MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
NEW DELHI: ISSUES & CONCERNS is a registered publication under the Registrar of News Papers of the Central government. It has been in existence since November 2000 that is some 7 months away from completing 18 years. By any stretch of argument, it is pretty long. Being almost a one-man effort, it can legitimately claim as a note worthy effort under extremely trying circumstances. It is having a fair circulation among its concerned readers including college students and educational institutions & public libraries. During its long innings, it has articulated its public stand on various issues of national relevance, some time even before the main stream media took a public stand.
Thus, in its February 2018 edition itself, before Supreme Court pulled up the central government, for its obvious lack of interest in appointing the Lokpal, I&C carried its main Focus article “Lokpal Coming, Coming & Not Coming”.
After 2 weeks, comes this SC rebuke and another 2 weeks later comes this ‘Special Invite’ to the main opposition party by the Union government for the meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee.
And all hell broke for Congress to react, to boycott the meeting.
If the ruling dispensation NDA led by BJP has only rubbed salt to the wound of Congress, smarting under two digit strength in LokSabha, that too below 50, by this ‘Special Invite’, Congress has exposed itself, its lack of concern to rein corruption and to empower the Ombudsman Lokpal, by boycotting the meeting.
It is all the more regrettable that this reaction is openly churlish despite the highest court of the land making a strong case for the setting up of Lokpal.
Thus, it is fairly clear, that while the incumbent union government has its own priorities, the main opposition party is no better, when it comes to fighting corruption. Under the circumstances, the Union government would do well to approach the Supreme Court to allow it to go ahead with the selection committee meeting and seek direction on the future of Lokpal.
That should become the last word as an issue that simmered in the public consciousness since the 1960s.
Hope there is this positive development which is long overdue.
NEW DELHI: Vijay / Nirav Effect is a strange title for a post in the social media. But then isn’t truth stranger than fiction at times! Most media savvy Indians would identify Nirav as PNB scam beneficiary, without his famous surname, and Vijay is the infamous fugitive Vijay Mallya of United Breweries Group so also defunct King Fisher Airlines, the Man of Good Times. Both these men have revelled in public displaying their proximity to pretty women.
Chastened by the media uproar that the government is doing precious nothing, NDA government in Delhi moved rather fast by clearing by the cabinet, the draft of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which was probably in the pipeline.
This enactment, when cleared by the parliament provides for confiscation of all assets-without waiting for conviction-in cases where economic offenders flee the country. Reportedly, the proposed Bill empowers the courts to declare a person as a fugitive offender and order confiscation of all his assets in India to pay off the lenders by disposing them off. There are also provisions for acquiring and taking over assets in foreign countries also, with appropriate arrangement with the governments of those foreign countries.
Thus this statute, as and when, cleared by both houses of parliament and becomes an enforceable law, it will be activated against those running away from court warrants.
Prima Facie this is a development which is the need of the hour to stem the rot that has all the potential to get into our system to corrode. Hope all concerned at the legislative level act fast and with responsibility for this measure to become an act of law within the shortest possible time. Let not our public money, be held in hostage by the selfish private interest wanting to remain unaccountable to the law of the land for their acts of commission and omission.
NEW DELHI: If unprecedented electoral success 3 years ago ruined the sense of proportion of Aam Aadmi Arvind, the recent blank-outs have brought him down to the hard landed earth of real politics. Suddenly an unthinkable is happening. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and convener of Aam Aadmi Party is on an APOLOGIES SPREE.
The much published apology to former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has raised expected eyebrows, especially when Aam Aadmi legislators are on record disagreeing with the apology letter Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AK) wrote. In his apology letter AK wrote “In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. Now, I have learnt that allegations are unfounded. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologize for the same”. But according to AAP MLAs in Punjab, allegation against the former minister Bikram Majithia is not unfounded and they reel out details of his activities on T.V channels.
Coming to apologies by AK, reportedly he offered an apology to BJP leader Avtar Singh Bhadana in the recent past. Insiders in AAP circle also confirm that AK is also likely to reach out to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with this newer political gimmick. AK faces defamation case in Delhi High Court, on his allegation of massive corruption in Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA), when Arun Jaitley was heading DDCA. Lawyers representing AK have already quit handling the case, including Ram Jethmalani.
Thus, late in the day, facing with the prospect of losing these defamation cases AK is on an apologies spree, clearly admitting that he tried to bite more than he could chew. Despite his high decibel attacks on all and sundry, sheen of ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ is clearly waning and he is coming to terms that by continuously attacking Narendra Modi -day in and day out-has not won him any friends instead earned only jeers. Better late than never. In the same spirit if he personally involves in bringing Yogendra Yadav & Prashanth Bhushan back into AAP, the party can earn the goodwill it deserves and claim its legitimate place in the political space of the country.
UTTAR PRADESH: Indeed as a print media expressed “Stroke in heartland” it commented on the result that went comprehensively against BJP. To suffer defeat in Gorakhpur, the seat held by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adithyanath himself, was the ultimate humiliation. From now on Yogi Adithyanath should not be sent by Amith Shah to other states to lecture on development. And Amith Shah thinks that he is the Chanakya of Indian politics. Whether the victory of SP in UP is in favour of SP is doubtful. But BSP’s decision to join hands with SP has helped to defeat BJP for sure. Hence ghatbhandhans can work against opponents is the message, not necessarily rhetorics. But clearly in Bihar, electorates do not seem to change for better. They have voted for RJD of Lalu only as an expression of consideration other than development and honesty. Whole of India knows, how corrupt is Lalu Prasad and his family and how the family has helped only themselves and their friends and cronies to become more rich and more powerful, yet electorates did not reject the party. This is a bad reflection on the failure of Congress, BJP and Nitish Kumar to impress upon Bihar to vote against RJD culture.
