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Independence @ 75- Prime Minister Modi’s leadership qualities

G Indira
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Independence @ 75- Prime Minister Modi’s leadership qualities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi always keeps his countrymen, especially the youth and party cadre engaged with some programme of national importance or the other. His latest move to commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence and urging for public participation, is one such huge effort. It spans for 75 weeks culminating on 15 August, 2023. The PM stated the celebrations must reflect the country’s freedom movement and showcase its achievements to the world. This way, he wanted to rekindle patriotic fervour among people. After all, we the people are representatives of this country, India i.e., Bharat, in the world.

As said, the Prime Minister launched the celebrations: Azad Ka Amrut Mahotsav on 12 Mar. i.e., the day Mahatma Gandhi launched the Dandi March from Gujarat’s Sabarmati Ashram in 1930. The PM paying tributes to Gandhi ji and starting the celebrations was a good gesture. The celebrations could be divided into five sub heads viz. freedom struggle, ideas at 75, achievements at 75, actions at 75, and resolve at 75. And the Prime Minister wanted this festival to have the spirit of what it had been soon after Independence, meaning to say with the same spirit. The PM says “In this, there is also a tribute to martyrs of the country and the resolve to make India of their dreams.” The P.M also emphasized in taking the stories of lesser-known freedom fighters to people. He also wanted the contribution of every section of society to the fore.

“There are people who are performing some great work for the country for generations, their contribution, thinking and ideas need to be integrated with national efforts,” he said. The Prime Minister added that when India celebrates the 75th year of its Independence, it will take bold steps” to achieve targets that seemed impossible at some point. All this shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership qualities. He always gives positive stimulus to his cadres to work on. From time to time, he connects with the cadres, and also with youth, women, farmers, artisans, and all types of common people, big and small, through his Mann Ke Bhaat.

From the beginning, P.M Modi takes whatever the opposition throws at him to his stride and makes campaigning points. In this manner, he makes people understand his message. For instance, before 2014 election on Chaiwallah jibe by Mani Shankar Aiyar to Chai pe charcha discussion. Next, in 2019 election, Chowkidar Chor hai ranting on Rafale issue by Rahul Gandhi’s to #Chowkidar Narendra Modi on his Twitter handle. The leaders in his party emulated the same. In turn, people of India accepted his versions more than the opposition. Whatever the opposition says has been going on into thin air. Why is it so? Why are they unable to make a dent, though they raised in their own wisdom: campaigns against Article-370, the CAA, NRC, Migrant labour Issue during the Covid-19 time, Farmers Issues, earlier: demonetisation and multi-layered GST issues?

On Covid-19 front, on economic-growth front and on China, he was attacked relentlessly. Covid-19 was managed effectively and free-vaccination drive and supplying vaccine to other nations as humanitarian drive brought laurels to the PM Modi internationally. The World Health Organisation (WTO) Chief Tedros Adhanom appreciated our PM for standing up for the cause of humanity, when the other developed nation kept it (the vaccine) as their preserve exhibiting narrow vaccine nationalism. On Economy Front, Chief Economist of IMF Gita Gopinath appreciated India’s economic growth revival cure after the pandemic to be impressive compared to other nations.

Yet, the opposition is unrelenting in its pursuit to blame Modi. The recent U.S. think-tank Freedom-House- report saying India partly-free is lapped up by Rahul Gandhi. At the most, Freedom House, the Washington based democracy watchdog, is ‘just’ a think tank (like any other think tank). This type of think tanks would not be heard, unless they publish some eye-catching reports. So, they create sensation. Other than that, nothing else. So, latching on to them would not give any dividends to any opposition leader. It is India that has to decide whether its freedom is compromised or not.

Within the Congress party there is so much of turmoil. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor his sister Priyanka are full-time politicians. Their own party is waiting in bated breath as to what the result of the 5-states (West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry) that are going to polls would be. In the similar way, the G-23 leaders (group of 23 leaders who had written letter to Sonia Gandhi last August demanding overhaul of the Congress party at organisational level) are in anticipation of their defeat, so that the dynasty-rule of the Congress would not be in succession perennially. So, May-2 counting and results of 5-state elections would be an interesting phenomenon in the present Indian politics. As of now, there is no parallel to P.M. Narendra Modi in leadership qualities in India. His position is unassailable. The PM’s outreach to people is tremendous. The opposition has yet to learn. 

Why I went to a Shakha!

rahulwalia
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Why I went to a Shakha!

I have lost a photograph. I had kept, rather hid it, under another photograph in my album. It was clicked on the Ridge Ground, Shimla somewhere in the months of October or November, 2019. The crystal clear sky of the city and a disciplined hustle-bustle of The Ridge in the background had added charm to the photo. In front, there stood the two youth of 21 in clean full-sleeved white cotton shirts, oversized khaki nickers held tight with brown canvas belts. With black forage cap on heads, the thing that was of utmost joy to us was the long bamboo stick which reached well above our heads pointing towards the sky.

The most notable virtue of the photograph was the similar expression on our faces. The cleaned-shaved faces looked beatific with wide gleaming eyes. Was it in black and white, it reminisced me of portrayal of freedom fighters in our history books.

On one particular day, members of a Right Wing Student Union seemed pretty busy in the university premises. Activities near the main gate and the conversations in the tea stalls were gesticulating an important event ‘on the way’. My class fellows who were associated with the union were not on the desks for few days. I could hardly spot them in university campus. My day was passing well after being satiated with ‘Aaloo pranthas’ and basking in the pleasant sunny weather of hill queen.

While sitting on the bench, I noticed a friend of mine, a member of the student union approaching me. After a hand shake, I enquired about his assiduous schedule. He told me that RSS sammelan was being organised in Shimla on the historic Ridge Ground. And he was busy in performing the duties assigned to him. I tried to explore the nature of his duties. He straightforwardly asked me:

“Be ready on Sunday. You will have to come with us.”

“Where?” I asked.

“The Ridge.” He answered in a affirmative tone.

“Leave it. I cannot.” My statement rattled him a little.

“Listen, Vishal (my roommate) is also coming. I’ll come to hostel tonight and talk to you people. Bye for now.” He left the bench hurryingly.

I was left puzzled. “Why should I go? And, how can I?” A monologue started with in. Born to a government salaried ‘babu’ father, I was raised in a family where ‘political ideology’ couldn’t be put on the shelf for display. Even our ‘religious ideology’ lied in the fact that we were born in a Hindu family. We could worship Lord Rama but ‘not only Lord Rama!’ We had to contain ourselves in certain boundaries so that we could not be labeled as Bhartiya Janta Party persons.

Once, as a teen, I uttered “Jai Shri Ram” while playing with friends. A village shopkeeper instantly snubbed me and asked me to ‘leave for Ayodhaya’ at once as it was Congress government in the state. But, what made us to fear for being labeled? Posting of my father in remote areas of the state! One day, I asked my father to take me to a rally to which a film star was going to address. He refused. I insisted again and he came up angrily: Do you wish me to get posted at Lahul Spiti?

I could not witness political rallies. I missed listening to few great leaders. Voting for my family members remained a ‘highly clandestine affair.’ I could not hail the victories of my favorite parties. ‘Hindutva’ couldn’t be ceremonised as it was only a ‘BJP’ affair and ‘BJP’ could not be endorsed because it carried ‘Hindutva’.

Just before the dinner, ‘my friend’ arrived in my room. Me and Vishal had already discussed the matter. I was reluctant to go to sammelan but Vishal was ready for the sake of ‘friendship’. ‘My friend’ asked us straightway to be ready next morning at 5:00AM. “I’ll be taking you to Saraswati Vidya Mandir ground for some instructions.”

“Sun Yaar! I can’t go. Suhail also advised me to not to go there.” I pleaded.

“Suhail is a Muslim. Why will he let you go?” My friend said. “You will have to come. At least, for my sake!”

If in any sense, a friend has any right in your life, I was feeling the burden of it.

Next morning, we queued up in the said ground. There were around a thousand of people. Few including children, were lined up in proper ‘Ganavesh’ (the term which I came to know later). Their body language reflected an over dose of enthusiasm. I anxiously glanced the faces of as many as people. Most were in the shock of getting up too early or may be carrying a feeling of ‘Why I am here?’

After some warm-up exercises, we lent our voices in the chorus to some patriotic songs which I had hardly heard before. A session of instructions followed this. Time schedule to reach the venue on coming Sunday was conveyed. And we were asked to collect the ‘Ganavesh’ to be worn on the day from a room near the ground. It was a huge pile of khaki nickers, brown canvas belts and black caps. “Choose your own fit” was not any option as hundreds of hands were stretched forward altogether and cruising their way to reach the pile. ‘Ek shirt aur baarah hath’ was on display. Anyhow, Vishal and I managed to get a ‘Ganavesh’ for us. Finally we were handed over a ‘lath’, a long bamboo stick also.

