EDITORIAL

Friends
So the new financial year has begun, so shall be the plan for the financial health of the country, the corporate sector and all prudent people who want to do their arithmetic and put their yearly figures in place so that there are less and less unpleasant surprises.
Yes, among the financial planners, who was most worked up and presented his figures to the nation was the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Over a month ago, on 28th Feb., the budget that he gave to the nation was rather more conservative than expected. At least one chartered accountant called it UNJUST, INEQUITABLE & MORALLY WRONG. But frankly there was nothing to really cheer about. Biggest disappointment was the allocation for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. While it is to the credit of UPA II for putting in place RTE (Right to Education), the outlay in the budget to further the ambit of RTE is rather a let down. The modest increase of 10%, if adjusted to inflation, shall only mean a negligible increase. Rest of plus and minus is not likely to make any far reaching changes for the better for the aam aadmi. Of course the business community has hailed it as positive for growth. But then, the liberalisation has always helped in the statistical growth, rich became richer and poor poorer. That has been India’s growth story of recent years.
There was this news about film actress Hema Malini being elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. While I & C does not give a damn about it, the issue of wasting of a Rajya Sabha seat over somebody whose worth in terms of deliberation at the upper house of the parliament is nil, is indeed very sad. Except the glamour quotient what else this pretty lady can provide to the august house! Besides she is not a local, she is a ‘Tambram’ married to a Punjabi. Of course PM Manmohan Singh too do not belong to Assam from where he got elected to the Rajya Sabha. But then, he is in a different league alto-gether. It is another matter that it didn’t disturb his conscience when he declared that he is an Assamese while filing his papers. But then in India most things of this nature is just passé. Even media do not debate it.
The story of Wasil Khan, a migrant labourer, is neither uncommon nor it, unfortunately, disturbs the conscience of civil society. A Bihari, by birth and therefore an Indian citizen, was about to be deported to Pakistan. It was way back in 2000, that he was picked up by the Punjab police in Pathankot, where he was doing odd jobs, a farmhand, a lorry cleaner etc. He was allegedly used by the police to cook for some seniors. However it was in 2002 police allegedly made him a scape-goat and slapped a case of terror, on G.T. Road at Sirhand town. It is a known trick of some of the police in India, to find ‘bakraas’ to wash their hands off or to build up cases to boost their number. But they forget the inhumanity inflicted on such hapless victims of time and circumstances. It took 9 long years for him to experience the freedom. Having been-incarcerated by the inhuman police, including third degree methods and false charges, he was released for lack of evidence. All along, he was accused of being a Pakistani terrorist. It was only when he managed to write a letter to his sister, who came calling, along with her lawyer husband, to Amritsar, when this Wasil Khan was being readead for being deported to Pakistan, things got completely over turned. Now the question is what about his 9 years lost and the suffering that he has so wrongfully undergone? Who will make good his agony and who will be made accountable for this dastardly act of commission and omission. We have been witnessing these high handed police conduct, especially when it came to Muslim youths, on different occasions. Of course, there have been cases involving persons of other communities as well, getting caught in the wrong side of the law. Police need to be sensitised on such issues besides certain steps of accountability too has to be put in place to bring the people’s faith in the system, for the larger good.
The news headline “Supreme Court strikes down CVC Appointment” was an eminently avoidable piece of legislative action by the two most powerful men of New Delhi’s power elite. In most Indian languages there is this saying – inviting a trouble into your house, which is anyway going on the road without looking at you! Yes despite the 3rd member’s opposition, arrogance of power of the duo forced a questionable person as the country’s Chief of Vigilance, on an unsuspecting nation. In the words of R K Raghavan, the former CBI director, “the choice of P J Thomas (PJT) was downright arbitrary, illegal and laughable.” PJT too, instead of relinquishing the controversial appointment on his own with dignity, held on, to be unceremoniously asked to take a walk by the highest seat of judgement. Now even the President of India too has confirmed the judgement by cancelling the appointment of P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner. The judgement of apex court is indeed a severe indictment of the central government’s lack of respect for institutional integrity, and exposed the high handedness of both the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram, in belittling the opposition of the dissenting member, Sushma Swaraj. Will the government learn its lessons of decency in public life?