However, one thing has come out very clearly that none should take voter for granted. More so BJP, ever over-confident of its leadership of NAMO/SHAH combine. Don’t run down opponents, talk only about what good you have done and what good you plan to do. People are aware with 24x7 media playing hyper active role, of what is happening, what is being over emphasized and what is being under played and ignored. There is a clear call for BJP to reassess its strategy. Take it or leave it.
UTTAR PRADESH: Mufti Athar Kasmi, is a Senior Cleric at Darul Uloom Deoband. He is not merely out of date with the day to day happening in the world; he is even ignorant of what is happening in the Muslim world.
Saudi Arabia, as a custodian of Islamic practices and preachings is a difficult place for women to live a more open life with all kinds of regimentation. Even such a country is becoming more and more liberal in recent times. Sometime early this January authorities in Saudi Arabia has reportedly lifted the ban and allowed their women to watch football matches in stadium, clearly accepting that there is nothing wrong.
But this, supposedly senior cleric, still in his primitive mentality has ordered recently that Muslim women should not watch men playing soccer as it violates the tenets of Islam. According to this cleric “Football is played wearing shorts, so watching men playing with bare knees is forbidden for women; it is against religious belief”. Clearly these ulema are out of sync with the real and evolving world.
When shall be the deliverance for Muslim women from such clerics!
MAHARASHTRA: How cheap the life has become! A report datelined Mumbai said “Man thrashed by friend over Rs. 10/- dies”. Two friends drunk and inebriated in an afternoon in Powai, in North Mumbai, ran out of luck when one died after being beaten by the other, and was arrested for the death of his friend.
Dinesh Joshi and Laxman More consumed alcohol and wanted to have their lunch. Joshi goes and gets some food from an eatery nearby. That’s being a friend. He took the trouble of going to a restaurant and buy food by paying his own money. All that he did was, asked for Rs. 10/- as part of the cost of food. But his friend More wouldn’t take any of it. He would eat the food but just not pay, instead infuriated at asking Rs. 10/- beats his friend with a wooden stick so badly that Joshi succumbs to multiple injuries in the hospital, two days later. Can alcohol destroy our sense of proportion to such an extent, that it is difficult for us to differentiate between Rs.10 & the life of a person! It was like a gun totting Yankee blurting. “I killed a guy for a dollar, you are my friend, I will kill you for free”. That’s the value of life.
MAHARASHTRA: There was this report in the print media on the 22km long Mumbai Trans-Harbour Sea Link to be ready by 2021, datelined Mumbai. Mumbai is the financial capital of India and is a happening place. Hence infrastructural need and its up-gradation is a continuous process. So, it is no wonder that this ambitious 22km long sea link to connect 2 landmass is being taken up. It is good for the city and the country. It is good for the fuel saving efforts, reduction in environmental emission level, even reduction in suspended particle matter (SPM) due to massive shift of vehicular movement including huge cargo and container carriers.
While all that is good is on one side, there appears to be a huge cost implication of close to Rs.18000 crores to be completed in some 4 years time. But surprisingly at the end of this massive engineering and financial exercise, all that is saved in terms of time is just 30 minutes. So just to save 30 minutes, an exercise on such a scale, is it worth it?, is a disturbing question.
Planned to be contracted by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), this 22km Sea Link is expected to be open for public use by 2021. Project is supposed to include 16.5km long bridge on the creek with about 5.5km- bridge connecting the landmass on either side. Reportedly technical study and enviro-socio impact assessment has been carried out at the behest of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in 2015 itself. JICA is the funding agency.
While, the need of this exercise in an evolving economy like India, is certainly required,- a similar concern in reaching out to millions of Indians cut off by mountains, rivulets and large streams and crossing these water bodies on ropes, bamboo bridges and rickety contraptions holding on to their dear life, school going children, patients visiting health centers, is an ongoing story of suffering for all these 70 years of free India. Such contraptions passing for bridge are in hundreds of thousands all across India. In Dakshina Kannada, a district in the coastal Karnataka alone, number of such links called bridges are over 500. And India has close to 700 districts in over 30 states and union territories. This could mean there are some 350,000 such, so-called bridges, serving millions of Indians. And there is neither the political leadership of the country who gets worked up on these unfortunate victims of time and circumstances nor is any development funding agency having any programme to help them. Probably this is the lot of most poor people all over the third world, more so with India. This is Yeh Mera India.
TELANGANA: Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, has always been a happening place with all kinds of happenings, right and wrong. Probably more wrong. To add to this comes this news of Chief Qazi of Mumbai, Farid Ahmed Khan involved in a big way in the sale of minor girls. A report datelined Hyderabad, happened a few months ago, informed that police have busted a thriving racket of contract marriages in Hyderabad in which poor Muslim families with minor girls were targeted by brokers and Qazis.
Modus operandi apparently was to lure these minor girls with money and selling them off to Arabs with the help of Qazis to solemnize marriage. These Arabs were known to have paid anywhere from Rs.3 lakhs to 10 lakhs per nikah, most of which would be pocketed by Qazis and brokers. According to police in Hyderabad, who investigated these cases, based on a tip-off from a girl victim, raided two locations in Hyderabad and arrested about 20people including five Omanis, three Qataris and 3 qazis. Surprisingly the Chief Qazi of Mumbai too was one of the culprits, who according to sources in the police was the one who prepared forged Nikahnamas and marriage certificates besides making the girls (brides) sign a blank paper of talaq. Before these unfortunate girls were given away in marriage, reportedly they were sexually abused by Qazis and other men as well. Hyderabad is notorious for these kinds of clandestine contract marriages at regular intervals.
According to Hyderabad police commissioner Mahendar Reddy, in August, police had arrested a 77 year old Omani for buying a 16 year old bride for Rs.5 lakhs. Police had arrested both the Omani & the Qazi who solemnized the nikah.
We are in 21st century, if sexual slavery of this nature is happening, what are the champions of Islam have to say about the misfortune of these unsuspecting young Muslim daughters?