As we had a spare day in between, we decided to wash the uniforms before wearing it up. After getting it washed and dried, ‘trial-room’ rituals started. The shirts could not come up ‘white’ even after repeated soaks in the best detergent. Nickers demanded more fats around the waist which was not possible right then. Canvas belts, however, were made accustomed to hold the nickers after piercing them with a nail. Caps were interchanged with other hostel mates to acquire the perfect fit. As socks and shoes were not provided, we polished our own black leather shoes to a perfect shine. The ‘provided shirt’ was replaced with our own white Peter England shirt. Till now, I had started to enjoy the affairs along with Vishal.

Finally, the day arrived. Much before the time, we were ready cladded in the well-ironed and well-creased ‘Ganavesh’. Black shoes were sparkling in our feet. Very often we stared ourselves standing in front of the mirror, adjusting the black forage cap. Dry, bare lower legs were massaged with mustard oil. Holding our bamboo sticks, we roamed in the long corridors of our hostel, greeting each other with chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. I must explain here that ‘Hindutava’ was nowhere there behind these chants.

We had occupied our seats at the venue on fixed time. It was a pleasant Sunday morning with the sun radiating its warm light rays to fill our bodies and souls with overwhelming joy. The stage was all set. ‘Rajju Bhaiya’ had arrived. Speeches were followed by one another which could not reach my ear drum except few words like ‘Dr Hedgewar’, ‘Sarsanghchalak’, ‘MS Gowalkar’ and ‘Hindutava’. During the whole event, the thing from which I couldn’t take my eye sight off, was ‘Swayam Sewaks’ who were distributing the refreshment. A bit late but got our share. As the event concluded, it was the time to share our experiences with other friends which were ‘nothing’ but funny bits. At last we got some photographs clicked in that unique attire.

‘Swayam Sewaks’ had reached the hostel back. The wardrobe was shredded off immediately and handed over to the authorised person. Now it was the time to think how to take off the label ‘Swayam Sewak’. I started to avoid the discussions of the ‘sammelan’. Photograph was hidden behind another photograph in the album. I explained it to many that it was all against my wish. But, Suhail has started to call me ‘kachhadhari’ and it irritated me the most. Anyhow, with time memories of ‘sammelan’ faded off. I was the same person again who believed in ‘Hindutava’ unless it doesn’t get reflected on my face.

Years followed. Gujarat riots occurred. A train carrying Hindu ‘kar sewaks’ was burnt. Communal turbulence was prevailing and political parties were at the receiving end. Riots had become an integral part of communalism in India. Media equipped with ultra-modern technologies, started to show its presence on the ground zero and taking it to the door steps of common man. Everyone from Kashmir to Kanyakumari started to feel the heat.

Along with political and religious leaders, common man was coming out to be vocal on these issues. Emergence of social media platforms lent voices to the dissent. Hatred speeches were dug out and were accessible to all. An agenda in ‘school history books’ was revealed out. Media establishments were ticked ‘anti’ and ‘pro’. I too came to know the difference between ‘killed’ and ‘martyred’. Meanwhile, Narendra Damodar Das Modi was emerging as a new definition of a ‘National Hero’ embracing all the nouns (‘gunda’, killer etc) to his favour. A ‘party of two’ had planted its saplings across India. Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter’s ‘good morning’ posts were being replaced with ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

I started reading about different ‘ideologies’. I googled the ‘Hindu Exodus’ of 1992 in Kashmir. I didn’t search ‘JNU incidence of 2016’, instead read the JNU history. I tried to ‘visit’ Naxalwadi. A critical analysis of Congress, Left parties and Jan Sangha was done as per my mental aptitude. A ‘Proud Hindu’ was taking birth deep inside. ‘Hindutva’ was taking a new shape in me. Posts on social media were getting my attention and liked or commented. A fear of my father’s posting or annoying Suhail was eloping.

Yesterday, I ransacked my whole cupboard and other parts of my house looking for the photograph. I searched it behind each photograph in my albums. But, all in vain! I wanted to get that photograph scanned and adorn my Facebook cover with that. And yes, with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ written in bold letters! Couple of days before, Suhail has posted a photo of a religious issue on Facebook asking-‘Mudi should rejine’. Really, I’m missing that photograph.

Why criminals continue to win Indian elections

sahilmehta
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Why criminals continue to win Indian elections

In the recently held 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 233 MPs or 43% of 539 elected members have criminal charges against them. The percentage increased from that of 34% in 2014. (The Hindu, 2019) Despite proliferating information about the criminality of the candidates among the public, the proportion of candidates with criminal charges continues to increase after every election. (Vaishnav 2017) This research paper will analyze that it is not due to lack of information, but the muscle power which makes them ideal and gives them an edge over the other candidates. It will also analyze how identity and solitarist perspective, or to say Groupism, helps in garnering support to the candidates with criminal charges. But first, we need to answer why criminals are allowed by the political parties to contest an election on their tickets despite their criminal charges.

SUPPORT FROM POLITICAL PARTIES:

In the age of industrialization, elections become merely the game of the campaign. A Forceful campaign helps in building the image of the political party and also attracts voters. (Business Today, 2014) 2014 election results demonstrate how BJP gets the fruits of the successful campaign. (Business Today, 2014) However, campaigning and the internal functioning of the political parties require funds. Criminals help in fulfilling both the needs. They can afford election related-expenses from their own pockets along with a generous contribution to parties as well. Additionally, criminals come up with higher winning chances compare to non-criminal candidates (which we will discuss in the upcoming sections). (Economic Times, 2019) The funding mechanism along with higher winning chances keeps parties motivated to select a candidate with a criminal background. Consequently, criminals are not only provided with a platform to contest elections but also support and backing from parties. (The Hindu, 2020)

PERSONAL INCENTIVES OF VOTERS:

Democracy guarantees various rights and justice delivering mechanisms to the public. However, it is infamously known for its lack in the implementations of the intended benefits due to the red-tapeism, thereby losing hope amongst the people. (BBC, 2017)

What if people get a representative who could fulfill these loopholes, by ensuring basic rights and timely justices? These are the criminals who have local dominance and who can help the public in ensuring their rights either through a command or sometimes through their own deep pockets. (Vaishnav 2017: 165-176) Once, a voter in the press told that he had given his vote to Mukhtar Ansari, infamous criminal of UP, just because he helped him in getting his money back, which the local administration failed in. (Hindustan Times, 2017) These powers become fourfold when they have the legal authority to help people after being elected. Human beings act rationally and mostly try to fulfill their personal needs to seek maximum satisfaction. (Steele 2004) They believe that electing criminals as their representatives will help them in providing quick and trouble-free justice. (Hindustan Times, 2017) They have their personal incentives. A criminal background of the candidate positively affects their decision-making. Voters may find their criminality beneficial and take their criminality as an asset, which a non-criminal candidate might not provide after being elected. Thus, satisfying local people’s needs and rights and ensuring them timely justices, criminals have an edge over non-criminal candidates. (Vaishnav 2017) 

IDENTITY-BASED AND SOLITARIST PERSPECTIVE:

Criminals successfully gained support from individuals providing them personal satisfaction. However, by touching upon some fragile conceptions, which are prevalent in society, a criminal candidate can garner major support from the groups of people as well. In Durkheim’s organic solidarity societies, people are divided into various ethnicity based on their traditions and culture and their views differ from other groups. (Raymond 1967) Ethnicity can be based on caste, religion, and language. These groups have their separate concerns and mostly they want to cherish their tradition. These differences may not act as a scuffle between two groups, but politicians turn them on for their personal sake. (Vaishnav 2017: 175)

Ethnicity forces people to push their views through a strong leader. Criminal candidates with their muscle power, forceful campaign, and power to influence act as a representing figure for their respective groups. The criminality of the candidate acts positively if it is representing and supporting the views of that particular group. A criminal candidate belonging to the ethnic group gets support from his own group as it wanted to ensure its ethnicity at a level above others.  (Vaishnav 2017)

Ethnic groups can broadly be divided into the dominant groups or the minority groups of the area. (Raymond 1967) Criminal candidates representing the dominant group get support for ensuring their dominancy in their area. To remain in power, continuous privileges, and to be dominant- steady representation is necessary. For the minority or say, under-represented ethnic group, representation becomes necessary to ensure their survival. To get their basic rights, to come at par with the other groups- the substantial thing that matters for them is to get adequately represented with a strong leader. Due to the quotas of seats in Indian elections, the candidates who can represent a reserved community forcefully get support from the community and mostly, these are the dominant persons of their own community. (Vaishnav 2017: 215-235) 

For both the groups, what matters the most is how they could sustain their ethnic views. One group wanted to ensure one’s undeviating, consistent dominancy and the other wanted their adequate representation. In fulfilling demands for both the groups, the criminal background of the candidate helps as he has the dominancy in the area to support the views of both the groups adequately. They have more power compare to the non-criminal candidates in sustaining and ensuring the rights of that group.   

