Political discourse needs red line

The state of political discourse presently on display must surely seem like the norm to younger Indians, who might not have had any exposure to a more tolerant, courteous brand of adversarial politicking. Yet, as their parents would know, this was not always so.

- BAIJAYANT JAY' PANDA

Even when political opponents used to plumb new depths of uncivil behaviour, there was one red line that was almost sacrosanct: not attacking domestic political opponents when visiting abroad. Nearly 20 years ago, I had occasion to host Hillary Clinton for an interaction with Indian MPs from various parties. The former US first lady was then a senator of the Democratic Party and aggressively taking on her opponents at home in the government led by the Republican president George W. Bush.