A SLAP ON THE FACE OF PRICE RISE….

Harvinder Singh, a transporter from Delhi, caused a furore when he landed a slap on the face of the Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar in protest against the rise in food prices. Although this is not the first time ,Prashant Bhushan, lawyer and aide to activist Anna Hazare, who last month was assaulted in his office by a young man who found Mr. Bhushan’s remarks on self-determination in Kashmir to be so offensive that he started swinging. Or the former telecom minister Sukhram, who was slapped and kicked in court earlier this week by a man identified as none other than Harvinder Singh – which makes you wonder how many causes Mr. Singh gets irate about in an average week. Then In 2009, a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram during a news conference after getting angry with the minister's reply to a question about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. But as always this time too, the leaders of all political parties immediately condemned the attack (on Mr.Pawar this time) on the grounds that there is no place for violence in a democracy.

No doubts that the act of slapping a minister is ought to be condemned. But such an incident indicates that common people are getting increasingly frustrated with the country’s politicians. The incident should be viewed as a sign of the anger and frustration of the common man against rising prices that the United Progressive Alliance government has struggled to contain. None of the leader is doing anything to tackle the burning issues of corruption, price rise and inflation, all of which have made the lives of ordinary people miserable. The incident should prompt politicians to engage in serious.

Meanwhile Anna Hazare’s remarks on the incident seem to have been taken out of context and twisted by the media. It was only a spontaneous and natural reaction to the situation. People should be allowed to express what they feel. Politicians have directed barbs at Hazare because he claims to trend the gandhian path. However, not many politicians have the time to follow gandhian principals themselves.

Recently, Jitendra Prasada, a member of the congress and a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, was seen kicking protesters during a campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh. The protesters had allegedly breached the security cordon around Rahul Gandhi. However, it was the security staff’s responsibility to deal with such a situation, not prasada’s. Such leaders, with their obvious contempt for the common man, are not fit to be role models for the youth of this country and most observably no condemnations were registered by any politician.

Over the years, the gap between the haves and the have-notes has widened. Politicians lead luxurious lives while millions do not even get two square meals a day. In legislative assemblies, laws are passed summarily, and there is no concerted effort to address the problems that plague the common man. Such problems might take years of work to eradicate. Even while criticizing the attack on Sharad Pawar, one cannot forget the role he has played, as minister for agriculture, in the price rise crises.

A while ago, the Supreme Court had directed the government to distribute the food to the poor free of cost or at low prices, instead of letting it rot in the godowns of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).The government however did not comply with the orders.

Meanwhile, Hazare seems ready to apologize to Pawar for his hasty remarks. But the agriculture minister remains defiant in spite of the attack on him. When asked if he could forgive Harvinder Singh, Pawar reportedly said,” Who am I to forgive? I am not a judge”. Sadly, that the real face of our politicians, defiant, egotistical and unrepentant.


http://twocircles.net/2011nov30/slap_face_price_rise%E2%80%A6.html

ESTABLISHING DEMOCRACY IN LIBYA IS TO BE A HARD TASK..

The atrocious murder of Colonel Gaddafi engineered by the US led NATO forces, after Saddam Hussein’s hanging in 2006 proves that in the current world order, the United States of America can do whatever it wishes with other nations and leaders who do not toe its line.

It further strengthens my disputation that US hardly cares about egalitarianism or the well being of the people of other nations as long as its own financial and military interests are served. And this artificiality can well be judged by the fact that, the US doesn’t denounce human rights violations in countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia which to us all are equally fraudulent and callous regimes.

But then saying this I dont want to mean that I support any tormenter- be it Saddam Hussein or Colonel Gaddafi. My only argument is, Gaddafi could have been taken into custody and put on trial at the International Court of Justice for his alleged misdeeds and atrocities. His assassination is nothing but another misdeed by global powers and alliances.


As Gaddafi’s tyrannical regime in Libya has come to an end the National Transitional Council is set to initiate the process of democratic elections in the country. But for the Council steering Libya out to at least a near-perfect democracy will not be an easy job when the country has no contemporary history of party politics or the rule of law. So, it will be interesting to watch how the council establishes a democracy in Libya which had been in anarchy for decades.

Libyans should keep the state of Iraq in mind and should not go overboard to rejoice now.



http://www.milligazette.com/news/2688-establishing-democracy-in-libya-will-be-a-hard-task
This article appeared in The Milli Gazette print issue of 16-30 November 2011 on page no. 14

ABDULLAHS ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW...

I have this strong feeling that whatever has happened to Kashmir in last two decades or so has lot to do with the father-son duo- Farooq and Omar Abdullah.

