We demand stricter action against the policemen who went on a killing spree targeting the unarmed crowd.

His Excellency
Janab.ManMohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister
Government of India.
7, Race Course Road,
New Delhi 110011.

16th September 2011

Dear Prime Minister,

We humbly beg to draw your kind attention to the recent unfortunate incidents in Bihar's Forbesganj and Chandasi villages where police shot dead four innocent Muslim villagers. We hope your esteemed office will take note of our pain and anger that have prompted us to write this letter.
On June 3, 2011, in a police firing at Forbesganj, four people- including a pregnant woman and a seven-month-old baby lost their lives (as per newspaper reports. The incident is a glaring example of the state killing its own people in a dastardly action. A 7-month-old baby is killed in police firing. This incident stands unparallel in country's history.

The disturbing TV footage, aired by several news channels on September 14, 2011, showed how the policemen in Nalanda went berserk against an unarmed group of people who were mostly women. Outside the Noorsarai police station police caned the crowd who had gathered there to, in protest against the disappearance of a woman- allegedly abducted and killed by relative of some local policeman. As per news reports at least two dozen people, including women and children, were badly injured in the police lathicharge. The uniformed men who are supposed to protect the state's subjects and maintain law and order, were found (at Forbesganj and Chandasi village) indulging in acts of terror and brutality.

Attitude of the men in uniform was inhuman. It must be registered as a case of blatant human rights violation. Although the Government of Bihar has taken some punitive action against the involved policemen we are not happy with the quantum of the punishment. We demand stricter action against the policemen who went on a killing spree targeting the unarmed crowd.

We hope your office will initiate proper action in providing relief to the families who lost their near and dear ones in the incident.

With warmest regards,

Thankfully yours,



Aziz A. Mubaraki
National Secretary

WE WELCOME ANNA HAZARE’S MOVEMENT

I simply disagree with the anxiety of a few that the ongoing fight by some activists against country’s corrupt systems poses a threat to the Indian democratic system. It’s ridiculously untrue if some charge that these anti-corruption forces, in the name of restoring morality and lucidity in public affairs, are actually attempting to destabilize the egalitarian process in the country. Nevertheless I agree that some of the people presently protesting against corruption in India might have some vested personal interests, but then too their intentions are not wholly bad since what they are doing would definitely benefit the country in many terms of development.

With my observation of last years I am embarrassed to say that the so-called elected representatives of the people are the real menace and impending threats to our democratic system. Our politicians have turned the entire democratic system into a high profile corrupt industry. Most political parties use money and muscle power to win elections. Many of the politicians across party-line are either in prison or are in the waiting to be there. It often makes me wonder, if we are really living in a democratic setup at all. The gluttony of the elected representatives has taken the form of corruption and has weakened the very basic democratic process of the country. The common man seems to be disturbed by the fact that the government acts against corruption only when it is pushed to do so by the judiciary.

We have to understand that what Anna Hazare is doing is surely rational and relevant. It’s an outcome of a situation arising from the regular abuse of powers by the politicians of this country who live under the shield of the authority given to them by the constitution. And in such a situation people are bound to rebel and take to the streets.

While it is inspiring that the people are now reactive to the different kinds of deceits existing in our society. With much optimism I can say that a few more protests like the present one will lead to the revelation and eradication of corrupt practices. But we must also remember that the changes we desire have to be brought through established institutions in a solid manner. The so-called representatives of the civil society seem to have a specific agenda. Or else, why would the Prime Minister is repeatedly charged with corruption while some of his more notorious cabinet contemporaries escape unscathed?



Thankfully, the media have played an important role in revealing the dishonest practices in the country. We hope that the media remain unbiased, impartial and independent, and not be dictated by powerful politicians.

Whatever the circumstances or result be later, the present movement by Anna Hazare’s movement seems like a blessing to us...

Can Mamata Really Bring About the Promised "Change"?

In a vivacious democracy like ours, the government and the opposition should be on constant dialogue with each other. For past many years in West Bengal, the two sides neither communicated nor agreed with each other on hosts of social, political and other issues. But recently the chief minister and the opposition leader in the state assembly- both jointly and devotedly, addressed a press conference and I see this as a welcome shift from the political culture that has long prevailed in Bengal.

