EDITORIAL
Friends
1st May, of any year in the past, probably even in the future would never be as eventful as was this 2011. When probably the good part of the world was sleeping, President of the United States of America, Mr Barack Obama announced to the world at large that the ‘most wanted enemy’ of the United States of America has been killed. What a May Day it was!
World received the news with utter disbelief of the epochal event, snuffing life out of one of the most hated men, the world over, for the kind of suffering he brought about on innocents. Yes, the dreaded Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a Saudi fugitive was indeed killed by the U.S. Navy Seals, inside Pakistan’s Abbottabad town in close proximity to its capital Islamabad, in a 40 minute precise operation. Relatives of those who died on 9/11 in the U.S. smiled at the ‘justice finally delivered’.
Of course the mere killing of Osama would not be the end of terrorism. But by hindsight, it may even increase as revenge attacks. For the moment, the sympathisers and supporters of Osama have temporarily lost their sense of direction. Hence, it is the need of the hour to keep the pressure on by the U.S. on other equally dangerous deputies of Osama.
Of course, the Pakistani duplicity was on full display. It has proved to the entire world that they cannot be trusted. If they can cheat the U.S which funded it with billions of US $, most of its activities all through its 63 years of existence, why wouldn’t they lie to India, whom they look at, as their enemy No.1? And for India, to expect that, they would pay heed to its request for the extradition of fugitive Dawood or terror master mind Hafeez Sayeed, Indians are fooling themselves.
Of course India cannot do what U.S did, for obvious reasons. But India can always outsource the job and Mossad of Israel will be more than willing to do it, if India makes a request. Isn’t it some food for thought!
Yes coming to the possible revenge attacks by the left-over Al Qaeda, it needs to be recollected that it was only a few days ago, before the Osama killing, that WikiLeaks made public a top secret file, where a top Al Qaeda commander had claimed that the terror group ‘has stashed away a nuclear bomb in Europe which will be detonated if Bin Laden is ever caught or assassinated’. The cables also reveal that after 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre and others, the core of Al Qaeda was concentrated in a single city of Karachi in Pakistan, and were lost into the wilderness of Tora Bora in Afghanistan the very next day, after seeing the WTC collapse with planes crashing into its twin towers.
This revelation has held out two possibilities, of renewed attacks by the terror group and also the double game of Pakistan.
However what is most unfortunate for Pakistan is the imminent danger of the internal turmoil because of the covert involvement of some of the departments of Pakistani government in the ultimate annihilation of Osama. Pakistan was indeed a facilitator in this ‘Operation Geronimo’. No wonder, Imran Khan, the cricketer turned politician has gone on record bemoaning “Pak enveloped by national depression”. A very sad development for Pakistan and Pakistanis.
And comes China, an ‘all weather friend’, to stand by Pakistan on the most crucial cross road in its history. But China is only being selfish. It was not helping Pakistan at all. It was only helping its own hegemonistic ambitions, and using Pakistan to hurt India, since both - (CHI-PAK) - hate India. Thus there are enough lessons for India to upgrade its relation with Russia and take help from the U.S. and U.K. to get even with Pakistan. With the Al Qaeda harping for vengeance, Pakistan realises that the terror outfit can be used to target India and Indians. Now that Pakistan was rendered naked to the western leadership, which suffered from ‘hearing deficiency’ when India complained in the past on many occasions, the West would rather join India in the fight against terror in general and Pak managed terror in particular.
So Murli Manohar Joshi has sent the PAC’s formal report to the Madam Speaker and expects that she will table the same in the Parliament. But will she? is a big question. Of the 21 members of the committee 11 have already reportedly ‘rejected’ the report. Technically the majority have gone against the report. As is very apparent it is the politics of the dirty kind. 9 members of Congress and DMK decided to go against the Chairman Joshi who is the face of BJP, and strangely 2 members of BSP and SP have joined them. It is not because they did not agree with the report, but by joining Congress in opposing the PAC report they were hoping for some political freebies. This is an unfortunate dimension of Indian politics. The logic is, being petty minded is not necessarily bad, even if it hurts the nation’s interest! On the face of it, the report could have been only the details and summation of discussions in the committee meetings. It seems to have come to similar conclusion as was made available to the press already from different sources, except differing in degrees. May be it was more critical of the then FM – Chidambaram and less of PM – Singh. But culpability of all, were there for all to see. Therefore it is important that parliament discusses this report without politicising the report itself. Contents one can agree or disagree. After all it is the credibility of PAC as a constitutional body that is at stake.
The sad death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in a chopper crash near the thick forest area off Sela Pass in Tawang district along with five others, was a kind of Y S Rajashekhar Reddy repeat. Former Andhra CM had similarly gone flying and it took days to locate the chopper debris in the thick jungle. Lost on Sunday the 1st May, it could be found only on 4th May. Dorjee was one of the few honest politicians who grew from the rank. Being an Army intelligence officer, but with roots firmly on the ground, he grew in popularity for his committed work as a political worker. He was probably only one politician who was elected unopposed more than once. He was good for the state and his people. May his soul rest in peace. But an afterthought. This area in Arunachal Pradesh, is like an Indian Barmuda Triangle! Could this be under Chinese radar? Since China claims a part of Arunachal Pradesh as their own, could they be playing some mischief! It is not difficult for the Chinese to play dirty since AP is bordering Tibet.
CBI, headquarters have moved into a 11 floors swanky building in New Delhi’s Lodhi Colony. No wonder they wanted their piece of HISTORY on display in the newly constructed GEOGRAPHY. They have set up a Museum where information on crucial cases handled by the investigative agency are on display.
The report informs about the highlights of some 14 prominent cases being exhibited. From 1968, starting with the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya murder case to Satyam case of 2009, they covered it all “In the service of the Nation”.
But this premier investigative agency with abundant resources at its command is suffering from selective amnesia.
A case that haunted a whole generation of Indians and CBI tried very hard to kill it on different occasions, but the case itself is refusing to die, did not find itself in the exhibition. In fact it was the high profile case of 1984, and lived for all the 26 years as the mother of all scams. Not for the size of the money involved, but for the refusal of CBI to act decisively for obvious political considerations. Yes, the infamous AB Bofors scandal. Yes, the CBI certainly will not want it to be remembered in the years to come for its own monumental inaction, a 'la P V Narasimha Rao style' for whom inaction itself was the action. But surely the Ghost of Bofors is here to stay until it is given a decent burial, take it or leave it.
