Thursday, January 13, 2011
Welcome to Demonocracy
Slapping criminal charges on Tehelka journalist K. K. Shahina is not a case of an individual’s voice being suppressed, rather it shows the lakshmanrekha that the press in India is expected to observe or else.
Condemnation poured in from all over the country after the Karnataka police slapped criminal charges against the Tehelka magazine reporter K K Shahina under IPC 506 for “intimidating the witnesses” in Bangalore blasts case.
“Far from intimidating witnesses, this is a clear case of intimidating journalists who refuse to churn out police press releases as investigative reportage,” said Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association in a press release.
While filing chargesheet in the Bangalore blasts case, the police named Abdul Nasser Madani as the 31st accused. According to the police, Madani along with T. Naseer hatched the conspiracy of the eight low-intensity blasts that rocked Bangalore on July 25, 2008 killing a woman and injuring 15 others.
Madani, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, was arrested in Kerala on August 17, 2010 by Karnataka police with the help of a reluctant Kerala Police. He has been charged by the Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) for conspiracy in the Bengaluru blasts along with other accused including Tadiyantavida Naseer, the suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba operative. Madani’s bail application has been dismissed by a fast-track sessions court on 13TH September citing the ‘nature and gravity of the offence as the primary consideration’.
The Bangalore blasts had taken place nearly after one year Madani was set free in 1998 Coimbatore blasts. Before being acquitted of all the charges in the blasts on August 1, 2007, Madani had to spend 10 years as an under trial.
The weekly magazine found that there are ‘missing links’ in relating Madani to the Bangalore blasts, and sent its reporter to ‘investigate the veracity of the charge that Madani had attended a meeting in Kodagu along with Naseer to hatch the conspiracy’.
According to the police, the conspiracy was hatched at two meetings two years ago: one at Madani’s rented house in Kochi and the other at Lakkeri estate—in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
Bangalore HC Issues Notice to Karnataka Govt
The Karnataka High Court issued notice to Karnataka government in the anticipatory bail application filed by Abdul Nasir Madani, the leader of Kerala’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Justice N Ananda issued notice to the Bangalore City Crime branch and also gave a week’s time to file objections.
Madani is one of the accused in Bangalore 2008 blast. He was listed as 31st accused in an additional chargesheet after alleged confessions by T Naseer, linking him to the Bengaluru blasts. Since his arrest in August 2010, Madani has been kept in Central Jail under intense watch. Madani says as the case is in a trial court, investigation can be done even when he is out of jail.
In the petition, Madani contended that there was no prima facie evidence of his involvement in the blasts. At the time of his arrest in August 2010, the public prosecutors claimed to have many proofs against him, but even till now he could not produce any, Madani added.
He maintained that he was falsely implicated in the case based on the statement of the co-accused. His arrest, he says, is for political revenge.
He said that he could be granted anticipatory bail as the police had already completed the investigation and filed a chargesheet.
Earlier, too, the PDP leader had sought anticipatory bail in the Bangalore blasts case but his pail plea was rejected on September 13, 2010.
In an earlier issue, Tehelka had exposed that the testimony of Jose Varghese—the owner of Madani’s rented house in Kochi and the prime witness in Bangalore 08 blasts—was fabricated. According to the police chargesheet, Varghese had witnessed Naseer talking to Madani when he went to collect the rent and overheard the words “blast” and “Bengaluru”. The magazine report, however, claimed that Varghese ‘reluctantly’ signed a paper written in Kanada—a language he did not know—as asked by Bangalore police. The news channels later unveiled to his shock that he was made the ‘prime witness’ in the case. “I realised that what I had signed was a testimony against Madani. Within days, I filed a private complaint in the court,” Varghese was quoted as saying in the story.
To unearth reality about the second meeting between T. Naseer and Madani, the reporter Shahina travelled to Lakkeri estate. To her surprise, “None of the villagers of Kumbur, Hosathotta and Igoor, the places around Lakkeri estate, could corroborate the stories of conspiracy meetings and training camps. Even local BJP and RSS workers said they had not seen Madani in the area. Igoor panchayat vice-president Vijayan says he doubts Madani visited the place at all. ‘There is a rumour, that all. I have not seen him.’
Shahina, who had gone there in pursuit of truth in the Bangalore blasts case, now has been booked by the police for ‘intimidating witnesses’ in the case. She was even asked by the police whether she was a terrorist. The next day of her visit she was astonished to find three Kannada newspapers — Sakthi, Prajavani and Kannada Prabha— had carried a story about a “suspicious” visit by a “group of Muslims” to the place.
It is tantamount to suppressing the voice of media in a country where press is the fourth pillar of democracy.
“The case is not against her as an individual but it is a warning to the entire press community, women and minorities. We strongly condemn the attitude of the police to frame false charges on a reputed journalist of a nationally reputed magazine”, said a representative group of 35 NGOs in a statement.
They also urged the Karnataka Government to drop the charges against Shahina and create a harmonious environment for both freedom of expression as well as for the minorities.
A group of senior journalists from Kerala also said Shahina was facing harassment and intimidation by the Karnataka Police and that this was a clear case of infringement on press freedom.
“Howsoever serious a case might be,the media always had the freedom in this country to meet with witnesses and even the prime accused to hear their versions and place these before the people at large. It is this freedom, among many others, that has given our democracy the vibrancy that it has today. By registering a case for criminal intimidation against a journalist, the Karnataka Police had cut the very root of democratic and press freedom in our country,” they said in the memorandum.
By Vellayappa Ajay
vellayappa.ajay.com
Bangalore HC Issues Notice to Karnataka Govt
The Karnataka High Court issued notice to Karnataka government in the anticipatory bail application filed by Abdul Nasir Madani, the leader of Kerala’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Justice N Ananda issued notice to the Bangalore City Crime branch and also gave a week’s time to file objections.