KARNATAKA: The judgement of Karnataka High Court denying the bail plea of dismissed Youth Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad need not surprise anybody. In the portals of justice, truth should necessarily prevail. But it is not the case all the time since there are forces of all kinds playing its illegitimate role. However in this particular case, Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar has been more than clear to this unruly and violent young man with “bright political future” in showing his place. Justice Harish Kumar has also observed the pliant behaviour of Karnataka police in Bengalooru, how they help only powerful politicians of ruling party, damn the common man.
Normally bails are granted as a matter of right depending upon the circumstances of the case. But it is generally denied, if the accused is a person capable of influencing the course of investigation either due to his political power equation or money power or both. However many a time, despite this fear of such possibility, bail is still granted, due to reasons which are not necessarily right.
But Justice Kumar took all the trouble of finding out the role of police and that of doctor at Mallya Hospital in clearly favouring the accused. The police took its own sweet time to register the FIR against the accused Mohammed Haris Nalapad, but showed great urgency in recording the counter complaint by the accused. Similarly, Doctor Anand K, the plastic surgeon in Mallya Hospital clearly lied when he mentioned in the discharge summery of victim Vidyut Lokanathan that no untoward incident took place in the hospital in the night after the assault. He had intentionally failed to mention that this Mohammed Haris Nalapad had barged into the emergency ward of the hospital and had roughed up the victim again, so also victim’s brother.
Thus, with the clear evidence of interference with the process of law, Justice Kumar took a considered view that the ‘accused will misuse his position if released’, to the utter shock of the crowd of Nalapad’s supporters assembled in the court.
Here, it is pertinent to note that the firm and prompt action by Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi in expelling this Junior Nalapad had its desired effect in sending the message that he means business. Dinesh Gundu Rao, as the Party President in Karnataka or his predecessor Parameshwara and the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would not have taken such stern stand. This can auger well for the Congress. Two cheers for Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar.
PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry is not going to polls anytime soon. But our honorable prime minister, ever on election mode, had clearly election in mind. At least that is what the report datelined Puducherry had conveyed. “Congress will be left with Pondy alone after June, claims PM” was a headline in the print media.
It is really sad that, despite Congress having won 80 seats in Gujarat, more than what they had in previous assembly and BJP having lost 17 seats (from 116 to 99), BJPs top leader Narendra Modi does not seem to think otherwise. He wanted even Pondicherry too to become Congress Mukt, the report informed.
Congress had also won all 3 seats in neighboring Rajasthan just after the Gujarat election. Both Gujarat and Rajasthan have strong BJP presence and still Congress managed to come out better. This should be recognized as political decency. Surely BJP wants to keep on winning, so is Congress too want to keep winning. That’s politics. Congress ruled India over 50+ years and managed to lose the power quite a few times, to Janata and to BJP, but had come back too. Congress lost on lack of performance and scams of all kinds. BJP came to power on lot of promises. Its performance so far is mixed. Certainly not inspiring confidence! So clearly, in the balance period of some 15 months, it has to try hard to deliver, and then its chances are good. But can they? is a loaded question. Recent reversals do not seem to chasten the party leadership, hoping rhetoric of ‘Congress Mukt’ can carry the day! Well it is dicey! India can never be Congress Mukt. Congress may win less seats or more seats. If they win more seats they can challenge NDA, that’s all. Perform and get elected, instead of allowing Congress to win by default. Chief Campaigner of BJP, should realize this. Hope he does.
PAKISTAN: A lady, 39 year old Krishna Kumari Kohli, has reportedly been elected as the first non-Muslim senator of Pakistan. Her name suggested that she is a Hindu. She is a Post Graduate in Sociology from Sindh University. She represents PPP (Pakistan People Party of Benazir Bhutto) in the senate.
Having been born to a family with a history of being bonded labourers with a private landlord in Umerkot district in the Sindh province of Pakistan, young Krishna Kumari was motivated in childhood itself, to fight for human rights of marginalized.
Due to her activism she was selected in 2007 for the government sponsored Human Rights Youth Leadership Training Camp in Islamabad. After the completion of programme, she reportedly worked on issues of Bonded Labour, Women’s Rights and sexual harassment at workplace.
These are all very creditable details for a girl born into penury and hardship, and it just happened that she is born into Hindu family and therefore a Hindu.
In a country like Pakistan, with wholesale bashing of minorities, even on the fear of being accused of blasphemy, this development is certainly note worthy, and commendable that Peoples Party of Pakistan decided to field her.
Thus far so-good. But sadly this Indian paper, THE HINDU, reporting from Karachi titled this interesting news as “PAKISTAN’S LEGISLATURE GETS ITS FIRST DALIT WOMAN SENATOR” appearing in page 12 in WORLD column. However on the first page it mentioned on the top, a ONE LINER “Krishna Kumari Kohli is first Dalit Hindu Women elected to Pak. Senate”.
Clearly something is wrong with the guy who decided the title and the ONE LINER. While the report itself was a happy one, the title and the ONE LINER spoiled it all, due to the pettiness of the guy who decided to insert the word ‘Dalit’, which was totally and completely unwarranted since there was no mention of this word in the entire report.
Isn’t this how media tries to keep the society divided by reminding readers with terms which are best consigned to the dustbin of sub-continental history!
PAKISTAN: In an attempt to keep the society divided on communal lines comes this news “India’s Christians, Sikhs face discrimination”. Datelined London, Vidya Ram of THE HINDU reports, on this alleged discrimination, quoting Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of Parliament Martin Docherty Hughes.
World is privy to the fact about the racial attacks taking place, in Britain, especially after the BREXIT poll by Britishers. We do not need to reproduce the details. Hence, it is like “Wolf reading the scriptures”. India certainly does not need sermons from Brits.
