MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
NEW DELHI:Some weeks ago, there were two reports on the same page, contrastingly related. Both concerning India in general and official approach in particular.
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsha Vardhan was launching ‘Eat Right India’ movement on World Food Day and other report was “India falls to 102 in Global Hunger Index, 8 ranks below Pakistan”.
Barking up the wrong tree has always been the official approach of all our governments, past and present. Party affiliation does not matter. We are Indians.
Global Hunger Index (GHI) released, the other day for period 2014-2018, published by World Health Organization (WHO), have placed India at 102, among 117 countries. In 2015, India was slightly better at 93, but still worse than Bangladesh who was at 86 and Pakistan was 106. The latest figure is, Pakistan improved to 94 and India degenerated to 102, with Bangladesh maintaining status quo. Even Nepal is far better at 73 constant. The GHI score is based on the proportion of a country’s child population under 5 years that is undernourished or malnourished. It is a poor reflection on the socio-economic management of the country, and we want to be a ‘super power’. Praising Bangladesh, the report attributed its better performance to ‘attention sensitive sectors such as education, sanitation and health’, clearly inferring in India, it is as usual, ‘crying with the poor, but siding with the rich’.
As against this disappointing situation is the minister’s stress on the ‘Eat Right’ and ‘Fit India’ movement. While there is no doubt that all Indians should strive for fitness and eat right food to be healthy, the national and governmental amnesia on the nutritional level among the growing children of vulnerable section is a sad reflection of our growth story. In our attempt to push $5 Trillion economy, this neglect of children in formative years shall continue the story of our monumental betrayal of the weakest section of our population who cannot wait for tomorrow, like in the words of Chilean poet Nobel Laureate Gabriela Mistral “To him we cannot answer ‘Tomorrow’, His Name is To-Day”.
NEW DELHI:For some reason or the other, the phrase “crying with poor but siding with the rich”, gets increasingly used by this writer for reasons, always felt to be used. And there are many who called me anti Modi. But frankly, I am anti-nobody. According to my own sense of fairness, or whatever goes by that term, I kept expressing my thoughts, either in the public space, or letters to the editor or our own effort ISSUES & CONCERNS. And our effort is 19years old. So, all governments were written about in both endearing terms so also critical terms when situation demanded, hence I can be accused as anti-establishment.
Be that as it may, there was this report in the print media some weeks ago “Government dithers on Rs. 375 as minimum wage, sets up another panel”. Actually this is an issue where public was expected to feel outraged. But sadly that didn’t happen.
In Mangalooru and its suburbs like Surathkal, there are many working class population, migrants from North Karnataka mostly, who are available as helping hands, whether domestic, construction or factory. They are paid Rs. 500/- for both men and women, for an eight hours duty with onetime tea & eats provided. If you do not pay Rs.500/- you don’t get them. However the government, both central and state are playing hide and seek when it comes to deciding a minimum wage.
The above report datelined New Delhi, tells, “The Modi government has exposed itself as pro-corporate by shooting down a proposal of its own panel recommending Rs.375/- as the minimum daily wage and setting up a new committee of bureaucrats to fix a lower floor wage befitting the market rates”. Reportedly the Ministry of Labour at the center is pushing for a floor wage between Rs.200 and Rs.225 a day that can be ‘acceptable’ for the industry. Clearly this is a pro- industry approach. Report, also claims that the expert committee headed by labour economist Anoop Satpathy had suggested a national minimum wage of Rs.375/- or alternatively region wise rate between Rs.342/- and Rs.447/-
It is to be noted that in July 2017, the minimum notified wage was Rs.176/- and now they want to peg at 200/225. This is indeed exploitation and amounts to ‘bloodless violence’ according to Mahathma Gandhi. So, the government of the people, by the people is not working for the people. As usual it is the group dynamics at play to the detriment of the labour class.
NEW DELHI:The Fundamental Rules regulate the service conditions of government servants in India. Probably such rules are there for all government servants in all parts of the world. In Indian governments there is Rule 56-J which is available to the employer, which is the government, to compulsorily retire, which really means dismissal, of an employee. The grounds of such compulsory retirement or dismissal are corruption including getting caught while taking bribes, rank inefficiency and lack of performance. This compulsory retirement or dismissal is available to the government after some 30 years of service, by the age of 50 or 55 years. Every such retirement or dismissal is after periodic inquires and reviews of their performance.
According to information available in public space, these rules were there since 1962 that is almost six decades ago. Yet no government thought it necessary to use this rule to send home corrupt blacksheeps in the government employment. But the government led by Modi, not NDA II, NDA III sacked some 60 Income Tax officials, since May 2019. The latest to be sent home was the batch of 15 senior ITOs, from the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioners to Principal Commissioners, belonging to Indian Revenue Service, around end of September 2019.
It is indeed commendable that NDA led by Narendra Modi is really delivering its promises-slowly but steadily. They didn’t do it in a hurry, but probably planned it well. NDA II of 2014/19 didn’t do it, but 2019/24-started with a bang. While sending the latest batch of blacksheeps in the income tax department, PM Modi had publicly warned that the blacksheeps in the tax administration who harass tax payers would no longer be tolerated.
Reportedly among the first lot of dismissal had figured some very notorious names of income tax commissioners who were widely known to be corrupt, some of whom challenged their dismissal, but got no relief from court.
But what is really dismaying is, this particular Fundamental Rule 56-J, was available to all governments of independent India but no government took-on this section of bureaucrats, even when some of these blacksheeps reportedly had acquired public notoriety of bad behavior.
It is strange but true, it needed a Modi to do it. But what is intriguing and therefore surprising is, even Modi led government didn’t act during 2014/19! Could it be to plan a fool proof operation, just like abrogation of article 370! Indeed ‘discretion is the better part of the valour’. Two cheers to Narendra Modi. Only expectation is, he should not keep these dismissals to only Income Tax department. Blacksheeps are there in all departments of the government, they too need to be dealt with for the larger good.