Strange it may sound, but it was indeed a savvy political masterstroke by the UPA government that Dr Binayak Sen, was appointed to the central planning panel. By appointing the human rights activist pediatrician, the central govt has in unequivocal terms sent a message that, Dr Sen is not, what Chhattisgarh government, police and judiciary think. It was a brilliant political statement in its subtlety. No wonder the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr Raman Singh has expectedly slammed the appointment questioning, ‘how a person charged with sedition, presently only on bail, can be appointed to the planning commission?’ However what is important is, this appointment of a grass root worker, who is eminently qualified for the purpose for which he has been appointed, can make signal contribution to the child centric policy frame. Politics apart, without doubt Dr Sen will make seminal contribution to the planning discourse. The UPA government should be commended for this imaginative appointment.
Two recent judgements by Apex Court has left most Indians disappointed with its implications. One is Ayodhya – Babri/Temple imbroglio, and the other is on Bhopal’s Union Carbide Gas Tragedy. It is one more instance of a judgement not delivering justice. While it will certainly be argued as per the provisions of law, it has left a vast majority of Indians disheartened.
It was always believed that what happened to Bhopal gas victims is a miscarriage of justice and victims were short changed in favour of multi-national company and its senior officials. Not only those responsible for the tragedy were not made accountable, the apex court, did not put in place a speedier mechanism to bring justice, except leaving the window open for the trial court in Bhopal to persue the case afresh, under more stringent provisions of criminal procedure code. Its only a small mercy for the simple reason, that it could take its own labyrinth to meet the ends of justice. It was in 1984, the disaster took place, and we are in 2011, that is 27 years already gone. One whole generation has gone without justice being meted out.
How can the apex court ensure that it will not drag the same way? Here it is pertinent to reproduce what Attorney General Vahanvathi, while pleading for the curative petition, had said. “The Sept.13, 1996 judgement has caused manifest irremediable injustice…….. To perpetuate an error is no virtue. To correct it, is a compulsion of judicial conscience…. since criminal law serves a social function.”
Coming to Ayodhya imbroglio, there have been a whole lot of positive response to the tripartite settlement by the Allahabad High Court verdict. Across the national spectrum, people from diverse back ground had welcomed the decision. And the apprehension of the administration either at Allahabad or anywhere else appeared completely misplaced as there was not even a single incident of violent disapproval. Indians of all hues have gone on with their life and there was peace. But this reversal by the Supreme Court, the decision of the high court, has once again opened the Pandora’s Box. Wish people and media take it up to convey the people’s response. Print media informed both RSS and Sunny Waqf Board were happy with the apex court decision. But fortunately both these bodies do not represent India. They represent only a miniscule part of Indians.
U.S administration waited until the annihilation of Osama inside Pak soil and exposed the Pakistani cunningness to the world, to officially name ISI as accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Major Iqbal, a serving officer of ISI is among the five Pakistanis listed in the Chargesheet before the Chicago Court, where David Coleman Headley – a Pak Muslim convert – and Tahawur Rana are being tried for 26/11 conspiracy. The chargesheet informs that Major Iqbal was handling Headley on behalf of ISI for the Mumbai terror attack and provided him with $ 25000/- for his expenses while in India. It accuses Iqbal of being actively involved in the planning and execution of Mumbai terror attacks. And our UPA government says not to humiliate Pakistan post Osama killing and the global exposure of its complicity. While remaining engaged may be a positive approach, Manmohan Singh government needs to appreciate the Urdu proverb “Seedhi ungli se ghee nahee nikaltha”. Only thorn can remove the thorn. India needs to assert itself.
As noted by I & C earlier, we will be rejecting Wikileaks only at our own peril. Only because, buying of assent of Members of Parliament for the Indo US nuclear agreement, was exposed by the Wikileaks, and Congress party functionaries were shown in poor light, not to accept these cables even as of academic interest, is not a healthy development. One of the latest revelation that ‘Al Qaeda operatives used Tabligi Jamat to get visas’, is a very serious allegation and exposes a huge security risk. These cables inform that, as per disclosures of Guantanamo Bay detainees, at least 3 hard core inmates at the prison had stayed at the organization’s facilities in and around Delhi. What is the logic of UPA government in not showing seriousness at these Wikileaks?
Senior scribe Vinod Sharma interacting with Times Now had staked his integrity while defending the CFSL-New Delhi report which had reportedly certified the CD involving Shanti Bhushan of Anna Hazare Panel as genuine. Fortunately for Bhushan, Delhi Police sent the CD for second opinion and CFSL Chandigarh has reportedly certified that CD was a cut and paste job. Mr Bhushan had always maintained that it was indeed a cut and paste job. Hence, now he is asking the Prime Minister to sack 4 CFSL New Delhi scientists who had signed the report. So where is Mr Vinod Sharma, who apparently had an agenda to time the release of the CD? We are told he is a respected member of the 4th estate. What is his response to the demand by Mr Shanti Bhushan?
After glorious uncertainties, Kanimozhi, the daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, has been convicted and jailed in Tihar Jail. Despite the spirited pleadings of iconic Ram Jethmalani the judge did not see any reason, why the ‘dignified lady’ should be exempted. Justice Saini of the Special CBI court felt the accusations were of a serious kind with enormity that cannot be ignored. Due to the “apprehension that witnesses can be influenced in case the accused are released on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that accused has failed to make out a prima facie case for bail”, Justice Saini has reported to have stated, while rejecting the bail application of Kanimozhi.
Of course, it did send a desired message across the political spectrum, not to take things for granted anymore. If DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s daughter and a Member of Parliament, inspite of being a major coalition partner, could not be saved, then only God can save. Of course the credit must go entirely to the Supreme Court, who were seized of the issue after the CAG report of Rs: 176000 crore loss in 2G spectrum allocation, argueably the largest scam of the Free India’s 63 years. While there are Indians who would rather feel sorry for this young lady for her incarceration at Tihar, it will serve as an important lesson for all politicians, young and old.