India is a country with most exasperating diversity in the entire world of Homo sapiens. With half-a-dozen faith, some 26 official languages and another 1500 dialects, there is no country as difficult to administer as India. Yet except for some sporadic incidents of violence, with world’s second largest population at 1370 million, it’s a model for civilizational co-existence. There are any number of whites of Western world, who have commended about the Indian pluralism and its temperate living.
India has an exemplary record of both Sikhs and Christians holding very high constitutional and elected positions in the country, all through its 70 years of political freedom. The record of English, who colonized India for its own selfish aggrandizement do not have the moral right to lecture Indians about the responsibility of the state towards its minorities. Indeed as the wag said- ‘Mr. Hughes, please take a walk, we do not need your ‘wise cracks’!
PAKISTAN: A recent report in the print media informed “India China trade hits a record $84.4 billion”. Reportedly, it is a historic high, despite regular irritants in the bilateral relations. From Doklam stand-off to not declaring Masood Azhar of Jeish-e- Mohammed leader as terrorist, to China blocking India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group to CPEC going through POK, there are host of other issues between India and China, but the business had gone on.
In rupee terms this trade amounts to 548,600 crores or almost Rs. 5.5 lakh crores. The report informs, that in 2017 Indian export to China had increased by some 40% totaling to some $16.34 billion. Which in rupee terms equals to Rs 106210 crores which in % terms is only 19.36%, that is China is having over 80% of the US $ 84.4 billion whereas India is not having even 20%. And this is after 40% rise in exports during 2017 by India, informs the report. So one can imagine the pathetic state of our trade with China!
It is true that China is mass producing cheap items of consumer products and our traders, concerned with only profit, have been importing these cheap Chinese products in huge quantities to reap the benefit of bulk buying. Somehow there has been no overt or covert protection to Indian products of similar nature. Thus it was an unequal battle in the market place. Besides, China seems to be having some restrictions on Indian imports into China, which India has failed to fix. Thus it was double whammy on trade balance in favour of China.
Hence prima facie, there is clearly nothing to celebrate. While it is true that India will never be able to overtake China in price war and therefore to increase the value of India’s trade with China, it is eminently possible to decrease the heavy disparity in favour of China, by some executive measures and articulate thoughts in public space, why it is important to reduce our dependence on imports from China.
PAKISTAN: “Far Right extremists preparing civil war on Islam in UK, say report” was a London datelined news in the print media. It is indeed a matter of concern, if true. Attacks and counter attacks in different parts of the world from one group on another group have been happening in recent time. That’s bad enough. But a threat of civil war is pretty alarming. Hope it is not as serious as it is made out to be. But then why this heightened apprehension in a place like U.K? Post colonial days UK has been an organized disciplined and economically a comfortable country. Its population, largely Christian are generally law abiding and disciplined. But since last several decades UK attracted substantial number of immigrants, both professional and non professional and their dependents. By and large UK has a fairly regimented policy of allowing immigrants. These immigrants have been from different countries with different faith, not necessarily Christian. People who migrated to UK were Christians from different countries, Muslims from different countries, Jews from Israel and other parts of the world and Hindus from India. While most immigrants who have decided to settle down in UK have accepted the law of the land and respected its sensitivities while practicing their own faith, Muslims, by and large, have been insisting on their own set of dos and don’ts which has caused quite an amount of disquiet among UK nationals and even other immigrants. On occasions there have been violence and attacks using explosives.
Immigrants to any country have their unwritten yet universally accepted rule of accepting the law of the land where migration is sought. This is unconditional or else immigrant is certainly not welcome. Hence, having accepted the generosity of the host country to permit the migrant to stay, pursue a career, make a living and practice one’s faith, a migrant across the spectrum, perforce has to remain within the constraints of law and order and make every effort not to get into conflict with the law of the land.
However, this dimension can be idealistic and therefore there could be irritants from immigration front. But they should remain manageable. However if there is a threat of civil war by the locals, whether so-called far-right or otherwise, this is a very serious issue and all concerned must take it very seriously to protect the peace and well being of the United Kingdom.
PAKISTAN: ICC is International Cricket Council, a nodal agency for international cricket tournaments. Among other activities Champions Trophy is a tournament being organized for all cricket playing nations. In the year 2021, some three years down the line, India is slated to be hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. And in 2023, World Cup as well, is being organized, to be played in India. Everything was hunky dory, until the government in India informed BCCI, the local partner to the ICC, that there will not be any tax exemption for the revenues earned by ICC/BCCI combine for both these events. Reportedly this can cost the organizers some $.100 million in loss of revenue. So, it is clearly a big money spinning event. Like all else who are in the business of making money, the desire is to make more and more money, all in the name of playing and promoting the game of cricket. Of course in the game of cricket, the way it is organized in a scale, is involving a large number of participants.
No doubt ICC and its Indian cousin BCCI do help the cause of cricket and cricketers, but for a huge price. We all know how our top cricketers are paid in crores. But sadly it benefits only some, including the office bearers of ICC& BCCI. But all that they want is to avail all facilities provided by the host country at no cost to BCCI/ICC combine. How can any country provide national infrastructure without taxing even entertainment like mega cricket events?
Reportedly ICC is thinking of not hosting the 2021 and 2023 events in India due to this tax burden. So, take it or leave it, cricket is business of making money and more money even by denying a legitimate levy of the host country. That’s the parody.
PAKISTAN: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman, needs to be congratulated for his seminal move on his path breaking statement on Black Abaya by Muslim women the world over.
ISSUES & CONCERNS has always maintained that what tenets of Islam had edicted was to have a decent respectful clothing and not whole body covering black burqa.
Reportedly, Prince Salman has stated that women in Saudi Arabia need not wear head cover as the black abaya-the loose fitting full length robe -as long as their attire is “decent and respectful”. According to the Prince “The decision is entirely left for a women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear”.