NEW DELHI:Long ago, to be specific, sometime in 2005, two men from THE HINDU, the so called National Newspaper of India since 1878, walked into my office and asked “Sir you must read THE HINDU.” The retort was “I stopped reading THE HINDU”. To a query from the two some, “why?” the answer was “you are subjective” and “editorial board has changed” was the response. I felt the need to influence their thoughts, if not educate them. I told them “you see, no government is bad 100%: and no government is good 100% similarly. It may be 1/3 good and 2/3rd bad and vice versa. In 2004, the government has changed. You had no positive comment on the government that lost the office in 2004.” One of the two men from THE HINDU, as if he was waiting to let go the bottled feelings blurted, "we are (meaning THE HINDU) anti BJP,” and repeated the assertion on asking to confirm his statement. I told them “Did I say you are subjective, as a journalist, you should be anti nobody. You should be anti untruth masquerading as truth.” Both left without asking me again, to read THE HINDU.
Here the question was why they hate or dislike BJP! At Issues & Concerns our belief is “you discuss or debate issues, not individuals or organizations. It is important to know what is wrong rather than who is wrong. And comes Swaminathan Ankleswaria Aiyar writing in the Times of India post Ayodhya judgment by the Supreme Court. “SC should not only be impartial but seen to be so”; was the title of his writing where he asked, “whether SC has allowed itself to be seen tilting towards BJP?” while continuing “This question will inevitably arise after four successive Supreme Court judgments in the last week that all went BJP way”.
Clearly this gentleman is stymied with some regressive mental block. Why BJP should not get judgment favouring their thoughts; if in the views of court, there is a case, which fortunately favours BJP?
Reacting to Ayodhya judgement where the Court gave the possession of disputed land for the construction of Ram temple, this Aiyar comments, “Many secular Hindus and Muslims were sorely disappointed”. He is clearly suffering from fixated syndrome like many in the Indian fourth estate. He clearly mixes secularism with selective communalism, where ‘you condemn Hindus you are secular, you standby them you are communal’. This Aiyar exposes himself completely when he talks about convicting LK Advani and others for the demolition of Babri Masjid, when the issue is really sub-judice, by stating that “SC should return clinching verdict against Advani and others, before they die. If not, this will be one more judicial move that looks impartial but leaves the BJP smiling”. Indeed if the society in India stands divided on communal lines it is primarily due to such media men like Anklesaria Aiyar and his ilk.
NEW DELHI:In a country like India, due to its accepted democratic way of life, even a huge majority like Hindus, too have to go through the rule of law. By any stretch of imagination, by and large the law has taken its own course, despite pulls and pushes. Of course, the dirtier part of electoral politics besides agenda driven media played its divisive role in keeping the society divided and Hindus, by and large have suffered. Details are not relevant here.
The latest issue of temple in Ayodhya is a case in point. Now that the highest court of the land has delivered its unanimous judgment in allowing the temple in the disputed land where Babri Masjid once stood, the issue, prima facie, appears to have settled. Of all the evidences before the Supreme Court, the report of Archeological Survey of India, led by a Muslim gentleman, KK Muhammad goes beyond any shadow of doubt that there existed a temple below the Babri Masjid. This gave irrefutable credence to the theory that temple was destroyed to build the mosque over it. Isn’t this good enough reason for the adherents to the Hindu faith to be favoured purely as a matter of lawful adjudication of the dispute!?
However it is sad that a section of Muslims is unhappy with this lawful judgment.
The latest news that “Filing review petition will harm Hindu- Muslim unity: NCM Chief”, has to be seen in this context. Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi the, Chairman of National Commission for Minorities(NCM) has reportedly expressed apprehension that ‘filing a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict will not be in the interest of Muslims and harm Hindu-Muslim unity’. Of course this is his personal opinion and maybe there is a larger section of Muslims supporting such a view. But quite frankly, a certain elements of distrust always existed in every society between people of different faiths, rightly or wrongly. But it is the larger section of the group that will make or mar things happen. Surely, a large section of Muslim brethren will not go for the review of the Apex Court’s historic Ayodhya judgment. That is the spirit of India.
In fact, back in 2010 itself, when the Allahabad High Court, trifurcated the disputed land, there was this God sent opportunity for our Muslim brethren to show the magnanimity to let the 1/3rd portion go to the temple makers or the 2/3rd awardees of the disputed land at Ayodhya.
Thus, there was no need for this heightened anxiety of the last 9 years, if Muslim group of litigants have taken the call in 2010 itself, after the Allahabad High Court judgment. But then isn’t the history full of chronicles of missed opportunities!!
UTTAR PRADESH: Issue involving the appointment of Firoz Khan, as Sanskrit Professor in Banaras Hindu University and the controversy around it is epochal by any standard. There are many dimensions to it.
First of all, a person from Islam, being an Indian opted to learn Sanskrit. That by itself is a certificate to our syncretic culture. That he studied the language so seriously and with dedication and that he scored 10 out of 10 in the interview shows the singular achievement of Firoz Khan, as a great Indian. That the selection committee consisting of all Hindus gave him top rank among all candidates which included Hindu candidates, is a measure of fairness that should, prima facie, remain prevalent in all institutions of higher learning such as BHU. That the entire BHU management and administration, V.C and Chancellor included, stood by Firoz Khan and his appointment is so heartwarming that it left no doubt at all in my mind for being a proud Indian and claims to Indianness. It is the earnest wish of Indians of all hues, including a vast majority of Hindus that Firoz Khan’s appointment and his acceptance as Sanskrit Professor of BHU remains a modern day corner stone of what India stands for, in the Comity of Nations.
Under the circumstances it is fitting, that misguided students should be appropriately guided to withdraw their protest and all those heads of temples and shrines of Hindus should prevail over some of the swamis who have so far opposed this appointment. However what is tragic and therefore reprehensible that these so-called liberals, media - both print and electronic -have maintained silence instead of making noise about the kind of culture India is so famous for.
