In an election year, why not stand up for special rights for lefties?

The current succession of sinistrally-inclined incumbents in the White House — and even in 10 Downing Street at the moment — does not compensate for the general neglect of the left(-handed).

Indeed, the fears of southpaws have probably been heightened by the recent revelation by a Bristol University study that lefties get left behind from childhood due to the inbuilt discrimination of a right-handed universe, from key quotidian operations to linguistic biases. So, it is commendable that a former British minister has spoken up for the rights of the left-handed and demanded special care right from school. Even if he is merely a politician angling for a left-handed complement in the next election, it is a step in the right direction.

Indeed, Indian politicians should also note that even the unconscious bias reflected in terms such as “rights-based governance” in an election year can seem unnecessarily cruel to the millions who are, well, left-based.

So, parties counting on an inclusive agenda should consider an alternative phrase so that left(ie) sentiments do not turn to the opposite — i.e., right, or wrong — direction. Even if they have been a mere 12-15% of the world’s population right from prehistoric times — judging from right hands outlined on cave walls by ancient leftie artists — they cannot be left behind.