THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- October 18, 2016- Topic 1
The recent arrests of
several people in Tamil Nadu on charges of spreading rumours about the health
of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa are a
cause for serious concern. While the State police might have its reasons to
worry about threats to public order in the wake of wild rumours circulating on
social media, arresting so many people reflects a heavy-handedness and a
failure to distinguish between unfounded speculation and motivated
trouble-mongering. Nearly a month after the Chief Minister’s unfortunate
hospitalisation on September 22, the people of Tamil Nadu know very little
about her health, other than the details released through sparsely-worded
hospital bulletins. Given that there has been no official word from the State
government, it is not entirely unnatural that her extended stay in hospital has
led to people speculating about her ill-health — some of them owe allegiance to
rival political parties. To arrest people on charges of posting WhatsApp or
Facebook messages is a gross abuse of authority. Not surprisingly, it has led
people to believe that such action betrays the State government’s desperation
to prevent any conversation that is at odds with the overly cheerful statements
put out by AIADMK functionaries and sanitised press releases. If the government
is keen on curtailing rumours, it would do better by keeping people updated
regularly on the broad state of the Chief Minister’s health, a matter that is a
source of concern for all well-meaning people in the State.
The arrest of two employees
of a bank in Coimbatore is particularly unsettling, as the police went solely
by the word of an AIADMK functionary. Neither the CCTV footage nor the
testimony of other bank employees suggests any attempt on the part of those
arrested to disrupt public order or, even, spread rumours. Even if the two
employees did speak of the Chief Minister’s health condition, the conversation
constituted a private exchange — it cannot be compared to posts on social
media, even if many of these posts were just as innocuous. If causing public
unrest is the real concern, what are the police doing about the thousands of
AIADMK workers who are making a public ritual of their prayers and offerings
for the Chief Minister to return to good health? Criminal intimidation, public
mischief are sections of the law that have been used by police, at the behest
of overenthusiastic political bosses, on the basis of a mistaken sense of
personal loyalty to Ms. Jayalalithaa. At a time when there is a groundswell of
sympathy for Ms. Jayalalithaa’s condition, and hope that she recovers from her
illness, such acts don’t reflect well on those currently in charge of the State
administration.
Vocabulary
Wild: uncontrolled or unrestrained, especially in pursuit of pleasure.
Example: She went through a wild phase of drunken parties and desperate affairs
Synonyms: unrestrained,undisciplined, unruly, rowdy,
Handedness: the tendency to use either the right or the left hand more naturally than
the other.
Example: Injury has forced him to change his handedness
Mongering: a diurnal bird of prey with broad rounded wings and a long tail, typically
taking prey by surprise with a short chase.
Example: Bird watchers will be treated to the sight of caracara hawks , Florida
sandhill cranes, and numerous other species.
Synonyms: peddle, huckster, pitch, hawk, vend
Owe: ave an obligation to pay or repay (something, especially money) in return
for something received.
Example: They have denied they owe money to the company
Synonyms: be in debt to, be indebted to, be in arrears to, be
under an obligation to
Allegiance: loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to
a group or cause.
Example: Those wishing to receive citizenship must swear allegiance to the republic
Synonyms: loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity, obedience, homage, devotion, fealty
Betray: unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.
Example: She drew a deep breath that betrayed her indignation
Innocuous: not harmful or offensive.
Example: It was an innocuous question
Synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent, edible, eatable; inoffensive
Intimidation: the action of intimidating someone, or the state of being intimidated.
Example: The intimidation of witnesses and jurors
Enthusiastic: having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Example: The promoter was enthusiastic about the concert venue
Synonyms: eager, keen, avid, ardent, fervent, passionate, ebullient, zealous