Controversy involving the appointment of Maulana Dr Vastanvi as the Rector of Darul Uloom Deoband, shall only do good for the moribund stereotypes within the community. Most people always liked status quo and resisted change. It has to be agreed that every change does not mean progress. But every progress means change. Hence change is a must, whether we like it or not. If you stop going up, you start coming down. Dr Vastanvi represented change and therefore, insha allah, progress. Mercifully his supporters are finally rallying for him and hopefully he will continue to lead the seminary for the overall betterment of the youth of the community.
Assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, the lone Christian minister in the Pakistani government, has only confirmed the doubt “Whither Pakistan!”. As was the earlier killing of Salman Taseer, the Punjab Governor, this too was on blasphemy issue. Something is seriously wrong with Pakistan and Christians are certainly hunted. But authorities refuse to accept the truth of the situation. In an evident attempt to counter the international reaction, the Foreign Ministry spokesman had reportedly said that ‘Bhatti’s killing should not be misconstrued as an example of persecution of Christians’. ‘Dil ko behlaane key liye Ghaalib yeh khayaal achcha hai’.
Among the many issues that need to be addressed between India and Pakistan is the issue of fake Indian currency that Pakistan has been smuggling into India through different international routes. It is an established secret that high quality counterfeit notes from across Pakistan, of hundreds of millions of rupees, are making into Indian financial system. A report by the U.S. state department informs that “India’s extensive informal economy, remittance system, pourous borders, strategic location, persistent corruption and historically onerous tax administration contributed to its vulnerability to financial and terrorist crimes.” This revelation has not come a day too early, but not much is being done either to protect the economy from this menace or to effectively tackle it by the law and order agencies across the country. Somehow there is a lurking feeling that nothing significant is happening on this serious front. May be Apex Court shall, suo moto, take up the issue and pull up the government as usual.
So Bofors case has temporarily been officially buried, courtesy Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Vinod Yadav, with the discharge of Quattrochi. It is strange but true that in this country, one wing of the government does not know, or does not want to act even if made known, about the status of the same case handled separately by two wings. There is a pending case of income tax due on Quattrochi but magistrate Yadav accepted the CBI contention that there is no case against Quattrochi. It is another matter that Advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal who had opposed the CBI clearance of Quattrochi shall be going on appeal to High Court against CMM verdict. Here, knowing the details of the case of 25 years of this Bofors saga, how could a judge close his perceptive senses and pass judgement which is patently bad in law?
There was this report on Sprinkling Water System using what is called as Rain Gun. The contraption invented by farmer Annasaheb Bhavu Udagavi, of Chickodi Belgaum needs to be looked into for a larger good of farmers, saving of water and cost effectiveness to productivity. Developed and improved over a period of 2 decades, unfortunately, has not received any official attention. But then this is how officialdom works anyway. Annasaheb obviously appear happy that his invention has done him good and therefore can do good to others as well. Government would do well to recognise the efforts of a local farmer, so also, it can promote it for the greater utilisation by offering incentives to farmers. All governments shout from the rooftops, that they are all farmer friendly and keep doing something or the other to alleviate their hardships. But suicides continue. Here is an opportunity for the Karnataka government to get the system manufactured commercially and sell it cheaper to the farming community, with some understanding with Annasaheb Udgavi, and promote farmers welfare so also save the scarce water. What are the so called farmer friendly former Chief Ministers Deve Gowda, Kumaraswami and now Yediyurappa doing? Are you listening?
The paedophilia scandals that have rocked catholic church in Europe, United States and Brazil for quite sometime now has raised its ugly head in Philadelphia. Reportedly some 24 catholic priests have been suspended after being linked to an investigation into widespread child molestation. While expressing sorrow by the archbishop of Philadelphia for the sorry recurrence of abuse of minors under the care of members of the church is all very well, it needs to be appreciated, what makes these clergy what they are? If they have indulged in animal streaks on defenceless children, its only because their need to have ‘a go’, is forcibly curbed by the order. Surely, if this changes, so would the atmosphere within the 4 walls of churches. Yes, clergy should be allowed to marry. That is the only solution.
The news about ABVP activists beating a professor in Bhopal is really no news. In Madhya Pradesh, which is ruled by BJP, the student wing has taken law in its hand even on earlier occasions. Some years ago a Professor had succumbed to his injuries after an attack by ABVP activists. If this intimidating activities of students wing of BJP are not controlled, it will be only helping people like Digvijay Singh, a former M.P. strongman in proving him right, about saffron terror.