That is a great leap forward for Muslim women all over the world. It is a resounding slap on those men and clerics who imposed their dictates on these helpless Muslims mothers and sisters. These men should see Amir Khans “Secret Super Star” as an eye opener for what women in their community can do to uplift themselves without their domineering men.
J. Shriyan
Thus, in its February 2018 edition itself, before Supreme Court pulled up the central government, for its obvious lack of interest in appointing the Lokpal, I&C carried its main Focus article “Lokpal Coming, Coming & Not Coming”.
After 2 weeks, comes this SC rebuke and another 2 weeks later comes this ‘Special Invite’ to the main opposition party by the Union government for the meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee.
And all hell broke for Congress to react, to boycott the meeting.
If the ruling dispensation NDA led by BJP has only rubbed salt to the wound of Congress, smarting under two digit strength in LokSabha, that too below 50, by this ‘Special Invite’, Congress has exposed itself, its lack of concern to rein corruption and to empower the Ombudsman Lokpal, by boycotting the meeting.
It is all the more regrettable that this reaction is openly churlish despite the highest court of the land making a strong case for the setting up of Lokpal.
Thus, it is fairly clear, that while the incumbent union government has its own priorities, the main opposition party is no better, when it comes to fighting corruption. Under the circumstances, the Union government would do well to approach the Supreme Court to allow it to go ahead with the selection committee meeting and seek direction on the future of Lokpal.
That should become the last word as an issue that simmered in the public consciousness since the 1960s.
Hope there is this positive development which is long overdue.
NEW DELHI: Vijay / Nirav Effect is a strange title for a post in the social media. But then isn’t truth stranger than fiction at times! Most media savvy Indians would identify Nirav as PNB scam beneficiary, without his famous surname, and Vijay is the infamous fugitive Vijay Mallya of United Breweries Group so also defunct King Fisher Airlines, the Man of Good Times. Both these men have revelled in public displaying their proximity to pretty women.
Chastened by the media uproar that the government is doing precious nothing, NDA government in Delhi moved rather fast by clearing by the cabinet, the draft of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which was probably in the pipeline.
This enactment, when cleared by the parliament provides for confiscation of all assets-without waiting for conviction-in cases where economic offenders flee the country. Reportedly, the proposed Bill empowers the courts to declare a person as a fugitive offender and order confiscation of all his assets in India to pay off the lenders by disposing them off. There are also provisions for acquiring and taking over assets in foreign countries also, with appropriate arrangement with the governments of those foreign countries.
Thus this statute, as and when, cleared by both houses of parliament and becomes an enforceable law, it will be activated against those running away from court warrants.
Prima Facie this is a development which is the need of the hour to stem the rot that has all the potential to get into our system to corrode. Hope all concerned at the legislative level act fast and with responsibility for this measure to become an act of law within the shortest possible time. Let not our public money, be held in hostage by the selfish private interest wanting to remain unaccountable to the law of the land for their acts of commission and omission.
NEW DELHI: If unprecedented electoral success 3 years ago ruined the sense of proportion of Aam Aadmi Arvind, the recent blank-outs have brought him down to the hard landed earth of real politics. Suddenly an unthinkable is happening. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and convener of Aam Aadmi Party is on an APOLOGIES SPREE.
The much published apology to former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has raised expected eyebrows, especially when Aam Aadmi legislators are on record disagreeing with the apology letter Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AK) wrote. In his apology letter AK wrote “In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in the drug trade. Now, I have learnt that allegations are unfounded. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologize for the same”. But according to AAP MLAs in Punjab, allegation against the former minister Bikram Majithia is not unfounded and they reel out details of his activities on T.V channels.
Coming to apologies by AK, reportedly he offered an apology to BJP leader Avtar Singh Bhadana in the recent past. Insiders in AAP circle also confirm that AK is also likely to reach out to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with this newer political gimmick. AK faces defamation case in Delhi High Court, on his allegation of massive corruption in Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA), when Arun Jaitley was heading DDCA. Lawyers representing AK have already quit handling the case, including Ram Jethmalani.
Thus, late in the day, facing with the prospect of losing these defamation cases AK is on an apologies spree, clearly admitting that he tried to bite more than he could chew. Despite his high decibel attacks on all and sundry, sheen of ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ is clearly waning and he is coming to terms that by continuously attacking Narendra Modi -day in and day out-has not won him any friends instead earned only jeers. Better late than never. In the same spirit if he personally involves in bringing Yogendra Yadav & Prashanth Bhushan back into AAP, the party can earn the goodwill it deserves and claim its legitimate place in the political space of the country.
UTTAR PRADESH: Indeed as a print media expressed “Stroke in heartland” it commented on the result that went comprehensively against BJP. To suffer defeat in Gorakhpur, the seat held by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adithyanath himself, was the ultimate humiliation. From now on Yogi Adithyanath should not be sent by Amith Shah to other states to lecture on development. And Amith Shah thinks that he is the Chanakya of Indian politics. Whether the victory of SP in UP is in favour of SP is doubtful. But BSP’s decision to join hands with SP has helped to defeat BJP for sure. Hence ghatbhandhans can work against opponents is the message, not necessarily rhetorics. But clearly in Bihar, electorates do not seem to change for better. They have voted for RJD of Lalu only as an expression of consideration other than development and honesty. Whole of India knows, how corrupt is Lalu Prasad and his family and how the family has helped only themselves and their friends and cronies to become more rich and more powerful, yet electorates did not reject the party. This is a bad reflection on the failure of Congress, BJP and Nitish Kumar to impress upon Bihar to vote against RJD culture.
However, one thing has come out very clearly that none should take voter for granted. More so BJP, ever over-confident of its leadership of NAMO/SHAH combine. Don’t run down opponents, talk only about what good you have done and what good you plan to do. People are aware with 24x7 media playing hyper active role, of what is happening, what is being over emphasized and what is being under played and ignored. There is a clear call for BJP to reassess its strategy. Take it or leave it.