These media houses are busy talking about the term ‘secularism’ being used by the document of Common Minimum Programme of this extremely opportunistic alliance in Maharashtra, being planned by NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena. Before this opportunity came along, Shiv Sena was an anathema and untouchable to both these parties. This is the tragedy of India, for which both media and political parties are responsible and of course our ‘liberal intellectuals’.
MAHARASHTRA:Speaking at a function in Mumbai on 7th September 2019, some 45 days before the Maharashtra assembly election, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena had remarked in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the alliance with BJP is ‘atal’, meaning unchanging, inevitable, permanent etc. Now after 15 days of the election result, despite having got less number of seats, Shiv Sena is telling the world alliance with BJP is ‘over and never again’. It was a complete reversal of their four decades old political tie-up. From the beginning, for Shiv Sena, it was a tie-up of convenience, to enjoy and exploit the power, for the benefit of, ultimately, the Thackeray family.
But this time round they are hungry for larger share of loaves of power. Despite being almost half BJP strength, they want chief minister’s gaddi. That’s not just unseasonable but downright selfish. It was similar like JD(S) asking for CM’s position and getting it despite being low in number than Congress in Karnataka. Of course Karnataka situation was different. JD(S) was the king maker and usurped king’s role in style. Here Shiv Sena is not in the driver’s seat, yet they played spoil sport.
Now they are on very uncertain ground. They lost BJP, part of the ideological saffron brigade, forever. Others are not likely to touch them. But the attraction of power has brought strange bed fellows together, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena. Will there be a government by this unlikely combination, only for the sake of power and its lucre! Among 3 partners to the probable new comby, only NCP will benefit, because they have only to gain, but both Congress and Shiv sena will lose. Congress will lose its goodwill of Muslims and Christians as well as that of the ‘fence sitting Hindus’ and Shiv Sena may go Devegowda’s JD(S) way, slow & steady walk into oblivion.
By this act of betrayal by Shiv Sena, this family outfit has invited the wrath of entire right thinking Marathi Manoos. It is like hara-kiri. Having agreed to the pre-poll alliance, now to break it only for power hunger is a complete exposure of the party. It may go MNS way, of another family member Raj Thackeray. The president rule in Maharashtra is a blessing for Congress to rethink its strategy of joining this coalition of selfish convenience. Ideologically this association can be disastrous for Congress. Hope the party leadership hankering for the loaves of power rethinks its strategy for the larger pan Indian picture.
MAHARASHTRA:Now that the four decades old association between National party BJP and regional outfit Shiv Sena is over the Shiv Sena mouth piece Saamna is pouring venom. Right from the beginning, this alliance between two saffron fraternity was one of convenience, more for Shiv Sena, than for BJP.
The whole of India is aware how, Shiv Sena remained outside the alliance and it was NCP of Sharad Pawar, which saved the blues for BJP in 2014 when confidence vote took place. How can they forget, what they did to the alliance in 2014, and how Thackray & Co is at it again? Clearly they have proved themselves as an unreliable alley.
Yet, their ‘Saamna’ is accusing BJP of “use and throw” policy. Shiv Sena, which a Jain Muni had called ‘Shav Sena’, can never hope to grow if they are not associated with BJP. If they have to grow, they have to have more harmonious relation and this in turn will help them grow better. This logic does not seem to get into the one way track head of Shiv Sena's leadership. It must remember that it can never grow bigger than BJP in Maharashtra, forget about outside Maharashtra. In its own political interest it must take BJP seriously as an elder brother. If their motto is to serve Marathi manoos, it would have no hesitation in joining BJP alliance and form the government. But being over hungry for power, wanting to make a boy of yesterday, a part of the dynasty, as CM, is clearly becoming a serious problem. Their insistence that BJP has gone back on their word of sharing 50/50- CM &other ministerial berths-is a huge lie, which Marathi manoos will not buy. This intransigence will cost Shiv Sena very dearly.
MAHARASHTRA:In an extremely unfortunate development, custodial deaths in Mumbai police stations are becoming increasingly frequent.
It is certainly time for the Mumbai High court, as the custodian of rendering justice should take a suo-moto step and intervene making the erring policemen accountable. After all, no life is dispensable, however insignificant the person is. Courts have a moral duty to act in cases of death where police have acted wantonly brutally on men in their custody.
It’s because the courts as ultimate arbiter of justice have failed to act on their own , that an advocate Arvind Tiwari has moved the Bombay High court to seek probe into the custodial death of one Vijay Singh, who was being interrogated by the Wadala TT. police but died within its premises. Arvind Tiwari claims in his letter to the Bombay High court that ‘the number of custodial deaths in Maharashtra is very high’, which is rather not untrue.
According to the report in the print media datelined Mumbai, this Vijay Singh was picked up on October 27 but probably died before 29th October itself. Reportedly he collapsed at the gate of police station, as per police version, after he was released on complaint of chest pain. Even a political party NCP has approached the State Human Rights Commission in the matter, is a confirmation of the police brutality.
Be that as it may, the issue of custodial death needs to be dealt with seriously and in right earnest.
While we are about it, it is pertinent to refer to the death of 18 year old Sachin Jaiswar in Dharavi police station, who also succumbed to the torture by police, after being released. It happened in September 2018, but even today no FIR was filed against the policemen of Dharavi police station, and the father of youth refusing to take his son’s body from the Sion Hospital morgue. Police are also not providing CCTV footage of 12th July 2018, under RTI, the night the young Sachin was tortured.
This is not the only case, there are others too, some reported some not reported, where unnatural deaths have taken place within the police station premises in Maharashtra. Indeed, there is a strong case for court intervention to stop this barbarism of these terrorists in uniform.
MAHARASHTRA:What is happening in Maharashtra, it can be called especially for BJP “chicken comes home to roost”. After a surge in the late nineties (90s), and a lull during 2004 to 2014, BJP is suddenly on the ascendency. They should have been happy with whatever victory came their way, due to their highly motivated and energetic leadership. They did not remain contended. They tried to use all their tricks and sometime paid price for their desire to establish their footprints by machinations of aaya raams & gayaa raams of politics of opportunism.
