MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE

TAMIL NADU: A politico-family drama is on in Tamil Nadu. Accusations and counter accusations by Karunanidhi (MK) siblings is bound to hasten the political eclipse of Karunanidhi family. With number of wives, M Karunanidhi is already having problem keeping everybody happy with appropriate political positions. Thus DMK has become a family affair of MK, with Maran’s on the sidelines.

If Alagiri has been accused of cursing Stalin, that he would die soon, Alagiri’s complaint is that both his father and brother Stalin did not greet him on his birthday. Adding to this was “Cruel remarks on Stalin broke my heart” by M.Karunanidhi.

Now this indeed is a height of comedy. Father is a seasoned politician with over 60 years political life and both sons similarly in politics for over 2/3 decades. It is really funny to hear their petty public spat. Surely their beite noire Jayalalitha is having a hearty laugh, and is already preparing to use such bickerings to her advantage by showing the drama in Karunanidhi family in poor light. ‘If you can’t manage your own huge personal family, how can you govern the state?’, she is going to ask. 

For Jayalalitha, with her ambition to throw her hat into the Prime Ministerial arena, this unfolding drama of M K siblings in indeed heaven sent.

For the record, between Alagiri and Stalin, DMK cadres have mostly deserted the former in favour of the later. With a very poor PR record, Alagiri is no match to Stalin. However, the squabble between these two shall surely cause the slow obliteration of once powerful political force into an 'also ran'.

Who doesn’t want to make news, if it is possible? All like their names and photos to appear in the press. There is nothing strange about it. Here is a group of ‘prominent’ citizens, at least that is what a Chennai based English newspaper called them. The news was “Prominent citizens want Modi defeated”. In a statement issued in Chennai, a group of some activists have, kind of, appealed to voters to defeat BJP/NDA candidate, so that Modi does not become the prime minister. Of course, this group is not the only set of persons who want to keep Modi out. There are ‘N’ number of vocal chords lending itself to the cause of ‘Defeat Modi/BJP campaign’, who are doing all that is possible, hence this group's appeal becomes superfluous. May be this group thinks itself as ‘influential’, which they do not appear to be, except that they give an impression of being fellow travellers. But what really funny was, their appeal to Left Wing and anti-communal activists “not to campaign for Aam Aadmi Party and that people should vote for AAP candidate only if there was no other good candidate”. Now this exposes these ‘prominent citizens’ ideological baggage. Their goal is simple, they do not say vote for a good candidate, but vote to defeat Modi. Communists and their fellow traveller sympathizers, have only acted negatively, rather than positively, as history is replete with examples. And the newspaper, which give prominence to these ‘Prominent Citizens’ moorings has only confirmed its own ideological baggage. So much for even handed journalism. 

UTTAR PRADESH: Whole of India is privy, courtesy electronic media, to the alleged adventures of AAP Law Minister Somnath Bharthi, in asking the Delhi police officer to raid a residential premises in Delhi, for alleged immoral activities. All Indians have witnessed on the TV channels the sight of a police officer almost saying to the Law minister of an elected government, “to hell with you”. Media repeated the scene, may be over 100 times, only to sensationalize the episode and to show AAP govt. of Delhi in poor light. Due to the heightened sensation by media, it also had a flurry of live debates on the channel. People like Arnab Goswami of Times Now, and his ilk, there are quite a few like him around, were clear in their mind to damn the fledgling party and its maiden government. Fortunately there were men and women thinkers who were more evenhanded in their comments. One such interlocutor stated “In an India, where, even in the dream, if a police officer gets an instruction, in his sleep, from a minister, he will in all probability rush to the ministerial bidding. But in Delhi, with police being under Union Home Ministry, this officer had the temerity to show finger at the minister”. As if to prove this interlocutor right, just the other day, Azam Khan, a controversial minister in the UP government was reportedly very angry. Because thieves had stolen buffaloes from his farm house. Reportedly, police only heard about it, but acted with alacrity. They rushed in group with police dogs in toe, to the minister’s farm house, and got policemen from 3 surrounding police stations to go after alleged thieves. After 2 days of 'extensive searching', the police reportedly got 7 buffaloes back to the farm house stable. But, the grapevine has it that, the police took these 7 buffaloes from some other stable, since they couldn’t find the stolen bovines. This is police for you in Yeh Mera India.

