Trudeau Establishes New Political Etiquettes

By Promod Puri

When he said, the word “mankind” should be changed to “peoplekind,” there was something which seemed eccentric to many folks in prime minister Justin Trudeau.

But his idiosyncrasy reflects his style which is not normal for most world politicians or public figures. Otherwise, which prime minister or president visiting a foreign country on an official visit would act, dance and dress the way Trudeau did along with his adorable family during their recent trip to India.

It was most informal or casual style which defied the existing standards or protocols expected from a visiting head of state.

In his Indian ethnic attire which looked like as he was either attending a marriage party or he himself a “Gora” bridegroom, Trudeau freely and comfortably attended and actively participated in most of the events in India.

He did bhangra performances, and with the dedicated spirit of langar “seva,” rolled rotis at the Golden Temple kitchen. Has any invited world political dignitary dared or humble enough to do these deeds publicly while visiting India?

Trudeau belongs to a new generation of politicians for whom the world is smaller, closer, and sharing the contemporary thinking of oneness.

With his roots of growing in a multicultural Canadian society, which his late father officially declared as the country’s composite culture, the young Trudeau must have felt that he was going to a land to which he was most familiar with in its culture.

In his outlandish kurta-pajama outfits, he felt comfortable during his India trip, but that caused discomfort to those who would remain embedded in precedents expected from a visiting dignitary.    

Trudeau has established new political etiquettes which perhaps will take time for people to accept and adjust to, while the critical media find some fodder to chew on till its ability to learn the changing norms.