Madani is one of the accused in Bangalore 2008 blast. He was listed as 31st accused in an additional chargesheet after alleged confessions by T Naseer, linking him to the Bengaluru blasts. Since his arrest in August 2010, Madani has been kept in Central Jail under intense watch. Madani says as the case is in a trial court, investigation can be done even when he is out of jail.
In the petition, Madani contended that there was no prima facie evidence of his involvement in the blasts. At the time of his arrest in August 2010, the public prosecutors claimed to have many proofs against him, but even till now he could not produce any, Madani added.
He maintained that he was falsely implicated in the case based on the statement of the co-accused. His arrest, he says, is for political revenge.
He said that he could be granted anticipatory bail as the police had already completed the investigation and filed a chargesheet.
Earlier, too, the PDP leader had sought anticipatory bail in the Bangalore blasts case but his pail plea was rejected on September 13, 2010.
Injuries Considered, Death Ignored
“Kanada actor Sudeep suffered minor injuries when a cracker exploded during shooting of a film...Sudeep sustained injuries in the back and bruises on the legs.” This is a front page news of Bangalore edition of a leading newspaper.
Some days ago, in the same paper after immense and thorough search I failed to locate even a few lines hidden in the inner pages about the death of world-reputed personality Maulana Marghoob-ur-Rahman. Maulana who died on December 08, 2010 was the rector of Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband. While all editions of Urdu newspapers devoted a considerable space for the news of his death and the tributes that flooded from across India by various organizations’ leaders, the English dailies did not find it worth news.
Inclusion of English, computer and journalism departments in Dar-ul-Uloom, are some of the initiatives for which Marghoob-ur-Rahman will always be remembered. To his credit goes the establishment of a body that interconnects the madaris spanning throughout India. During his tenure, that covers around three decades, as supervisor over the management, the University found it has a better and wider infrastructure.
Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband is well known for its contribution towards freedom struggle of India. It is a resort of the students seeking speciality in Islamic theology. People attached to it, automatically attract public attention and public is interested to know about them. The death of its rector should have found vast coverage.
Unfortunately, media is not interested in highlighting the positive figures of Dar-ul-Uloom. Had it been a fatwa which could provide the media with an opportunity to misquote it and then instigate an unnecessary debate over so-called rights of women, it would have hastened to it. It is by the virtue of media that DUD is now known as an agency producing fatwas. Media has tried to make people forget its contributions for the country and the name and fame it earned to it.
This attitude questions the credibility of media and its neutrality. Excuse may be given that it was a judgment error in selecting news. But to ignore a big news is unforgivable in the world of journalism.
By A H Y
Some days ago, in the same paper after immense and thorough search I failed to locate even a few lines hidden in the inner pages about the death of world-reputed personality Maulana Marghoob-ur-Rahman. Maulana who died on December 08, 2010 was the rector of Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband. While all editions of Urdu newspapers devoted a considerable space for the news of his death and the tributes that flooded from across India by various organizations’ leaders, the English dailies did not find it worth news.
Inclusion of English, computer and journalism departments in Dar-ul-Uloom, are some of the initiatives for which Marghoob-ur-Rahman will always be remembered. To his credit goes the establishment of a body that interconnects the madaris spanning throughout India. During his tenure, that covers around three decades, as supervisor over the management, the University found it has a better and wider infrastructure.
Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband is well known for its contribution towards freedom struggle of India. It is a resort of the students seeking speciality in Islamic theology. People attached to it, automatically attract public attention and public is interested to know about them. The death of its rector should have found vast coverage.
Unfortunately, media is not interested in highlighting the positive figures of Dar-ul-Uloom. Had it been a fatwa which could provide the media with an opportunity to misquote it and then instigate an unnecessary debate over so-called rights of women, it would have hastened to it. It is by the virtue of media that DUD is now known as an agency producing fatwas. Media has tried to make people forget its contributions for the country and the name and fame it earned to it.
This attitude questions the credibility of media and its neutrality. Excuse may be given that it was a judgment error in selecting news. But to ignore a big news is unforgivable in the world of journalism.
By A H Y
In The Name Of Rama!
It’s pathetic when the name of God is used to do evil on earth. Bhagwan Rama is being misused by Hindutva terrorists. But what is more pitiable is that adherents of Rama have forgotten what he stood for and what his teachings were.
If Rama were to come and see how his adherents are misusing his name for bloodshed on the earth, he would certainly be anguished. He himself fought against evil forces his entire life. But what could be done when his name is used as a reason to validate all types of evils.
Among those singing the hymn of Rama are some who are busy plotting violence against humanity and some others plunder public money. Compare between the practices of Rama and his followers of today and you will be astonished to find that both of them are at two extreme ends.
While Rama was a messenger of peace his followers have been proving they are given life only for the sole purpose of spreading hatred among human beings. The peaceful co-existence of India was badly disturbed by Ramjanam Bhoomi movement launched by the Hindutva extremists in the name of Rama. Here Rama was used for political gains by some vested interest leaders of BJP. On the forefront of the Rath Yatra that killed thousands of Indians, was a communal leader (originally from Sindh, Pakistan).
As a matter of fact, when the very protagonists of Ram Temple were in rule they did not erect Ram temple. But they did manage to erect the wall of hatred between two sections of the Indian society. When amidst the slogans of Jai Shri Ram the historical Babri Masjid was brought down to earth it was not only a mosque destroyed but the very foundation of Indian democracy was shaken. Perhaps, it was the most troublesome moment for Rama’s soul.
The demolition of Babri Masjid by the Hindutva terrorists proved to be a turning point in the bilateral relationship between Hindus and Muslims. Both the communities have a glorious past that saw them living like members of a family. Since the demolition, secular leaders of both the communities tried their best to bring the communities as close as they were in the pre-1992 era. But their efforts were a total failure.
The communal elements on the other side have been gradually creating more distance between them. This became possible through false flag operations: Hindutva elements orchestrated blasts throughout the country and fingers were raised towards Muslim youth. Consequently, many Muslim youth found that in a society of which they were considered an integral part are alienated by Hindu brethren.