MAHARASHTRA: That police all over India, is heavily loaded in favour of moneyed, powerful and politically influential people, is never in doubt. But in Mumbai, it is more so and flagrant. We know the case of Salman Khan’s hit and run case doing its court rounds for donkey years, without police or court taking any decisive stand. He was being granted leave of absence on any ground that court thought its alright, without police ever opposing it. And comes the news of another celluloid worthy Sanjay Dutt. He has been granted 3 continuous parole, ostensibly to attend to his ailing wife. According to information available in the media, the police did not waste a minute to sign the paper permitting the parole for the third time. His 2nd parole was over on 19th Feb.

There must be any number of cases, very genuine at that, which truly deserved parole. But, as is the wont, the police, either sat over it or slept over it, because they, the victims, couldn’t peddle influence of any kind, either political or money power.

Yes, interpretation of law and its application is different for aam aadmi and for khaas aadmi. That is the tragedy of India after close to 7 decades of political freedom. Yeh Mera India.

One of the main reason, why AAP is the solution to the problems of this country is, their frugal life styles, whether at personal level or at official level. Of course, it is the official profligacy, that is a matter, which people should look at.

There is this news about the bullet proofing of cabins of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Cabinet Hall of Maharashtra. Only this item is going to cost Rs: 4 crores, in an estimate of Rs: 260 crores, already escalated from the original Rs: 238 crores.

Crore, seem to have lost its relevance, when it is public money, or else Rs: 260 crores for repair and renovation for an existing building damaged to some extent due to the fire, is an astronomical figure. But the same government which is spending public money for the private comforts of ministers and MLAs, has failed to save its doctors working in government hospitals who are contacting T.B. due to the insanitary conditions of their living quarters and working conditions. Some of the resident doctors have even died due to TB contacted in the line of duty. There are 'n' number of issues that need attention and commitment, but are of no priority at all. Anna has a great deal of work in Maharashtra to do, if he desires. He does not have to go all the way to West Bengal to join hands with maverick Mamata. Medha Patkar who is an AAP candidate for Loksabha, may ultimately become the ‘Thaayi’ (sister in Marathi, as against Anna-meaning brother-) for the aam aadmi of Maharashtra.

NEW DELHI: Beni Prasad Verma, a Union Minister, who is fairly frequently in the news, not necessarily for right reasons, was there in the media again. He is a recognized anti Mulayam Singh politician, whom he had described as unfit for any paid job.

While in Lucknow, the SP ruled state, he had distributed to more than 1000 members of an organisation called Steel Consumers Council, which had even journos as members, cash, suitcase and cell phone.

Justifying his largesse to media men, he had reportedly remarked “Why are people criticizing me for spending Rs: 2 crores to journalists?  Journalists work for us, do our publicity. Gifts to journalists is an investment”. Is he wrong? Is there anything unusual about this kind of a give and take bond between media & politicians? Not at all. The only difference here is Mr Verma, the central minister, is rather an open and frank person, and not coy as most politicians are, when it comes to the gifts to journos in cash and kind.

But what is shocking is, it has become just passé with most journalists, growing thick skinned to receive these gifts as part of professional demands.

“Blanket protection to Babus contrary to anti-graft law”, was a news that appeared in the print media some weeks ago, early last month. “All bureaucrats and government servants have protection under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, which requires a probe agency to seek sanction from concerned authority prior to prosecution. Why this special protection for this small band?” asked a five judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice R M Lodha.

It is a very good question, but came rather so late in the day.