Slow and steady wins the race is a time tested adage. They waited patiently for their time and they got their rewards. But the hurry buried them. Haste is waste.
Maharashtra is a case where they have to nurse their wound, despite holding double the number unlike other claimants.
But what is sad and bad is the silence of the media and their intellectual follow travelers is their failure to condemn Shiv Sena, which came into politics to serve Marathi Manoos, but ended up hungry for power and lucre for the Thackeray family, their friends and cronies.
Like all family outfits, Shiv Sena only deserves to be extinct. Lalu Prasad’s enterprise is on the wane, so is Gowda family enterprise. Mulayam Singh & Mayavathi are not far away from slow and steady death.
Their presence make India’s democratic exercise very shaky. In the interest of the country and its aam aadmi, parties like Shiv Sena, JD(S), RJD, SP, BSP should slowly walk into the sunset. Only then there will be deliverance. BJP, Congress and Left, may be JD(U) too can be the harbinger of new politics of India. Hope it happens.
MAHARASHTRA:There was this report datelined Mumbai, in the print media, “No platform to complain against police, states report.” Police probably everywhere are least accountable, more so in a democratic set up. Most Indians are privy to the truth that police, while maintaining law and order, have been harsh and cruel often with alleged accused. These accused more often than not, are poor and therefore do not have money resources to deal with situations, including bribing, or arranging bail etc... They become easy victims of police brutality.
Instances are far too many. Custodial tortures and consequent death, is an area having serious accountability issue but lacks serious application and lack of intention from police higher-ups to address the malaise.
Under the circumstances, initiative like Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs) is a welcome development. According to the above report, PCA was established by Maharashtra government in 2014 and is still is not functional. Its 5 years old, we do not have a proper infrastructure for this well intentioned move. But as usual, nobody wants accountability, more so, police.
Praja Foundation, an NGO, has prepared a report. According to the report there are divisional level PCAs set-up in places like, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Amravati, and Konkan. But only in Pune and Nashik there is some establishment. Who are manning these PCAs is also not known, whether from within the police or outside is not clear. It has to be from outside the police cadre to be objective and purposeful. Unfortunately, even media, which is the supposed guardian of public interest, did not follow it up to educate and inform the general public. It is for the first time since 2014 that such a development has appeared in public space, so also a report has been published in the print. It is such an important issue, but neither the political class nor the media has shown interest in working towards establishing an active PCA for the benefit of all. It is not the lack of fund but lack of commitment towards greater good of society from the two important pillars of democracy, the fourth estate- the media and the executive- political and bureaucratic class- both have let people down.
KERALA:There were 3 reports on the same day and in same page less than a week ago, all from God’s own country, Kerala. What’s happening to the most literate state of India?
“Row over acquittal of 3 in minor sisters’ rape-murder” datelined Palakkad. “Expelled Kerala nun writes to Vatican- seeks to meet Pope”, datelined Kochi, another report also from Kochi “Protest at Kerala church after Orthodox priests’ denial Entry”.
What is wrong with the God own country, or has the God decided to leave the state!
Or else, how can three men V. Madhu (27), M.Madhu (27) & Shibu (43) probably communist card holders, who raped and murdered a 13 year old girl and her sister who was only 9 years, could be acquitted for lack of evidence, but for the connivance of the Kerala police? If the family of these two unfortunate siblings are devastated at this miscarriage of justice and suspect the political sabotage of the case, they are not wrong at all. No wonder various political parties and non-political outfits took out morcha in the state over this acquittal by the POSCO court. Reportedly the government of Pinarayi Vijayan is on the back-foot with the development.
If the government of the day in Kerala has its own issues of management, the Church in Kerala appears to be competing with the government for media space. Church became notorious for protecting likes of sex hound disrobed bishop Franco Mulakkal who was arrested under pressure and was unfairly bailed out. Sister Lucy Kalappura, who spearheaded the agitation against the lecherous bishop has been unfairly targeted by the Church and expelled. She is rightly approaching the higher authorities in Vatican to present her case of expulsion so also attempting to meet the temporal head of Roman Catholics, Pope Francis.
Hope and wish she gets a proper hearing and the Vatican makes amends for the transgression by the authorities in Franciscan Clarist Congregation and restores her place in the order.
It has been told, one Indian makes a philosopher, two Indians make a club and 3 Indians fight. No wonder Jacobites and Orthodox factions cannot pray together in their pilgrimage centre, Kothamangalam Cheriyapalli in Ernakulam. They are praying the same Jesus and same Mary, but, one will not let the other to enter the Church. This is despite the Supreme Court Order two years ago. Can Jesus save these fighting ‘faithfuls’?
WORLD: Bizarre has a new definition coming from Sri Lanka. President Maithripala Sirisena, has reportedly pardoned a death-row convict. He has already retired, but wanted to act on some mercy petition before he retired, as a last act of presidential-pardon available to all presidents in most countries of the world.
Surely there is nothing wrong in anybody appealing for presidential mercy. Equally, it is so for president as well to pardon somebody who is tipped to go to gallows. But case here is rather very cruel or can we say it was cruelty redefined!
Jayamaha, the beneficiary of this presidential pardon was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He appealed to higher court which rejected his plea and instead sentenced him to death, which was confirmed by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court in 2014. His victim, Yvonne Jonsson, a Swedish teenager, was beaten to death in a Colombo apartment in 2005 over an argument. But the height of cruelty was the victim’s head, a teenage girl, was fractured into 64 pieces, inform court sources.
No wonder, higher courts of Sri Lanka justifiably sentenced this murderer of a teenage girl to death sentence. Clearly the criminal deserved to go to the gallows.
After having spent some years in prison, probably on the advice of his lawyer, he approached the president with an appeal to pardon him, since the president was on the way out.
Not wanting to let go of the opportunity to show some consideration and exhibit his power, Maithripala Sirisena, pardons this cruel murderer of a young girl, who probably did not encourage his advances.