The appointment of PJ Thomas as CVC and the subsequent squashing by the Apex Court and the Presidential confirmation of the same did force the PM/HM duo on the back foot, to reluctantly accept the responsibility for the mess. However for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find an alibi for his ‘apparent’ lack of knowledge of PJ Thomas’ background, to the clumsy submission of details by the Minister of the State for Personnel Prithviraj Chavan, is rather in bad taste. Chavan was a minister under PM and for him to publicly castigate a junior under him is patently wrong and displays his leadership quality where he didn’t protect his junior. PM Manmohan Singh may be clean man but is he honest as well? When SM Krishna publicly accused Secretary Pillai for his remarks in Pakistan, sometime ago, SMK was ticked off by the media, nobody took on the Prime Minister when he similarly accused a junior minister under him.
The decision to have joint retreat ceremony at the border posts between India and Bangladesh shall have its salutary fallouts. It should do well for both countries. Bangladesh under Shk. Hasina is certainly India friendly and things within the country too are looking up for Bangladesh. India must do everything to strengthen the hands of Shk. Hasina, in the larger interest of both countries. Unlike Pakistan, Bangladesh under her is certainly a credible trustworthy ally. Joi Bongla!
Devastation brought about by the earthquake and the tsunami that followed has wrecked the backbone of Northern Japan. Pacific plate, biggest of all tectonic plates below the Japanese land mass shook itself, to cause the tsunami that led to unprecedented calamity across the northern part of island nation. The loss has been colossal and visuals, mind numbing. Of course as a nation, Japan is definitely better placed to manage catastrophes’ of this nature, while the size and extent of the damage is mind boggling. But it is a reality Japan has to come to terms with. It is also a reality that the rest of the world should take note and be prepared for such an eventuality. Yes India may have the good fortune of not having these tectonic plates around its ocean proximity, but then chain reaction will always be there.
Another disaster following the tsunami were the destruction of Nuclear Reactors in that part of Japan which were feared to be on their way of becoming another Chernobyl. The radio active leak therein, have already rang the alarm bell. Yes for a long time Japan enjoyed the electricity through nuclear power. Is it the time to pay back?! Yes, nothing comes free. So do we accept a nuclear holocaust, for the energy for economic development? It’s a question with multiple dimension. Yes, man’s avarice has always landed him in trouble. But he has never learnt his lessons. But in a world where might is right, it is the weak and vulnerable who become victims of development, for the rich and powerful to have a ball. Yes life goes on. Inequity in the system goes on. Or as Pakistanis have branded Gandhism as Mazboori Ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi!?, where nonviolence is termed as the virtue of weak and powerless!!
Yes in the wake of Japanese nuclear disaster, do we, in India, learn our lessons or close our eyes like the proverbial cat, and, ignore at our own peril? There have been different and differing noises from different quarters. Hope wisdom prevails for the better of the country and by extension, for the better of the world at large.
Identity problems of a certain section of Muslims has again come to the fore, when Shanna Bukhari, a Pak-origin woman from London started receiving life threats for her decision to represent Britain in a global beauty pageant, Miss Universe contest. Their complaint is ‘she is denigrating Islam’. Can a great religion be belittled by a scantily clad woman? Best these protectors of Islam can do, is to disown her, without any threat of violence.
Although this action too shall mean violation of the lady’s human right. At least this shall be non-violent and gives other side some freedom and right of their own to protest. Mind you, this is happening in a multi-cultural show case of London. But look at India, we can boast of many Muslim beauty queens who have walked on the ramp, equally scantily clad, for these beauty pageants. And some of them have won these contests, both in India and abroad, and the matured Indian crowd accepted them as a part of the nonsense that a modern society has to live with. After all these beauty contests are of no-social value and primarily represent a decadent culture. Mera Bharath Mahan.
The decision of the politburo of CPI (M) to give election ticket to V S Achutanandan (VSA), the Kerala CM, has sent Malayaalees all over the state delirious with joy. VSA may be bit controversial due to his acerbic observations, but he is a darling of the masses. There is something akin in VSA to that of George Fernandese – controversial but a crowd puller. After EMS Namboodaripad, VSA is the best CM that Kerala has seen in terms of popularity, honesty and sincerity. Unlike Karnataka and many other states, qualities of honesty and sincerity of its leaders, play a very significant role among Kerala electorates. Originally, the party had denied ticket to VSA, and it’s the people who forced the hand of party leadership. Thus VSA factor can be a decisive factor as Kerala goes to poll on April 13. Jai ho VOX POPULI.
