TV Channel>> Crow • Assam
In the last week of March, TV studios in Guwahati displayed a concern for a bird that does not figure on priority list of ornithologists: the Common Indian Crow. According to journalist Teresa Rahman, “Politicians of all hues and political analysts argued whether the word ‘crow’ was unparliamentary”. The debate was precipitated by a remark from the Speaker of the Assam assembly, Pranab Gogoi, comparing Opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)’s noisy protests inside the House with cawing of the crow.
The AIUDF legislators found the comparison with crows “unparliamentary” and wanted the word expunged from the Assembly’s records. According to Rahman, the local media, especially TV channels, played to the ruckus created over the row. There were talk shows on whether the word “crow” is actually derogatory.
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