In the name of Rama, the fanatic elements polarized the cosmopolitan Indian society. If Rama founded a Ram Rashtra again, he would never allow violence against followers of other faiths. Here in India, even on the way to establishing the Rashtra the Hindutva elements destroyed thousands of innocent lives.
Casting a cursory look at the blasts that shook India it dawns upon one that the very foundation of the so-called Ram Rashtra was to be founded on bloody ground. The probes have revealed the Hindutva executors of the blasts wanted to transform Indian democracy in to Ram Rashtra.
These terrorists do not hesitate even to prefix or suffix Rama to their names to show that they are very close to their claimed model Ramchandraji. They christen their outfits after Rama. But the reality is quite different.
Take an example of Ramanarayan Kalsangra? Who Ramanarayan? He is an alleged murderer of Indian innocents and destroyer of peaceful co-existence of Indian society. Wanted in many blasts, Ramanarayan is still out of the reach of investigating agencies. The inclusion of Rama in his name could not affect him to become a peace loving person.
Sri Ram Sene should be an outfit propagating the message of peace because the association of its name with Rama suggests so. But as a person gets to know about its anti-nation activities they are compelled to opine that it is an utter misuse of the name of Rama. Under the chieftainship of Pramod Mutalik, the Sene has been active in vandalism.
Its infamous chief Mutalik was caught on camera demanding Rs 60 lakhs. In return he was ready to stage riots in the Muslim-dominated areas of Karnataka. Mutalik has over 45 cases pending against him, and is wanted by the police in 11 districts of Karnataka. Under the banner of Rashtra Raksha Sene, Mutalik claimed to have trained as many as 700 people to carry out suicide attacks.
When any bad act is performed by an individual it harms only his/her identity. But in the case, they are related to any organization or a specific religion it brings bad name also to that outfit or the religion. The real adherents of Rama must take immediate action to check the Hindutva elements from misusing the name of Rama. Or, they will bring much more shame and defamation to the religion too.
By Staff Wrtier
If Rama were to come and see how his adherents are misusing his name for bloodshed on the earth, he would certainly be anguished. He himself fought against evil forces his entire life. But what could be done when his name is used as a reason to validate all types of evils.
Among those singing the hymn of Rama are some who are busy plotting violence against humanity and some others plunder public money. Compare between the practices of Rama and his followers of today and you will be astonished to find that both of them are at two extreme ends.
While Rama was a messenger of peace his followers have been proving they are given life only for the sole purpose of spreading hatred among human beings. The peaceful co-existence of India was badly disturbed by Ramjanam Bhoomi movement launched by the Hindutva extremists in the name of Rama. Here Rama was used for political gains by some vested interest leaders of BJP. On the forefront of the Rath Yatra that killed thousands of Indians, was a communal leader (originally from Sindh, Pakistan).
As a matter of fact, when the very protagonists of Ram Temple were in rule they did not erect Ram temple. But they did manage to erect the wall of hatred between two sections of the Indian society. When amidst the slogans of Jai Shri Ram the historical Babri Masjid was brought down to earth it was not only a mosque destroyed but the very foundation of Indian democracy was shaken. Perhaps, it was the most troublesome moment for Rama’s soul.
The demolition of Babri Masjid by the Hindutva terrorists proved to be a turning point in the bilateral relationship between Hindus and Muslims. Both the communities have a glorious past that saw them living like members of a family. Since the demolition, secular leaders of both the communities tried their best to bring the communities as close as they were in the pre-1992 era. But their efforts were a total failure.
The communal elements on the other side have been gradually creating more distance between them. This became possible through false flag operations: Hindutva elements orchestrated blasts throughout the country and fingers were raised towards Muslim youth. Consequently, many Muslim youth found that in a society of which they were considered an integral part are alienated by Hindu brethren.
In the name of Rama, the fanatic elements polarized the cosmopolitan Indian society. If Rama founded a Ram Rashtra again, he would never allow violence against followers of other faiths. Here in India, even on the way to establishing the Rashtra the Hindutva elements destroyed thousands of innocent lives.
Casting a cursory look at the blasts that shook India it dawns upon one that the very foundation of the so-called Ram Rashtra was to be founded on bloody ground. The probes have revealed the Hindutva executors of the blasts wanted to transform Indian democracy in to Ram Rashtra.
These terrorists do not hesitate even to prefix or suffix Rama to their names to show that they are very close to their claimed model Ramchandraji. They christen their outfits after Rama. But the reality is quite different.
Take an example of Ramanarayan Kalsangra? Who Ramanarayan? He is an alleged murderer of Indian innocents and destroyer of peaceful co-existence of Indian society. Wanted in many blasts, Ramanarayan is still out of the reach of investigating agencies. The inclusion of Rama in his name could not affect him to become a peace loving person.
Sri Ram Sene should be an outfit propagating the message of peace because the association of its name with Rama suggests so. But as a person gets to know about its anti-nation activities they are compelled to opine that it is an utter misuse of the name of Rama. Under the chieftainship of Pramod Mutalik, the Sene has been active in vandalism.
Its infamous chief Mutalik was caught on camera demanding Rs 60 lakhs. In return he was ready to stage riots in the Muslim-dominated areas of Karnataka. Mutalik has over 45 cases pending against him, and is wanted by the police in 11 districts of Karnataka. Under the banner of Rashtra Raksha Sene, Mutalik claimed to have trained as many as 700 people to carry out suicide attacks.
When any bad act is performed by an individual it harms only his/her identity. But in the case, they are related to any organization or a specific religion it brings bad name also to that outfit or the religion. The real adherents of Rama must take immediate action to check the Hindutva elements from misusing the name of Rama. Or, they will bring much more shame and defamation to the religion too.
By Staff Wrtier
Third Pillar Of Democracy Crumbling
The judiciary has always been respected in India. That corruption has crept also in the judiciary is depressing. It questions the integrity which so far has been a distinguishing characteristic of the courts.
There seems to have been some black sheep in the courts, this is what the Supreme Court of India recently said.