There is hardly any doubt that a significant change in policy at the Writers Building has made this long-thought-impossible change, possible. Although for last few years Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was the party of veto, her stratagem of never-relenting opposition to the then ruling Left Front government paid her off massively. But then, the former rulers’ superiority made her hostility look obligatory.

It's too early to say if there will be any beneficial change in the outlook of our politicians. But indeed we have got the hint of the advent of a new political culture in Bengal. A new strength of conciliation and adjustment has to penetrate down to the political and governmental functionaries at the lower-most level. The rabid political enmity between the TMC and CPI (M) all these years has alienated Bengali society in such ways that civilized and coherent discussions between the two appears to be an impossible task.The opposition’s strategy of being negative to everything that a government did or proposed actually belittled our democracy, is disastrous for West Bengal's financial and social order.

Now with the change at Writers, hopes are high that civilized debates and talks will resume between two switched sides and our state’s politics, which for long years was dominated by violence and naked show of irresponsible politics, will end with optimism of an economic recovery for Bengal.

Perhaps it is immature to imagine now that Bengal’s politicians will change their ways only because they have new roles assigned to them. However that is the alteration the state badly needs in order to recover itself from further economic decline.

Even though, Ms Banerjee’s first two months in office point to her assurance to change. But it will be interesting to see how she tackles the experienced opposition with her never-in-power and in-experienced ministers. It will also be imperative to watch as to how an ill-tempered Mamata can bring about the meaningful and promised "Change".

Has Vastanvi been wronged?

It is unfortunate the way Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi, the former vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband seminary, was summarily dismissed from his office. Significantly, his dismissal took place despite a panel formed to probe the allegations against Vastanvi had failed to prove the charges against him. This incident has proved to be a matter of shame for south Asia’s possibly most famous Islamic seminary, which is otherwise known for its moderate views.

There is absolutely no doubt that Gujarat riots is a blot on India’s modern history. It’s a fact that despite having their rights the Muslims in Gujarat are denied benefits or help from the states in most terms. In rural areas and urban slums poorer Muslims are in worse shapes. Few Muslims in Gujarat are possibly in better shape because of their own strength and endeavour. The state is no way responsible for those few Muslims’ prosperity.

Following the 2002 riots, Muslims in Gujarat have got the only consolation prize that some committees have been formed to investigate the cases of attacks against the Muslims. It is not that much heartening, (as mentioned by some) to note that Gujarat has not seen communal unrest for many years now because that’s what it should be- that’s the "Raj Dharma".

But whatever the situation the state’s pluralistic nature needs to be protected at any cost, and a more accommodating approach for all is required towards a better nation building. Vastanvi’s views should not have been misconstrued as prejudiced ones. He has been misunderstood and it certainly sends out faulty message in a democracy like ours.

CHANGE YOURSELF AMERICA, BEFORE YOU TRY TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

To understand global terrorism and the current global obsession with terrorism, we have to go back to the history and study how the Americans have been playing a key role in helping terrorism flourish across the world. When during the Cold War Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan, the US - which had long been calling the shots from behind, came to the forefront, and launched a massive support and training campaign for the Afghan freedom fighters. Soon, the "mujahedeen" (holy warriors) were born and became well-known across the world.
We have not forgotten how the US encouraged the Mujahedeen in their fight against the Soviet forces. President Reagan on March 21, 1983 said: “To watch the courageous Afghan freedom fighters battle modern arsenals with simple hand-held weapons is an inspiration to those who love freedom.”

When the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, a pro-Soviet party, took control of Afghanistan, Mujahedeen resistance spread. As Mujahedeen groups broke apart into different factions, the CIA tended to favour the most extreme among the Mujahedeen commanders. The US intelligence agency ensured that the most fanatical anti-Soviet groups were also the best trained and armed for the guerrilla warfare. It’s history now how the Mujahedeen were financed, armed and trained by the US during the administrations of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Pakistan's secret service, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was used as a liaison group by the US, in attempt to keep the American action as secret as possible.