UTTAR PRADESH: Mufti Athar Kasmi, is a Senior Cleric at Darul Uloom Deoband. He is not merely out of date with the day to day happening in the world; he is even ignorant of what is happening in the Muslim world.
Saudi Arabia, as a custodian of Islamic practices and preachings is a difficult place for women to live a more open life with all kinds of regimentation. Even such a country is becoming more and more liberal in recent times. Sometime early this January authorities in Saudi Arabia has reportedly lifted the ban and allowed their women to watch football matches in stadium, clearly accepting that there is nothing wrong.
But this, supposedly senior cleric, still in his primitive mentality has ordered recently that Muslim women should not watch men playing soccer as it violates the tenets of Islam. According to this cleric “Football is played wearing shorts, so watching men playing with bare knees is forbidden for women; it is against religious belief”. Clearly these ulema are out of sync with the real and evolving world.
When shall be the deliverance for Muslim women from such clerics!
MAHARASHTRA: How cheap the life has become! A report datelined Mumbai said “Man thrashed by friend over Rs. 10/- dies”. Two friends drunk and inebriated in an afternoon in Powai, in North Mumbai, ran out of luck when one died after being beaten by the other, and was arrested for the death of his friend.
Dinesh Joshi and Laxman More consumed alcohol and wanted to have their lunch. Joshi goes and gets some food from an eatery nearby. That’s being a friend. He took the trouble of going to a restaurant and buy food by paying his own money. All that he did was, asked for Rs. 10/- as part of the cost of food. But his friend More wouldn’t take any of it. He would eat the food but just not pay, instead infuriated at asking Rs. 10/- beats his friend with a wooden stick so badly that Joshi succumbs to multiple injuries in the hospital, two days later. Can alcohol destroy our sense of proportion to such an extent, that it is difficult for us to differentiate between Rs.10 & the life of a person! It was like a gun totting Yankee blurting. “I killed a guy for a dollar, you are my friend, I will kill you for free”. That’s the value of life.
MAHARASHTRA: There was this report in the print media on the 22km long Mumbai Trans-Harbour Sea Link to be ready by 2021, datelined Mumbai. Mumbai is the financial capital of India and is a happening place. Hence infrastructural need and its up-gradation is a continuous process. So, it is no wonder that this ambitious 22km long sea link to connect 2 landmass is being taken up. It is good for the city and the country. It is good for the fuel saving efforts, reduction in environmental emission level, even reduction in suspended particle matter (SPM) due to massive shift of vehicular movement including huge cargo and container carriers.
While all that is good is on one side, there appears to be a huge cost implication of close to Rs.18000 crores to be completed in some 4 years time. But surprisingly at the end of this massive engineering and financial exercise, all that is saved in terms of time is just 30 minutes. So just to save 30 minutes, an exercise on such a scale, is it worth it?, is a disturbing question.
Planned to be contracted by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), this 22km Sea Link is expected to be open for public use by 2021. Project is supposed to include 16.5km long bridge on the creek with about 5.5km- bridge connecting the landmass on either side. Reportedly technical study and enviro-socio impact assessment has been carried out at the behest of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in 2015 itself. JICA is the funding agency.
While, the need of this exercise in an evolving economy like India, is certainly required,- a similar concern in reaching out to millions of Indians cut off by mountains, rivulets and large streams and crossing these water bodies on ropes, bamboo bridges and rickety contraptions holding on to their dear life, school going children, patients visiting health centers, is an ongoing story of suffering for all these 70 years of free India. Such contraptions passing for bridge are in hundreds of thousands all across India. In Dakshina Kannada, a district in the coastal Karnataka alone, number of such links called bridges are over 500. And India has close to 700 districts in over 30 states and union territories. This could mean there are some 350,000 such, so-called bridges, serving millions of Indians. And there is neither the political leadership of the country who gets worked up on these unfortunate victims of time and circumstances nor is any development funding agency having any programme to help them. Probably this is the lot of most poor people all over the third world, more so with India. This is Yeh Mera India.
TELANGANA: Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, has always been a happening place with all kinds of happenings, right and wrong. Probably more wrong. To add to this comes this news of Chief Qazi of Mumbai, Farid Ahmed Khan involved in a big way in the sale of minor girls. A report datelined Hyderabad, happened a few months ago, informed that police have busted a thriving racket of contract marriages in Hyderabad in which poor Muslim families with minor girls were targeted by brokers and Qazis.
Modus operandi apparently was to lure these minor girls with money and selling them off to Arabs with the help of Qazis to solemnize marriage. These Arabs were known to have paid anywhere from Rs.3 lakhs to 10 lakhs per nikah, most of which would be pocketed by Qazis and brokers. According to police in Hyderabad, who investigated these cases, based on a tip-off from a girl victim, raided two locations in Hyderabad and arrested about 20people including five Omanis, three Qataris and 3 qazis. Surprisingly the Chief Qazi of Mumbai too was one of the culprits, who according to sources in the police was the one who prepared forged Nikahnamas and marriage certificates besides making the girls (brides) sign a blank paper of talaq. Before these unfortunate girls were given away in marriage, reportedly they were sexually abused by Qazis and other men as well. Hyderabad is notorious for these kinds of clandestine contract marriages at regular intervals.
According to Hyderabad police commissioner Mahendar Reddy, in August, police had arrested a 77 year old Omani for buying a 16 year old bride for Rs.5 lakhs. Police had arrested both the Omani & the Qazi who solemnized the nikah.
We are in 21st century, if sexual slavery of this nature is happening, what are the champions of Islam have to say about the misfortune of these unsuspecting young Muslim daughters?