The granting of bail to alleged money launderer and other economic offender, the infamous Hassan Ali, is a kind of slap on the face to the Enforcement Directorate of Government of India. Despite following the case for over 3 years, for the abysmal failure of ED to make a case for custodial interrogation for a longer period, is a very poor reflection on the country’s premier wing of enforcing economic discipline. For the special court judge Tahaliyani to observe “No case is made out for the custody of the accused” is a certificate of monumental proportion on the very credibility of ED. That is bad and sad. But those who took the rap, were visibly not upset with the observations of higher courts which heard ED challenging the bail order of the special court. The apparent lack of seriousness, as observed by the higher courts have not really spurred the ED to move fast and decisive. Doesn’t this attitude tell that there are more pressing agendas from some unseen background players who are probably holding controlling ropes of the game of puppetry?
The malaise afflicting the pilot licencing in India is not surprising at all. In a country where one can get anything and everything for a price, a pilot licence, is no big deal. That DGCA’s daughter was the first one to be exposed is not the news. Because, with a very few exceptions, most babus have used their office to the benefit of their progeny. That the pilot shall be risking the lives of thousands of air travellers is simply not the concern of these babus. Of course they did take care that such pilots have only worked as co-pilots with the active co-operation of the management of the airlines for mutual consideration, with hopefully, the co-pilot learning the tricks of flying little better with passing time. However what is sadly shocking is the sabotaging by the licencing authority the very process of testing, by declaring less than 2% as cleared. So that, when money starts chiming jingle bells, this pass percentage start moving up. So you make only those persons with money to make the grade. Thus, those who are good but do not have the money, remain cheated of the development, which successive governments always shouted from the roof top, that it is near double digit. Yes the lot of average Indian shall ever remain below national averages which are otherwise grabbed by money power, a sad dimension of Yeh Mera India.
“Even if the literal interpretation of the law results in the hardship or inconvenience, it has to be followed” observed justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra, stressing that the job of the court is not to legislate, but to respect the legislation as enacted by the legislature of elected representatives. Law, not equity, must prevail, ruled apex court, while setting aside a Full Bench Kerala High Court judgement of 2006. High Court in Kerala had upheld the promotion of general category candidates for the post of Block Development officers. While, it is true that it is the prerogative of the legislature to make the law, it needs to be appreciated in all its global view, that the end of every law should be justice with equity not just judgement. In a scenario where judgement and justice are not one and the same, judiciary should stand sentinel and should be like a lamp post in the dark ally of interpreting law according to the pleading ability of lawyers. We have seen innumerable instances of miscarriage of justice by the sheer skill and the vocal power of the lawyer representing the litigant. Hope someday both legislature and judiciary appreciate this aspect of the whole exercise of democratic polity.
The death by suicide of V.Saseendran and his sons, is a very sad development in Kerala. 46 year old Saseendran who was the Company Secretary & Finance Manager of Malabar Cements had resigned in Oct. 2010, after writing to V S Achutanandan, the Kerala CM, about the widespread financial irregularities in the Company. But reportedly, he had withdrawn all the charges vide another letter. But in matter of months reportedly he committed suicide. But did he really commit suicide? Very unlikely, tells his brother V.Sanalkumar. According to him, “Saseendran was very attached to his children and their family life was peaceful”. So, could it be a murder? The possibilities are not ruled out. Sanalkumar further informs “There were numerous corrupt deals in the Malabar Cements, which were being investigated by vigilance. My brother was a key witness in all the cases of corruption in the company. And he was a person with impeccable integrity and we will go to any extent to uncover the truth”.
Significantly within two months of the suicide, CBI on 21st March, filed an FIR at the Kochi CJM Court naming, the MD of Malabar Cements, Sundara Murthy, his P.A. Surya Narayanan and contractor V M Radhakrishnan, a high profile businessman, as accused. Earlier report had even suggested John Mathai, a former Chief Secretary and former Chairman of the Company as one of the accused.
V.Saseendran was a whistleblower and the government of VSA should do everything to get to the truth and make everybody involved accountable, in the harshest way possible.
