Even the lowest clerk in a run-down Government PSU can happily show off her pictures from an Ooty weekend trip on Facebook. But the heir-apparent of India's first political dynasty must slide out of this country like the nation's first crook - even when he is doing nothing wrong per se.
Image courtesy: Guruprasath R
In a country where the Prime Minister is probably the most valuable customer Air India has ever had, why do large sections of our populace lose their collective minds the second Rahul Gandhi steps out of our shores? There is never any sufficient answer as to why we need to know, other than some vague notion that we 'should'.
The desire to go on holiday motivates vast swatches of this nation. The ones who can afford it post selfies from Switzerland and the ones who cannot post endless pictures of the nearest elevated rock with some vegetation on it. And birthdays have a special place in every heart. Who does not want to celebrate their birthday, preferably abroad?
However he may have gotten the money, it seems strange to demand that Rahul must remain trapped, like so many of India's lower citizens, within the confines of this nation - never to explore the wonders of a Thailand or a Columbia. A horrible fate, especially when you have crores at your disposal.
So with a little compassion for his pain, on the occasion of Rahul's birthday (yes, one day later technically, but close enough), perhaps it is time that we all gave Rahul a gift - Let us free Rahul Gandhi.
Through his every speech, smirk and slouch, Rahul broadcasts a silent, and as of yet unacknowledged plea - "Please God, let me out of here..."
In a perfect world, Rahul Gandhi would probably spend all his life abroad, occasionally tweeting 'going to India for a few days' to a small band of his personal friends.
It is the role his father wanted, before being shoved into the Prime Minister's chair that took his life. It seems to be an escape his sister managed to construct for herself - ala Robert Vadra. And even his mother managed to get some coverage, via Manmohan Singh.
But not Rahul. All he has become is India's first political prisoner.
And that is simply wrong, even from a humanitarian view. Of all the Indians within our vast lands, he is one of the few who can honestly say - "I have never been allowed to live my own life!'
Who knows what wonderful and comfortable living he could have made, had he never been forced to come back to our shores and slug it out in the heat and dust of Uttar Pradesh or the rain of Tamil Nadu.
Let us have compassion, open our hearts and say - Let Rahul go.
Happy birthday, Rahul Gandhi. I hope you have a good holiday.
Vinayak Hegdeis an assistant editor at Asianet Newsable. Views expressed here are his own.