It has been there for all these years, ever since this law was made. Legislators make the law of the land. Executive enforces the law, and judiciary interprets the law. Having made the law, legislature’s job is over. Executive shall keep doing what is intended by the law, with its own ways of escape routes. 

Until the judiciary, manned by courts at different levels, questions the rationale of the law and its implication, it’s a merry-go-round.

It is an accepted view that-it is the question, rather than the answer- that makes people wise. But to raise pertinent questions is left only to the wisdom of the court.  There are any number of instances where aam aadmi protested in the past for the apparent miscarriage of justice in many provisions of some of the enactments. But had no locus standi to make a point. At times PILs do appear in the public space. But certainly higher courts of land are eminently placed to question the legitimacy or otherwise of these statutory acts of the legislatures & parliament. That they have questioned the inequity in the PC Act, even little-late in the day, is a welcome measure. Hope, it translates to empower the investigating agency to ensure the ends of justice without further reference to the executive for its intervention.

Rights and wrongs, in the stand politicians and political parties take, is an essential part of democratic process. Democratic discourse has its beauty only because of its vibrancy of taking differing views in its stride. There could always be a newer way of looking at things through a different perspective.

What Arvind Kejriwal says and does many times can drive anybody nuts. Look back, there are ‘n’ number of people who will call him ‘names’. And rightly so. But they are all partly right which means they are partly wrong.

He had said, ‘no political party’. But he formed Aam Aadmi Party. He used all adjectives against Congress, yet he was game, when it came to form the government in Delhi. Yet, he put the same government on mat on many occasion. He gave a damn to the constitutional position of Chief Ministership and was back on the street as an agitationist. That raised all kinds of hackles. And after 49 days of ‘nightmare’, as another politician called it, he gave up the same constitutional position as giving up a chair to another in a park. He has proved beyond any shadow of doubt, that he is a confirmed maverick. 

But he has explanations for all his talks and acts. At least in Delhi, he is still a crowd puller and people listen to him. At least none of the political parties, except yelling and calling names, couldn’t prove him wrong. Yes, he has given a kind of culture shock, in a scenario where Indians were used to taking, MLAs, MPs, and Ministers as somebody who shall only lord it over. He has brought those high flying MLAs and their ilk to the ground. Aam aadmi likes it.

Now that President's rule is imposed in Delhi, election, if any, shall take place after 6 months, and it may not be surprising that this maverick Kejriwal shall comeback to form the next government in Delhi on his own. That will truly be an opportunity to make the difference to show what governance truly means. Hope he does.

If controversy involving minister of Health, Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Health Secretary Keshav Desiraju has corruption angle, the one involving Finance Minister Chidambaram has his basic problem of arrogance.

Health Secretary, a no-nonsense bureaucrat has objected to the inclusion of Ketan Desai and other dubious characters into the decision making body of Medical Council of India. Ketan Desai was unceremonial ousted after he was found with huge unaccounted cash and gold. If he is coming back with the blessings of the minister, then it has to be stopped, since pay off is an obvious angle. Besides, there is story of a stent supplier in India with connections in the corridors of power. Reportedly Desiraju has taken a tough stand against the company. These have incurred the wrath of the minister and reportedly some eminent Indians have written to the PM/President to intervene to stop the transfer. Hope, the incumbent govt of Manmohan Singh takes the call to stop the rot, since he had said only the other day that, his “heart bleeds”.

Coming to Palaniappan Chidambaram, his arrogance of ‘Know all’ streak is fairly known to all. But this time round, his insistence on Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna to speak in English instead of Hindi. What is sad and shocking is his Madam Boss, the Congress President, who is an Italian, learnt Hindi to localize her approach to the people and issues around her. But this Desi American, neither attempted nor shown any inclination to speak the national language Hindi, which is spoken by the largest number of Indians. This shows his clear arrogance. This PC was only a student of Harvard, but his beite noire another Tamil, Subramaniam Swamy, who was professor at Harvard, has no problem with Hindi, spoken or written. Thus, if he has any future ambition to be in any central government, its time, he learns Hindi.