This is a clear case of miscarriage of justice by the outgoing president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena. Strange are the ways of the world.
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsha Vardhan was launching ‘Eat Right India’ movement on World Food Day and other report was “India falls to 102 in Global Hunger Index, 8 ranks below Pakistan”.
Barking up the wrong tree has always been the official approach of all our governments, past and present. Party affiliation does not matter. We are Indians.
Global Hunger Index (GHI) released, the other day for period 2014-2018, published by World Health Organization (WHO), have placed India at 102, among 117 countries. In 2015, India was slightly better at 93, but still worse than Bangladesh who was at 86 and Pakistan was 106. The latest figure is, Pakistan improved to 94 and India degenerated to 102, with Bangladesh maintaining status quo. Even Nepal is far better at 73 constant. The GHI score is based on the proportion of a country’s child population under 5 years that is undernourished or malnourished. It is a poor reflection on the socio-economic management of the country, and we want to be a ‘super power’. Praising Bangladesh, the report attributed its better performance to ‘attention sensitive sectors such as education, sanitation and health’, clearly inferring in India, it is as usual, ‘crying with the poor, but siding with the rich’.
As against this disappointing situation is the minister’s stress on the ‘Eat Right’ and ‘Fit India’ movement. While there is no doubt that all Indians should strive for fitness and eat right food to be healthy, the national and governmental amnesia on the nutritional level among the growing children of vulnerable section is a sad reflection of our growth story. In our attempt to push $5 Trillion economy, this neglect of children in formative years shall continue the story of our monumental betrayal of the weakest section of our population who cannot wait for tomorrow, like in the words of Chilean poet Nobel Laureate Gabriela Mistral “To him we cannot answer ‘Tomorrow’, His Name is To-Day”.
NEW DELHI:For some reason or the other, the phrase “crying with poor but siding with the rich”, gets increasingly used by this writer for reasons, always felt to be used. And there are many who called me anti Modi. But frankly, I am anti-nobody. According to my own sense of fairness, or whatever goes by that term, I kept expressing my thoughts, either in the public space, or letters to the editor or our own effort ISSUES & CONCERNS. And our effort is 19years old. So, all governments were written about in both endearing terms so also critical terms when situation demanded, hence I can be accused as anti-establishment.
Be that as it may, there was this report in the print media some weeks ago “Government dithers on Rs. 375 as minimum wage, sets up another panel”. Actually this is an issue where public was expected to feel outraged. But sadly that didn’t happen.
In Mangalooru and its suburbs like Surathkal, there are many working class population, migrants from North Karnataka mostly, who are available as helping hands, whether domestic, construction or factory. They are paid Rs. 500/- for both men and women, for an eight hours duty with onetime tea & eats provided. If you do not pay Rs.500/- you don’t get them. However the government, both central and state are playing hide and seek when it comes to deciding a minimum wage.
The above report datelined New Delhi, tells, “The Modi government has exposed itself as pro-corporate by shooting down a proposal of its own panel recommending Rs.375/- as the minimum daily wage and setting up a new committee of bureaucrats to fix a lower floor wage befitting the market rates”. Reportedly the Ministry of Labour at the center is pushing for a floor wage between Rs.200 and Rs.225 a day that can be ‘acceptable’ for the industry. Clearly this is a pro- industry approach. Report, also claims that the expert committee headed by labour economist Anoop Satpathy had suggested a national minimum wage of Rs.375/- or alternatively region wise rate between Rs.342/- and Rs.447/-
It is to be noted that in July 2017, the minimum notified wage was Rs.176/- and now they want to peg at 200/225. This is indeed exploitation and amounts to ‘bloodless violence’ according to Mahathma Gandhi. So, the government of the people, by the people is not working for the people. As usual it is the group dynamics at play to the detriment of the labour class.
NEW DELHI:The Fundamental Rules regulate the service conditions of government servants in India. Probably such rules are there for all government servants in all parts of the world. In Indian governments there is Rule 56-J which is available to the employer, which is the government, to compulsorily retire, which really means dismissal, of an employee. The grounds of such compulsory retirement or dismissal are corruption including getting caught while taking bribes, rank inefficiency and lack of performance. This compulsory retirement or dismissal is available to the government after some 30 years of service, by the age of 50 or 55 years. Every such retirement or dismissal is after periodic inquires and reviews of their performance.
According to information available in public space, these rules were there since 1962 that is almost six decades ago. Yet no government thought it necessary to use this rule to send home corrupt blacksheeps in the government employment. But the government led by Modi, not NDA II, NDA III sacked some 60 Income Tax officials, since May 2019. The latest to be sent home was the batch of 15 senior ITOs, from the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioners to Principal Commissioners, belonging to Indian Revenue Service, around end of September 2019.
It is indeed commendable that NDA led by Narendra Modi is really delivering its promises-slowly but steadily. They didn’t do it in a hurry, but probably planned it well. NDA II of 2014/19 didn’t do it, but 2019/24-started with a bang. While sending the latest batch of blacksheeps in the income tax department, PM Modi had publicly warned that the blacksheeps in the tax administration who harass tax payers would no longer be tolerated.
Reportedly among the first lot of dismissal had figured some very notorious names of income tax commissioners who were widely known to be corrupt, some of whom challenged their dismissal, but got no relief from court.
But what is really dismaying is, this particular Fundamental Rule 56-J, was available to all governments of independent India but no government took-on this section of bureaucrats, even when some of these blacksheeps reportedly had acquired public notoriety of bad behavior.
It is strange but true, it needed a Modi to do it. But what is intriguing and therefore surprising is, even Modi led government didn’t act during 2014/19! Could it be to plan a fool proof operation, just like abrogation of article 370! Indeed ‘discretion is the better part of the valour’. Two cheers to Narendra Modi. Only expectation is, he should not keep these dismissals to only Income Tax department. Blacksheeps are there in all departments of the government, they too need to be dealt with for the larger good.