It can be concluded that it is not the lack of information among the general public which helps criminals in winning the elections. But the intended motives of individuals as well as different ethnic groups, which helps criminals to take advantage of their criminality by fulfilling the societal demands. Or intentionally unfolding their criminality and simultaneously ensuring the general public’s demand and providing a sense of relief to the respective ethnic group. The criminal background of the candidate makes him an ideal candidate over a non-criminal one for both, political parties and the general public. Thus, it helps criminal candidates winning elections and eventually it leads to an increasing proportion of the criminals in the legislature.

लोकतंत्र के महापर्व में जागृत होता बंगाल और ममता दीदी की बौखलाहट

Shailendra Kumar Singh
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लोकतंत्र के महापर्व में जागृत होता बंगाल और ममता दीदी की बौखलाहट

चुनावी बिगुल बज चुके हैं, देश के पाँच राज्यों में अगले कुछ महीनों में चुनाव होने वाले हैं। लेकिन सबसे ज्यादा रोचक जिस राज्य का चुनाव हो गया है वो है पश्चिम बंगाल। और इसे रोचक बनाने वाले शख्स का नाम है ममता बनर्जी, जिन्हें उनके समर्थक और आलोचक सभी ममता दीदी के नाम से पुकारते हैं। वे पिछले दस सालों से पश्चिम बंगाल की मुख्यमंत्री हैं और दस सालों में उन्होंने बंगाल का जो हाल बना दिया है उस वजह से उन्हें लगातार सत्ता विरोधी लहर का सामना करना पड़ रहा है। ये वही ममता दीदी हैं जिन्होंने लगातार 34 साल सत्ता में रहने वाले वाम दलों को सत्ता से ऐसा उखाड़ फेंका कि वे आज तक संभल नहीं पाए हैं। वाम दलों के कुशासन के जवाब में बंगाल की जनता ने ममता को चुना था लेकिन उन्होंने भी कोई बेहतर शासन व्यवस्था नहीं दी और आज बंगाल भारतीय जनता पार्टी की ओर आशा भरी निगाहों से देख रहा है। लोकतंत्र में कोई भी हमेशा के लिए सत्ताधारी नहीं होता, जनता तय करती है कि कौन रहेगा और कौन जायेगा। आज ममता दीदी को अपनी कुर्सी जाती नजर आ रही है। सत्ता के जिस अहंकार ने वामपंथियों को ज़मींदोज किया उसी अहंकार का शिकार ममता भी हो चुकी हैं। यही वजह है कि उनकी बौखलाहट गाहे-बगाहे नज़र आती रहती है।

ममता दीदी की बौखलाहट का एक नज़ारा पिछले दिनों पूरे देश ने देखा जब नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस के 125वें जन्मदिवस के अवसर पर आयोजित ‘पराक्रम दिवस’ के कार्यक्रम में प्रधानमंत्री की मौजूदगी में ममता जी ने अशालीन व्यवहार किया और नेताजी के बारे में बिना एक शब्द कहे मंच से चली गयीं। ममता को लगता है कि नेताजी केवल बंगाल के हैं और उनके बारे में बोलने का, उन्हें सम्मान देने का हक़ सिर्फ बंगाल के लोगों को है। उन्हें यह पसंद नहीं आया कि देश अपने भुला दिए गये सर्वोच्च सेनानी को इतनी शिद्दत से क्यों याद कर रहा है। इसलिए वे बार बार बंगाली और ‘बाहरी’ की बाइनरी बनाने की कोशिश करती रहती हैं। उन्हें यह पसंद नहीं कि कोई हिंदी भाषी बंगाल में जाकर क्यों वहाँ की जनता से जुड़ने की कोशिश करता है। यह कितनी निम्न कोटि की सोच है कि आप अपनी तुच्छ राजनीति के दायरे में अपने महापुरुषों को भी घसीट लायें। स्वाधीनता आंदोलन के दिनों में जब एक भाषा हिंदी के तले देश को एकता के सूत्र में पिरोने की कोशिश हो रही थी, हिंदी को राष्ट्रभाषा का दर्ज़ा देने की वकालत करने वालों में सबसे आगे नेताजी ही थे। उन्होंने अपने सबसे ज्यादा भाषण खासकर आज़ाद हिन्द फौज के सेनापति के तौर पर, हिंदी में ही दिए। आज ममता ऐसे बयान दे रही हैं कि कोई गुजराती बंगाल में आकर नहीं जीत सकता। क्या यह बयान देश की अखंडता के खिलाफ नहीं है? हमारा राष्ट्रगान कहता है “पंजाब सिंध गुजरात मराठा, द्रविड़ उत्कल बंग”। यानि अलग-अलग भाषा-भाषी लोगों की एक पहचान है – भारतीयता की पहचान। इस गीत के रचयिता कविगुरु रविन्द्रनाथ ठाकुर भी उसी बंगाल की धरती के पुत्र थे। आज वे जीवित होते तो ममता जी के बयान पर कैसे प्रतिक्रिया देते? क्या आज इस अखंड भारतभूमि को चुनावी फायदों के लिए फिर से बाँटने की कोशिश की जाएगी? ममता दीदी को ठहरकर सोचना चाहिए। वे न सिर्फ भारत विरोधी बयान दे रही हैं, बल्कि हमारे महापुरुषों का अपमान भी कर रही हैं।

लेकिन ममता ने कभी देश की परवाह ही नहीं की, उनके लिए चुनाव जीतना ही हमेशा महत्वपूर्ण रहा। चुनाव जीतने के इसी लालच में उन्होंने बांग्लादेशी घुसपैठियों को भी पश्चिम बंगाल में आने दिया। न सिर्फ आने दिया बल्कि उनको बसाया भी। सीएए के खिलाफ हमेशा बयान देती रहीं। मुस्लिम वोट बैंक के लालच में बंगाल की संस्कृति को भी ताक पर रख दिया। दुर्गापूजा और सरस्वती पूजा वहाँ धूमधाम से मनाई जाती रही है।  ममता ने इस बार सरस्वती पूजा मनाने पर रोक लगा दी। ऐसा उन्होंने पहली बार नहीं किया है, 2017 में भी उन्होंने मुहर्रम और दुर्गापूजा मूर्ति विसर्जन एक ही दिन होने पर मुहर्रम की अनुमति तो दे दी थी लेकिन विसर्जन को रोक दिया था। तुष्टिकरण की इस राजनीति में उन्होंने सीएए के खिलाफ विरोध प्रदर्शनों को भी खूब हवा दी। उनकी बौखलाहट इस कदर बढ़ी हुई है कि वे ‘जय श्रीराम’ का नारा सुनकर भी भड़क उठती हैं। यह कितना विडम्बनापूर्ण है कि आजाद भारत में हिन्दू न सरस्वती पूजा मना पायें और न अपने आराध्य श्रीराम का जयकारा कर पायें। गृह मंत्री अमित शाह ने इसपर ठीक ही प्रतिक्रिया दी है कि, “अगर लोग यहाँ जय श्रीराम नहीं बोलेंगे तो क्या पाकिस्तान में बोलेंगे”।  ममता बनर्जी की इन्हीं नीतियों की वजह से पश्चिम बंगाल में आज सामाजिक अराजकता और आतंक का माहौल है। तृणमूल के कार्यकर्ताओं को खुलेआम गुंडागर्दी करने की छूट दे दी गयी है और कानून व्यवस्था को ताक पर रख दिया गया है। ममता किसी भी केन्द्रीय संस्था को पश्चिम बंगाल में हस्तक्षेप नहीं करने दे रहीं जिस वजह से वहाँ कानून व्यवस्था चौपट हो गयी है और लोगों में भय का माहौल बना हुआ है। पिछले दिनों भाजपा अध्यक्ष जेपी नड्डा जी के काफिले पर तृणमूल कार्यकर्ताओं द्वारा किया गया हमला इसका जीवंत उदाहरण है। कल्पना की जा सकती है कि वहाँ आम भाजपा कार्यकर्ता के साथ क्या सुलूक हो रहा होगा। बंगाल में अबतक 100 से ज्यादा भाजपा कार्यकर्ताओं की हत्या हो चुकी है और उनकी रैलियों पर लगातार हमले हो रहे हैं। क्या यह लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था में जायज है? केन्द्रीय गृह मंत्री ने साफ़ कर दिया है कि अगर भाजपा चुनाव जीतती है तो सरकार में आने के बाद हरेक गुनाहगार को सजा मिलेगी, हत्यारों को जेल भेजा जायेगा। वस्तुतः यह ममता के अलोकतांत्रिक और फासीवादी रवैये को दर्शाता है। वे किसी भी कीमत पर सत्ता में आना चाहती हैं। मासूम लोगों की हत्या करके भी और लोकतंत्र को ख़त्म करके भी। उनका यह रवैया उनकी अपनी पार्टी में भी है। तृणमूल कार्यकर्ताओं की नहीं बल्कि सिर्फ ममता बनर्जी की पार्टी है। वहाँ कोई आतंरिक लोकतंत्र नहीं है, हर बात में सिर्फ ममता की ही चलती है। यही वजह है कि एक-एक करके उसके सभी बड़े नेता तृणमूल छोड़कर जा रहे हैं। अभी-अभी पूर्व रेल मंत्री और तृणमूल के कद्दावर नेता दिनेश त्रिवेदी भी भाजपा में शामिल हो गये। मुकुल राय, शुभेंदु अधिकारी, राजीव बनर्जी, वैशाली डालमिया, प्रवीर घोषाल आदि अनेक नेताओं-विधायकों की लंबी लिस्ट है तृणमूल छोड़ने वालों में।