WORLD: The 2012 case involving two Italian marines seem to meander in the veritable ‘Chakravyooha’ called Indian legal system. 

Two security guards of an Italian oil tanker had shot & killed two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast on 15th Feb, 2012, ostensibly mistaking them as pirates. Ship owners, after their ship was detained, had paid Rs: 1 crore each as compensation to the families of those deceased fishermen after Kerala High Court’s intervention. The compensation, by Indian standards, was good, although human life can never be compared with any amount of money.

Kerala government had initially handled the case after arresting these two Italian security guards, despite the Italian stand, of the ship being in international waters and that India had no locus standi to detain the ship. Kerala stood its ground, and after lot of ‘huff & puff’, these marines are still in India, in the Italian embassy in New Delhi.

Its been going on for 2 years. Is it really long for a case of this nature to have traversed for so long? In Indian conditions, it’s a capital ‘NO’. Procrastination, like it or not, is a national malaise. Italians, unhappy at dealing with India, as under dogs, are complaining that case has been dragging on without charges being filed for two years. Of course, that Italians were made answerable to Indian law and law enforcing authorities, was the most disquieting thing for Italy and its media.

But Italy has a case.  They are deeply unhappy. Their accusation that ‘Indian authorities are ambiguous and unreliable’ has merit. Italian government takes the issue of their nationals, detained in a foreign country, very seriously. Their ministers have visited India, to persue the matter. Now their ambassador to New Delhi too has been called back to the country for consultation. They are worried about the uncertainty on the fate of their two marines. They even went to UN and came back empty handed, being a bilateral issue. But they are trying again through EU.  Their concern is understandable and justified. 

But for us Indians, procrastination is no issue at all. How many of our sailors or men working abroad got caught in the whirlpool of uncertainty for years on, for minor reasons? How many of our ministers or embassy officials were worked up to get the Indians detained abroad? Human concern in our country was always at a discount, more so with officialdom. Hence they are not overtly worried about the Italian reaction.

But, sadly, our power that be, do not seem to understand the seriousness of the issue of international relation vis-à-vis, the human dimension of inexplicable delays and legal complexities.

Post Indian consular staff in the U.S, Devyani Khobergade episode, lot of skeletons are falling off the U.S cupboard, of inappropriate actions, of breaking laws & conventions etc. The alleged wrong doing, by the Indian envoy while in U.S., in her employment terms with the domestic help, was an entirely unwarranted intervention by a section of U.S law enforcing authorities. All over the world these diplomatic staff stretches the law of the other country, due to their ‘immunity’ status. It is probably so, across the board. Nobody plays by the book. So it is not surprising, that U.S embassy has benefited itself by low wages to its Indian staff, and its school violated both visa terms, as well as income tax exemption clauses, applicable to school teaching & non-teaching staff. These kinds of apparent infirmities are fairly common with just about all embassies. In New Delhi all embassies may be indulging in similar shortcuts but only the embassy of the United States of America is under scanner. Why? Its ‘tit for tat’, and surely, it is no diplomacy at all. Thus it was the U.S who tinkered with the time tested practice of looking the other way for any ‘harmless illegalities’ by the embassies in the U.S, that has caused this completely avoidable blood pressure, if not an infarction. Hope, peace soon returns to the disturbed state of affairs at both Washington and New Delhi. 

A Washington date lined report informed “Indian Law is the true villain”. It was attributing to a remark by an author Wendy Doniger. Frankly, when first read, thought was about Italy since whole of Italy had worked up on the two marines held in detention on the charge of killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast. The case is already over 2 years old. So Italy had all the reasons in the world to complain about the Indian Laws, as villain.

But this one was about a book, written by this American “The Hindus: An Alternative History”. Earlier an Indian English newspaper from Mumbai had this report, “Penguin ducks, recalls book with erotic take on Hinduism”. 