There was this report in the print media “Delhi High Court asks Centre not to deport 65 Pak nationals”. In Tihar jail since April 23, 2007, these members of Gowhar Shahi sect, banned by Pakistani government, who are Pak nationals, had come over to India fearing the safety of their life.
Their asylum is under consideration of the government, subject to the clearance of UNHRC, which is yet to decide on their refugee status. Refusing to return to Pakistan, their homeland, they had during their protest, reportedly, burnt Pak Flag, their passports and their visa papers. Court has given the last extension of their stay to be deported back, if UNHRC do not clear their refugee status. However what Indians, at least a certain section of Indians, should know is, Pakistan is an autocratic Islamic state where life of not only minorities but also of some Muslim sects like this Gowhar Shahi and Ahmedias is constantly in danger and never safe, despite the reported large heartedness as claimed by Shaheed Afreedi. Under the circumstances doesn't the reverse-the Indian large heartedness -looks more plausible?
Ram Jethmalani, the iconic lawyer, some called him maverick, has become a butt of joke on the twitter, since the loss of Kanimozhi case. While one queried, “when shall he fight for both prosecution and the defence”, the other wondered “if there’s anyone who the veteran lawyer cannot defend”. Then the other said “Why is he, a BJP MP, defending Kanimozhi of the corrupt Congress”. Among others which stood out was “Even if we succeed in getting Dawood Ibrahim back alive, what’s the point? He will be put to trial and Ram will defend him”.
In all these repartees, nobody seems to understand the predicament of a lawyer. If a plaintiff comes to him, he is professionally duty bound to accept the brief and fight the case. He cannot refuse, despite, at times, the knowledge of the case. And people come to him for his ability to argue the case, while he may be aware that he is not defending the truth. In the case of Kanimozhi, her family wanted to ensure that she gets the best legal brain, and having known the case, he appealed to the good sense of the judge. While judge did appreciate the pleading ability of Jethmalani he went by the culpability of the guilt. It is also to the credit of the man that he represented Dr Binayak Sen, despite Dr Sen having been victimised by the machinations of BJP government of Chhattisgarh, and for free.
Commenting on the attempts by the U.S. authorities to prosecute Julian Assange of Wikileaks, Amnesty International has stated that “More information is always better than no information”, and ‘to prosecute Wikileak will only stifle free speech’. While there are no two opinions on what Amnesty said, it makes a poor commentary on the federal Indian government at New Delhi for rejecting the Wikilaks cables as 'hearsay and unsustainable'. But the fact remains as Amnesty International says that something is better than nothing. Why is this Manmohan Singh government is behaving like an ostrich?
In the recently held election to the state assemblies of five states, the turnout of electorates and the subsequent result would in all probability shall have a far reaching effect for all future elections. Prima facie, the turnout has been exemplary, all close to 80%, with West Bengal and Pondicherry touching 85%. The result, it can plainly be stated “Voter has spoken loud & clear”. While none of the results were surprising, the outcome in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu had been comprehensively debilitating for both Left front and DMK combine, the ruling parties. Trinamol Congress busted the 34 year hold on the Writers Building with 77% seats with almost 2/3rd seats of its own at 184 and 42 of Congress. It was a defeat beyond the wildest imagination of anybody let alone the LEFT parties. LEFT was humbled beyond revival. Similar was the case at Tamil Nadu. DMK suffered a defeat which would only hasten the demise of Karunanidhi’s political family. With all the freebies DMK failed to get more than 14% of the seats with AIADMK alone getting 150 and its allies getting another 53 seats, leaving just 31 seats to the DMK-Congress combine. It was a complete whitewash for DMK. For Muthuwel Karunanidhi, it would be the most painful sojourn towards the twilight of his fading life.
The high profile victory of Jagmohan Reddy, the son of Late Y S Rajashekhar Reddy in the Kadapa Loksabha constituency with a margin of 5.45 lakh votes is not a very pleasant news for Andhra politics. Yes, the sympathy factor may have played its role. But for the son, it was a do or die situation and he must have staked both men and money, as if his entire future was at risk. In the event he has been amply rewarded. Also winning was his mother contesting for her late husband’s vacant seat. Of course Congress must be deeply upset at the turn of events. But then one victory does not make a government. All over Andhra, this YSR Congress of son Reddy may not impact as such. His ambition of becoming the CM of Andhra can be his undoing. He is too immature to lead a party and therefore a government. Best thing which the centre must do is to bifurcate the state and create Telengana, and make Hyderabad a city state and make it like Chandigarh, as the capital of both states. This will help Congress reap better dividends, so also help create more leaders thus reducing concentration in a few or single leader, and help checkmate this Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Ban of endosulfan for eight weeks by the apex court, maintaining that the “human life is more important than commercial consideration” has not come a day too early. Although better late than never it should have come many years earlier. Kerala is the earliest to ban its use, followed now by Karnataka, this pesticide has been a subject of intense public debate for the debilitating after effect on humans especially where aerial spray was undertaken. But in an India, where poor people's life is a dispensable commodity, the trade lobby had retained its tight hold over its manufacture and sale with union agricultural ministry taking an ambivalent stand. Now that the Stockholm convention has included endosulfan, in the list of chemicals to be eliminated, India should go in for complete banning of the product. Of course there may be another lobby in the wings trying for another chemical for the use to replace endosulfan. Authorities concerned must take a considered stand on any newer pesticide in favour of agriculture but also to be of harmless substance. At the end of the day, human life and lives cannot be bartered for any commercial consideration, even if it means cheaper input for farmers. What is the use of cheaper agricultural produces, if it causes misery, pain and death?
Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj of Karnataka seem to have a one point programme of fixing BS Yediyurappa’s government in Bangalore. Of course it is his misfortune that his political ‘bosses’ in New Delhi, refused to toe his line of action for the second time. From now on either he should play snookers at Raj Bhavan or give health reasons and quietly quit the gubernatorial office. It must be suffocating for him to continue. The central stand can cause him both depression and tension. Of course it is nobody’s case that the central government would have been a very willing partner in this unconstitutional exercise of the constitutional authority. But the arithmetic was heavily loaded against any imprudent hasty action, which could have boomeranged. Of course there would be many political lawyers of Congress party including Union Law Minister Mr Moily who would justify both governor and the central government for the development, which led to cessation of instability, caused by the Supreme Court decision to restore the membership of 16 Karnataka MLAs. Of course, the judgement is clearly debatable. In any case, it was one more occasion for the incumbent government at Bangalore to feel nervous in its continuous nervous existence. Hope this government lives its term, at least to save the cost of re-election.