वस्तुतः तृणमूल कांग्रेस एक डूबता हुआ जहाज हो गयी है जिसके कप्तान को जहाज के साथ ही डूबना होता है। उसके वोट प्रतिशत लगातार कम हो रहे हैं। 2019 के लोकसभा चुनाव में भाजपा ने 42 में 18 सीटें जीतकर बंगाली जनता के बदलते रुझान को स्पष्ट कर दिया है। 40 प्रतिशत वोटों के साथ भाजपा तृणमूल (44%) से कुछ ही पीछे थी और इस विधानसभा चुनाव में आगे निकल जाने को पूरी तरह से तैयार है। तैयारी दरअसल किसी भी पार्टी से ज्यादा मतदान करने वाली जनता ने कर रखी है। बंगाल की प्रबुद्ध जनता बदलाव के लिए तैयार है और प्रधानमंत्री मोदी के नेतृत्व में बदलते भारत की दौड़ में शामिल होना चाहती है। वो यह समझ गयी है नहीं बदलने का अर्थ मृत हो जाना है। वामपंथियों के बाद ममता ने भी बंगाल को नए दौर की जरूरतों के हिसाब से बदलने नहीं दिया और विकास विरोधी राजनीति करती रहीं। बंगाल की जनता मोदी का समर्थन न करने लगे इसलिए ममता जी ने केंद्र की योजनाओं का लाभ तक बंगाल के गरीब जरूरतमंद लोगों तक नहीं पहुँचने दिया। बंगाल के 11 करोड़ किसानों का 14 हजार रुपया प्रति किसान परिवार अभी तक बकाया है जो उन्हें दो साल से नहीं मिला। क्या ऐसी राजनीति की कोई जगह स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र में होनी चाहिए जो गरीबों के पेट पर लात मारकर, उनकी हत्याएं कर की जा रही हो। इसलिए ममता दीदी को इस बार जाना ही होगा। उनका जाना लोकतंत्र के और इस देश के हित में है। बंगाली जनता फिर एक बार नवजागरण के लिए तैयार है और उसकी ध्वजवाहक भारतीय जनता पार्टी है।

When will the truth dawn on Bengalis in West Bengal?

sudip47
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When will the truth dawn on Bengalis in West Bengal?

Many Bengalis particularly the pseudo-intellectuals and self-proclaimed liberals (PISL), are ridiculing Mithun Chakraborty (MC) for joining BJP. They are pointing out that he had hobnobbed with Naxals and Left in his youth and then with TCP when they came to power and now joined BJP. In other words, he has no ideology of his own and that he has been changing colours all too often.

The PISLs are right in their own way. And they cannot accept anyone believing in BJP which according to them is a non-liberal, rightist and fascist party. But as MC said, he has no ideology other than Manabkalyan and love for the poor and downtrodden and that should be the basic objective transcending all ideologies. He also said he has absolute faith in PM Modi as the most effective leader not only nationally but also globally. The PISLs to whom the very name Modi is an anathema are further antagonized by such statements.

Come to think of it, there is a whole lot of truth in what MC has said. The fundamental objective of a true leader has to be Manabkalyan and to attain it without thinking of self-interest. This ultimate truth we learn through our journey in life. As a contemporary of MC, I have realized this. During our student days we all were inclined towards the left. We had sympathies with the Naxal movement and had friends among them. Starting from post-independence Congress rule, Left rule including Naxal movement and then rule of TCP in West Bengal- we have experienced all this. Naxal movement was finished after it turned violent. We were subsequently disillusioned with the left leadership and now with Trinamool rule. We understand that the larger objective of Janakalyan was lost sight of by all this leadership in the mirage of ideology and preservation of self-interest became the predominant goal.

As Swarajya Editorial Director says “West Bengal’s babudom and the police are arguably the most politically-compromised in the country. And in large parts of the state, thuggish gangs and party enforcers are a law unto themselves” There is no way West Bengal’s politics and administration can be set right unless a strong leader like PM Modi has the control to steer the course.

When will this truth dawn on Bengalis? It is now or never. When we look at PM Modi and his track record, we see his passion for Janakalyan in programmes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, National Bal Swachhta Mission, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojanaye (PMGKY), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and many more. He has been tirelessly working for development all across the country and the populace. He has also been a crusader for eradicating nepotism and corruption and an example of honesty and sincerity. He has led beautifully the nation’s fight against Corona virus. Globally, he has been of great help to 60 countries including Canada. All these countries and WHO have appreciated his efforts and his leadership. So, we must continue to repose faith in him and help him install good governance in West Bengal.

By Sudip Bhattacharyya (The writer is a longstanding commentator on contemporary issues).

‘लव-जिहाद’ को अनदेखा करना सामाजिक खतरा

Jyoti Ranjan Pathak
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आगामी दिनों में चार राज्यों बंगाल, असम, केरल और तमिलनाडू ऑर एक केंद्रशासित प्रदेश पांडुचेरी में विधान सभा का चुनाव होने वाले है। इन राज्यों में चुनावों के नतीजे क्या होंगे यह तो भविष्य की बात है। लेकिन चुनाव के परिणाम जो हों, इस बार विधान सभाओं के चुनावों में स्थानीय मुद्दों के साथ–साथ राष्ट्रिय मुद्दों का भी दबदबा से इंकार नहीं किया जा सकता है। जिसमें लव जिहाद विरोधी कानून प्रमुख मुद्दा हो सकता है, क्योंकि भारतीय जनता पार्टी के तरफ से यह कहा जा चुका है कि अगर हम सत्ता में आएंगे तो बंगाल और केरल में लव–जिहाद विरोधी कानून को प्राथमिकता से लागू करेंगे।  

इस संबंध में भारतीय जनता पार्टी का रुख साफ है क्योंकि उसके द्वारा शासित राज्यों में लव–जिहाद विरोधी कानून या तो लागू हो चुका या फिर इसकी खाका खींची जा रही है। विगत दिनों में ही उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार के विधान सभा ने ‘उत्तर प्रदेश विधि विरूद्ध धर्म संपरिवर्तन प्रतिपेध’ नामक विधयेक ध्वनि मत से पारित कराते हुए यह संदेश देने का कार्य किया कि जहां जहां उसकी सरकार होगी लव–जिहाद विरोधी कानून लाया जाएगा। वहीं भाजपा का कटिबद्धता लव–जिहाद विरोधी कानून के प्रति और बढ़ जाती है, क्योंकि इस दल के नेताओं द्वारा समय समय पर इस गंभीर मुद्दे को देश में उठाते रहे हैं।

समझने वाली बात यह कि देश के तथाकथित सेकुलरवादी और वाम उदारवादी अक्सर लव-जिहाद को भाजपा और राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ का एजेंडा बताकर इसे काल्पनिक बताते हुए यह अस्वीकार करते हैं कि लव-जिहाद जैसी कोई बात नहीं है देश में। हम यह इंकार नहीं कर सकते हैं कि हिंदुवादी संगठन इस विषय पर मुखर है और इस मुद्दे को पुरजोर तरीके से देश के समक्ष रखते आयें हैं, किन्तु यह भी सत्य है, जिस लव–जिहाद की अवहेलना अनदेखा भारत के सेकुलर और वाम पंथी लोग करते हैं, उसी लव-जिहाद के खिलाफ सबसे पहले आवाज केरल के ईसाई संगठनों ने 2009 ने बुलंद की थी, जिससे वह आज भी डरे सहमे हैं और आतंकित हैं। साल 2010 के जुलाई माह में केरल के तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री ऑर वरिष्ठ वामपंथी वी एस अच्युतानन्दन भी प्रदेश में योजनबद्ध एवं क्रमबद्ध तरीके से मुस्लिम युवकों द्वारा विवाह के माध्यम से हिन्दू–ईसाई युवतियों के मंतातरण के बारे में बात कर चुके थे। यही नहीं केरल उच्च न्यायालय भी समय समय पर इस संबंध में सुरक्षा एजेंसियों को जांच के निर्देश दे चुकी है।

