MUSING – 2: Crudeness Is Not Confidence

Crudeness Is Not Confidence — The language we normalize helps shape the society we become.

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
~ Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Of late, one cannot help but notice a disturbing trend in the language and expressions being used in public spaces. Whether it is soundbites from public figures, exchanges with journalists, or posts on social media, abusive and coarse language is becoming commonplace. More troubling still is that such language is increasingly projected as a sign of boldness, candour, or authenticity.

There is nothing wrong with expressing free and frank views without inhibition. A healthy society benefits from open debate and honest opinions. We should, however, be careful not to confuse crudity with confidence or abuse with authenticity. Abusive language is neither necessary nor desirable for driving a point home. Strong views can be conveyed effectively through simple, clear, and decent language. In fact, civility often strengthens an argument rather than weakening it. As has often been observed, people who cease to care about the distinction between good and bad language may gradually become less attentive to distinctions in other areas of thought as well.

The growing quest for attention, clicks, likes, and viral visibility appears to reward drama, outrage, and shock value. Repeated exposure then risks normalizing such language, especially among younger and more impressionable minds. What was once considered inappropriate gradually comes to be seen as acceptable, and eventually even "cool."

An even more disturbing trend is the willingness of some educated adults to gleefully condone the use of expletives and profanity by youngsters, usually the children of others. One wonders whether they would encourage their own children to behave similarly. Political leaders across the ideological divide have often contributed to an increasingly intemperate and sensationalist public discourse. The willingness of a section of the media to defend, excuse, or normalize such behaviour is equally troubling. Journalists wield considerable influence over public opinion and therefore have a responsibility to raise, rather than lower, the quality of public discourse.

It is in this context that Manu Bhaker's recent remarks deserve attention. The Olympic medallist rightly observed that "using bad language is not cool" and reminded us that “being cool is about being hardworking, kind, respectful, honest, and striving to make one's family and country proud.” Coming from a young Olympic champion and role model, her message carries particular significance.

A prominent spokesperson during the student protests at the Jantar Mantar in July 2026 echoed a similar sentiment when he said: "I would request the younger generation to be very careful about the words they use and the kind of insults or remarks they make." He further argued that “resorting to the criminal justice system against youngsters who may have been swayed by the prevailing atmosphere is neither advisable nor constructive”. We also need to understand the psychology underlying such behaviour among youngsters. Harper Lee, author of the acclaimed novel To Kill a Mockingbird, once observed: “Bad language is a stage all children go through, and it dies with time when they learn that they are not attracting attention with it.” Therefore, punitive responses are often less effective than patient correction, encouragement, and opportunities for reflection in fostering a sense of responsibility.

There are also reasons for optimism about the present generation. The largely decent and temperate language witnessed during the ongoing student protests in my hometown of Ranchi suggests that youngsters are capable of reflection, restraint, and self-correction when given the opportunity. If we take the time to listen to Generation Z, we may find ample reason for optimism. Their language and modes of expression may often differ from those of earlier generations, but many bring a refreshing independence of thought, an impatience with hypocrisy, and a strong preference for fairness and authenticity. No generation is without its shortcomings, yet it would be a mistake to underestimate their capacity to contribute positively to society and help build a more inclusive and forward-looking India.

Teenagers who got carried away and used expletives have been threatened or harassed online by supporters of the ruling party, and this is reprehensible. Some public figures, whether formally aligned with the ruling dispensation or widely perceived to be so, made remarks about teenagers and their families that were insensitive and would have been better avoided. Further, the government and the ruling party would do well to treat such incidents as valuable feedback and reflect on what may have driven some youngsters to express themselves in this manner.

In conclusion, we should be careful not to confuse crudity with confidence or abuse with authenticity. The quality of our public discourse, and ultimately the values we pass on to the next generation, depends greatly on the words we choose. As Manu Bhaker aptly reminded us, “over time we become what we think, what we speak, and what we practise.” That is reason enough for us to choose our words with care.

Image: “The School of Athens”, a famous Italian Renaissance fresco depicting a gathering of ancient philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle, at the center. The fresco was painted by Raphael between 1509 and 1511 and is located in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.