Saddam Husain was the creation by the US. President Ronald Reagan initiated a strategic opening to Iraq, signing a National Security Decision Directive and selecting Donald Rumsfeld as his emissary to Hussein, whom he visited in December 1983 and March 1984. United States actively supported the Iraqi war effort by supplying the Iraqis with billions of dollars of credits, by providing U.S. military intelligence and advice to the Iraqis, and by closely monitoring third country arms sales to Iraq to make sure that Iraq had the military weaponry required. In 1982, Iraq was removed from a list of State Sponsors of Terrorism to ease the transfer of dual-use technology to that country. But by then [in 1980] Saddam had already been made an honorary citizen of Detroit.

But By this time the world changed and the international financial institutions such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank through their Structural Adjustment Programs was able to do officially and openly what in previous decades had to be done through the CIA, the Marines, or hired armed force. The domination of American entrepreneurship and its industrialised allies had reached record levels without the unpleasantness of direct military intervention.

And Saddam’s Iraq, was the only Arab state to fundamentally resist such trends, the only Arab nation to combine a sizable educated population, large oil resources, and adequate water supplies, thereby making it possible for Baghdad to maintain a truly autonomous foreign and domestic strategy. Even twelve years of cruel sanctions could not depose the government or make the establishment more willing to collaborate with Washington’s tactical and financially viable agenda. As a result, the United States felt obliged to revert to cruder forms of intrusion in Iraq.
Osama bin Laden- who was once a prominent Mujahedeen leader in Afghanistan, too benefited a lot from the hospitality extended by the Americans in the beginning of his guerrilla life.

In fact in Obama, people of all faith saw not just the historic election of a Black man in America, but the hope, the possibility, that he would be different from his presidential predecessors. We all believed, as Nelson Mandela had done in post-apartheid South Africa, Obama would use diplomacy instead of bombs, to bring peace. But he has used violence and has ended up creating much bigger chaos. The popular perception today is that even he is arrogant- very much like his predecessors and his country is a self-appointed global police, even if it is sometimes under the cover of NATO or this or that coalition.

If we just examine the Egyptian revolt as it snowballed from the beginning of this year, it becomes clear why people feel the way they do. US government financed Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak for three long decades, turned heads on his abuses of power and the people, then initially announced US help for him until it became clear that the Egyptians weren’t having it. In other words, America just cannot continue to claim they believe in democracy in America, while simultaneously condoning and aiding the opposite in other countries.

I believe it is for that reason Mr. Obama was given, extremely prematurely, a Nobel Peace Prize just a mere 9 months into his presidency. The feeling, perhaps very naively, was that he would transform America, and the world. But he disappointed us all.

In spite of Bin Laden’s murder, violence, war, and terrorism are not over, not by a long stretch. None of that will end until the US help make those things end. Their current mindset and foreign policy approach will only lead to more death of young soldiers from the US and other countries, more attacks on Americans at home and abroad. And the entire world, including us, will be perpetually distrustful, forever looking over our shoulders and living a life in fear, that fear framed by metal detectors, security cameras, and sharp glances at people who appear to be different in anyway.

Americans thinks that other nations, or terrorists, or this or that enemy, are simply picking on them because of their “freedoms.” But There are enough articles, blogs, books, and documentary films out there, if one actually cares to research American history and American foreign policy, to let one know they’ve been, on numerous occasions, as violent toward others as others have been toward them.

America should know that it can never change the world, until it changes its own way.

Aziz Mubaraki, a young Muslim leader in Kolkata, said it was the VHP that was instigating communal riots and terrorist activities in India and it was "ridiculous" that it was seeking the fatwa. "Muslim religious and social groups in the past year have condemned terrorism in countless religious meetings, seminars and public rallies," he said. "There is no proof of any Muslim religious organisation being involved in any communal or anti-national activity in India.


http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/fatwa-issued-despite-scorn-from-muslim-leaders?pageCount=0

"We have decided to organise a peace rally on Thursday which will be attended by people of all religions to maintain communal harmony in the city," said Mr Aziz Mubaraki, additional chief secretary of Tipu Sultan Masjid on Wednesday.



http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/keyword/tipu-sultan/featured/2