A division bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra observed that “something is rotten in the Allahabad High Court”, that several judges suffered from the “uncle judge syndrome”, and that it “really needs some house-cleaning”.
The judges made the observation while scrapping an order which a single-judge Bench of Allahabad HC had passed without territorial jurisdiction, asking the Bahraich-based Wakf Board to temporarily allot land to a circus.
In a harsh allegation made to the HC, the judges added, “We are sorry to say but a lot of complaints are coming against certain judges of the Allahabad High Court relating to their integrity.”
According to the bench, certain judges had their relatives practising in the same court. “Within a few years of starting practice, the sons or relations of the judge become multi-millionaires, have huge bank balances, luxurious cars, huge houses and are enjoying a luxurious life. This is a far cry from the days when sons and other relatives of judges could derive no benefit from their relationship and had to struggle at the Bar like any other lawyer."
The apex judicial body would have not come with such a statement had there not been serious irregularities being committed in the HC. Common citizens hold the courts in great reverence and see it as the last resort for justice. The loss of this credibility would be tantamount to public opinion, which already have a firm belief that the Executive is corrupt, losing faith in the very structure of democracy.
Perhaps this is why when the High Court sought expunction of the stringing rap, SC stuck to its rebuke saying that it was time of ‘introspection’ and not of ‘reaction’. Although it clarified that “the remarks were directed only at some members of the HC” and that “there are many excellent judges in Allahabad HC who are working hard and doing their duty honestly and we have not painted everyone with the same brush”. It, however, said, “We can quite understand the anguish of some of the judges of Allahabad HC, but we cannot overlook the fact that these are times when introspection is required, and not mere reaction. We request the Chief Justice of the HC to consider our order in that spirit.”
The Supreme Court also urged the Chief Justice of the HC to take strong house cleaning measures, including recommending transfers, of the “incorrigibles”.
Recently, there were verdicts that question the integrity of certain judges. In the Babri Masjid title suit verdict which is based on astha of Hindus even neutral secularists criticized the way the honourable court reached to the conclusion that Babri Masjid site was actually the exact birth place of Rama. Some even called it a ‘panchayat decision’. Even the former Chief Justice of India Justice E Ahmadi termed the verdict a ‘panchayat decision’.
Questions have been raised even on the way judges are appointed. “In the midst of all-pervasive pollution, it is a matter of great astonishment that the Supreme Court still sees, and that too so belatedly, that 'something is rotten in Allahabad High Court.' When almost everything is rotten, the word 'something' seems ludicrous and makes concessions for the goings- on. If the system of the appointment of the Honourable Judges of the High Court is rotten, it is preposterous to expect that the atmosphere may be free from corruption, irregularities, malpractices, nepotism and partiality,” commented Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani practised for more than a decade as advocate at Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court. He goes on adding, “To become a High Court Judge one has to have the requisite standing as advocate, good or bad no criterion. What is required is the strong political manipulation, and if both combinations exist, there is no impediment for a rotten lawyer to become 'His Lordship'.”
Just a few months back a few Chief Justices of India made headlines for alleged ‘questionable judgement’. Tongues have started wagging against the courts, which have been above suspicion all these years. This is a bad omen for the Third Pillar of Indian democracy. It is time to restore the waning trust of public in the judiciary.
By Abu Talha Altamash
altamashshah@gmail.com
Cremate Terrorism in Benares
The first decade of the 21st century was dominated by terrorism news. The word with its full meaning dominated the world’s politics and influenced both foreign and home policies of countries.
In the wake of the suspicious 9/11 attack when ‘Islamic terrorism’ was made infamous by the United States, a certain section of Indian media with Hindutva mindset hurried to exploit the term for its nefarious goals. Our investigative agencies, too, found it impossible to remain unaffected from this propaganda war. So, according to them, every violent act must be termed Islamic terrorism and perpetrators of every terror attack must be Muslims. ‘Though every Muslim is not a terrorist but every terrorist is a Muslim’ was not only a propaganda by some Hindutva elements but it also somehow represented the mentality of investigators.
This is not an assumption but it is a reality substantiated by facts. Recalling the conclusions the police reached after every terror act/blasts one finds that the alleged perpetrators are only educated youth belonging to a certain community. The police was reluctant to believe either the assertion of the community’s elders that Islam does not teach terrorism or the possible angle of investigation as to why youth of the community should destroy their own mosques, graveyards and Dargahs.
Thus the real culprits behind the 2006 Malegaon Muslim Cemetery blasts, 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing (Hyderabad), and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah blast were left to roam free without even being suspected. Muslim youth had to bear the brunt of the investigation due to this notion that terrorism is deeply linked to Islam.
India has many thanks to extend towards the martyred Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare who went after the executors of the Malegaon 2008 blasts and come up with nearly a dozen of black sheep associated with radical Hindutva outfits. He also found that some Hindutva elements in association with the Pakistani intelligence ISI were planning to overturn the Indian democracy only to transform it into a Hindu Rashtra. This marks a turning point in the investigation of bomb blasts in India. Karkare, however, was put to death on November 26, 2008, some allege by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives of Pakistan and the other say by Hindutva fundamentalists of India.
Since then, a relook in the investigation process of Malegaon, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Dargah blasts led the investigators to Hindutva elements including some self-styled swamis.
Whenever, they are exposed, the media, dominated by them, downplays the Hindutva terrorism by turning public focus towards less dangerous threats of corruption, etc. Corruption is effective the life of every single Indian. It is the single, largest and most dangerous enemy of India. Yet, some media houses are so irresponsible that they use these scams to cover up news of hindutva terrorism.
The terrorists who were supposed to be Muslims have turned out to be from Hindu community by the end of the decade. They are the real culprits; the investigation in right direction has led to them. Some of them have been arrested in different crimes but their colleagues are busy executing the destructive agendas.
In Goa, they tried to kill their own Hindu brethren but unfortunately for them an accident occurred while they were assembling the bomb, which exposed them.