Joker of a Diggy does not seem to stop. The latest was his alleged reference to terror mastermind Osama, being referred as Osamaji. His controversial comments on the burial of Osama in sea was already disapproved and dismissed by the Congress leadership earlier. During the comment he had allegedly referred to the Saudi fugitive as Osamaji, in an attempt to win some friends from across. Whether the allegation is right or wrong is not the point. This certainly indicates the general perception of the working of the man’s brain. In his own interest and that of his party, Digvijay Singh should refrain from such foot-in-the-mouth observations. He may have discreet official sanctions for doing what he does, but such sly move can easily slip over to the indiscrete part. Hence the best is, to have an open approach rather than an opaque calculated approach. Only honesty helps in the long run.
Pakistan is not only having difficulties internally with Al Qaeda going a bit berserk with the extermination of Osama, it is also having to incur the wrath of U.S., its financial crutch. Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistan has been submitting exaggerated and inaccurate bills to the U.S, for the logistical services it rendered for its forces in Afghanistan. For example Pakistani army billed U.S $ 50 million for ‘Hygiene and Chemical’ expenses of which U.S agreed to pay only 8 million US $. There were many other expenses claimed by Pakistanis which were disputed and not paid. So also helicopters provided by the U.S at huge cost to fight against Taliban were reportedly diverted to UN peace keeping mission in Sudan, for which U.N was paying to Pakistan separately. Thus there is a deep undercurrent of mistrust between these supposed allies. And comes the news of Pakistan calling China its 'best friend', while seeking more and more aid from the U.S. This has naturally bugged American law makers. While this is true that when Pakistan was isolated post ‘Operation Gerenimo’ in Abbottabad, it was China which made some friendly noises towards Pakistan. Pak in turn also has to make similar noises. But the fact is, since both these countries have a common agenda of hurting India, this friendship is thriving. It existed in the past as well. Only U.S had failed to see it, since it was India which was suffering. But now Pak has become more vocal, since Pakistanis are unhappy with the U.S military operation in Pak. But fact of the matter is, U.S will never find an honest ally like India which is transparent and not crooked. U.S need to change its mind set and include India in its war against terror.
For I & C the arrest and subsequent jailing of IMF Chief Dominique Kahn on sexual trespass is not the news at all. The media all over the world were harping on the incident involving a female house-keeping staff and the IMF chief, who has during the course of the trial became former chief. But what is relevant to India is the speed with which the New York Police acted, and acted with firmness, without allowing any VIP nonsense. An IMF chief is a VVIP, anywhere in the world, and being part of United Nations, he enjoys certain diplomatic immunity. Despite all these baggage of the man, the police did act decisively to bring him to accountability. Isn’t it a lesson in policing for India, with influence peddling of all kinds! Chances are, if this IMF chief was to be in such situation in India, he wouldn’t have been arrested by the police in the first place. Police would never have entertained the complaint. Hotel management itself would have forced the female staff to settle for a compromise. Even if it was to go beyond that, police would have booked the case but would have discretely allowed the man to flee. After all he was a white man and a VIP. And who is this female, an ordinary house-keeping staff! Media even called her as maid. So much for our human rights records. Yeh Mera India.
The report that ‘Pak must stop treating India as biggest enemy’, attributing to former Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not come a day too early. Such a stand was also taken by President Zardari earlier, to the dislike of many influential Pakistanis. But the fact remains, whether they like or not, Pakistan cannot have a friend like India in the entire world. Their dislike is based on the Hindu majority India. After all except a small percentage of Arab descent, most Pakistanis are of Hindu origin and were Indians. It is the hatred that separated us and it is the hatred that keep us that way. This need to change. If that happens, there is neither a need to have China or the U.S. And this combination can be a very strong one and nobody can take it for granted. This is a truth Pakistan has to realise. Until then it will have be at the goodwill of somebody or the other.
The ongoing Indian Cultural extravaganza in Iran has been reportedly drawing huge crowd. There is a growing interest of the Iranian youth in the country’s past and present. There is a crowd who is looking for fun but an increasing number of people are asking searching questions on the undercurrent of social turmoil. It is here, more than anything else, that authorities managing the exhibition should be able to put the point across. India is a unique country with some 1000 dialects and some 25 officially recognised languages with some ½ a dozen religions, yet lived without any serious problem. It is true there are small pockets of disharmony, some are politically whipped up. But for a country, which is home to over 1200 million people with diverse linguistic and religious orientations, harmony within the Indian society is certainly a matter of envy of any country in the world. Despite being 80% Hindu, India probably is the only country to have 3 Muslims as Head of State. May be organisers should invite former president APJ Abdul Kalam to have tete-a-tete with Iranian youth, to tell them, that India indeed is a destination worth visiting to persue a future in education, technology and social mores. Hope men and women in charge of this exposition do justice to the heritage that India truly is.
Mohd. Azaruddeen, who was blacklisted by BCCI earlier on match fixing charges is in the cricket news again. His match fixing escapades were termed anti-national and his expertise was not requisitioned since then. But the Congress party in its wisdom gave him a safe seat for its own agenda and rehabilitated him as a Member of Parliament. The government also made him a member of the consultative committee of Ministry of Sports. That has emboldened him and now he is having a potshot at his luck with BCCI. He has recently offered his services as coach to the Indian cricket team ‘at any level’.
While BCCI is yet to react to the offer or choose to ignore it, is not known. But surely there will be twitters galore poking pun at this Indian cricket's black-sheep, ‘Coaching in match fixing is the real forte of Azar, he shall surely do well in this deptt.’. Azar are you listening?
Marginalised section of our society are experiencing increasing systemic victimisation and there is systemic silence and lack of empathy from the civil society to reach out to victims. We have discussed some issues of relevance. Hope readers will find it experiential. Rest of issues are as usual.
