Conversation with Bade Saheb: Episode 3
Editor’s Note: The “Conversation with Bade Saheb” series is a work of political fiction. The characters and conversations are imaginary. Any resemblance to real persons, offices, governments or events is purely coincidental. The purpose of the series is to explore ideas about governance, democracy and public life through satire and dialogue.
In the third episode of Conversation with Bade Saheb, Subrat Ratho uses humour and political satire to examine why older generations fear youthful irreverence, how outrage shapes public debate, and why respect can never be demanded—it must be earned.
I found Bade Saheb looking at his phone with an expression of profound concern.
“Good heavens, Sir! What has happened?”
“Civilisation appears to have ended.”
“My God! Why?”
“A student used a meme.”
I laughed.
“Sir, why are so many people of our generation so offended by Gen Z protests? They find them vulgar, irreverent and disrespectful.”
Bade Saheb folded the newspaper.
“My dear fellow, every generation believes the next one has mistaken insolence for courage.”
“Hasn’t it?”
“Sometimes.”
“And this time?”
“This time they have discovered that outrage attracts more attention than courtesy.”
“So the irreverence is deliberate?”
“Entirely.”
“To provoke?”
“No.”
“To ensure that people like you spend more time discussing their language than their demands.”
I looked at him suspiciously.
“That is rather clever.”
“It usually is.”
“But why are we so offended?”
“You mistake the disappearance of respect for the disappearance of values.”
“There is a difference?”
“All the difference.”
“What about Millennials? They seem remarkably indifferent.”
“They’re too busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Chasing increments, paying EMIs, planning annual leave, collecting reward points and attending compulsory ‘fun’ at office off-sites.”
“So they don’t care?”
“They do.”
“About what?”
“Whether Friday can somehow become a long weekend.”
I laughed.
“And Gen Z?”
“They possess something your generation surrendered years ago.”
“What?”
“The optimism of people who haven’t yet been appraised.”
As I stood up to leave, Bade Saheb called me back.
“My dear fellow.”
“Yes, Sir?”
“When people of our generation complain that young protesters have no respect…”
“Yes?”
“…they usually mean the young no longer show it.”
“There is a difference?”
“All the difference.”
“What is it?”
“Respect is earned.”
“And showing respect?”
He smiled.
“That used to come free.”
“But Sir, what should I do about the WhatsApp groups?”
“What WhatsApp groups?”
“The ones full of outrage about Gen Z. Every day someone forwards a message explaining how civilisation has collapsed because a student shouted a slogan, made a meme or wore the wrong T-shirt.”
Bade Saheb smiled sympathetically.
“My dear fellow, never argue with a WhatsApp group.”
“So what should I do?”
“Read everything.”
“Yes?”
“Believe very little.”
“And reply?”
He smiled.
“Only with birthday wishes.”
