouths while addressing election rallies. These days however, the leaders themselves are doing it.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi once famously addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “the visiting Prime Minister” in the Parliament, criticising his frequent foreign tours. The statement was seen as a sarcastic but decent remark.

The situation is very different in Tamil Nadu. With just about everybody vying for the throne, leading politicians, with complete disregard of decency and decorum, are blatantly making comments and remarks that would make the listeners cringe. The burning of effigies of MDMK Chief Vaiko and Congress State President EVKS Elangovan after their remarks on Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa respectively are one of the many examples.

“Negative publicity is all the reason behind such remarks,” DMK treasurer Stalin said in a television programme recently, when asked about the issue.

In the past too, a certain political party with a very strong presence in the print media was notorious for spewing vitriolic venom at those who dared to oppose them. It was particularly nightmarish for women politicians. The masses of that era loved it. Reactions were not so swift because not many got to know about the offensive things that were being said about them. Most often, the protests were not reported.

But, the internet and satellite TV channels have changed it all. With all political parties enjoying almost equal media visibility, and thanks to 24 hour news channels, each and every negative remark makes headlines.

Terming such remarks as totally against human decency, senior politician and one of the prominent leaders of the CPI, D. Pandian told the Covai Post that such remarks would certainly deteriorate politics in Tamil Nadu.

However, C. Pichandi, a retired professor from a private arts and science college, said that such remarks, when made by leaders, would set a wrong example for the future generation who want to enter politics.

“It is unfortunate that such things are happening in Tamil Nadu, which was ruled by leaders like Kamaraj, Rajaji and Annadurai who never traded personal charges. We should vehemently oppose such remarks as it is dangerous for the political set up of the state. It just shows the hollow and narrow mindset of the current politicians,” he added.