1st May, of any year in the past, probably even in the future would never be as eventful as was this 2011. When probably the good part of the world was sleeping, President of the United States of America, Mr Barack Obama announced to the world at large that the ‘most wanted enemy’ of the United States of America has been killed. What a May Day it was!
World received the news with utter disbelief of the epochal event, snuffing life out of one of the most hated men, the world over, for the kind of suffering he brought about on innocents. Yes, the dreaded Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a Saudi fugitive was indeed killed by the U.S. Navy Seals, inside Pakistan’s Abbottabad town in close proximity to its capital Islamabad, in a 40 minute precise operation. Relatives of those who died on 9/11 in the U.S. smiled at the ‘justice finally delivered’.
Of course the mere killing of Osama would not be the end of terrorism. But by hindsight, it may even increase as revenge attacks. For the moment, the sympathisers and supporters of Osama have temporarily lost their sense of direction. Hence, it is the need of the hour to keep the pressure on by the U.S. on other equally dangerous deputies of Osama.
Of course, the Pakistani duplicity was on full display. It has proved to the entire world that they cannot be trusted. If they can cheat the U.S which funded it with billions of US $, most of its activities all through its 63 years of existence, why wouldn’t they lie to India, whom they look at, as their enemy No.1? And for India, to expect that, they would pay heed to its request for the extradition of fugitive Dawood or terror master mind Hafeez Sayeed, Indians are fooling themselves.
Of course India cannot do what U.S did, for obvious reasons. But India can always outsource the job and Mossad of Israel will be more than willing to do it, if India makes a request. Isn’t it some food for thought!
Yes coming to the possible revenge attacks by the left-over Al Qaeda, it needs to be recollected that it was only a few days ago, before the Osama killing, that WikiLeaks made public a top secret file, where a top Al Qaeda commander had claimed that the terror group ‘has stashed away a nuclear bomb in Europe which will be detonated if Bin Laden is ever caught or assassinated’. The cables also reveal that after 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre and others, the core of Al Qaeda was concentrated in a single city of Karachi in Pakistan, and were lost into the wilderness of Tora Bora in Afghanistan the very next day, after seeing the WTC collapse with planes crashing into its twin towers.
This revelation has held out two possibilities, of renewed attacks by the terror group and also the double game of Pakistan.
However what is most unfortunate for Pakistan is the imminent danger of the internal turmoil because of the covert involvement of some of the departments of Pakistani government in the ultimate annihilation of Osama. Pakistan was indeed a facilitator in this ‘Operation Geronimo’. No wonder, Imran Khan, the cricketer turned politician has gone on record bemoaning “Pak enveloped by national depression”. A very sad development for Pakistan and Pakistanis.
And comes China, an ‘all weather friend’, to stand by Pakistan on the most crucial cross road in its history. But China is only being selfish. It was not helping Pakistan at all. It was only helping its own hegemonistic ambitions, and using Pakistan to hurt India, since both - (CHI-PAK) - hate India. Thus there are enough lessons for India to upgrade its relation with Russia and take help from the U.S. and U.K. to get even with Pakistan. With the Al Qaeda harping for vengeance, Pakistan realises that the terror outfit can be used to target India and Indians. Now that Pakistan was rendered naked to the western leadership, which suffered from ‘hearing deficiency’ when India complained in the past on many occasions, the West would rather join India in the fight against terror in general and Pak managed terror in particular.
So Murli Manohar Joshi has sent the PAC’s formal report to the Madam Speaker and expects that she will table the same in the Parliament. But will she? is a big question. Of the 21 members of the committee 11 have already reportedly ‘rejected’ the report. Technically the majority have gone against the report. As is very apparent it is the politics of the dirty kind. 9 members of Congress and DMK decided to go against the Chairman Joshi who is the face of BJP, and strangely 2 members of BSP and SP have joined them. It is not because they did not agree with the report, but by joining Congress in opposing the PAC report they were hoping for some political freebies. This is an unfortunate dimension of Indian politics. The logic is, being petty minded is not necessarily bad, even if it hurts the nation’s interest! On the face of it, the report could have been only the details and summation of discussions in the committee meetings. It seems to have come to similar conclusion as was made available to the press already from different sources, except differing in degrees. May be it was more critical of the then FM – Chidambaram and less of PM – Singh. But culpability of all, were there for all to see. Therefore it is important that parliament discusses this report without politicising the report itself. Contents one can agree or disagree. After all it is the credibility of PAC as a constitutional body that is at stake.
The sad death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in a chopper crash near the thick forest area off Sela Pass in Tawang district along with five others, was a kind of Y S Rajashekhar Reddy repeat. Former Andhra CM had similarly gone flying and it took days to locate the chopper debris in the thick jungle. Lost on Sunday the 1st May, it could be found only on 4th May. Dorjee was one of the few honest politicians who grew from the rank. Being an Army intelligence officer, but with roots firmly on the ground, he grew in popularity for his committed work as a political worker. He was probably only one politician who was elected unopposed more than once. He was good for the state and his people. May his soul rest in peace. But an afterthought. This area in Arunachal Pradesh, is like an Indian Barmuda Triangle! Could this be under Chinese radar? Since China claims a part of Arunachal Pradesh as their own, could they be playing some mischief! It is not difficult for the Chinese to play dirty since AP is bordering Tibet.
CBI, headquarters have moved into a 11 floors swanky building in New Delhi’s Lodhi Colony. No wonder they wanted their piece of HISTORY on display in the newly constructed GEOGRAPHY. They have set up a Museum where information on crucial cases handled by the investigative agency are on display.
The report informs about the highlights of some 14 prominent cases being exhibited. From 1968, starting with the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya murder case to Satyam case of 2009, they covered it all “In the service of the Nation”.
But this premier investigative agency with abundant resources at its command is suffering from selective amnesia.
A case that haunted a whole generation of Indians and CBI tried very hard to kill it on different occasions, but the case itself is refusing to die, did not find itself in the exhibition. In fact it was the high profile case of 1984, and lived for all the 26 years as the mother of all scams. Not for the size of the money involved, but for the refusal of CBI to act decisively for obvious political considerations. Yes, the infamous AB Bofors scandal. Yes, the CBI certainly will not want it to be remembered in the years to come for its own monumental inaction, a 'la P V Narasimha Rao style' for whom inaction itself was the action. But surely the Ghost of Bofors is here to stay until it is given a decent burial, take it or leave it.
