If indeed, it was a joke on us, I am afraid most of us did not get it. Maybe we do not have the innate sense of humour to laugh at ourselves. Probably the years of neglect by the policy makers have made us too bitter to grin and bear it. Perhaps the wisecracks, however innocuous, made by the stiff-upper-lip aristocracy of this great democratic country at our expense, make us – their poor country cousins -- frown and fail to bring smiles on our dry lips. But we do cherish the right to freedom of expression enshrined in our Constitution even though it is often exercised to mock others in the name of humour.
I am sure a majority of the Biharis did not know the zestful side of the learned justice (retired) of the apex court. After all, most of his remarks in the recent past have been no laughing matters. But then, even if they had known, they would hardly have bothered. Every morning when they wake up, wherever they are, their primary concern is to ensure two square meals for their families. They would take cognisance of a barb or two if only it could help them get their daal-roti for the day.