History will always remember the media and the pink chaddi brigade helped turn a little known Muthalik into a national celebrity.

Now before anyone of you get an idea that I’m anti-this or anti-that let me clarify – I don’t care.

As far as I know, the attack on pubs was a deplorable incident and the whole idea of culture police is just insane.

But I’m not impressed with the new pink chaddi campaign – a non violent way of protesting Ram Sene, as the founders call it.

The reason being I’m of the opinion that history teaches us something and those who ignore it are bound to repeat it.

We don’t have to go very far in history – the publicity given to Babri Masjid, Mumbai Riots, Khalistan, Terrorism and many other deplorable incidents have turned unknown people into mass celebrities. And that is what will happen with this initiative.

Look at the havoc already – a relatively unknown person, somewhere in in an obscure part of Karnataka, is now on the top of the minds of people – thanks to the pink chaddi brigade and the media.

I have nothing to say about our media who are so hungry for anything within 50 km radius of ‘controversy’.  They’re doing their job – however skewed be their definition of their job.

But I disapprove of this whole pink chaddi campaign. This man Muthalik thrives on publicity. And these pink chaddi people are handing it to him on a silver platter. In a few days this man is a household name. Imagine what would be the state in a few months.

It’ll be the responsibilty of the media and the pink chaddi brigade if Muthalik and his bunch of miscreants turn into a strong party capable of hijacking cities and holding public life to ransom.

In addition, they had their basics wrong initially. Their blog had a picture of RSS baitthak with a heart sign. The RSS does not support Ram Sene and in fact condemns the attack. Thankfully they have removed the picture now.

I must also admit that I’m impressed by the PUB BHARO part of the campaign. Now that is something to cheer about and support. I think every woman who is seen in a pub on valentine’s day deserves a huge bouquet — just for having the guts to venture out in the face of threats.

I’ll be heading to a pub in Mangalore and if I find any woman I’m going to toast for her. This way I’m celebrating the triumph of womanhood and not providing free publicity to anyone.

On a different note, I think the pink chaddi campaign is a study for social media and viral marketing professionals. It has been a successful campaign in terms of response. More on that on my website.

And happy valentine’s day to everyone in advance!