Strange it may sound, but it was indeed a savvy political masterstroke by the UPA government that Dr Binayak Sen, was appointed to the central planning panel. By appointing the human rights activist pediatrician, the central govt has in unequivocal terms sent a message that, Dr Sen is not, what Chhattisgarh government, police and judiciary think. It was a brilliant political statement in its subtlety. No wonder the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr Raman Singh has expectedly slammed the appointment questioning, ‘how a person charged with sedition, presently only on bail, can be appointed to the planning commission?’ However what is important is, this appointment of a grass root worker, who is eminently qualified for the purpose for which he has been appointed, can make signal contribution to the child centric policy frame. Politics apart, without doubt Dr Sen will make seminal contribution to the planning discourse. The UPA government should be commended for this imaginative appointment.
Two recent judgements by Apex Court has left most Indians disappointed with its implications. One is Ayodhya – Babri/Temple imbroglio, and the other is on Bhopal’s Union Carbide Gas Tragedy. It is one more instance of a judgement not delivering justice. While it will certainly be argued as per the provisions of law, it has left a vast majority of Indians disheartened.
It was always believed that what happened to Bhopal gas victims is a miscarriage of justice and victims were short changed in favour of multi-national company and its senior officials. Not only those responsible for the tragedy were not made accountable, the apex court, did not put in place a speedier mechanism to bring justice, except leaving the window open for the trial court in Bhopal to persue the case afresh, under more stringent provisions of criminal procedure code. Its only a small mercy for the simple reason, that it could take its own labyrinth to meet the ends of justice. It was in 1984, the disaster took place, and we are in 2011, that is 27 years already gone. One whole generation has gone without justice being meted out.
How can the apex court ensure that it will not drag the same way? Here it is pertinent to reproduce what Attorney General Vahanvathi, while pleading for the curative petition, had said. “The Sept.13, 1996 judgement has caused manifest irremediable injustice…….. To perpetuate an error is no virtue. To correct it, is a compulsion of judicial conscience…. since criminal law serves a social function.”
Coming to Ayodhya imbroglio, there have been a whole lot of positive response to the tripartite settlement by the Allahabad High Court verdict. Across the national spectrum, people from diverse back ground had welcomed the decision. And the apprehension of the administration either at Allahabad or anywhere else appeared completely misplaced as there was not even a single incident of violent disapproval. Indians of all hues have gone on with their life and there was peace. But this reversal by the Supreme Court, the decision of the high court, has once again opened the Pandora’s Box. Wish people and media take it up to convey the people’s response. Print media informed both RSS and Sunny Waqf Board were happy with the apex court decision. But fortunately both these bodies do not represent India. They represent only a miniscule part of Indians.
U.S administration waited until the annihilation of Osama inside Pak soil and exposed the Pakistani cunningness to the world, to officially name ISI as accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Major Iqbal, a serving officer of ISI is among the five Pakistanis listed in the Chargesheet before the Chicago Court, where David Coleman Headley – a Pak Muslim convert – and Tahawur Rana are being tried for 26/11 conspiracy. The chargesheet informs that Major Iqbal was handling Headley on behalf of ISI for the Mumbai terror attack and provided him with $ 25000/- for his expenses while in India. It accuses Iqbal of being actively involved in the planning and execution of Mumbai terror attacks. And our UPA government says not to humiliate Pakistan post Osama killing and the global exposure of its complicity. While remaining engaged may be a positive approach, Manmohan Singh government needs to appreciate the Urdu proverb “Seedhi ungli se ghee nahee nikaltha”. Only thorn can remove the thorn. India needs to assert itself.
As noted by I & C earlier, we will be rejecting Wikileaks only at our own peril. Only because, buying of assent of Members of Parliament for the Indo US nuclear agreement, was exposed by the Wikileaks, and Congress party functionaries were shown in poor light, not to accept these cables even as of academic interest, is not a healthy development. One of the latest revelation that ‘Al Qaeda operatives used Tabligi Jamat to get visas’, is a very serious allegation and exposes a huge security risk. These cables inform that, as per disclosures of Guantanamo Bay detainees, at least 3 hard core inmates at the prison had stayed at the organization’s facilities in and around Delhi. What is the logic of UPA government in not showing seriousness at these Wikileaks?
Senior scribe Vinod Sharma interacting with Times Now had staked his integrity while defending the CFSL-New Delhi report which had reportedly certified the CD involving Shanti Bhushan of Anna Hazare Panel as genuine. Fortunately for Bhushan, Delhi Police sent the CD for second opinion and CFSL Chandigarh has reportedly certified that CD was a cut and paste job. Mr Bhushan had always maintained that it was indeed a cut and paste job. Hence, now he is asking the Prime Minister to sack 4 CFSL New Delhi scientists who had signed the report. So where is Mr Vinod Sharma, who apparently had an agenda to time the release of the CD? We are told he is a respected member of the 4th estate. What is his response to the demand by Mr Shanti Bhushan?
After glorious uncertainties, Kanimozhi, the daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, has been convicted and jailed in Tihar Jail. Despite the spirited pleadings of iconic Ram Jethmalani the judge did not see any reason, why the ‘dignified lady’ should be exempted. Justice Saini of the Special CBI court felt the accusations were of a serious kind with enormity that cannot be ignored. Due to the “apprehension that witnesses can be influenced in case the accused are released on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that accused has failed to make out a prima facie case for bail”, Justice Saini has reported to have stated, while rejecting the bail application of Kanimozhi.
Of course, it did send a desired message across the political spectrum, not to take things for granted anymore. If DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s daughter and a Member of Parliament, inspite of being a major coalition partner, could not be saved, then only God can save. Of course the credit must go entirely to the Supreme Court, who were seized of the issue after the CAG report of Rs: 176000 crore loss in 2G spectrum allocation, argueably the largest scam of the Free India’s 63 years. While there are Indians who would rather feel sorry for this young lady for her incarceration at Tihar, it will serve as an important lesson for all politicians, young and old.
