Shoe-hurling assuming an established form of political protest
Shoe throwing is a great insult in some areas in the Middle East and in India. In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it.
TO THROW an old shoe after a person who leaves home for journey is believed to be a way of wishing him good luck in England’s tradition. When a bride and a groom leave homes for marriage, one can wish them luck by tying an old boot to the back of their car. The groom can ensure a happy life together by putting the sole of his shoe on the bride's head.
Some people might say this is a way of keeping his wife under control, but that is another story. The man should also never give a pair of shoes to his girlfriend, because this symbolises that she might walk away from him some day. Somewhere, it is believed superstitiously that for preparing the dead for their long journey to heaven, it is common to put a new pair of shoes on the corpse before he is put in the coffin. It is also believed that leaving shoes crossed on the floor and putting shoes on wrong feet may mean bad luck for its owner.
Besides being an item of decoration for some people, a shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. In most parts of the world, it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. In some cultures, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests. In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others.
Shoe throwing is a great insult in some areas in the Middle East and in India. In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it.
Shoes are fast catching on as the new weapon of humiliation. The trend of Shoe-hurling as a mark of protest has gained popularity in present day democracy. During this August alone, three incidents of shoe-hurling towards public leaders including the Pakistani President have been reported in the media.
Shoe throwing is a great insult in some areas in the Middle East and in India. In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it.
Shoes are fast catching on as the new weapon of humiliation. The trend of Shoe-hurling as a mark of protest has gained popularity in present day democracy. During this August alone, three incidents of shoe-hurling towards public leaders including the Pakistani President have been reported in the media.
A 21-year old youth, frustrated at the Haryana government’s delay in giving him a promised job, hurled a shoe at Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda during a rally in Haryana town on August 22, last. The youth identified as Shakti Singh, a resident of Baniani village, was frustrated as the state government failed to provide the promised job as he got a bullet injury during a police firing incident.
At that time, the government promised a cash relief of Rs 10 lakh and a government job. During India’s Independence Day function in Srinagar, a shoe was hurled at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by a police head constable protesting the alleged atrocities committed on the Kashmir people.
Fifteen policemen including four officers were suspended after the incident. It was only in the first week of this August that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also encountered the same insult when an elderly man hurled both his shoes during a public meeting in Birmingham. The shoes landed just short of him.
An engineering student threw a shoe at Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Ahamedabad in April last year. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also got such a gift earlier during a press conference.
An engineering student threw a shoe at Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Ahamedabad in April last year. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also got such a gift earlier during a press conference.
An Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, with Egypt-based al-Baghdadia television network, had thrown shoes at President Bush during a news conference in Baghdad, where Bush was making a farewell visit. Similarly, shoes were hurled at Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Indian Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat. During the infamous June 19 riot in Manipur, chapals were hanged around the neck of a Manipur politician.
When one loses one’s tolerance against injustice, anything may happen, for justice is a natural phenomenon. But, hurling a shoe at someone indicates an insult. It is rather humiliating to a political leader as they are the most respected representatives of the people. He works at least with a vision to serve the people. Although the Constitution of India provides the right to freedom of expression to every citizen, one does not have the liberty to opt for any form of expression.
Unless the method of protest is good, the cause loses its rationality. Shoe-hurling is unlawful and those found guilty can be punished under law. However, many a times the leaders pardon the protestors and relieve of their unlawful acts. Nevertheless, when the height of people’s angst reaches such an intolerable level, everyone’s shoes may target the rulers. A time may come that majority of the present day politicians need to wear shoe-proofs for burying the injustices meted out to the people as they use bullet proofs wherever they go.
When one loses one’s tolerance against injustice, anything may happen, for justice is a natural phenomenon. But, hurling a shoe at someone indicates an insult. It is rather humiliating to a political leader as they are the most respected representatives of the people. He works at least with a vision to serve the people. Although the Constitution of India provides the right to freedom of expression to every citizen, one does not have the liberty to opt for any form of expression.
Unless the method of protest is good, the cause loses its rationality. Shoe-hurling is unlawful and those found guilty can be punished under law. However, many a times the leaders pardon the protestors and relieve of their unlawful acts. Nevertheless, when the height of people’s angst reaches such an intolerable level, everyone’s shoes may target the rulers. A time may come that majority of the present day politicians need to wear shoe-proofs for burying the injustices meted out to the people as they use bullet proofs wherever they go.
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