यह सत्य से मुंह नहीं मोड़ा जा सकता है कि मुस्लिम समाज का एक वर्ग मजहबी कारणों से झूठ, भय और लोभ के द्वारा और अपने समुदाय के प्रत्यक्ष और परोक्ष समर्थन से न केवल गैर मुस्लिम युवतियों का यौन उत्पीड़न करता है, बल्कि उनका ममांतरण कर पीड़ित युवतियों को मूल पहचान और सांस्कृतिक विरासत को भी छिन लेता है और मानसिक प्रताड़ित कर उसे ऐसी अवस्था में छोड़ देता है कि वह पीड़ित लड़की मानसिक एवं शारीरिक रूप से लाचार हो जाती है। लव–जिहाद कोई दो व्यस्कों के बीच ‘प्रेम ‘का मामला नहीं है बल्कि धोखे से अपनी धार्मिक षड्यंत्र में फांसना है, और इसके लिए शरीयत भी विशेष परिस्थिति में एक मुस्लिम को झूठ बोलने की अनुमति प्रदान करता है।

हम सब जानते हैं कि भारत में जीतने भी लव–जिहाद के मामले आते हैं, उनमें ज्यादतर मुस्लिम युवाओं द्वारा गैर मुस्लिम लड़कियों का मामंतरण से संबन्धित होते हैं, और मुस्लिम युवकों द्वारा अधिकांशतः मामलों में मुस्लिम पहचान छिपाने हेतु माथे पर तिलक, हाथ में कलावा और हिन्दू नामों आदि का दुरुपयोग खूब किया जाता है। अभी कुछ दिन पहले ही उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ ने एक निजी न्यूज चैनल को दिये साक्षात्कार में मेरठ की एक घटना का उल्लेख करते हुए कहा –असलम नामक व्यक्ति ने अमित बनकर हिन्दू युवती से शादी रचाई। कई वर्षों तक दोनों पति पत्नी के रूप में साथ रहे। इस दौरान दोनों से एक बच्चा पैदा हुई। इसके बाद असलम ने हिन्दू युवती के समक्ष अपनी वास्तविक पहचान का खुलासा किया ऑर उसे इस्लाम स्वीकार करने को कहने लगा। पीड़िता मानसिक तौर पर बहुत परेशान होकर यह बात अपनी सहेली को बताई। जब कई दिनों तक पीड़ित युवती गायब रही, तब उसी सहेली ने पुलिस और मुझसे संपर्क साधा। जांच के दौरान पता चला कि असलम ने पीड़िता और उसकी बेटी को मारने के बाद दोनों की लाशों को घर के भीतर दफना दिया था।

यह स्थिति विकृत और धार्मिक एजेंडा के तहत किया गया कृत्य तब लगने लगता है, जब मुस्लिम और गैर मुस्लिम के बीच विवाह एकतरफा रहता है। क्योंकि इस्लाम में मुस्लिम महिलाओं का गैर मुस्लिम से विवाह ‘हराम’ है। उनकी शादी केवल अपने मजहब के भीतर ही हो सकती है। यह मजहबी पाबंदी मुस्लिम समाज के परंपरा का हिस्सा आज भी है। साल 2012 में केरल के तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री ओमान चांडी ने बताया था कि 2009-12 के बीच 2667 गैर मुस्लिम महिलाएं इस्लाम में मामन्तरित हुई थी, जबकि केवल 81 मुस्लिम महिलाओं का मामन्तरण हुआ था। स्पष्ट है कि इस्लाम में विवाहित गैर मुस्लिम महिलाओं का संख्या इस्लाम से बाहर जाकर विवाह ऑर ममांतरण करने वाली मुस्लिम महिलाओं से कई गुना अधिक है।

सच तो यह है कि ‘लव–जिहाद’ के अस्तित्व को आसानी से खारिज नहीं किया जा सकता। ‘प्यार’ को लोग सहज समझते जरूर हैं, किन्तु ‘जिहाद’ का संबंध प्रेम से न होकर सिर्फ भारत को इस्लामीकरण करने से है, जो कि केवल युद्ध एवं आतंक तक सीमित नहीं है। ‘जिहाद’ का अर्थ इस्लाम को बढ़ावा देने हेतु किया गया कोई भी कृत्य है। यह समाज को समझने में कोई समस्या नहीं होनी चाहिए कि अधिकांश मुस्लिम पुरुषों का प्रेम मजहबी अभियान के अपेक्षा निम्न स्तर का है, जिसका हम साफ-साफ अर्थ यह समझ सकते हैं कि यह इस्लाम के विस्तार हेतु किया गया नापाक कोशिश है। इस मजहबी फैलाव के नाम पर धोखे को सभ्य समाज कब तक नजर अंदाज करेगा?

–जे आर पाठक -औथर –‘चंचला’ (उपन्यास)

 

Modi coterie trying hard to prove Rahul Right

Lohith
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Modi coterie trying hard to prove Rahul Right

After a big bang boost to privatization in the budget, the financial markets in February 2021 saw a kind of bull run on steroids clocking new lifetime highs every other day. GST collections too soared to new all-time highs of more than Rs.1.1 Lakh crores per month after a period of slumber in 2020. Overall, an atmosphere of euphoria and exuberance was sprouting on all counters. The general consensus is that the Indian economy is out of the woods, back on the runway track, gaining pace, and is about to take off to a double-digit growth under PM Modi’s leadership.

Indeed, PM Modi and his team did a commendable job handling the pandemic, confronting national security threats at the border, bringing in a series of structural reforms, and reviving the economy by kickstarting privatization. So much is happening on the strategic front daily that only after a few years down the line can we see a tangible impact. Such action-packed performance by team Modi is helping Modi gain immense political capital. No other opponent is simply able to play even catch up. But how many successes he may ever fare to his account, there is one crucial aspect that will make or break his legacy.

There is a firm belief that no corruption at the higher levels is possible in the Modi government. Whether from BJP or not, many people firmly believe that PM Modi is not corrupt and Modi will not tolerate corruption in his government. ‘ना खाऊंगा ना खाने दूंगा’ ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga’ was one of his clarion slogans that got him to the Prime Ministership. That popular sentiment inspired a whole lot of the young generation and boosted investor confidence, and enabled a level playing field in his governance. Many MNCs too felt comfortable doing business with India because of the certainty of government policies and transparent decision-making from the top. This goodwill ultimately paved the way for a robust growing economy while garnering the much-needed support to usher in more structural reforms as well.

It is justifiable and understandable that “There is no business for the Government to be in Business”. This principled stand of Modi government is a welcome step for obvious reasons that the private sector through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) brings efficiency in service delivery, expertise, enterprise, and professionalism apart from harnessing necessary investments and fostering competition.  But in the blind rush for privatization, many grave irregularities at that higher up levels in PM Modi government are being brushed under the carpet. PM Modi may or may not be aware of such irregularities and may not personally approve of them. But the coterie around him may be putting him in the dark and are personally milking the privatization ride under the garb of nation-building. Modis’ response to one such issue of privatization will be his own testimony to his legacy and a litmus test of his integrity.

The Indian Aviation sector, which has seen successful privatization and monetization of airport infrastructure in the past, has witnessed grave irregularities and improprieties at the higher up levels lately. To give a brief about the sector, in 2018, India was the fastest-growing domestic air travel market globally, with more people flying within the Country than the previous year. India’s domestic market recorded the fastest full-year growth rate for the 4th year in a row (18.60%). Going by statistics, it is expected that 600 million people would be flying from Indian Airports by 2023, and the number will grow well beyond 1 billion by 2030. Such vibrant is the Indian aviation sector.

The Airports Authority of India (a Miniratna, 100% government-owned Statutory Corporation) has already successfully championed the privatization and monetization of several airports to advance the Country’s aviation infrastructure. AAI started its privatization bid in 2005 when it gave away prized Mumbai and Delhi airports on a Private-Public partnership basis for upgradation, management, and operation on a revenue share basis.