NEW DELHI:Long ago, to be specific, sometime in 2005, two men from THE HINDU, the so called National Newspaper of India since 1878, walked into my office and asked “Sir you must read THE HINDU.” The retort was “I stopped reading THE HINDU”. To a query from the two some, “why?” the answer was “you are subjective” and “editorial board has changed” was the response. I felt the need to influence their thoughts, if not educate them. I told them “you see, no government is bad 100%: and no government is good 100% similarly. It may be 1/3 good and 2/3rd bad and vice versa. In 2004, the government has changed. You had no positive comment on the government that lost the office in 2004.” One of the two men from THE HINDU, as if he was waiting to let go the bottled feelings blurted, "we are (meaning THE HINDU) anti BJP,” and repeated the assertion on asking to confirm his statement. I told them “Did I say you are subjective, as a journalist, you should be anti nobody. You should be anti untruth masquerading as truth.” Both left without asking me again, to read THE HINDU.
Here the question was why they hate or dislike BJP! At Issues & Concerns our belief is “you discuss or debate issues, not individuals or organizations. It is important to know what is wrong rather than who is wrong. And comes Swaminathan Ankleswaria Aiyar writing in the Times of India post Ayodhya judgment by the Supreme Court. “SC should not only be impartial but seen to be so”; was the title of his writing where he asked, “whether SC has allowed itself to be seen tilting towards BJP?” while continuing “This question will inevitably arise after four successive Supreme Court judgments in the last week that all went BJP way”.
Clearly this gentleman is stymied with some regressive mental block. Why BJP should not get judgment favouring their thoughts; if in the views of court, there is a case, which fortunately favours BJP?
Reacting to Ayodhya judgement where the Court gave the possession of disputed land for the construction of Ram temple, this Aiyar comments, “Many secular Hindus and Muslims were sorely disappointed”. He is clearly suffering from fixated syndrome like many in the Indian fourth estate. He clearly mixes secularism with selective communalism, where ‘you condemn Hindus you are secular, you standby them you are communal’. This Aiyar exposes himself completely when he talks about convicting LK Advani and others for the demolition of Babri Masjid, when the issue is really sub-judice, by stating that “SC should return clinching verdict against Advani and others, before they die. If not, this will be one more judicial move that looks impartial but leaves the BJP smiling”. Indeed if the society in India stands divided on communal lines it is primarily due to such media men like Anklesaria Aiyar and his ilk.
NEW DELHI:In a country like India, due to its accepted democratic way of life, even a huge majority like Hindus, too have to go through the rule of law. By any stretch of imagination, by and large the law has taken its own course, despite pulls and pushes. Of course, the dirtier part of electoral politics besides agenda driven media played its divisive role in keeping the society divided and Hindus, by and large have suffered. Details are not relevant here.
The latest issue of temple in Ayodhya is a case in point. Now that the highest court of the land has delivered its unanimous judgment in allowing the temple in the disputed land where Babri Masjid once stood, the issue, prima facie, appears to have settled. Of all the evidences before the Supreme Court, the report of Archeological Survey of India, led by a Muslim gentleman, KK Muhammad goes beyond any shadow of doubt that there existed a temple below the Babri Masjid. This gave irrefutable credence to the theory that temple was destroyed to build the mosque over it. Isn’t this good enough reason for the adherents to the Hindu faith to be favoured purely as a matter of lawful adjudication of the dispute!?
However it is sad that a section of Muslims is unhappy with this lawful judgment.
The latest news that “Filing review petition will harm Hindu- Muslim unity: NCM Chief”, has to be seen in this context. Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi the, Chairman of National Commission for Minorities(NCM) has reportedly expressed apprehension that ‘filing a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict will not be in the interest of Muslims and harm Hindu-Muslim unity’. Of course this is his personal opinion and maybe there is a larger section of Muslims supporting such a view. But quite frankly, a certain elements of distrust always existed in every society between people of different faiths, rightly or wrongly. But it is the larger section of the group that will make or mar things happen. Surely, a large section of Muslim brethren will not go for the review of the Apex Court’s historic Ayodhya judgment. That is the spirit of India.
In fact, back in 2010 itself, when the Allahabad High Court, trifurcated the disputed land, there was this God sent opportunity for our Muslim brethren to show the magnanimity to let the 1/3rd portion go to the temple makers or the 2/3rd awardees of the disputed land at Ayodhya.
Thus, there was no need for this heightened anxiety of the last 9 years, if Muslim group of litigants have taken the call in 2010 itself, after the Allahabad High Court judgment. But then isn’t the history full of chronicles of missed opportunities!!
UTTAR PRADESH: Issue involving the appointment of Firoz Khan, as Sanskrit Professor in Banaras Hindu University and the controversy around it is epochal by any standard. There are many dimensions to it.
First of all, a person from Islam, being an Indian opted to learn Sanskrit. That by itself is a certificate to our syncretic culture. That he studied the language so seriously and with dedication and that he scored 10 out of 10 in the interview shows the singular achievement of Firoz Khan, as a great Indian. That the selection committee consisting of all Hindus gave him top rank among all candidates which included Hindu candidates, is a measure of fairness that should, prima facie, remain prevalent in all institutions of higher learning such as BHU. That the entire BHU management and administration, V.C and Chancellor included, stood by Firoz Khan and his appointment is so heartwarming that it left no doubt at all in my mind for being a proud Indian and claims to Indianness. It is the earnest wish of Indians of all hues, including a vast majority of Hindus that Firoz Khan’s appointment and his acceptance as Sanskrit Professor of BHU remains a modern day corner stone of what India stands for, in the Comity of Nations.
Under the circumstances it is fitting, that misguided students should be appropriately guided to withdraw their protest and all those heads of temples and shrines of Hindus should prevail over some of the swamis who have so far opposed this appointment. However what is tragic and therefore reprehensible that these so-called liberals, media - both print and electronic -have maintained silence instead of making noise about the kind of culture India is so famous for.
