Why do politicians say the wrong things at the wrong time?

Was R R Patil trying to be filmy when he made an utterly callous remark like Bade shehron aisi choti batein hoti rehti hain? Or was he just following the footsteps of his immediate boss, Vilasrao Deshmukh, who toured the terror sites with actor son Ritiesh Deshmukh and director Ram Gopal Varma in tow? Hardly had one got over the insensitivity of the above that we had Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi making a derogatory comment on women who came out to offer homage to the victims of Mumbai attacks "wearing lipstick" followed by Kerela chief minister V S Achuthanandan shooting off his mouth with a remark that has ballooned into a huge controversy.

Just what is it that makes our politicians succumb to the foot-in-the-mouth disease at such crucial times? Times when they need most to show whatever little sensitivity they are capable of? And should we, the public just ignore these paltry and petty comments given the source they come from or make this blatant abuse of the freedom of speech punishable in a concrete manner? A cross section of Puneites react.

Anup Raj, manager

While they are holding such important positions as leaders, they must be really careful about their words. Such statements are definitely going to hurt many people and the ones who lost their lives. Ignoring their statement will mean encouraging them, so they should be punished for making such foolish remarks and using their powers in a wrong way.

... contd.