Thanks to such revenue sharing PPP model adopted then, AAI now owns a 26% stake in Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), 26% in Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), 13% stake in GMR Hyderabad International Airport (HIAL), 13% in Bangalore International Airport (BIAL), 51% in Chandigarh International Airport (CHIAL). AAI received a whopping Rs. 4,900 crore revenue from airport lease and non-aeronautical services alone for the FY 2018-19.  The Profit after Tax (PAT) stands at Rs.2,271 crore. The long-term borrowings were Rs.37 crores. AAI had contributed Rs.540 crore and Rs.810 crore to Airport Development Reserve and General Reserve from its surplus profits. 

On the operational front too, AAI has received the best performance award in electronic tendering among PSUs. Further, Airport Service Quality (ASQ) – a world-renowned global benchmarking programme awarded several Indian airports for outperforming their peers. For example, Ahmedabad Airport has won Annual ASQ awards for 2017 for three categories: Best Airport by Environment & Ambiance, Best Customer Service, and Best Infrastructure and Facilitation under 5-15 million passage size categories. The overall bottom line is that AAI is robust, efficient in the privatization and motorization of its assets. AAI is better positioned to take part in the sector’s upside growth through its revenue-sharing PPP model.

But, the recent privatization of six airports by AAI is marred with a lot of bidding irregularities and strange irrationalities. Many parallels can be drawn with Coalgate and 2G Spectrum scams. The Cabinet Committee, Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), and even the Niti Aayog have failed the nation with their unexplained silence when severe bidding irregularities were simply cooking under their nose. PM Manmohan Singh too, was heavily criticized for being mum while several scams were getting hatched just under his nose. Moreover, news networks and media have let down India’s people for their lack of interest to do thorough investigative journalism in this shady episode.

The average share price of Adani was quoting about Rs.150-200 during most of 2019/2020. Most media networks were busy cheerleading Adani group for having reached Rs.1 Lakh crore market capitalization in March 2021 when the share price touched a high of Rs.920+ which has grown about six times, completely cascading its Karnataka High Court Case on Airports privatization. No media or business news network could not dare to look into objective reasons for the Adani stock to appreciate multiple times within a year. The quantum leaps achieved by Adani’s share price without having a strong fundamental reason are attributable only to the massive windfall gains it about to get from the 225 acres of prime airport lands in various cities for real-estate development. Unlike Delhi and Mumbai airport privatization, Adani now doesn’t have to share any revenues from non-aeronautical revenues and city-side real estate development with the AAI.

Big corporates like Adani, whom Rahul Gandhi frequently laments as Modi’s friend, have seemingly managed to shore up this whole PPP charade so successfully, that they are cleverly positioning their bagging of six airports as their core corporate commitment to invest in the nation’s infrastructure on PM Modi’s call for rebuilding of the New India. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic did help shush away any or some of the spotlight and public scrutiny it could have garnered otherwise.

In any case, PM Modi, his Cabinet, Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), AAI, and Niti Aayog must explain to the nation how the bidding process for the six airports which Adani bagged could not have been managed better. More specifically, the following questions must be answered.

  1. Why PPP-based privatisation engagement is not managed without any controversies and absurdities.
  2. How the fair value for the six airports could have been monetized successfully to the fullest extent possible to the benefit of India’s exchequer.
  3. Which particular officers have sponsored the RFP and Project documents.
  4. Where do the loyalties of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) lie.
  5. Why RFQ was disbanded despite calling for a global tender and India already having sufficient expertise in O&M. What is the harm in floating RFQ with less stringent qualification criteria if broader participation is required.
  6. Why dint the PPP Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) of Niti Aayog did not compute or demand financial IRR to determine a reserve price for the airports’ bidding.
  7. Why the widely accepted & successful project revenue sharing concept is dropped. There is no PPP if revenue sharing of city-side development is excluded from the privatization process.
  8. Why AAI does not want to participate in the upside of non-aeronautical business revenues and city side development revenues (facilities like hotels, restaurants, convention centers, food court, retail shops and parking etc.)
  9. Why the lease period of 30 years was increased to 50 years, when no one asked for it, while absolutely forgoing potential revenues without participating in the upside growth story, city-side development, revenue-sharing model etc.

Arun Jaitley, who was then finance minister, highlighting the flagship UDAN scheme, said, “Sarkar ki iss pahal se hawai chappal pehnne wale nagrik bhi hawai jahaj mein yatra kar rahe hain (With this initiative, people wearing slippers are also travelling in aircraft)”. He further added that AAI was in the best position to be leveraged to raise more resources to fund the airports’ expansion plans in India. He added AAI would be able to fund itself from the money coming from Delhi and Mumbai airports.

The international airports in the national capital and Mumbai are run through revenue sharing PPP, where AAI is a stakeholder. Of course, PM Modi too, who comes from a humble background, could have supported decisions that benefit all Indians primarily, and especially people wearing slippers without hesitation. But the sort of one-sided AAI privatization drive benefiting few corporate friends might not have seen the light of the day if Arun Jaitley could have been alive as the Finance Minister beside PM Modi.

Moreover, given the recent blunderous episode of AAI’s privatization and asset monetization, it is scary when Niti Aayog CEO says, “Only a few PSUs to remain in strategic sectors”. Nobody knows how many more such assets-rich PSUs like the AAI will be targeted, drilled, exploited, and gifted away to friendly corporates. Nobody is objecting to privatization, and everybody is for principled privatization. But blatant abuse of power to the benefit of a few powerful and loss to India’s exchequer is really worrisome. Many will start to wonder if our country and its assets are in safe hands anymore.

Thomas Hobbes once said, “Hell is truth seen too late.” Will PM Modi wake up soon to see the truth, corruption, irregularities, and misdeeds going on around him and in his government is the pertinent question to ponder upon. Hopefully, Modi will soon demand the recall of all airports won by Adani in a skewed bidding process and personally monitor all future PSU privatization drives before things go awry, get chaotic, and crony capitalism completely takes over the Country.

Burn their homes, or they will burn yours

Jevin Modi
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Burn their homes, or they will burn yours

Recently we saw riots break out in the national capital on 26 January, on an auspicious day. The day our constitution was adopted. Many people have sacrificed their lives for the freedom that we enjoy today. How saddening was the incident that we witnessed on this day! It was hard to believe that our food-givers, the farmers could create such riots. Around the same time, we saw some foreign artists and activists lending their support to the farmers. Then came the time, when Greta Thunberg posted the toolkit. This was the tip of the iceberg.

There was a much bigger conspiracy at play to defame and destroy the image of India around the globe. I always had a doubt that the “real” farmers could not do such an act. It clearly showed that the farmer’s protest had been hijacked by Khalistani sympathizers backed from Canada and Pakistan and the left-wing liberals. It was so painful to see policemen injured. You may not agree with the government’s policies, but this was a matter of India. Not of BJP or Congress or a political party. By looking at all this we can safely say that there were foreign powers that were directly or indirectly involved in this and acted as a catalyst. Be it from Canadian politicians, ISI-paid people, social media giants like Twitter and Facebook, left-wing media like Quint, Wire, and many more. This was a golden opportunity for our terror-producing neighbor to push terrorists into India.

This leads us to the question- what should India do so that foreign powers think twice before interfering in India’s internal matters? How should India project herself to the world in this new world order? There are two points that I would focus on in this article: information warfare and India’s military might on the global scale.

  1. Information warfare:

There is a famous saying- “Tell a lie long enough, it becomes the truth”. This is what information warfare is all about. Spreading news and information so as to develop a false narrative among the masses to destabilize the country internally or as to pressurize the government to make a decision in favor of your foreign policy objectives. We have seen BBC, New York Times, and many other media outlets running Anti-India propaganda. Also, the opposition has been spreading false claims regarding the farm bills over and over again. This is information warfare. All the so-called “farmers” have been at the Delhi borders for months now. There are pizza-counters and massage parlors. Some of them have been driving around in luxurious cars. It clearly looks as if someone is funding them. And all of us know the Khalistani- sympathizing neighbor that wants to create unrest in India. There has been a narrative to create a rift among Hindus and Sikhs. During the Anti-CAA riots last year, there was a narrative to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims. These people are trying to exploit the sectarian fault lines in India. There would be such a fault line in any country. Because with great diversity comes people believing in different ideas and religions. In the United States, there is an issue of black and white. In Pakistan, there are issues of Shia and Sunni sect of Muslims, Balochistan, and Sindhis. Pakistan is already so radicalized that there is just a need for a spark to destabilize it internally even more. With China, there is the issue of Uighur persecution, the Hong Kong democracy movement, and no personal freedom for its citizens.

