Of gratitude, political prostitutes and

political pimps
January 5, 2015

The most enlightened, most noble Ven. Galaboda

Gnanasara Thero, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS)
organisation, had a mouthful to spew at former Justice Minister and Sri
Lanka Muslin Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem recently. He called him

a political prostitute.
The most eloquent Gnanasara Thera said that Rauff Hakeem had
defected to the opposition at the presidential elections in 2005 and 2010,
however, later joined the Government once again. This, according to him,
makes Rauf Hakeem a political prostitute.
The term prostitute commonly conjures sexual connotations regardless of
the context. None would use it unless filled with strong hatred. Also coming
from a member of the clergy its a trifle irreconcilable. Weve never heard
such words from monks until this particular administration was installed.
This is an unfortunate development emerging in the midst of a decisive
presidential election where every facet of the government apparatus and
other bodies, some sacred, is being abused with contempt and impunity to
ensure the victory of the incumbent. Direct support of the Venerable Thero
for the incumbent has further fractured the Governments coalition.
Strange ambivalence

In fairness to Rauf Hakeem, it must be stated if hes a political prostitute,

hes certainly not the only one. They come in all sizes and colours. It seems
in our lovely paradise island of Sri Lanka our wise legislators would shower
praise and gratitude on fellow legislators for supporting motions and bills
even if its a draconian piece of legislature that undermines the supremacy,
sovereignty of the people

.
The individual/s is then congratulated, hugged, camaraderie ensues and all
is hunky-dory. Not for long though, he or she can soon turn out a dreadful
traitor, terrorist, prostitute without any prior warning. When this happens
compulsory ostracisation is deemed important by the palace, state media
automatically goes on top gear to vilify the once confidante/s. All this just
for changing loyalties.
This is such an interesting socio-political phenomenon wholly worthy of a
PhD research and dissertation. This strange ambivalence surely deserves a
full State-funded study. I am not joking. How patriots turn traitors can shed
a lot of light and insight to the much-intrigued general public.

Cultural and political freedoms

In most multi-cultural democracies socio-economic, cultural and political
freedoms are constitutionally guaranteed and legally protected. If leaders
are elected in competitive multi-party, multi-candidate processes,
Opposition parties regardless whether theyre from majority or minority
parties must be afforded the legitimate right of participating, sharing or
attaining power. Such a course of action is wholly compatible with the
principles of a vibrant democracy.
In an environment where wishes, aspirations of minorities are subject to
change under pressure due to targeted racism and discrimination an outlet
to stop and discontinue such persecutions becomes an existential problem.
A six-year mandate constitutionally guaranteed for the president often
times leave minority parties in a quandary if the president is insensitive.
Minority parties can either succumb to corruption and remain silent or
discontinue support altogether at the dangerous expense of and getting
their files open and be called political prostitutes and what not.
Sri Lankas democracy
Sri Lankas democracy is a strong one despite its chequered history.
Minorities in total represent approximately 35% and growing. This fairly
large chunk has always been a very dependable vote-bank to the many
majority political party leaders during presidential elections.
The imaginative and sincere leader always had the choice to accommodate
all by directly addressing all citizens regardless of race or religion. Had such
a culture received a hot incubation from the very inception half or more of
the minority parties today may have been non-existent.
On the contrary isolationist agendas, racism and suppression of basic
human rights to name a few precipitated a kind of disillusionment in the
minds of minorities and coalesced the reality thats plainly visible for all to
see. The current regime whose modus operandi to marginalise and
disenfranchise minorities has set a huge and sick precedence.
Political prostitutes and political pimps
In the current context all parties who made their allegiance to the common
Opposition candidate had serious issues or grievances with the President.
They had tried vigorously to resolve them through negotiation and dialogue.
A process of consultation, compromise and consensus made famous by the

late President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

According to party leaders, these negotiations had lasted for months but
gridlock reined. When all efforts failed and intransigence manifested parties
were left with no option but to become political prostitutes, as defined by
the most enlightened, most noble Ven. Galaboda Gnanasara Thero.
Its totally unfair to target Rauf Hakeem in particular. In all honesty our
august assembly is filled with all kinds of political prostitutes today.
Unfortunately no one speaks about the political pimps! Those that flaunt
crisp notes laden with attractive illustrations of peacocks and other birds in
violation of the law of the land. Where there is a political prostitute, there is
a political pimp.

Muslim parties and the BBS

I dont think any one of the Muslim parties would have entertained any
intention of leaving the coalition. The only pressing reason was the
grotesque and beastly phenomenon of the BBS. Each one of them had
individually highlighted this fact in their official press communiqu.
For sure the Muslim parties should have left the coalition long before. Better
late than never. The BBS it seems was created to destroy, demonise and
disenfranchise the minorities, especially the Muslims. How could a
responsible leader consent to such an enterprise?
The Muslims have lived with the majority and the rest of the minorities in
peace and harmony for centuries. The Muslim leadership of yesteryear had
done yeoman service promoting peaceful co-existence. Their wish and
legacy prevailed with minor aberrations until this Government was
enthroned.

Where is the gratitude for the Muslims?

The great role played by the then Muslim leadership towards full
independence and preserving the common national fabric cannot be
dismissed. Leaders like T.B. Jayah, S.L. Naina Marikkar, M. Cassim Ismail,
Cassim Umar, Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel and Razick Fareed were in the front battling
a common cause. Where is the gratitude for the Muslims?
Many innocent Muslims perished giving their lives trying to preserve and

protect the unity of this country we all love. The Muslims never proved
treacherous then and did not prove it now, so where is the gratitude for the
Muslims?
How many Muslim members of the Sri Lanka Army laid down their lives
preserving the unity of the country? Where is the gratitude for the Muslims?
This war couldnt have been won without the help of Pakistan, an Islamic
country, that did all it could to cooperate. Where is the gratitude for the
Muslims? How can we trust an ungrateful leader? Ingratitude is indeed
poison to the soul.
(The writer holds a MBA First Class Honours, Major in Marketing VM
University India and runs a small business enterprise in Toronto, Canada. He
could be reached via nishthar.idroos.isme@gmail.com.)
Posted by Thavam