Now they have reached the holy city of Benares. They terrorized people who were busy in evening prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the holy river Ganges. They have reached this destination on their own. At some Shamshan Ghat in Benares, India must cremate this terrorism.
In the wake of the suspicious 9/11 attack when ‘Islamic terrorism’ was made infamous by the United States, a certain section of Indian media with Hindutva mindset hurried to exploit the term for its nefarious goals. Our investigative agencies, too, found it impossible to remain unaffected from this propaganda war. So, according to them, every violent act must be termed Islamic terrorism and perpetrators of every terror attack must be Muslims. ‘Though every Muslim is not a terrorist but every terrorist is a Muslim’ was not only a propaganda by some Hindutva elements but it also somehow represented the mentality of investigators.
This is not an assumption but it is a reality substantiated by facts. Recalling the conclusions the police reached after every terror act/blasts one finds that the alleged perpetrators are only educated youth belonging to a certain community. The police was reluctant to believe either the assertion of the community’s elders that Islam does not teach terrorism or the possible angle of investigation as to why youth of the community should destroy their own mosques, graveyards and Dargahs.
Thus the real culprits behind the 2006 Malegaon Muslim Cemetery blasts, 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing (Hyderabad), and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah blast were left to roam free without even being suspected. Muslim youth had to bear the brunt of the investigation due to this notion that terrorism is deeply linked to Islam.
India has many thanks to extend towards the martyred Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare who went after the executors of the Malegaon 2008 blasts and come up with nearly a dozen of black sheep associated with radical Hindutva outfits. He also found that some Hindutva elements in association with the Pakistani intelligence ISI were planning to overturn the Indian democracy only to transform it into a Hindu Rashtra. This marks a turning point in the investigation of bomb blasts in India. Karkare, however, was put to death on November 26, 2008, some allege by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives of Pakistan and the other say by Hindutva fundamentalists of India.
Since then, a relook in the investigation process of Malegaon, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Dargah blasts led the investigators to Hindutva elements including some self-styled swamis.
Whenever, they are exposed, the media, dominated by them, downplays the Hindutva terrorism by turning public focus towards less dangerous threats of corruption, etc. Corruption is effective the life of every single Indian. It is the single, largest and most dangerous enemy of India. Yet, some media houses are so irresponsible that they use these scams to cover up news of hindutva terrorism.
The terrorists who were supposed to be Muslims have turned out to be from Hindu community by the end of the decade. They are the real culprits; the investigation in right direction has led to them. Some of them have been arrested in different crimes but their colleagues are busy executing the destructive agendas.
In Goa, they tried to kill their own Hindu brethren but unfortunately for them an accident occurred while they were assembling the bomb, which exposed them.
Now they have reached the holy city of Benares. They terrorized people who were busy in evening prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the holy river Ganges. They have reached this destination on their own. At some Shamshan Ghat in Benares, India must cremate this terrorism.
UPA-3: The Dream Of Congress Ends With 2G
With the influence of Sonia Gandhi decreasing in the Congress and Rahul Gandhi emerging as the most powerful leader of the cadre, the Congress has been on a continuous decline.
Intoxicated with success in the 2009 Lok Sabha general elections, the Congress party thought now it can easily retain the pre 1990s status. Just few days ago, the buzz of Rahul’s young factor was presented as if he alone can attract all the young Indians to Congress. But the abysmal performance of the party in Bihar and U.P. showed where it stands.
Before the ghost of the corruption caught Congress, not making any exception to its Mr. Clean (Mr. Manmohan Singh) image, the gaddi of 2014 seems like a low-hanging fruit, there for the plucking. In a statement, the party spokesman Manish Tiwari was quoted as having said, "From now on there will be only Congress as a unifying force in national politics and a cluster of strong regional parties in the states.” He was over-confident that the elections collapse of the main opposition BJP would be a continuing process giving way to one-party system that emerged in the early 1990s.
But, the prevailing situation seems to be making a mockery of the party stating that it was too early a dream to come true. It faced humiliation in the Bihar assembly elections. On the other hand, BJP riding the crest of its ally Nitish Kumar’s developmental work come up with a performance which the party itself had not expected. Many may attribute it to division of secular votes but it is not the only reason. Secular votes are split always and everywhere but do not damage the parties claiming secularism to this extent.
Just analyse how the people of Bihar rejected Congress. They voted for only four candidates of the congress to victory, down five from the 2005 tally. While the BJP gained 36 plus seats in the 243-member assembly.
Congress did tremendously well in Uttar Pradesh bagging 22 Lok Sabha seats in 2009. All the party leaders relentlessly attributed it to the young leader Rahul Gandhi. But when the party bit dirt in Bihar they were quick to try shifting the focus from Rahul.
The truth is that Rahul Gandhi led the party campaign in Bihar and played a key role in selecting candidates. He attended 16 meetings regarding campaign arrangements. Sonia Gandhi addressed only six and the PM just one. But what benefit did the Rahul factor do to the party? He failed completely. The Bihar Youth Congress President Lallan Kumar, who was chosen by Rahul, was arrested carrying money allegedly meant to lure people to a party rally. The party candidates lost their deposits even in seats represented in the Lok Sabha, for instance, by Congress stalwarts like Speaker Meira Kumar.
In the recently held Panchayat polls of Uttar Pradesh, too, the Congress lost miserably to Bahujan Samaj Party. The ruling party led by Mayawati won 55 of the 72 zilla panchayat chairmen seats. The party’s performance even in the Amethi-Rae Bareli bastions was far worse. And it had no option but to allege the state government of blatant use of money and muscle power to hijack the elections. Although panchayat polls are not fought on party symbols but relatives of ministers, MLAs and MPs have their role.
Political analysts say that Congress is too much reliant on Rahul factor. Tracing back his legacy to the first family that uninterruptedly have been ruling independent India, except for a short interregnum, Rahul is considered the most deserving candidate for next P.M portfolio. Tragically, many who could pose a challenge to the Gandhis’ inherited right of governance were sidelined.
