Where rules are given the go-by

A BJP MP the other day has made a startling statement that use of tobacco is not directly linked to cancer because, according to him, there are no Indian studies to corroborate it. It is rumored that there is a powerful tobacco lobby which is covertly working in favor of tobacco producers. Almost all the major parties including the 125-old Congress do not seem to take kindly to the pictorial warning that tobacco causes cancer.

Talking of lobbies, there is a surfeit of them all around us. There are lobbies favoring cow slaughter, the environmental lobby, builders lobby, the caste lobby and Khap panchayat lobby etc. Often these lobbies are strong enough even to influence state policy.

As for the statutory pictorial warning, it is as effective as the Dowry Act, Prevention of Corruption Act or even the Indian Penal Code. Dowries are offered and accepted despite the Act, Corruption reigns supreme despite anti corruption act and heinous crimes are committed despite the IPC. A smoke-addict just takes one casual look (does he, really?) at the statutory warning and gleefully goes on puffing on his cigarette with a wide smirk on his face! This is India!, which is Bharat!.

R M V N Ramakantha Rao