Ruskin Bond got cancelled on Twitter by some woke folk. If only he cared.
Ruskin Bond, the humble 87-year-old man is a part of everyone’s bookshelf. As the country celebrated Republic Day yesterday, Ruskin Bond’s new book, ‘A Little Book of India: Celebrating 75 years of Independence’ came in. Through this book, the author pays homage to the country where he was born and grew up in.
We all grew up reading The Blue Umbrella, The Room on the Roof, Time Stops at Shamli and more. It is hard to find people who do not love Ruskin Bond. But seems like a few people on Twitter are from a different planet as they tried to cancel him recently. Of course, like all such cancellations, this too happened on Twitter.
Over the past years, many celebrities have been cancelled on Twitter for their politics, or views, or anything that doesn't fit with woke sentiments. Ruskin Bond now joins the likes of Matt Damon, Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, JK Rowling, Neeraj Chopra, Saina Nehwal, Sachin Tendulkar - all cancelled on Twitter.
WHAT HAPPENED: In his new book, Ruskin Bond wrote a few lines in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Take a look at exactly what he wrote:
Some woke folk couldn’t digest the praise for PM Modi. So, Bond was swiftly labelled a 'sanghi', the term in use on Twitter for right-wing supporters.
Some of them wrote:
One of them also expects him to move out of Uttarakhand. Now, this is real humour.
Some believe that their childhood is spoiled because Bond praised the Prime Minister. I have a question: Is your childhood over yet?
IS THIS EVEN MAKING SENSE?
The few kids who have been cancelling Ruskin Bond need to read more (exactly what they should be doing now). The author has spent more years in our country than these kids have on earth.
As one of the Twitter users said, “This man, born to English parents, is more Indian than any of us.”
For those who don’t know, especially these kids: Ruskin Bond was born in Mussoorie before Independence. He studied at the Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. He started writing at an early age and is the author of numerous books and short stories, many of which have found a place in our academic curriculum and bookshelf for years.
In his work, you can see how beautifully he portrays his life at the foothills of the Himalayas. He knows this country more than any of these people.
He was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and Padma Bhushan in 2014.
The author has dedicated much of his work to the country where he spent his life. Through the last book too, Ruskin Bond celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence with fellow citizens.
To sum up: A section of the younger generation often referred to as 'woke' tried cancelling the author who needs no justification. And I am not alone who thinks this was as irrelevant as wearing a face mask on the chin.
This incident sparked a conversation on Twitter which will hardly affect our fondness for the author. I just hope this whole incident helps him sell a few more copies of the latest book.
A little piece of info for the folks cancelling Ruskin Bond on Twitter: the author does have a Twitter account, but is hardly on the platform. He is probably busy writing his next book while Twitter takes time to recover from this meltdown over his political affiliation.