These media houses are busy talking about the term ‘secularism’ being used by the document of Common Minimum Programme of this extremely opportunistic alliance in Maharashtra, being planned by NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena. Before this opportunity came along, Shiv Sena was an anathema and untouchable to both these parties. This is the tragedy of India, for which both media and political parties are responsible and of course our ‘liberal intellectuals’.
MAHARASHTRA:Speaking at a function in Mumbai on 7th September 2019, some 45 days before the Maharashtra assembly election, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena had remarked in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the alliance with BJP is ‘atal’, meaning unchanging, inevitable, permanent etc. Now after 15 days of the election result, despite having got less number of seats, Shiv Sena is telling the world alliance with BJP is ‘over and never again’. It was a complete reversal of their four decades old political tie-up. From the beginning, for Shiv Sena, it was a tie-up of convenience, to enjoy and exploit the power, for the benefit of, ultimately, the Thackeray family.
But this time round they are hungry for larger share of loaves of power. Despite being almost half BJP strength, they want chief minister’s gaddi. That’s not just unseasonable but downright selfish. It was similar like JD(S) asking for CM’s position and getting it despite being low in number than Congress in Karnataka. Of course Karnataka situation was different. JD(S) was the king maker and usurped king’s role in style. Here Shiv Sena is not in the driver’s seat, yet they played spoil sport.
Now they are on very uncertain ground. They lost BJP, part of the ideological saffron brigade, forever. Others are not likely to touch them. But the attraction of power has brought strange bed fellows together, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena. Will there be a government by this unlikely combination, only for the sake of power and its lucre! Among 3 partners to the probable new comby, only NCP will benefit, because they have only to gain, but both Congress and Shiv sena will lose. Congress will lose its goodwill of Muslims and Christians as well as that of the ‘fence sitting Hindus’ and Shiv Sena may go Devegowda’s JD(S) way, slow & steady walk into oblivion.
By this act of betrayal by Shiv Sena, this family outfit has invited the wrath of entire right thinking Marathi Manoos. It is like hara-kiri. Having agreed to the pre-poll alliance, now to break it only for power hunger is a complete exposure of the party. It may go MNS way, of another family member Raj Thackeray. The president rule in Maharashtra is a blessing for Congress to rethink its strategy of joining this coalition of selfish convenience. Ideologically this association can be disastrous for Congress. Hope the party leadership hankering for the loaves of power rethinks its strategy for the larger pan Indian picture.
MAHARASHTRA:Now that the four decades old association between National party BJP and regional outfit Shiv Sena is over the Shiv Sena mouth piece Saamna is pouring venom. Right from the beginning, this alliance between two saffron fraternity was one of convenience, more for Shiv Sena, than for BJP.
The whole of India is aware how, Shiv Sena remained outside the alliance and it was NCP of Sharad Pawar, which saved the blues for BJP in 2014 when confidence vote took place. How can they forget, what they did to the alliance in 2014, and how Thackray & Co is at it again? Clearly they have proved themselves as an unreliable alley.
Yet, their ‘Saamna’ is accusing BJP of “use and throw” policy. Shiv Sena, which a Jain Muni had called ‘Shav Sena’, can never hope to grow if they are not associated with BJP. If they have to grow, they have to have more harmonious relation and this in turn will help them grow better. This logic does not seem to get into the one way track head of Shiv Sena's leadership. It must remember that it can never grow bigger than BJP in Maharashtra, forget about outside Maharashtra. In its own political interest it must take BJP seriously as an elder brother. If their motto is to serve Marathi manoos, it would have no hesitation in joining BJP alliance and form the government. But being over hungry for power, wanting to make a boy of yesterday, a part of the dynasty, as CM, is clearly becoming a serious problem. Their insistence that BJP has gone back on their word of sharing 50/50- CM &other ministerial berths-is a huge lie, which Marathi manoos will not buy. This intransigence will cost Shiv Sena very dearly.
MAHARASHTRA:In an extremely unfortunate development, custodial deaths in Mumbai police stations are becoming increasingly frequent.
It is certainly time for the Mumbai High court, as the custodian of rendering justice should take a suo-moto step and intervene making the erring policemen accountable. After all, no life is dispensable, however insignificant the person is. Courts have a moral duty to act in cases of death where police have acted wantonly brutally on men in their custody.
It’s because the courts as ultimate arbiter of justice have failed to act on their own , that an advocate Arvind Tiwari has moved the Bombay High court to seek probe into the custodial death of one Vijay Singh, who was being interrogated by the Wadala TT. police but died within its premises. Arvind Tiwari claims in his letter to the Bombay High court that ‘the number of custodial deaths in Maharashtra is very high’, which is rather not untrue.
According to the report in the print media datelined Mumbai, this Vijay Singh was picked up on October 27 but probably died before 29th October itself. Reportedly he collapsed at the gate of police station, as per police version, after he was released on complaint of chest pain. Even a political party NCP has approached the State Human Rights Commission in the matter, is a confirmation of the police brutality.
Be that as it may, the issue of custodial death needs to be dealt with seriously and in right earnest.
While we are about it, it is pertinent to refer to the death of 18 year old Sachin Jaiswar in Dharavi police station, who also succumbed to the torture by police, after being released. It happened in September 2018, but even today no FIR was filed against the policemen of Dharavi police station, and the father of youth refusing to take his son’s body from the Sion Hospital morgue. Police are also not providing CCTV footage of 12th July 2018, under RTI, the night the young Sachin was tortured.
This is not the only case, there are others too, some reported some not reported, where unnatural deaths have taken place within the police station premises in Maharashtra. Indeed, there is a strong case for court intervention to stop this barbarism of these terrorists in uniform.
MAHARASHTRA:What is happening in Maharashtra, it can be called especially for BJP “chicken comes home to roost”. After a surge in the late nineties (90s), and a lull during 2004 to 2014, BJP is suddenly on the ascendency. They should have been happy with whatever victory came their way, due to their highly motivated and energetic leadership. They did not remain contended. They tried to use all their tricks and sometime paid price for their desire to establish their footprints by machinations of aaya raams & gayaa raams of politics of opportunism.