Coming to the solution now. We need many more Indian media outlets operating around the world. This would help portray India’s side around the world. It would be a counter to all the Anti-India propaganda machinery in place. At the same time, we can exploit the faults in foreign countries, the same thing that they have been doing in India. If we do not burn their homes, they will continue to burn ours. At present, we are not able to let the world know our side of the story. But I am sure we are moving in this direction. WION, which was launched in 2015 has been very well countering all the false narratives set by other global media outlets. In the coming future, we would see more Indian media companies operating globally.

  • Operating our military globally:

Recently, we have seen three countries in particular taking the Pakistan stand on Kashmir. Two of them are China and its pawn Pakistan and the third one Turkey. There have been reports that Turkey has been sending Jihadis to fight in Kashmir. Armenia too had suffered from Turkey during the recent war. We need better co operation with Armenia. Turkish President has the dream of establishing the Turkish caliphate again. It has been trying everything to have more influence in the world. We need more military bases outside of India than at present. This has two advantages. Firstly, during times of war these would serve as strategic assets. Secondly, during times of peace it would act as a deterrent to the other countries from harming any Indian national interests. For example in the case of terror-exporting Pakistan. If we have a military base in Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Pakistan would think twice before doing any misadventures and pushing in terrorists. If it tries doing something, Indian military from both sides (in Kashmir and Afghanistan) and intelligence agencies would foil it. But assuming it carries out something, the repercussions would be tough. Now, it does not know from which side India is going to attack. This way we could reduce terrorism in Kashmir.

Our army, navy, and air force are very much capable and it just about giving them opportunities. Going into the post-COVID world order, for India to display herself as a superpower and be one, we need more global military presence and close co-operation with friendly countries. The biggest asset we have is that we have such a huge “voluntary” army. China has a large army but it is not voluntary. People are forced to get into the military for some years and be on the borders. No one would want to fight there. They would want to complete the required years and then enjoy a normal life. An Indian soldier has himself/herself made the decision to be in the army and give blood and sweat to the nation. If they are given opportunities they would emerge victoriously. We have a huge army along with able officers and brave jawans.

Obviously, I am not in the favor of any war neither is anyone in favor of war. But, I am in the favor of eliminating terrorism from India and particularly from the Kashmir region and making India stable internally. We have lost many civilians and soldiers to terrorism. Along with other things, these two solutions would help make India stable internally and refrain other countries from trying to destabilize India either through civil unrest or through terrorism. With the theatre commands coming up, progressive military leadership, and strong government at the center, we are not far away from this being a reality. Hence, before they burn our homes, we should burn their homes.

Islamism and rise of Modi in India

Dr Jadabeswar Bhattacharjee
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Islamism and rise of Modi in India

In Indian sub-continent, it has been “Heads I win (Islamic Republic of Pakistan), tails you lose (Islam being the state religion of Bangladesh) and the coin belongs to me (India should be secular)” for Muslims since 1947/1971. Why? Has any Muslim of the subcontinent ever said that India has moral ground to be a Hindu Rashtra? No! Why?

Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister. Before him, all PMs carried the British legacy. Before blaming Modi for Hindu communalism, one need to look at the history of communal clashes in this subcontinent at least during last 100 years and I am sure that one will be shocked. There is also a book written by Suranjan Das entitled ‘Communal Riots in Bengal 1905 – 1947’. One may read that also. Modi was not even born then.

The Left-Liberal-Islamist cabal, across the world, hates Modi for Gujarat riot of 2002. But nobody talks of ‘Godhra carnage’ which was the immediate cause of Gujarat riot. In Godhra (a Muslim majority town of Gujarat), 59 Hindu Kar Sevaks were burnt alive and many dozens were badly injured by violent Muslim mob. The Gujarat 2002 riot started two days after that.

The group of Left-Liberal-Islamist cabal tries to downplay ‘Godhra carnage’ and tells that it was some sort of ‘accident’ or due to ‘mysterious reason’. The later cause has been propagated by Arundhati Roy. With same analogy, why Gujarat riot of 2002 was also not an accident or due to some mysterious reason? The book “Gujarat Files” written by Rana Ayyub, an Indian Islamist turned journalist, was labeled as ‘based on conjectures, surmises and suppositions’ by Indian Supreme Court.

The Modi one hates is an image created by Western media and Left-Liberal-Islamist cabal for their vested interest. British media created Gandhi in 20th century to serve their imperial interest in similar way. In Indian school curricula, the books on Indian history are loaded with 325 years of Mughal rule. Mughals did never get Indianized, rather they Islamized India. Why our 5000 years old history and non-Muslim Indian dynasties have been neglected by secular Left-Liberal-Islam leaning Indian historians under Congress?

V S Naipaul had once told that the history of India was yet to be written. We have been consciously deprived from our civilizational pride by Nehruvian historians with the misplaced idea of Secularism. Hinduism is inclusive, plural, and tolerant. It does not require the Western intellectuals or any cabal, with vested interest, to teach Hindus secularism.

The main problem is that most of the so called intellectuals don’t accept the reality and try to behave like ostrich. And since they can’t accept the communal fault line, they cannot address it and thus, try to live in a make belief world.  

The argument of majority peaceful moderate Muslims is very weak. The link below explains as to how peaceful majority Muslims can be irrelevant. One may visit the link to understand this fact:

‘Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer’ (One People One Nation One Leader’) and ‘La Illaha Illallah, Muhammadur Rosul Allah’ carry similar connotation. You know what I mean!

Pakistani blogger Ahmed Mustafa Kanjoo said:

‘Criticize Judaism: No Response.

Criticize Hinduism: No Response.

Criticize Christianity: No Response.

Criticize Buddhism: No Response.

Criticize any other religion: No Response.

Criticize Islam: You are a Far-right, Racist, Extremist, Bigot, Nazi, Xenophobe, Islamophobe’!

Tufail Ahmed, a former BBC journalist, had said that Indian secularism is Half-Islamist, Half-Pakistani. All Indians, except Muslims, are guided by Indian laws. But Indian Muslims have their separate Sharia based Personal Laws. For them Sharia is above the Indian Constitution. Why?

Modi is simply trying to drag India out of that stupid, self defeating and double faced Indian Secularism and restore the Hindu civilizational glory. Modi is rocking the boat of ‘Muslim leaning secular Indian narrative’. It is only in Hindu India that an Afghan descendant Islamist named Chand Muhammad could become Sai Baba. Modi is trying to correct such fraudulent narratives of India, Gandhi, Nehru to Sai Baba. Modi is trying to re-establish that India was not born in 1947. It has been for more than 5000 years.

The bottom line is in Modi’s Gujarat, Muslims are 7% and in government service they are 7% too. But in West Bengal Muslims are 33%, but in government service they are 2% only.

How can one explain the decrease of Hindu population in East Pakistan / Bangladesh from 24% in 1951 to 10% now against the increase of Muslim population in West Bengal from 19.5% in 1951 to 30% now? Mind it, 90% of West Bengal’s Muslims are Bengali speaking. Modi is trying to address this issue through CAA-NRC.

Pseudo-secularists Left-Liberal-Islamist cabal in Indian subcontinent still cry on Babri mosque demolition in India even after 30 years. But nobody cares to mention the killing of Hindus and destruction of their temples in Bangladesh and Pakistan as revenge of Babri. Modi is trying to complete the narrative.

Islam is exclusive. Exclusion is at the soul of Islam. Muslims are not happy even in Islamic/Muslim majority countries and impose ‘exclusion’ even among Muslims there. Dr Abul Barkat of Dhaka University had the guts to come out openly during 2016 about the continuous persecution of Hindus in East Pakistan/Bangladesh. Hindus are called ‘Malaun’ by Islamists of Bangladesh. Sooner or later this one sided game in Indian sub-continent has to end. Modi has bell the cat only.

राजनीतिक लाभ लेने के लिए शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अग्रणी संस्थान विद्या भारती की कट्टरपंथियों से तुलना करना अशोभनीय

पवन सारस्वत मुकलावा
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राजनीतिक लाभ लेने के लिए शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अग्रणी संस्थान विद्या भारती की कट्टरपंथियों से तुलना करना अशोभनीय

मनुष्य के जीवन मे सबसे बड़ी पूँजी है शिक्षा. और मनुष्य बचपन से लेकर जब तक बड़ा होता है तब तक शिक्षा ही प्राप्त करता है। किन्तु देश में शिक्षा के नाम पर राजनीति करना यह आमचलन हो गया राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के विद्या भारती से जुड़े स्कूलों की तुलना पाकिस्तानी कट्टरपंथी मदरसों से करना कतई सोभनीय नही है. राजनीतिक लड़ाई स्वाभाविक है दरअसल आरएसएस की अलग ही विचारधारा है, जिस विचारधारा की पार्टी भाजपा केंद्र में है. लेकिन सवाल है कि इस विचारधारा से जुड़े स्कूलों की तुलना पाकिस्तान के चरमपंथी मदरसों से करना उचित है? चंद सेकेंड की इस टिप्पणी में करीब 95 साल पुरानी देश की राष्ट्रवादी संस्था के भूत-भविष्य और वर्तमान को कठघरे में खड़ा कर दिया. आरोप है कि अपने स्कूलों के जरिए देश की शिक्षा व्यवस्था पर संघ कब्जा कर रहा है.

