I write as a mother, wife, political scientist, feminist, activist, citizen and voter. We are not simply Indians or Africans, or women or men, or workers or parents, but a mix of all, and our perspectives on the world come through these intersections.
Across these identities, I'm unimpressed at the lack of forthright honesty being shown by a government that it's our job to continuously hold accountable. It's our job because we are parents who value setting a good example for our children just as much as we are citizens who have a right to legitimate exercise of political power.
If I ask Ziya for the truth and she refuses to answer, is that okay? If teachers ask students for the truth, and they dismissively deflect, should these big adults walk away? Do we let our leaders do the very things we teach our children not to?
Public officials cannot refuse public questions.
That Anil Roberts remains a minister means that the legitimacy of the government has gone up in smoke. Roberts' alleged behaviour in a recently leaked video means zero to me.
What is intolerable is his, the PM and the Cabinet's failure to choose truth. I've tuned off UNC paid political broadcasts once they give him tomfoolery time on their platform. Cowering behind Ministry of Communications propaganda while shouting from the safety of hustings is devious.
It's smartman politics to refuse for weeks to answer a straightforward public question, to deflect from personal responsibility by pointing fingers in every pointless direction, and to boldfacedly try to impose the pretence, like the emperor with no clothes, that everyone can't see your backside.