KARNATAKA: The judgement of Karnataka High Court denying the bail plea of dismissed Youth Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad need not surprise anybody. In the portals of justice, truth should necessarily prevail. But it is not the case all the time since there are forces of all kinds playing its illegitimate role. However in this particular case, Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar has been more than clear to this unruly and violent young man with “bright political future” in showing his place. Justice Harish Kumar has also observed the pliant behaviour of Karnataka police in Bengalooru, how they help only powerful politicians of ruling party, damn the common man.
Normally bails are granted as a matter of right depending upon the circumstances of the case. But it is generally denied, if the accused is a person capable of influencing the course of investigation either due to his political power equation or money power or both. However many a time, despite this fear of such possibility, bail is still granted, due to reasons which are not necessarily right.
But Justice Kumar took all the trouble of finding out the role of police and that of doctor at Mallya Hospital in clearly favouring the accused. The police took its own sweet time to register the FIR against the accused Mohammed Haris Nalapad, but showed great urgency in recording the counter complaint by the accused. Similarly, Doctor Anand K, the plastic surgeon in Mallya Hospital clearly lied when he mentioned in the discharge summery of victim Vidyut Lokanathan that no untoward incident took place in the hospital in the night after the assault. He had intentionally failed to mention that this Mohammed Haris Nalapad had barged into the emergency ward of the hospital and had roughed up the victim again, so also victim’s brother.
Thus, with the clear evidence of interference with the process of law, Justice Kumar took a considered view that the ‘accused will misuse his position if released’, to the utter shock of the crowd of Nalapad’s supporters assembled in the court.
Here, it is pertinent to note that the firm and prompt action by Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi in expelling this Junior Nalapad had its desired effect in sending the message that he means business. Dinesh Gundu Rao, as the Party President in Karnataka or his predecessor Parameshwara and the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would not have taken such stern stand. This can auger well for the Congress. Two cheers for Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar.
PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry is not going to polls anytime soon. But our honorable prime minister, ever on election mode, had clearly election in mind. At least that is what the report datelined Puducherry had conveyed. “Congress will be left with Pondy alone after June, claims PM” was a headline in the print media.
It is really sad that, despite Congress having won 80 seats in Gujarat, more than what they had in previous assembly and BJP having lost 17 seats (from 116 to 99), BJPs top leader Narendra Modi does not seem to think otherwise. He wanted even Pondicherry too to become Congress Mukt, the report informed.
Congress had also won all 3 seats in neighboring Rajasthan just after the Gujarat election. Both Gujarat and Rajasthan have strong BJP presence and still Congress managed to come out better. This should be recognized as political decency. Surely BJP wants to keep on winning, so is Congress too want to keep winning. That’s politics. Congress ruled India over 50+ years and managed to lose the power quite a few times, to Janata and to BJP, but had come back too. Congress lost on lack of performance and scams of all kinds. BJP came to power on lot of promises. Its performance so far is mixed. Certainly not inspiring confidence! So clearly, in the balance period of some 15 months, it has to try hard to deliver, and then its chances are good. But can they? is a loaded question. Recent reversals do not seem to chasten the party leadership, hoping rhetoric of ‘Congress Mukt’ can carry the day! Well it is dicey! India can never be Congress Mukt. Congress may win less seats or more seats. If they win more seats they can challenge NDA, that’s all. Perform and get elected, instead of allowing Congress to win by default. Chief Campaigner of BJP, should realize this. Hope he does.
PAKISTAN: A lady, 39 year old Krishna Kumari Kohli, has reportedly been elected as the first non-Muslim senator of Pakistan. Her name suggested that she is a Hindu. She is a Post Graduate in Sociology from Sindh University. She represents PPP (Pakistan People Party of Benazir Bhutto) in the senate.
Having been born to a family with a history of being bonded labourers with a private landlord in Umerkot district in the Sindh province of Pakistan, young Krishna Kumari was motivated in childhood itself, to fight for human rights of marginalized.
Due to her activism she was selected in 2007 for the government sponsored Human Rights Youth Leadership Training Camp in Islamabad. After the completion of programme, she reportedly worked on issues of Bonded Labour, Women’s Rights and sexual harassment at workplace.
These are all very creditable details for a girl born into penury and hardship, and it just happened that she is born into Hindu family and therefore a Hindu.
In a country like Pakistan, with wholesale bashing of minorities, even on the fear of being accused of blasphemy, this development is certainly note worthy, and commendable that Peoples Party of Pakistan decided to field her.
Thus far so-good. But sadly this Indian paper, THE HINDU, reporting from Karachi titled this interesting news as “PAKISTAN’S LEGISLATURE GETS ITS FIRST DALIT WOMAN SENATOR” appearing in page 12 in WORLD column. However on the first page it mentioned on the top, a ONE LINER “Krishna Kumari Kohli is first Dalit Hindu Women elected to Pak. Senate”.
Clearly something is wrong with the guy who decided the title and the ONE LINER. While the report itself was a happy one, the title and the ONE LINER spoiled it all, due to the pettiness of the guy who decided to insert the word ‘Dalit’, which was totally and completely unwarranted since there was no mention of this word in the entire report.
Isn’t this how media tries to keep the society divided by reminding readers with terms which are best consigned to the dustbin of sub-continental history!
PAKISTAN: In an attempt to keep the society divided on communal lines comes this news “India’s Christians, Sikhs face discrimination”. Datelined London, Vidya Ram of THE HINDU reports, on this alleged discrimination, quoting Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of Parliament Martin Docherty Hughes.
World is privy to the fact about the racial attacks taking place, in Britain, especially after the BREXIT poll by Britishers. We do not need to reproduce the details. Hence, it is like “Wolf reading the scriptures”. India certainly does not need sermons from Brits.
India is a country with most exasperating diversity in the entire world of Homo sapiens. With half-a-dozen faith, some 26 official languages and another 1500 dialects, there is no country as difficult to administer as India. Yet except for some sporadic incidents of violence, with world’s second largest population at 1370 million, it’s a model for civilizational co-existence. There are any number of whites of Western world, who have commended about the Indian pluralism and its temperate living.