पूरी दुनिया जानती है कि पाकिस्तानी मदरसों में सिर्फ और सिर्फ नफरत फैलाने के लिए जिहादी पढ़ाई होती है, जिससे आतंकी पैदा होते हैं. आज की तारीख में पूरा पाकिस्तान आतंकी देश बन चुका है. लेकिन अब सवाल उठता है कि क्या संघ के विद्या भारती से जुड़े स्कूलों और चरमपंथी मदरसों में कोई फर्क नहीं है? आखिर देश में विद्या भारती से जुड़े स्कूलों पर आतंक के कब-कब आरोप लगे हैं? या फिर संघ की विचारधारा के साथ पढ़ने वाले छात्र कभी आतंक में लिप्त पाए गए हैं? ये ऐसे सवाल हैं. जिनका जवाब किसी के पास भी ना हो.

संघ के विद्या भारती से जुड़े स्कूलों को निशाने पर लिया है. जिसके दायरे में 20 हजार से ज्यादा स्कूल आते हैं, जहां लाखों छात्र पढ़ते हैं. इसीलिए ये फिक्र बड़ी है. आज देश के लिए सच जानना और भी जरूरी है कि विद्या भारती के स्कूलों में होता क्या है. दरअसल, संघ सीधे तौर पर कोई स्कूल नहीं चलाता. संघ के स्वयंसेवकों की संस्थाओं, विद्या भारती और समर्थ शिक्षा समिति के दायरे में 25,000 से ज्यादा स्कूल चलते हैं. पहले सरस्वती शिशु मंदिर की स्थापना 1952 में हुई थी. तब से अबतक पिछले 68 वर्षों में इन स्कूलों में लाखों छात्र ने पढ़ाई की है. लेकिन उनपर कभी कट्टरपंथी या फिर चरमपंथी होने के आरोप नहीं लगे. जबकि पाकिस्तानी मदरसों की शिक्षा प्रणाली आज भी पूरी दुनिया के लिए चिंता का विषय है. विद्या भारती की वेबसाइट के अनुसार, उसका मकसद ऐसा ‘नैशनल एजुकेशन सिस्‍टम तैयार करना है जिससे युवा पुरुषों और महिलाओं की ऐसी पीढ़ी बन सके जो हिंदुत्‍व के प्रति समर्पित हो और देशभक्ति से ओत-प्रोत हो।

शारीरिक, मानसिक और आध्‍यात्मिक रूप से विकसित हो और जीवन की चुनौतियों से निपटने में सक्षम हो।” इसमे देखा जाए तो क्या गलत है। पूरे देश में कश्मीर से कन्याकुमारी और राजस्थान के सीमावर्ती इलाकों से लेकर पूर्वोत्तर राज्यों तक विद्या भारती की ओर से विद्यालय चलाए जा रहे हैं। इनमें 35 लाख से अधिक बच्चे पढ़ रहे हैं। इन स्कूलों में मुस्लिम ओर ईसाई बच्चे भी हैं। विद्या भारती के साथ-साथ अन्य समविचारी संगठन स्कूल चलाते हैं। इन स्कूलों में पढ़ने वाले बच्चे देश के हर क्षेत्र में अपने परिवार और स्कूल का नाम ऊंचा किया है ,चाहे राजनीतिक क्षेत्र हो, प्रशासनिक क्षेत्र या खेल का क्षेत्र हो, इसके साथ ही दूरस्थ पहाड़ी इलाकों, सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रों, सुदूर ग्रामीण इलाकों व जंगलों के बीच स्थित गांवों में अनौपचारिक विद्यालय और संस्कार केंद्र चलाए जा रहे हैं। यहां बच्चों को निःशुल्क शिक्षा दी जाती है।

समविचारी संगठन एकल विद्यालय और वनवासी कल्याण केंद्र की ओर से भी पूरे देश में स्कूल चलाए जा रहे हैं। एकल विद्यालय की ओर से समाज के सहयोग से देश के सुदूर गांवों में चलने वाले इन विद्यालयों में वैसे बच्चे पढ़ते हैं, जो किन्हीं कारणों से सरकारी या निजी स्कूलों में नहीं जा पाते हैं। शिशु मंदिरों एंव विद्या भारती स्कूलों की तुलना पाकिस्तान के मदरसों से करके उन लाखों माता-पिता का अपमान किया है, जो अपने बच्चों को शिक्षा और संस्कार के लिए शिशु मंदिर में भेजते हैं. राजनीतिक लाभ के लिए न केवल लाखों बच्चों, अपितु हजारों शिक्षकों की तुलना पाकिस्तानी कट्टरपंथियों से करना कतई सही नही है।

विद्या भारती अपने स्‍कूलों में बच्चों व एक खास तरह की दुनिया दिखाता है. वो दुनिया जहां अपने पूर्वजों और संस्कृति का अपमान नहीं, बल्कि उन पर गर्व करना सिखाया जाता है. रॉक और पॉप म्यूजिक नहीं, संस्कारों की दुनिया. अपने माता-पिता और धरती मां को प्रणाम करना सिखाया जाता है. एक ऐसी दुनिया जहां राष्ट्र के लिए सर्वस्व समर्पण करने की प्रेरणा दी जाती है. बात करे कोरोना काल की तो टीका टिप्पणी करने वाले राजनेताओं को पहले लॉकडाउन ओर कोरोना काल मे विद्या भारती द्वारा किए गए कार्य को देख लेना चाहिए ।कोरोना काल में विद्या भारती के विद्यालयों (छात्र, शिक्षक, प्रबंधन) द्वारा मध्यभारत प्रान्त में किये कार्यों की जानकारी हासिल कर लेनी चाहिए.

कोरोना के शुरुआत में कोई भी सरकार व्यवस्थाओं के लिए तैयार नहीं थी,लेकिन विद्याभारती समाज की पीड़ा में साथी था. विद्या भारती ने मध्यभारत प्रांत के विद्यालय परिसरों को उपयोग के लिए प्रशासन को सौंप दिए थे।

लॉकडाउन में ही देश ने एक और संकट देखा, जब लाखों की संख्या में प्रवासी श्रमिक अपने घरों की तरफ लौटने लगे तब विद्याभारती ने अपनी बसों से प्रवासी श्रमिकों को उनके गंतव्य तक पहुचाया. अपने भवनों को विश्राम गृह में बदल दिया. कितने ही लोगों को भोजन करवाया। विद्या भारती अपने स्कूलों में ऐसी दुनिया दिखाता है, जिसमें मानव, मानव की सेवा के लिए सदैव तत्पर रहे. कोरोना काल में जब अचानक लाखों की संख्या में मास्क की आवश्यकता पड़ी तो संस्था से जुड़ी शिक्षिकाएं अपने घरों में बैठकर निर्धन असहाय नागरिकों के लिए मास्क बनाने का कार्य करने लगीं. कुछ अन्य ने मास्कों को सेवा बस्तियों में जाकर नागरिकों के मध्य वितरित करने की भूमिका अदा की.

कोरोना वायरस के कारण जब देश भर में लॉकडाउन लगाया गया तो एक सबसे बड़ी चिंता तो सामने आई कि बच्चों की पढ़ाई कैसे होगी? शहरों में तो डिजिटल माध्यमों से पढ़ाई शुरू हो गयी, लेकिन वनवासी, ग्रामीण अंचलों का क्या? ऐसी स्थिति में लोग जब संक्रमण के डर से अपने घरों से नहीं निकल रहे थे, तब विद्या भारती के शिक्षण संस्थानों में कार्यरत हजारों आचार्यों ने पूरे प्रांत भर में मोहल्ला पाठशाला के माध्यम से हजारों विद्यार्थियों को पढ़ाया।

नफरत ओर राजनीति की परत इतनी मोटी हो गयी है कि उन्हें इन सेवा भावी छात्रों और आचार्य/सेविकाओं में उन्हें आतंकवादी दिखाई दे रहे हैं. या हो सकता है परेशानी की वजह कुछ और हो, किन्तु राजनीतिक लाभ लेने के लिए शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अनावश्यक टिप्पणी करने से बचना चाहिए।

(यह लेखक के निजी विचार है)
पवन सारस्वत मुकलावा
कृषि एंव स्वंतत्र लेखक
सदस्य लेखक, मरुभूमि राइटर्स फोरम

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