Slow and steady wins the race is a time tested adage. They waited patiently for their time and they got their rewards. But the hurry buried them. Haste is waste.
Maharashtra is a case where they have to nurse their wound, despite holding double the number unlike other claimants.
But what is sad and bad is the silence of the media and their intellectual follow travelers is their failure to condemn Shiv Sena, which came into politics to serve Marathi Manoos, but ended up hungry for power and lucre for the Thackeray family, their friends and cronies.
Like all family outfits, Shiv Sena only deserves to be extinct. Lalu Prasad’s enterprise is on the wane, so is Gowda family enterprise. Mulayam Singh & Mayavathi are not far away from slow and steady death.
Their presence make India’s democratic exercise very shaky. In the interest of the country and its aam aadmi, parties like Shiv Sena, JD(S), RJD, SP, BSP should slowly walk into the sunset. Only then there will be deliverance. BJP, Congress and Left, may be JD(U) too can be the harbinger of new politics of India. Hope it happens.
MAHARASHTRA:There was this report datelined Mumbai, in the print media, “No platform to complain against police, states report.” Police probably everywhere are least accountable, more so in a democratic set up. Most Indians are privy to the truth that police, while maintaining law and order, have been harsh and cruel often with alleged accused. These accused more often than not, are poor and therefore do not have money resources to deal with situations, including bribing, or arranging bail etc... They become easy victims of police brutality.
Instances are far too many. Custodial tortures and consequent death, is an area having serious accountability issue but lacks serious application and lack of intention from police higher-ups to address the malaise.
Under the circumstances, initiative like Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs) is a welcome development. According to the above report, PCA was established by Maharashtra government in 2014 and is still is not functional. Its 5 years old, we do not have a proper infrastructure for this well intentioned move. But as usual, nobody wants accountability, more so, police.
Praja Foundation, an NGO, has prepared a report. According to the report there are divisional level PCAs set-up in places like, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Amravati, and Konkan. But only in Pune and Nashik there is some establishment. Who are manning these PCAs is also not known, whether from within the police or outside is not clear. It has to be from outside the police cadre to be objective and purposeful. Unfortunately, even media, which is the supposed guardian of public interest, did not follow it up to educate and inform the general public. It is for the first time since 2014 that such a development has appeared in public space, so also a report has been published in the print. It is such an important issue, but neither the political class nor the media has shown interest in working towards establishing an active PCA for the benefit of all. It is not the lack of fund but lack of commitment towards greater good of society from the two important pillars of democracy, the fourth estate- the media and the executive- political and bureaucratic class- both have let people down.
KERALA:There were 3 reports on the same day and in same page less than a week ago, all from God’s own country, Kerala. What’s happening to the most literate state of India?
“Row over acquittal of 3 in minor sisters’ rape-murder” datelined Palakkad. “Expelled Kerala nun writes to Vatican- seeks to meet Pope”, datelined Kochi, another report also from Kochi “Protest at Kerala church after Orthodox priests’ denial Entry”.
What is wrong with the God own country, or has the God decided to leave the state!
Or else, how can three men V. Madhu (27), M.Madhu (27) & Shibu (43) probably communist card holders, who raped and murdered a 13 year old girl and her sister who was only 9 years, could be acquitted for lack of evidence, but for the connivance of the Kerala police? If the family of these two unfortunate siblings are devastated at this miscarriage of justice and suspect the political sabotage of the case, they are not wrong at all. No wonder various political parties and non-political outfits took out morcha in the state over this acquittal by the POSCO court. Reportedly the government of Pinarayi Vijayan is on the back-foot with the development.
If the government of the day in Kerala has its own issues of management, the Church in Kerala appears to be competing with the government for media space. Church became notorious for protecting likes of sex hound disrobed bishop Franco Mulakkal who was arrested under pressure and was unfairly bailed out. Sister Lucy Kalappura, who spearheaded the agitation against the lecherous bishop has been unfairly targeted by the Church and expelled. She is rightly approaching the higher authorities in Vatican to present her case of expulsion so also attempting to meet the temporal head of Roman Catholics, Pope Francis.
Hope and wish she gets a proper hearing and the Vatican makes amends for the transgression by the authorities in Franciscan Clarist Congregation and restores her place in the order.
It has been told, one Indian makes a philosopher, two Indians make a club and 3 Indians fight. No wonder Jacobites and Orthodox factions cannot pray together in their pilgrimage centre, Kothamangalam Cheriyapalli in Ernakulam. They are praying the same Jesus and same Mary, but, one will not let the other to enter the Church. This is despite the Supreme Court Order two years ago. Can Jesus save these fighting ‘faithfuls’?
WORLD: Bizarre has a new definition coming from Sri Lanka. President Maithripala Sirisena, has reportedly pardoned a death-row convict. He has already retired, but wanted to act on some mercy petition before he retired, as a last act of presidential-pardon available to all presidents in most countries of the world.
Surely there is nothing wrong in anybody appealing for presidential mercy. Equally, it is so for president as well to pardon somebody who is tipped to go to gallows. But case here is rather very cruel or can we say it was cruelty redefined!
Jayamaha, the beneficiary of this presidential pardon was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He appealed to higher court which rejected his plea and instead sentenced him to death, which was confirmed by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court in 2014. His victim, Yvonne Jonsson, a Swedish teenager, was beaten to death in a Colombo apartment in 2005 over an argument. But the height of cruelty was the victim’s head, a teenage girl, was fractured into 64 pieces, inform court sources.
No wonder, higher courts of Sri Lanka justifiably sentenced this murderer of a teenage girl to death sentence. Clearly the criminal deserved to go to the gallows.
After having spent some years in prison, probably on the advice of his lawyer, he approached the president with an appeal to pardon him, since the president was on the way out.
Not wanting to let go of the opportunity to show some consideration and exhibit his power, Maithripala Sirisena, pardons this cruel murderer of a young girl, who probably did not encourage his advances.
This is a clear case of miscarriage of justice by the outgoing president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena. Strange are the ways of the world.
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