The current turmoil in the Andhra Pradesh state masterminded by Yeduguri Sanditi Jaganmohan Reddy is believed to be the outcome of the Congress mishandling the state politics. The party tried to marginalize Jaganmohan as it allegedly did with his late father and former CM of the state Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy. Rajasekhara Reddy was a mass leader who helped Congress making a strong bastion in Andhra. His death in a helicopter incident, Jaganmohan alleges, was under a ‘conspiracy’.
Jaganmohan appears to have grown a feeling that he is not given his due by the top leadership of Congress and that he was misbehaved by the party. He was not made CM after his father’s death nor after K. Rosaiah recently resigned his post of chief ministership.
Over the reshuffle of the new cabinet in Andhra the opponents of the CM Mr. Kiran Kumar have harried him. Jaganmohan Reddy supporter and MLC Jupudi Prabhakar Rao stated that the list of cabinet ministers was drawn up in haste, ignoring factors like caste, regional balance, district equality and political seniority. He says that there are only six SCs in the ministry while the vote bank amounts to 18 per cent. “A constitutional crisis is being precipitated in the state. It’s anybody’s guess as to whether Kiran Kumar’s cabinet is a cricket team or a private limited company,” he said.
The rejection of Lalu’s favour is yet another addition to this list. Once an inseparable ingredient of UPA, Lalu was marginalized by the Congress in such a way that the party fielded candidates against him in the Bihar assembly polls. Congress had assumed that in a state it lost long ago can go alone without local parties’ support.
Comments an analyst on this scenario, “Indeed, the over-dependence on Sonia and Rahul making all the decisions is one of the great structural defects in the DNA of the party. That in turn contributes to the failure to develop strong state leaders. When there has been strong leadership in the states, such as Sheila Dixit in Delhi or YSR in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress has thrived. Lately, the party has struggled to find good leaders both for states and even for the organisational revamp.”
It is also said that 2009 triumph bred a certain arrogance into Congress that is visible in the way the party broke ties with Lalu Yadav — without so much as a thank-you note for his unstinting support of Sonia on the foreign-origin issue (which saw a split within the Congress itself) or for the excellent rollout of the nascent NREGA under RJD minister Raghuvansh Prasad. Its ‘akela chalo re’ (Go alone) policy has come back to bite it.
Rahul Gandhi while representing Congress talks about young leadership in the politics. He urges students to join politics. But the practical reality talks of hypocrisy. If seen, Rahul is the only young Congressman who's saying anything.
“Blame it on the Congress culture of over-dependence on the first family, but other young faces in the government—Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia—are barely seen, except sometimes in television studios,” writes one.
Rahul seems to have made it his favourite hobby to criticize the inadequacies of the leaders not associated with the Congress. This did not work in Bihar. Despite the anti-Nitish campaign of the Congress, the JD(U) and BJP alliance came back to power with a landslide victory. Even anti-incumbency factor did not hinder their way. Many question why Rahul not takes any ministry to prove practically that he is really concerned about omitting the barriers of poor and rich among Indians.
The flood of the corruption scandals that surrounded Congress should have been exploited by young Rahul. He could have attacked the corrupt officials like Yamraj. The Opposition would have then been silent. He would give the country a dialectical power and become antithesis to corruption. The country would have witnessed a new leadership. But it did not happen. He remained silent. Had the coalition of UPA been split due a high moral stand by the congress on corruption, the public would have voted it back with clear majority. But, Rahul dominated Congress has lost this opportunity. Now, it will be in a worse situation. It may face the same consequence as that of the previous three Congress governments.
The image of Rahul Gandhi is not as much a secularist as that of Sonia Gandhi. In one of his statements he said that instead of dwelling upon medieval type dispute of Babri Masjid title suit Indians, also Muslims, should be more concerned about advancement. When conveying this message he might not have thought that some orthodox Muslims would take it in wrong terms that Rahul is not concerned at all about the interests of the second largest majority of the country. To the Muslim community, Babri Masjid is a case of their identity. They think that giving into the demands of the fanatic forces by renouncing ownership will be tantamount to accept the existence of Ram Rashtra; a system in which the non-Hindus will have to live under the mercy of the Hindu majority. For a Congress already facing rage of Muslims for its active involvement in demolition of Babri Masjid, the message sent by Rahul is troubling.
It is tough time of the Congress party. Some reports say that the 2G scam was exposed by Congress itself to defame the former Telecom minister in the center A. Raja who is from DMK. It was done viewing the coming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu where DMK of Mr. Karunanidhi enjoys almost monopoly in rule. But this scam has turned out to be Frankenstein for Congress. Some say, it has brought the party back in the situation it underwent when Bofors controversy appeared on the political horizon like an ominous cloud. It has provided the opposition with an issue of such a magnitude which could shake the very ground of UPA in the centre.
Though efforts have been made to make the opposition, which too is now accused of being involved in the scam, silent, but the damage has already been done to the Congress.
The winter session of the Parliament was devoured by the opposition demanding a JPC to probe the scam and UPA declining its possibility. Now, the opposition has made up mind to continue its attack even after the sessions. Besides 2G scam, the opposition also has CWG and Adarsh Society ghotalas in its pipeline to intensify war against UPA.
How effectively the party manages to convince the public that it will no more plunder the public property will determine its fate in the assembly elections of West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry which will ultimately point out whether or not UPA-111 can be expected in 2014.
By A Hameed Yousuf
ahameed12@gmail.com
Intoxicated with success in the 2009 Lok Sabha general elections, the Congress party thought now it can easily retain the pre 1990s status. Just few days ago, the buzz of Rahul’s young factor was presented as if he alone can attract all the young Indians to Congress. But the abysmal performance of the party in Bihar and U.P. showed where it stands.
