Parliament was in session, the Jawaharlal Nehru University row continued to bubble, Raj Thackeray urged his party workers to burn autorickshaws and the Indian cricket team won the Asia Cup. But two stories, and two individuals in particular, managed to hog the headlines and airtime all week.
At the end of February, Vijay Mallya hinted at what was to come. Announcing his resignation as non-executive chairman of alcoholic beverages company United Spirits, the liquor baron said: "Having recently turned 60, I have decided to spend more time in England, closer to my children."
He wasn't kidding. It emerged earlier this week that the chairman of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines had left the country for the UK on March 2, the day public sector banks, to whom he owes an estimated Rs 9,091 crore in loans, moved the Debt Recovery Tribunal against him. The Rajya Sabha MP left Indian shores a full six days before the banks approached the apex court to impound his passport.
While Mallya has insisted he is not absconding, the news of the “wilful defaulter” being on the run caused an uproar in Parliament over how he was allowed to get away. He has now been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate on March 18.
Jostling for attention with Mallya was fellow Bangalorean, the spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Art of Living founder organised a World Culture Festival to mark the 35th anniversary of his foundation. But the three-day event ran into controversy over reports that the organisers had flouted environmental norms in holding the event on the floodplains of the Yamuna river, with a seven-acre stage being built on the riverbed.
Adding fuel to the fire was the news that the government had deployed army personnel to help construct pontoon bridges on the river for the event.
Eventually, the National Green Tribunal allowed the festival to go ahead on Friday after imposing a fine of Rs 5 crore on the Art of Living Foundation.
With Vijay Mallya and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seemingly let off the hook, there was much outrage online and talk of India's shift to crony capitalism and crony spiritualism.
But the laughter mill ran alongside this heated debate, as some on social media juxtaposed the two events to humorous effect. Even Amul and Ola got into the act through their advertisements. Here's a selection:
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!