Wikileaks, whether we like it or not, has come to stay. Everybody, means, everybody whether media, ruling party or opposition, all are using it to their advantage and to the disadvantage of their opponents. But sad part is media is unfortunately taking sides as it suites its agenda. While all those who are affected shall conveniently say that its all crap, nothing to substantiate the claim, but shall mouth the opposite as per the suitability of the leak. Naturally both Congress and BJP are the most affected parties, since one is ruling and the other, the main opposition. Of course The Hindu had published extensively these cables but it also hyped its anti-BJP bias in its placement of report. This is a poor reflection on the good job otherwise done. It could have been more unbiased and circumspect.
The new introduction of “Expenditure Agents” (EA) to keep track of poll expenditure by candidates has not come a day too early. In fact most candidates belonging to all major political parties have invariably spent more than what they have always declared. Hence this will checkmate flagrant show of money by some candidates. But the truth of the matter is, EA is equally and more importantly required in public domain. One of the reasons of price rise is the expenditure by people with means to unaccounted sources of income. This has to be controlled in the interest of fairness and justice. Those with unaccounted money spend their resources with abandon, and this need to be checked and made accountable by the income tax department. In fact all expenditure should be added back to the income to arrive at the real income, to tax those who spend with impunity.
Sometime Election Commission also does not know what is right and what is not right, in its zeal. High Court in Kerala has rightly set aside an EC order on rice scheme, extending it to fresh beneficiaries. EC had ordered that Govt should not do it as the election code of conduct is in force. But since it is only an extension of the existing law of supplying rice at Rs 2/- per kg, covering those who were left out earlier are being included in the latest govt. orders the court took a considered stand, in the interest of BPL families.
If politics of development is not limited to I.T. notices to inconvenient opponents, it has also spread to religious handouts. While, Apex Court, sometime in Jan., decided to examine “Shall there be a Muslim and Christian Dalit quota?”, under the category of Scheduled Castes, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recently has gone on record, telling some Christian leaders, who called on him, that he shall look into the question of quota for dalits among Christians. Supreme Court took some 6 years, to have a look at the issue after it was brought before the bench. Of course it shall go into all aspects of the beginning of reservation based on birth. Primarily caste is one of the main irritant in the Hindu social structure. Historically there have been categorisation of Hindu society based on their occupation and those who were denied of the opportunity to advance, have remained backward. Of course the accident of birth into so-called upper and lower caste has, over the years, widened the gulf vastly, and state intervention became necessary, at least for the first 10/20 years of post independent India. Thus the constitution makers provided some 10 years reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for these Scheduled Caste and Tribes. But all political parties kept the issue alive for its vote bank politics for all the 63 years of free India. It is true that a section of SC/ST have managed to corner the benefits of reservation rightly or wrongly. Thus, it is disturbing those persons of SC/ST origin, who have consciously decided to change their religion for the social inequities attached to SC/ST status among Hindus. Hence, a section of Christians belonging to SC/ST are making the demand for similar reservation, again rightly or wrongly. On the face of it, the demand is not correct. Now it is left to the apex court to dwell on the issue to give a ruling. However in the middle of this controversy, there is this Mangalore date lined report in The Hindu, of 16th March, informing that South Karnataka Salafi Movement is opposed to the whole idea of reservation for Dalit Muslims. According to its leaders, 'the move to give 'Dalit Muslim’ tag to Dalits converted into Islam, is a conspiracy to divide Muslims. It would create hierarchy within the community, and therefore it has to be opposed.’ But the flipside is, caste is a Hindu concept, and therefore those who have left Hinduism because of this iniquitous system to opt for a more egalitarian religious order, should not, per se, angle for the benefits of those who are still suffering this malaise, just like those 5 Karnataka MLAs who were elected as Independent, but joined BJP government, thus as courts have observed, they have lost their independent status, and hence if BJP has dismissed them for going against the government, these 5 MLAs have only asked for it. After all you can’t have the cake and eat it too.
International Women’s Day comes and goes as usual every year. It has become more symbolic these days so also demonstratively rhetoric. But, out there, there are innumerable members of the opposite sex, who suffer indignities, physical, mental, social and even economic. This malaise need to be regularly highlighted in the media with far more seriousness than what is seen. We have attempted to highlight the heroic struggle of two women, still living in the margins, but deserving public recognition at state and national levels, in the Focus. Hope you will find our efforts illuminating. Do revert with your thoughts. We value them. Rest as usual.

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