In some way or the other they are responsible for most crises in the state, as their family members have been at the controls of the state’s management since its inclusion to India. And to keep their enthrallment for power afloat, they always sided with the ruling alliances in Delhi irrespective of the feelings of their electorates back home.

The insurgency started and flourished with them at the office. When Kashmir burnt, Abdullah’s were holidaying in UK, caring least about the people they call theirs. Yet when things seemed mature for elections they returned to Kashmir feigning love for their land and the people.

The father-son duo never had a clean image. Dr. Abdullah had always in the eye of the storm either for his ostentatious life style or the sandalwood controversy or his despotic rule. He was many times caught on the wrong foot. But this time the charges leveled against the duo are more serious (Syed Mohammed Yusuf , a National Conference (NC) worker died while in police custody, his family has moved court against Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father -- Union Minister Farooq Abdullah) and they should be investigated.


Therefore, I believe it would be fair if the father-son duo to step down from their respective public positions and facilitate the process of investigation

FASCIST SUBRAMANYAN SWAMY MUST BE REINED IN

I strongly feel that the legal action initiated against Dr Subramanian Swamy is precise and that he must be arrested under Section 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for his "extreme xenophobic right-wing thoughts" which he expressed in an article headlined 'How to wipe out Islamic terror', published in the DNA on 16th July 2011. It’s regrettable that even apparently cultured or educated people like Dr.Swamy overlooked the fact that Muslim community has as much stake as any other in the development, refuge and well being of India as a nation. He has almost directly identified country's Muslims as terrorists. But the fact is, not a single Indian Muslim has ever been convicted on charges of anti national or terrorist activities. It’s difficult to believe that before writing this sensitive article the Harvard-educated economist-politician did not do enough research on India’s Muslims. His article in the DNA reflects his ghetto mindset. It’s clear he is on a communal agenda and attempting to drive a wedge between country’s majority Hindus and largest minority Muslims.
People with such mindset are doing no good to the country or to the society with such discordant expression against a community. Swamy’s irresponsible act has the potential to create a rift between two communities which could trigger big socio-political chaos or even communal unrest in the country.
Muslims have always come forward and have condemned all distasteful incidents as and when it happened. No Muslim organizations has ever supported the terror attacks which were allegedly [alleged by police and Hinduists] engineered by Muslim groups or individuals. But hate-mongering people who conspired and assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and then gleefully boasted their misdeeds are there in the country. These people consider Indian Muslims outsiders and want to throw them out of the country. These fascist people or groups must understand that Muslims like others are not limited or confined to any particular province or district in this country. Muslims constitute nearly one-fifth of India’s population [it’s figure accredited by the international media and other agencies]. They are scattered all over the place and it is impossible to wipe off the entire Muslim population from this country.
These sick minds must understand that just because we are born as Muslim or follow the religion of Islam, our constitutional rights cannot be taken away. Rightfully we are as much Indians as they are. They must understand that by dividing the country on impious grounds they are weakening the core foundations of the country’s establishment. And India can never be a strong nation if it’s biased against minorities. All sections of the society must unite to fulfill the aspirations of an integrated and strong India. If you cannot protect the rights of the minorities, you can no more proclaim that you have an egalitarian and secular society and you live in a ‘united India’.

http://twocircles.net/2011oct25/subramanian_swamy_must_be_reined.html

“Right to recall” and “Right to Reject” elected politicians seems to be the only hope for the community now!

All politicians across party lines are found religiously biased against Muslims. From these politicians the community receives nothing but discrimination, deceit and injustice. No politician has ever been faithful or truthful to the needs and demands of the community. Although Muslims have been ardently loyal and politically faithful to the politicians they elected, the community was treated by the politicians nothing beyond a vote bank. The talks of minority appeasement sound a hackneyed slang to us. In every walk of life Muslims have to fight discrimination in this society. It has become an uphill task for a common Muslim to make both ends meet...

All politicians routinely coax Muslims during elections and abandon them as soon as the elections get over. These political parties don’t even wait for the results to be available, and change colors the way chameleons do. No politician in India ever bothers to help the Muslims. None has ever tried to help uplift the socio-economic condition of the community. None offered means for education or bothered to improve the living standard of Muslims. Nobody thought to create job opportunities for the younger members of the community. After every election Muslims are left with more disappointments and resentments.

All political parties indulge in same practice of staying nonchalant while in power, and doing dharna when in opposition.

I dont tend to agree with Anna Hazare’s way of protest in totality. But I appreciate the concept of "right to recall" and "right to reject” our politicians whenever we deem it necessary. I personally believe, if in the form of something like a bill the practice gets implemented, the community will have the carrot and a stick to get their things done “rightfully”…

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...