There was this report in the print media “Delhi High Court asks Centre not to deport 65 Pak nationals”. In Tihar jail since April 23, 2007, these members of Gowhar Shahi sect, banned by Pakistani government, who are Pak nationals, had come over to India fearing the safety of their life.
Their asylum is under consideration of the government, subject to the clearance of UNHRC, which is yet to decide on their refugee status. Refusing to return to Pakistan, their homeland, they had during their protest, reportedly, burnt Pak Flag, their passports and their visa papers. Court has given the last extension of their stay to be deported back, if UNHRC do not clear their refugee status. However what Indians, at least a certain section of Indians, should know is, Pakistan is an autocratic Islamic state where life of not only minorities but also of some Muslim sects like this Gowhar Shahi and Ahmedias is constantly in danger and never safe, despite the reported large heartedness as claimed by Shaheed Afreedi. Under the circumstances doesn't the reverse-the Indian large heartedness -looks more plausible?
Ram Jethmalani, the iconic lawyer, some called him maverick, has become a butt of joke on the twitter, since the loss of Kanimozhi case. While one queried, “when shall he fight for both prosecution and the defence”, the other wondered “if there’s anyone who the veteran lawyer cannot defend”. Then the other said “Why is he, a BJP MP, defending Kanimozhi of the corrupt Congress”. Among others which stood out was “Even if we succeed in getting Dawood Ibrahim back alive, what’s the point? He will be put to trial and Ram will defend him”.
In all these repartees, nobody seems to understand the predicament of a lawyer. If a plaintiff comes to him, he is professionally duty bound to accept the brief and fight the case. He cannot refuse, despite, at times, the knowledge of the case. And people come to him for his ability to argue the case, while he may be aware that he is not defending the truth. In the case of Kanimozhi, her family wanted to ensure that she gets the best legal brain, and having known the case, he appealed to the good sense of the judge. While judge did appreciate the pleading ability of Jethmalani he went by the culpability of the guilt. It is also to the credit of the man that he represented Dr Binayak Sen, despite Dr Sen having been victimised by the machinations of BJP government of Chhattisgarh, and for free.
Commenting on the attempts by the U.S. authorities to prosecute Julian Assange of Wikileaks, Amnesty International has stated that “More information is always better than no information”, and ‘to prosecute Wikileak will only stifle free speech’. While there are no two opinions on what Amnesty said, it makes a poor commentary on the federal Indian government at New Delhi for rejecting the Wikilaks cables as 'hearsay and unsustainable'. But the fact remains as Amnesty International says that something is better than nothing. Why is this Manmohan Singh government is behaving like an ostrich?
In the recently held election to the state assemblies of five states, the turnout of electorates and the subsequent result would in all probability shall have a far reaching effect for all future elections. Prima facie, the turnout has been exemplary, all close to 80%, with West Bengal and Pondicherry touching 85%. The result, it can plainly be stated “Voter has spoken loud & clear”. While none of the results were surprising, the outcome in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu had been comprehensively debilitating for both Left front and DMK combine, the ruling parties. Trinamol Congress busted the 34 year hold on the Writers Building with 77% seats with almost 2/3rd seats of its own at 184 and 42 of Congress. It was a defeat beyond the wildest imagination of anybody let alone the LEFT parties. LEFT was humbled beyond revival. Similar was the case at Tamil Nadu. DMK suffered a defeat which would only hasten the demise of Karunanidhi’s political family. With all the freebies DMK failed to get more than 14% of the seats with AIADMK alone getting 150 and its allies getting another 53 seats, leaving just 31 seats to the DMK-Congress combine. It was a complete whitewash for DMK. For Muthuwel Karunanidhi, it would be the most painful sojourn towards the twilight of his fading life.
The high profile victory of Jagmohan Reddy, the son of Late Y S Rajashekhar Reddy in the Kadapa Loksabha constituency with a margin of 5.45 lakh votes is not a very pleasant news for Andhra politics. Yes, the sympathy factor may have played its role. But for the son, it was a do or die situation and he must have staked both men and money, as if his entire future was at risk. In the event he has been amply rewarded. Also winning was his mother contesting for her late husband’s vacant seat. Of course Congress must be deeply upset at the turn of events. But then one victory does not make a government. All over Andhra, this YSR Congress of son Reddy may not impact as such. His ambition of becoming the CM of Andhra can be his undoing. He is too immature to lead a party and therefore a government. Best thing which the centre must do is to bifurcate the state and create Telengana, and make Hyderabad a city state and make it like Chandigarh, as the capital of both states. This will help Congress reap better dividends, so also help create more leaders thus reducing concentration in a few or single leader, and help checkmate this Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Ban of endosulfan for eight weeks by the apex court, maintaining that the “human life is more important than commercial consideration” has not come a day too early. Although better late than never it should have come many years earlier. Kerala is the earliest to ban its use, followed now by Karnataka, this pesticide has been a subject of intense public debate for the debilitating after effect on humans especially where aerial spray was undertaken. But in an India, where poor people's life is a dispensable commodity, the trade lobby had retained its tight hold over its manufacture and sale with union agricultural ministry taking an ambivalent stand. Now that the Stockholm convention has included endosulfan, in the list of chemicals to be eliminated, India should go in for complete banning of the product. Of course there may be another lobby in the wings trying for another chemical for the use to replace endosulfan. Authorities concerned must take a considered stand on any newer pesticide in favour of agriculture but also to be of harmless substance. At the end of the day, human life and lives cannot be bartered for any commercial consideration, even if it means cheaper input for farmers. What is the use of cheaper agricultural produces, if it causes misery, pain and death?
Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj of Karnataka seem to have a one point programme of fixing BS Yediyurappa’s government in Bangalore. Of course it is his misfortune that his political ‘bosses’ in New Delhi, refused to toe his line of action for the second time. From now on either he should play snookers at Raj Bhavan or give health reasons and quietly quit the gubernatorial office. It must be suffocating for him to continue. The central stand can cause him both depression and tension. Of course it is nobody’s case that the central government would have been a very willing partner in this unconstitutional exercise of the constitutional authority. But the arithmetic was heavily loaded against any imprudent hasty action, which could have boomeranged. Of course there would be many political lawyers of Congress party including Union Law Minister Mr Moily who would justify both governor and the central government for the development, which led to cessation of instability, caused by the Supreme Court decision to restore the membership of 16 Karnataka MLAs. Of course, the judgement is clearly debatable. In any case, it was one more occasion for the incumbent government at Bangalore to feel nervous in its continuous nervous existence. Hope this government lives its term, at least to save the cost of re-election.
