I am not interested in Indian and Kerala politics. So, I am not privy to any insider information on what happens, and is bound to happen with regard to Kerala politics. Yet, as a person who has been striving to study the effect of language codes on human behaviour and reactions, over here, and everywhere, the fate of Madani has interested me. Since I am not a Muslim, I think I can safely discuss this issue without being accused of being partial to Islamic personages.

His wife has been arrested on the charges of having colluded with others in burning up a bus in Ernakulam. I do not know the details. Bus burning is an offense, but I have seen it been done as a serious pastime by student parties when I was in my college. No one remembers them. I cant comment on the present arrest, however, what has fascinated me much is the ferocious antipathy a certain section of the government officials have for Madani. What could be the cause for it?

Well, as an acute observer of language codes, there is something that I wanted to know. I have no means of doing that. It is a simple thing, and can even be termed as silly. The query is just this: Does Mr. Madani have a penchant for addressing government officials  with a ningal, instead of Sar? If he does, all the terribleness that fate had bestowed on him can be explained. For, it is my experience and also confirmed through many others, that if a public servant is addressed with a ningal (aap in Hindi), by a common man in Kerala, that common mans fate is doomed. If he does it to a bank manager, his loan application is finished. If he goes to any office, does thus, he doomed to wander the corridors of public offices forever. However, if he dares to address a policeman/officer(?), then it is a rare event if he is not beaten to a pulp. That is the reality of the freedom that was received by the Keralites in 1947.

I have seen (rarely do I watch Malayalam TV), even the former Chief Minister A K Antony using the term Sar about police officials and in addressing them. If the Chief Minister himself does not know the proper protocol for addressing the officialdom, what is the fate of the common Keralite? He is just a servant to the officials.

Many years ago, I think in the year 1981-82, I have seen my middle level government official parent being addressed by his/her official position by Umman Chandy who was a  minister for a brief period. He was not willing to address my parent by the words, NIngal.

Just imagine how far the people have come into the gutters since the departure of the British. I remember C Achutha Menon, the Chief Minister during the 1975 government officials strike (2 months long), keeping the officialdom as mere public servants. Now see where it has arrived? Just 60 years after the departure of the British. What would be the scene within a 100 years?

As to Madani, he better start using the word Sar to all officials, or else, only the god can save him.