I have been following Babu Gogineni’s Facebook profile for the past couple of years or so. He has been trying to position himself as a reformer, opinion-maker, human rights activist, conscience-keeper, and a crusader against irrational religious customs and practices. However, in spite of all his efforts to project himself as the reformer that the Telugu-speaking states have long been waiting for, he comes across as a very petty-minded, egotistic, and vulgar person. This in spite of his erudition, wide exposure, and impressive writing and debating abilities!
One can’t argue the fact that he was
impressive in his televised debates. He is
evidently very well read. On live television, he effortlessly exposed a few
individuals who were exploiting the fears and beliefs of gullible people. So far so good! He was then invited to the Big Boss
show. It was then that his carefully
crafted public image began to unravel.
Quite evidently, he could not handle
not being chosen the winner of the show.
He went into the show claiming that he was entering it as he felt it was
an interesting experiment in the study of human behavior. I did not watch any part of the show, but based
on his outbursts against the winner and other members of the house, it was
quite clear that he deemed himself far superior. His indignation extended to the makers and
the host of the show. How could they not
choose him who is the most knowledgeable, intelligent, and evolved being in the
1000-mile radius, leave alone the Big Boss house!
Yes, it is true that Kaushal, the
winner, does not possess the intellectual abilities that Babu Gogineni does. But who said the Big Boss show is the most
accurate judge of human virtues? Why
did Babu invest so much emotion and pride in a show (like many Telugu movies
and shows) that panders to the lowest common denominator? It seems he thought it would be an easy win
and would launch him into the coveted space of public acceptance and celebrity.
He refused to accept the verdict
and started slandering and targeting the winner and challenged him to a debate. His schadenfreude is quite evident whenever something
bad comes into light about any of the contestants that he did not like in the
house. Months and years after conclusion
of the show, he continues to indulge in vulgar insults and slander on social
media platforms. All this reveals a sick,
petty, and vulgar person in the garb of a righteous crusader.
True reformers focus their energies
not on individual perpetrators but the all-pervading systemic evil itself. Gandhi did not fight individual British bureaucrats,
policemen, or military men. Jaya Prakash
Narayan, founder of Lok Satta Party, was instrumental in bringing about many
legislative reforms that curb political corruption. However, he did not get into street fights against
any corrupt MLA or MP. No mature politician
or reformer fights individuals and wastes his/her precious energies. They look at the larger picture and focus
their efforts in bringing about systemic and societal reforms. However, taking Babu Gogineni’s name in the
same breath as Jayaprakash Narayan or Gandhi would be an insult to the latter
two.
Babu talks about Art of War and strategizing. He extends his righteous indignation to popular
people like RGV, Raja Mouli, and Tanikella Bharani. While his thoughts on RGV and Aryn Rand appear
well-intentioned, reasonable, and accurate, his efforts to pick up cudgels
against popular figures betray his sinister designs. By punching above his weight, he is trying to
place himself on the same popularity pedestal that the celebrities occupy. It is another matter that the celebrities
refuse to stoop down to his level and muddy themselves by fighting the pig in its
sty.
His constant gloating of his
insignificant victories over inconsequential people and constant self-glorification
on social media platforms have belittled him so much that media has stopped
giving him the coverage or importance that they once gave him. People now deem him as one more nuisance to
bear in the realm of public discourse.
He and his cronies indulge in frequent
and vulgar celebration of his victories.
He frequently shares memes of his opponents that glorify him
and insult the individuals. All this
simply betrays his refusal to take defeat, refusal to move on, egotism, and pettiness. He picks up petty fights against random people
on social media platforms. The language
he uses to express his righteous indignation and belittle his numerous
opponents is vulgar to say the least.
His hypocrisy is laid bare when
he condemns Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev as a Tantric practitioner. He does not believe in unscientific customs and
practices but is ready to use the notoriety of Tantra to slander someone. He is a human rights activist and proponent
of free speech until some non-descript person argues with him on social media. He is a humanist but threatens to approach his
opponents’ employers and get them fired for petty issues.
How would any sensible person respond when someone becomes ill? Even if it's an opponent, one would express their concern and wish them a speedy recovery. But it seems humanists respond in a very different way. When it came into light that Pavan Kalyan contracted covid-19, Babu Gogineni started mocking Pavan Kalyan over a cartoon shared by a non-descript fan of his! I am not a fan of Pavan Kalyan's political career, but there is a way to respond when it comes to public discourse. No one with the slightest empathy or common sense would mock someone fighting a potentially life-threatening illness. And Babu calls himself a humanist!
All this behavior of Babu
Gogineni betrays an immature, sick, petty, and publicity-hungry individual. The electronic media has already recognized
this. All that the general public have
to do to get rid of this menace is realize the pettiness and ignore this idiot’s
shenanigans.
గప్పాల్
గొడ్దడు గాడ్ధె కొడుకు! యాక్ థూ!!
Written by
Amarendra Reddy Sagila
