Maori Haka in New Zealand to Paper Tearing in India: Do Rahul Gandhi & Kejriwal Use drama for political gains ?

Around the world, drama in politics have long been considered as a tool for political gain. Whether it's a dramatic walkout, an angry thump on the desk, or tearing up a document in full public view, political leaders have often turn to these symbolic acts to make their stance clear.

These moments frequently dominate headlines, drawing public attention not only to the legislation in question but also to the emotion and urgency behind the protest. Tearing a bill, in particular, has become a powerful gesture which is visually disruptive, emotionally charged, and hard to ignore.

From New Zealand’s Parliament to the campaign stages of India, this form of dissent has found its way into political arena and parties vie it a better option to gain attention. While some see it as mere drama, others view it as necessary too and consider it as extremely rewarding. Episodes -- from Māori MPs breaking into a haka before the bill's debate, to Arvind Kejriwal shredding farm laws in Delhi's Assembly, or Rahul Gandhi's open rejection of a UPA ordinance -- show how the acts of tearing paper can tear open deeper national conversations.

Tearing of Bill in NZ Parliament:

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by some MPs who performed a haka. It was an anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Maori people. Opposition MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led the protest and danced after being asked if her party supported the bill. 

The treaty which was signed in 1840 by the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. The Treaty of Waitangi established an agreement on governance that has continued to shape New Zealand's laws and policies. 

But over the years, many court rulings and decisions have given more rights and privileges of Maoris. This has not been accepted well by the non-indigenous citizens. With the hopes to address this ''discrimination'', the ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the ruling center-right coalition government, introduced a bill that argued for the need for legal interpretation of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

This protest in the parliament made global headlines and ignited months of debate among lawmakers about its consequences. And, now it is being debated widely whether New Zealand’s parliament gave importance to Maori culture or felt threatened by it.

What is Maori Haka?

Maori haka is a ceremonial performance deeply rooted in New Zealand's indigenous culture. It combines chanting, synchronized movements, and intense facial expressions to convey messages of strength, pride, unity, and emotion. Traditionally, the haka was performed in many situations like preparing warriors for battle, welcoming distinguished visitors, or celebrating special occasions.

What Has Haka Brought to the Fore? 

New Zealand is often considered a leader in indigenous rights, but opponents of the bill fear that those same rights are being put at risk by this bill. Act, the political party that introduced the bill, argues there is a need to legally define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which has been fundamental to relations among races in New Zealand. The core values of the treaty have, over time, been woven into New Zealand's laws in an effort to redress the wrong done to Maori during colonization.

When Did Rahul Gandhi Use 'Haka' ?  

In another striking political moment, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned an ordinance which was passed by the UPA coalition government in 2013. The ordinance sought to shield convicted politicians from immediate disqualification. 

While Mr Gandhi didn't physically tear the legislation, he publicly urged that it be ''torn up and thrown away'', calling it ''complete nonsense''. His unexpected criticism of his own party's decision sent shockwaves through the political establishment and was seen as an attempt to reclaim moral high ground. 

On another occasion, during a campaign speech in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Gandhi dramatically tore up printed copies of rival political parties' poll promises on stage. This theatrical gesture was aimed at dismissing the credibility of those manifestos. By tearing the pages Mr Gandhi accused the parties of making hollow and misleading promises. With this 'haka', Mr Gandhi sought to position himself as a leader, who is ready to go against false commitments and stand apart from what he described as vote-bank politics.

When Kejriwal Did a 'Haka' in Assembly?

In a move reminiscent of a haka -- though without the dance -- Arvind Kejriwal tore up the farm laws in the Delhi Assembly, powerfully protesting their perceived injustice. The similar dramatic protest was witnessed in India when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tore a copy of the Centre's controversial farm laws during a special session of the Delhi Assembly. Mr Kejriwal's act of defiance was a symbolic gesture, echoing the anger of thousands of farmers who believed the laws threatened their livelihoods and undermined agricultural protections. 

How These Tearing Have Translated Among Masses? 

While these dramatic acts may grab eyeballs and stir public debate, their political outcomes are often mixed. In India, Mr Kejriwal's bold tearing of the farm laws resonated with protesting farmers but did little to change the Centre's course, and ironically, his party later faced setbacks and eventually he lost Delhi elections too. 

Rahul Gandhi's fiery denouncement of his own party’s ordinance and his tearing of UP poll manifestos made headlines, but neither move translated into electoral gains because the Congress failed to make a comeback both in Uttar Pradesh and at the Centre too. 

In New Zealand, however, the haka protest by Maori MPs sparked a broader national conversation about indigenous rights and identity. While it did not immediately stop the bill, it boosted the visibility and moral authority of the opposition, forcing the ruling coalition to confront deeper cultural fault lines. In the end, such symbolic protests can ignite powerful discourse—but they don’t always guarantee political victory.

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