India has an exemplary record of both Sikhs and Christians holding very high constitutional and elected positions in the country, all through its 70 years of political freedom. The record of English, who colonized India for its own selfish aggrandizement do not have the moral right to lecture Indians about the responsibility of the state towards its minorities. Indeed as the wag said- ‘Mr. Hughes, please take a walk, we do not need your ‘wise cracks’!
PAKISTAN: A recent report in the print media informed “India China trade hits a record $84.4 billion”. Reportedly, it is a historic high, despite regular irritants in the bilateral relations. From Doklam stand-off to not declaring Masood Azhar of Jeish-e- Mohammed leader as terrorist, to China blocking India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group to CPEC going through POK, there are host of other issues between India and China, but the business had gone on.
In rupee terms this trade amounts to 548,600 crores or almost Rs. 5.5 lakh crores. The report informs, that in 2017 Indian export to China had increased by some 40% totaling to some $16.34 billion. Which in rupee terms equals to Rs 106210 crores which in % terms is only 19.36%, that is China is having over 80% of the US $ 84.4 billion whereas India is not having even 20%. And this is after 40% rise in exports during 2017 by India, informs the report. So one can imagine the pathetic state of our trade with China!
It is true that China is mass producing cheap items of consumer products and our traders, concerned with only profit, have been importing these cheap Chinese products in huge quantities to reap the benefit of bulk buying. Somehow there has been no overt or covert protection to Indian products of similar nature. Thus it was an unequal battle in the market place. Besides, China seems to be having some restrictions on Indian imports into China, which India has failed to fix. Thus it was double whammy on trade balance in favour of China.
Hence prima facie, there is clearly nothing to celebrate. While it is true that India will never be able to overtake China in price war and therefore to increase the value of India’s trade with China, it is eminently possible to decrease the heavy disparity in favour of China, by some executive measures and articulate thoughts in public space, why it is important to reduce our dependence on imports from China.
PAKISTAN: “Far Right extremists preparing civil war on Islam in UK, say report” was a London datelined news in the print media. It is indeed a matter of concern, if true. Attacks and counter attacks in different parts of the world from one group on another group have been happening in recent time. That’s bad enough. But a threat of civil war is pretty alarming. Hope it is not as serious as it is made out to be. But then why this heightened apprehension in a place like U.K? Post colonial days UK has been an organized disciplined and economically a comfortable country. Its population, largely Christian are generally law abiding and disciplined. But since last several decades UK attracted substantial number of immigrants, both professional and non professional and their dependents. By and large UK has a fairly regimented policy of allowing immigrants. These immigrants have been from different countries with different faith, not necessarily Christian. People who migrated to UK were Christians from different countries, Muslims from different countries, Jews from Israel and other parts of the world and Hindus from India. While most immigrants who have decided to settle down in UK have accepted the law of the land and respected its sensitivities while practicing their own faith, Muslims, by and large, have been insisting on their own set of dos and don’ts which has caused quite an amount of disquiet among UK nationals and even other immigrants. On occasions there have been violence and attacks using explosives.
Immigrants to any country have their unwritten yet universally accepted rule of accepting the law of the land where migration is sought. This is unconditional or else immigrant is certainly not welcome. Hence, having accepted the generosity of the host country to permit the migrant to stay, pursue a career, make a living and practice one’s faith, a migrant across the spectrum, perforce has to remain within the constraints of law and order and make every effort not to get into conflict with the law of the land.
However, this dimension can be idealistic and therefore there could be irritants from immigration front. But they should remain manageable. However if there is a threat of civil war by the locals, whether so-called far-right or otherwise, this is a very serious issue and all concerned must take it very seriously to protect the peace and well being of the United Kingdom.
PAKISTAN: ICC is International Cricket Council, a nodal agency for international cricket tournaments. Among other activities Champions Trophy is a tournament being organized for all cricket playing nations. In the year 2021, some three years down the line, India is slated to be hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. And in 2023, World Cup as well, is being organized, to be played in India. Everything was hunky dory, until the government in India informed BCCI, the local partner to the ICC, that there will not be any tax exemption for the revenues earned by ICC/BCCI combine for both these events. Reportedly this can cost the organizers some $.100 million in loss of revenue. So, it is clearly a big money spinning event. Like all else who are in the business of making money, the desire is to make more and more money, all in the name of playing and promoting the game of cricket. Of course in the game of cricket, the way it is organized in a scale, is involving a large number of participants.
No doubt ICC and its Indian cousin BCCI do help the cause of cricket and cricketers, but for a huge price. We all know how our top cricketers are paid in crores. But sadly it benefits only some, including the office bearers of ICC& BCCI. But all that they want is to avail all facilities provided by the host country at no cost to BCCI/ICC combine. How can any country provide national infrastructure without taxing even entertainment like mega cricket events?
Reportedly ICC is thinking of not hosting the 2021 and 2023 events in India due to this tax burden. So, take it or leave it, cricket is business of making money and more money even by denying a legitimate levy of the host country. That’s the parody.
PAKISTAN: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman, needs to be congratulated for his seminal move on his path breaking statement on Black Abaya by Muslim women the world over.
ISSUES & CONCERNS has always maintained that what tenets of Islam had edicted was to have a decent respectful clothing and not whole body covering black burqa.
Reportedly, Prince Salman has stated that women in Saudi Arabia need not wear head cover as the black abaya-the loose fitting full length robe -as long as their attire is “decent and respectful”. According to the Prince “The decision is entirely left for a women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear”.
That is a great leap forward for Muslim women all over the world. It is a resounding slap on those men and clerics who imposed their dictates on these helpless Muslims mothers and sisters. These men should see Amir Khans “Secret Super Star” as an eye opener for what women in their community can do to uplift themselves without their domineering men.
J. Shriyan
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