Long and short of the issue is, when this book hit Indian shores, it was seen, may be even read by many. Some felt it distasteful, and as if poking fun at Hindu deities, even denigrating them. A group, calling  itself “Shiksha Bachao Andolan” (SBA) had  filed a civil suit against the publishers Penguin India, besides two criminal complaints against the company.

If the publishers in India have displayed a sense of responsibility and maturity in agreeing to settle the issue out of court and withdraw all books from Indian market, same is not the case with a section of Indians. These jokers call themselves as the guardians of freedom of expression. Secularism is another fashionable word used for their insolence. According to the report, the main grouse against the book is that it insults and offends Hindus and Indians by inserting factual errors and the use of psychoanalytical tools while looking at Vedic and Hindu deities. 

According to the group SBA, “the book is clumsily written, each chapter is a shocking and appalling series of anecdotes which denigrate, distort and misrepresent Hinduism. Doniger uses selective quotations from obscure and non-original, peripheral and ignorant references with a bizarre emphasis on sexuality and eroticism”. The group also alleges that the details written in books are highly offensive and shows the complete ignorance of writer’s lack of understanding of the sources of Hindu god head.

If the writer and her joker supporters think, it is her freedom of expression to write what she likes, she and her ilk must also recognise that those who do not like what she has written have a right to protest. And mind you, they did not take to the street. They went to court, as far back as 2011 and the book was published in 2009. And it is only in 2014 the settlement took place. It is unfortunate neither the writer nor her fellow traveller supporters appreciated the matured response of those who disagreed with the atrocious views of the writer. 

The author Doniger who responded to the withdrawal of book, had reportedly emailed “Indian law is the true villain. I was angry and disappointed to see this happen and I am deeply troubled by what it foretells for free speech in India in the present and steadily worsening political climate…...Indian law that makes it a criminal offence rather than civil offence to publish a book that offends any Hindu, a law that jeopardizes the physical safety of any publisher…..People in India will always be able to read books of all sorts, including some that may offend some Hindus”.

Oh my God! And we have Indian jokers applauding her. She needs to be told that ‘Indian laws are good enough and its our problem to rectify it, if needed. Besides our laws do not differentiate between religions and at least in this particular case, there was no danger to publisher’s physical safety. Your accusation is  libellous. And please for heaven’s sake, don’t worry about the political climate and the freedom within India. India and Indians are quite capable of managing their lives without your boorish intervention.

This shows your intellectual bankruptcy by refusing to recongnise the sentiment of hurt  feelings of Indians and still insist on your right to write’.

As students we were told, right and restraint go hand in hand. You can’t have the right without responsibility. Price of freedom, is its responsible exercise and this is how a civil society functions. The west with its superiority complex always abrogated the freedom in all its pervasiveness. For them, within their Magna Carta, also includes the right to offend. Therefore the question is, how does your right of unfettered expression gives licence to offend the people with whom you don’t equate yourself?

However, when all is said and done, what needs to be appreciated is, the deities belonging to Hindus are the most ridiculed and offended  by the so called freedom of expression peddlers, whether it is those idiotic painting of pictures of Hindu Gods on socks, undergarments, liquor bottles, beer bottles and even footwears, by some white painters from Amsterdam to Auckland. This is only because Indians are a tolerant and non-violent lot, and hence everybody takes them for granted, including this Wendy Doniger. And in the name of secularism, we have a band of Indian jokers who join this freedom brigade. The travesty is, the very same freedom brigade have most often shut their mouth, whenever there were violent protest as a result of any writings or paintings against Prophet Mohammed or Quran. Here they allow their wisdom to prevail and keep their mouth shut. To prove this point there are any number of instances. We need to ask union minister Jairam Ramesh who expressed his shock over the withdrawal of this book as to, what happened to ‘The Polyester Prince’, the story of Dhirubhai Ambani, which is not available in India?  Who is responsible for its disappearance? In India we have enough mavericks who masquerade as liberals.