Before the ghost of the corruption caught Congress, not making any exception to its Mr. Clean (Mr. Manmohan Singh) image, the gaddi of 2014 seems like a low-hanging fruit, there for the plucking. In a statement, the party spokesman Manish Tiwari was quoted as having said, "From now on there will be only Congress as a unifying force in national politics and a cluster of strong regional parties in the states.” He was over-confident that the elections collapse of the main opposition BJP would be a continuing process giving way to one-party system that emerged in the early 1990s.
But, the prevailing situation seems to be making a mockery of the party stating that it was too early a dream to come true. It faced humiliation in the Bihar assembly elections. On the other hand, BJP riding the crest of its ally Nitish Kumar’s developmental work come up with a performance which the party itself had not expected. Many may attribute it to division of secular votes but it is not the only reason. Secular votes are split always and everywhere but do not damage the parties claiming secularism to this extent.
Just analyse how the people of Bihar rejected Congress. They voted for only four candidates of the congress to victory, down five from the 2005 tally. While the BJP gained 36 plus seats in the 243-member assembly.
Congress did tremendously well in Uttar Pradesh bagging 22 Lok Sabha seats in 2009. All the party leaders relentlessly attributed it to the young leader Rahul Gandhi. But when the party bit dirt in Bihar they were quick to try shifting the focus from Rahul.
The truth is that Rahul Gandhi led the party campaign in Bihar and played a key role in selecting candidates. He attended 16 meetings regarding campaign arrangements. Sonia Gandhi addressed only six and the PM just one. But what benefit did the Rahul factor do to the party? He failed completely. The Bihar Youth Congress President Lallan Kumar, who was chosen by Rahul, was arrested carrying money allegedly meant to lure people to a party rally. The party candidates lost their deposits even in seats represented in the Lok Sabha, for instance, by Congress stalwarts like Speaker Meira Kumar.
In the recently held Panchayat polls of Uttar Pradesh, too, the Congress lost miserably to Bahujan Samaj Party. The ruling party led by Mayawati won 55 of the 72 zilla panchayat chairmen seats. The party’s performance even in the Amethi-Rae Bareli bastions was far worse. And it had no option but to allege the state government of blatant use of money and muscle power to hijack the elections. Although panchayat polls are not fought on party symbols but relatives of ministers, MLAs and MPs have their role.
Political analysts say that Congress is too much reliant on Rahul factor. Tracing back his legacy to the first family that uninterruptedly have been ruling independent India, except for a short interregnum, Rahul is considered the most deserving candidate for next P.M portfolio. Tragically, many who could pose a challenge to the Gandhis’ inherited right of governance were sidelined.
The current turmoil in the Andhra Pradesh state masterminded by Yeduguri Sanditi Jaganmohan Reddy is believed to be the outcome of the Congress mishandling the state politics. The party tried to marginalize Jaganmohan as it allegedly did with his late father and former CM of the state Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy. Rajasekhara Reddy was a mass leader who helped Congress making a strong bastion in Andhra. His death in a helicopter incident, Jaganmohan alleges, was under a ‘conspiracy’.
Jaganmohan appears to have grown a feeling that he is not given his due by the top leadership of Congress and that he was misbehaved by the party. He was not made CM after his father’s death nor after K. Rosaiah recently resigned his post of chief ministership.
Over the reshuffle of the new cabinet in Andhra the opponents of the CM Mr. Kiran Kumar have harried him. Jaganmohan Reddy supporter and MLC Jupudi Prabhakar Rao stated that the list of cabinet ministers was drawn up in haste, ignoring factors like caste, regional balance, district equality and political seniority. He says that there are only six SCs in the ministry while the vote bank amounts to 18 per cent. “A constitutional crisis is being precipitated in the state. It’s anybody’s guess as to whether Kiran Kumar’s cabinet is a cricket team or a private limited company,” he said.
The rejection of Lalu’s favour is yet another addition to this list. Once an inseparable ingredient of UPA, Lalu was marginalized by the Congress in such a way that the party fielded candidates against him in the Bihar assembly polls. Congress had assumed that in a state it lost long ago can go alone without local parties’ support.
Comments an analyst on this scenario, “Indeed, the over-dependence on Sonia and Rahul making all the decisions is one of the great structural defects in the DNA of the party. That in turn contributes to the failure to develop strong state leaders. When there has been strong leadership in the states, such as Sheila Dixit in Delhi or YSR in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress has thrived. Lately, the party has struggled to find good leaders both for states and even for the organisational revamp.”
It is also said that 2009 triumph bred a certain arrogance into Congress that is visible in the way the party broke ties with Lalu Yadav — without so much as a thank-you note for his unstinting support of Sonia on the foreign-origin issue (which saw a split within the Congress itself) or for the excellent rollout of the nascent NREGA under RJD minister Raghuvansh Prasad. Its ‘akela chalo re’ (Go alone) policy has come back to bite it.
Rahul Gandhi while representing Congress talks about young leadership in the politics. He urges students to join politics. But the practical reality talks of hypocrisy. If seen, Rahul is the only young Congressman who's saying anything.
“Blame it on the Congress culture of over-dependence on the first family, but other young faces in the government—Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia—are barely seen, except sometimes in television studios,” writes one.
Rahul seems to have made it his favourite hobby to criticize the inadequacies of the leaders not associated with the Congress. This did not work in Bihar. Despite the anti-Nitish campaign of the Congress, the JD(U) and BJP alliance came back to power with a landslide victory. Even anti-incumbency factor did not hinder their way. Many question why Rahul not takes any ministry to prove practically that he is really concerned about omitting the barriers of poor and rich among Indians.
The flood of the corruption scandals that surrounded Congress should have been exploited by young Rahul. He could have attacked the corrupt officials like Yamraj. The Opposition would have then been silent. He would give the country a dialectical power and become antithesis to corruption. The country would have witnessed a new leadership. But it did not happen. He remained silent. Had the coalition of UPA been split due a high moral stand by the congress on corruption, the public would have voted it back with clear majority. But, Rahul dominated Congress has lost this opportunity. Now, it will be in a worse situation. It may face the same consequence as that of the previous three Congress governments.
