Abusing, now a habit!

HYDERABAD: A campaign against the F-word called the “No Abusive Language” launched by students of RD National College in Mumbai may have been a local affair but it did create a minor social movement of sorts among the student fraternity in the nation’s commercial capital. Drawing a parallel between them and their Hyderabadi counterparts may be far-fetched for, the city’s boys and girls seem to have an altogether different take on the F-word.Some students believe it’s okay  to use filthy language so long as it’s not intended to offend anyone. For them, it’s not just fine but also cool and pretty common. Says Sudhamsh Khandavalli, an MBA student, “I don’t mind using the F word, because everyone uses it. So it’s cool and not objectionable to me.” Quite a few think it’s has become a habit because of the influence of movies and TV shows. Commenting on this, Sanket Deshmukh, a resident of Hyderabad and student of IIT Kharagpur, points out, “In a country like India, where we do not have pop culture as such, people turn to the various British and American series on TV channels. So, the lingo and terminology that people get to see around goes around in circles. It is definitely not about being cool.” He further adds, “It’s just like the word “dude” which was unheard of on the street say 10-15 years ago. But, now it is predominant and people find it short and can relate to the word. F*** as such is the new S**T!”Lecturers and professors in the city opine that students take such words as a hallmark of modernity. Arun John, a lecturer at St Francis, elaborates, “Students do feel abusive words carry a sort of modernity. In actuality, it is not. All the movies or TV shows these days have one swear word or the other. One cannot stop students from listening to them. If something has to be done, they should ban it at the censor board level. The students have framed it in their mind that it is quite normal to use these words as they have been hearing these for quite a long time and now, it has become a habit.”This doesn’t mean all students use the swear words. A good number of students oppose such lingo. Priyanka Praveen, a student, is certain that “It’s not at all cool to use abusive language.” She believes foul words escape one’s lips when one is under stress may be as a stress-buster. Another student, Nivedita Rayavarapu, agrees. “When people use abusive language, I guess it’s just their choice of expression. It is definitely not cool,” she opines.So if indeed the F-word is fast becoming a catchword, what’s the way out? Some suggest alternative words. Samanth Vinil, an under-graduate, though believes it won’t help.Commenting on the Anti-F word campaign in Mumbai, Karthika Anagha, a student says, “In a neo-age like this, a campaign like that in Mumbai wouldn’t help much, as these words have become a part of our generation. I don’t think it’s right. People who don’t like it, must protest at personal level or keep mum and move on. One cannot really protest and bring about a change on not using swear words.”On a few professors using abusive language in schools and colleges, Trikala Satya, co-director, sales, NIIT Kukatpally, says, “Teachers using abusive language is the worst and one of the very last of the influences that students today need.”