Joker of a Diggy does not seem to stop. The latest was his alleged reference to terror mastermind Osama, being referred as Osamaji. His controversial comments on the burial of Osama in sea was already disapproved and dismissed by the Congress leadership earlier. During the comment he had allegedly referred to the Saudi fugitive as Osamaji, in an attempt to win some friends from across. Whether the allegation is right or wrong is not the point. This certainly indicates the general perception of the working of the man’s brain. In his own interest and that of his party, Digvijay Singh should refrain from such foot-in-the-mouth observations. He may have discreet official sanctions for doing what he does, but such sly move can easily slip over to the indiscrete part. Hence the best is, to have an open approach rather than an opaque calculated approach. Only honesty helps in the long run.
Pakistan is not only having difficulties internally with Al Qaeda going a bit berserk with the extermination of Osama, it is also having to incur the wrath of U.S., its financial crutch. Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistan has been submitting exaggerated and inaccurate bills to the U.S, for the logistical services it rendered for its forces in Afghanistan. For example Pakistani army billed U.S $ 50 million for ‘Hygiene and Chemical’ expenses of which U.S agreed to pay only 8 million US $. There were many other expenses claimed by Pakistanis which were disputed and not paid. So also helicopters provided by the U.S at huge cost to fight against Taliban were reportedly diverted to UN peace keeping mission in Sudan, for which U.N was paying to Pakistan separately. Thus there is a deep undercurrent of mistrust between these supposed allies. And comes the news of Pakistan calling China its 'best friend', while seeking more and more aid from the U.S. This has naturally bugged American law makers. While this is true that when Pakistan was isolated post ‘Operation Gerenimo’ in Abbottabad, it was China which made some friendly noises towards Pakistan. Pak in turn also has to make similar noises. But the fact is, since both these countries have a common agenda of hurting India, this friendship is thriving. It existed in the past as well. Only U.S had failed to see it, since it was India which was suffering. But now Pak has become more vocal, since Pakistanis are unhappy with the U.S military operation in Pak. But fact of the matter is, U.S will never find an honest ally like India which is transparent and not crooked. U.S need to change its mind set and include India in its war against terror.
For I & C the arrest and subsequent jailing of IMF Chief Dominique Kahn on sexual trespass is not the news at all. The media all over the world were harping on the incident involving a female house-keeping staff and the IMF chief, who has during the course of the trial became former chief. But what is relevant to India is the speed with which the New York Police acted, and acted with firmness, without allowing any VIP nonsense. An IMF chief is a VVIP, anywhere in the world, and being part of United Nations, he enjoys certain diplomatic immunity. Despite all these baggage of the man, the police did act decisively to bring him to accountability. Isn’t it a lesson in policing for India, with influence peddling of all kinds! Chances are, if this IMF chief was to be in such situation in India, he wouldn’t have been arrested by the police in the first place. Police would never have entertained the complaint. Hotel management itself would have forced the female staff to settle for a compromise. Even if it was to go beyond that, police would have booked the case but would have discretely allowed the man to flee. After all he was a white man and a VIP. And who is this female, an ordinary house-keeping staff! Media even called her as maid. So much for our human rights records. Yeh Mera India.
The report that ‘Pak must stop treating India as biggest enemy’, attributing to former Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not come a day too early. Such a stand was also taken by President Zardari earlier, to the dislike of many influential Pakistanis. But the fact remains, whether they like or not, Pakistan cannot have a friend like India in the entire world. Their dislike is based on the Hindu majority India. After all except a small percentage of Arab descent, most Pakistanis are of Hindu origin and were Indians. It is the hatred that separated us and it is the hatred that keep us that way. This need to change. If that happens, there is neither a need to have China or the U.S. And this combination can be a very strong one and nobody can take it for granted. This is a truth Pakistan has to realise. Until then it will have be at the goodwill of somebody or the other.
The ongoing Indian Cultural extravaganza in Iran has been reportedly drawing huge crowd. There is a growing interest of the Iranian youth in the country’s past and present. There is a crowd who is looking for fun but an increasing number of people are asking searching questions on the undercurrent of social turmoil. It is here, more than anything else, that authorities managing the exhibition should be able to put the point across. India is a unique country with some 1000 dialects and some 25 officially recognised languages with some ½ a dozen religions, yet lived without any serious problem. It is true there are small pockets of disharmony, some are politically whipped up. But for a country, which is home to over 1200 million people with diverse linguistic and religious orientations, harmony within the Indian society is certainly a matter of envy of any country in the world. Despite being 80% Hindu, India probably is the only country to have 3 Muslims as Head of State. May be organisers should invite former president APJ Abdul Kalam to have tete-a-tete with Iranian youth, to tell them, that India indeed is a destination worth visiting to persue a future in education, technology and social mores. Hope men and women in charge of this exposition do justice to the heritage that India truly is.
Mohd. Azaruddeen, who was blacklisted by BCCI earlier on match fixing charges is in the cricket news again. His match fixing escapades were termed anti-national and his expertise was not requisitioned since then. But the Congress party in its wisdom gave him a safe seat for its own agenda and rehabilitated him as a Member of Parliament. The government also made him a member of the consultative committee of Ministry of Sports. That has emboldened him and now he is having a potshot at his luck with BCCI. He has recently offered his services as coach to the Indian cricket team ‘at any level’.
While BCCI is yet to react to the offer or choose to ignore it, is not known. But surely there will be twitters galore poking pun at this Indian cricket's black-sheep, ‘Coaching in match fixing is the real forte of Azar, he shall surely do well in this deptt.’. Azar are you listening?
Marginalised section of our society are experiencing increasing systemic victimisation and there is systemic silence and lack of empathy from the civil society to reach out to victims. We have discussed some issues of relevance. Hope readers will find it experiential. Rest of issues are as usual.
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