The image of Rahul Gandhi is not as much a secularist as that of Sonia Gandhi. In one of his statements he said that instead of dwelling upon medieval type dispute of Babri Masjid title suit Indians, also Muslims, should be more concerned about advancement. When conveying this message he might not have thought that some orthodox Muslims would take it in wrong terms that Rahul is not concerned at all about the interests of the second largest majority of the country. To the Muslim community, Babri Masjid is a case of their identity. They think that giving into the demands of the fanatic forces by renouncing ownership will be tantamount to accept the existence of Ram Rashtra; a system in which the non-Hindus will have to live under the mercy of the Hindu majority. For a Congress already facing rage of Muslims for its active involvement in demolition of Babri Masjid, the message sent by Rahul is troubling.
It is tough time of the Congress party. Some reports say that the 2G scam was exposed by Congress itself to defame the former Telecom minister in the center A. Raja who is from DMK. It was done viewing the coming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu where DMK of Mr. Karunanidhi enjoys almost monopoly in rule. But this scam has turned out to be Frankenstein for Congress. Some say, it has brought the party back in the situation it underwent when Bofors controversy appeared on the political horizon like an ominous cloud. It has provided the opposition with an issue of such a magnitude which could shake the very ground of UPA in the centre.
Though efforts have been made to make the opposition, which too is now accused of being involved in the scam, silent, but the damage has already been done to the Congress.
The winter session of the Parliament was devoured by the opposition demanding a JPC to probe the scam and UPA declining its possibility. Now, the opposition has made up mind to continue its attack even after the sessions. Besides 2G scam, the opposition also has CWG and Adarsh Society ghotalas in its pipeline to intensify war against UPA.
How effectively the party manages to convince the public that it will no more plunder the public property will determine its fate in the assembly elections of West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry which will ultimately point out whether or not UPA-111 can be expected in 2014.
By A Hameed Yousuf
ahameed12@gmail.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Too Much Reliance On Others
The U.S. President Mr. Barrack Hussain Obama concluded a successful visit of India. During his visit, the media did not extend him the welcome as when former American Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush came to India. When Mr. Bush, unpopular even in America due to his decision to attack Afghanistan and Iraq, visited India the media was all praise for him.
The media, especially the electronic media, criticized Obama over his stand regarding Pakistan. Mr. Obama stayed in the Hotel Taj, the prime target by the terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. He showed sympathy for the victims and ensured that the culprits will have to meet the consequences, but he abstained from giving any reference to David Coleman Headely, a Pakistani origin FBI agent who is alleged to be the prime accused in the attack. He did not mention the role of LeT, allegedly supported by Pakistan, in the attack.
Instead Obama maintained that Pakistani government was fighting terrorism and that a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan was not only in the interest of India but also its need. It duly angered our political leaders and Prime Minister declared before him that India cannot negotiate with Pakistan until the latter stops terrorism.
India is a powerful country. Even Americans have done 10 billion worth commercial agreement with it. India is now at a stage where it should not expect too much from others.
Though media is supposed to criticize the government policies, it is playing merely a representative of the management. Recently, there was a campaign against Common Wealth Game administration and it seemed that they would be a failure. But CWG did take place but there was not mention in the media of Sheila Dikshit, the CM of Delhi, and her success.
According to the famous political commentator Zafar Aagha, Media is influenced by the Hindutva ideology. The BJP favours America’s Republican Party in the same way our media does not approve of Obama from the Democratic Party. The statement of Obama regarding Pakistan has been taken as only pretence to criticize him, believes Aagha.
“From most of the debates on the TV channels, it seemed as if Obama instead of being the president of United States is the president of Pakistan and he has come only to discuss Indo-Pak issues. Some anchors complain why he did not declare Pakistan a ‘terrorist state’. Some politicians are sad as Obama did not abuse Lashkar-e-Taiba,” he wrote.
Perhaps the opinion maker journalists expected Obama to include Pakistan in the list of terrorist states and hence snap all diplomatic relations.
We are an emerging economy of the world. If the attitude of the media does not change with this changing reality, then it does no good to the cause of making Indians proud of their country.
The media, especially the electronic media, criticized Obama over his stand regarding Pakistan. Mr. Obama stayed in the Hotel Taj, the prime target by the terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. He showed sympathy for the victims and ensured that the culprits will have to meet the consequences, but he abstained from giving any reference to David Coleman Headely, a Pakistani origin FBI agent who is alleged to be the prime accused in the attack. He did not mention the role of LeT, allegedly supported by Pakistan, in the attack.
Instead Obama maintained that Pakistani government was fighting terrorism and that a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan was not only in the interest of India but also its need. It duly angered our political leaders and Prime Minister declared before him that India cannot negotiate with Pakistan until the latter stops terrorism.
India is a powerful country. Even Americans have done 10 billion worth commercial agreement with it. India is now at a stage where it should not expect too much from others.
Though media is supposed to criticize the government policies, it is playing merely a representative of the management. Recently, there was a campaign against Common Wealth Game administration and it seemed that they would be a failure. But CWG did take place but there was not mention in the media of Sheila Dikshit, the CM of Delhi, and her success.
According to the famous political commentator Zafar Aagha, Media is influenced by the Hindutva ideology. The BJP favours America’s Republican Party in the same way our media does not approve of Obama from the Democratic Party. The statement of Obama regarding Pakistan has been taken as only pretence to criticize him, believes Aagha.
“From most of the debates on the TV channels, it seemed as if Obama instead of being the president of United States is the president of Pakistan and he has come only to discuss Indo-Pak issues. Some anchors complain why he did not declare Pakistan a ‘terrorist state’. Some politicians are sad as Obama did not abuse Lashkar-e-Taiba,” he wrote.
Perhaps the opinion maker journalists expected Obama to include Pakistan in the list of terrorist states and hence snap all diplomatic relations.
We are an emerging economy of the world. If the attitude of the media does not change with this changing reality, then it does no good to the cause of making Indians proud of their country.
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