Dealing With Bullying of Elected RWAs

Let’s start with eminent psychologists’ view of Bullies- 1. They are actually cowards and therefore mentally weak.

2. Someone may have bullied them in the past.
3. They bully who they perceive are weaker.
4. They are six times more likely to be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder characterised by ongoing episodes of anger and hostility, especially towards authority figures.
5. Stand your ground to a bully and he is likely to back down.
     We now need to understand and contextualise the problem in our immediate neighbourhood –
6. It is not just an individual but generally a group that bullies but still steered by an individual!
   2. Basically, the motive is marketed as‘ Saving people / community from wrong doers’!
7. In the past bullying was more a demonstration of might to scare all to fall in line and accept the bully as a powerful leader.
8. In this developing story, the emerging motive is clearly, gaining power and control by outsourcing supporters who are handpicked and probably rewarded in kind later. Often marketed as a ‘common cause’!
   What do we do?
     1. Since only first signs are seen, should the evil be nipped in the bud?
      2. Should the bullies be named and shamed?
      3.  Do people have in them to fight the menace?
      4. Tit-for-tat is often an endless process.
   Suggestions-
   • Stand your ground but do not react. Bullies seldom succeed in the long run as their followers are not in it for long haul.
   • If bullying only sullies your image, but doesn’t hamper your work seriously, be patient and alert!
   • Bullying lacks potential to become a public movement as the silent majority doesn’t go out of their way to support (nor speak against the bully). So wait!
   • Don’t name but do brand bullies as cowards in your circle of friends! 

by Rakesh Dewan (D-3/3124, 8810244978)