भारतीय समाज एक भावना प्रधान समाज है जिसमे धर्म एक अहम भूमिका निभाता है। हिन्दू समाज अपने ठाकुर जी की सेवा में जहां अपने आपको भूल जाता है, बिना भोग लगाए अन्न जल नहीं लेता वहीं मुस्लिम रमजान में यही सब करते हैं। एक समाज जिसे अपने बेटे के रोजगार के स्तर से ज्यादा लोग क्या कहेंगे जैसे जुमले ज्यादा प्रभावित करते हैं। एक समाज जिसमें वोट डालने के लिए नेता जमीनी स्तर पर नहीं लेकिन बाबाजी और मौलानाओं से सेटिंग कर लेने में यकीन रखते हैं। फुरफुरा शरीफ के पीरज़ादा सिद्दीकी के दर पर माथा टेकते ओवैसी इसका सबसे सटीक उदाहरण है।
दूसरी ओर इसका एक पहलू ये भी है कि गाहेबगाहे कुछ शरारती तत्व जो समाज में विघटन चाहते हैं, इस भावना को छेड़ जाते हैं। पेंटर हुसैन हो या ताजातरीन केस ऑफ़ मुनव्वर फारुकी, ये सेलेक्टिवली सेक्युलर लोग हिन्दू देवी देवताओं का अपमान करने में खुद को कूल डूड समझ पैसा कमाते हैं। लेकिन इस बार जिस प्रकार इस फारुकी को रिएक्शन मिला है, ये बहुत पहले होना जरुरी था। राजू श्रीवास्तव, गोविंदा और जॉनी लीवर जैसे बेहतरीन कॉमेडियन कलाकारों के देश में क्या किसी ऐसे विदूषक की जरुरत है, जिसे हास्य के आवरण में आपकी सभ्यता, आपके देश, आपके ईश्वर के अपमान में ही सबाब मिलता है? ये पूछे जाने की जरुरत है, वरना खुद को विश्व की सबसे पुरानी सभ्यता मानने वाले इस देश में अब कोई भी हास्य के नाम पर गाली गलौच करके, किसी समाज की भावना भड़काकर समाज में वैमनस्य बढ़ाने का एजेंडा चलाने लगेगा। कोई भी भारत तेरे टुकड़े होंगे के नारे कुछ हजार में लगाने लगेगा।
अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी एक बहुत वृहद विषय है और इसकी कुछ सीमाएं भी हैं। संविधान यदि मुझे कुछ अधिकार देता है तो मुझसे मेरे कर्तव्य निर्वहन पर प्रश्न भी कर सकता है। इस महान देश का नेतृत्व सौभाग्य से ऐसे कर्मयोगी के हाथ में है जो अपने लिए गालियों को भी सहर्ष स्वीकार करता है, लेकिन क्या एक सभ्य समाज इस तथ्य को स्वीकार कर सकता है कि उनके राष्ट्र प्रमुख को चंद टकों में किराये पर उपलब्ध हो सकने वाले कुकुरमुत्ते गालियां दें? अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी में नग्न पेंटिंग बनाने वाला एम एफ हुसैन पद्मा पुरस्कार पाता है। यही पेंटर भारत माता की नग्न पेंटिंग बना देश से भाग कतर में स्वैच्छिक निर्वासन में चला जाता है और एक कलाकार त्रिवेदी संसद पर बनाये अपने चित्र के लिए देशद्रोह में गिरफ्तार हो जाते हैं। अब ये सरकारों पर निर्भर करता है कि कौन सच में अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी के नाम पर आपके देवी देवता को गाली दे बच सकता है और कौन कानून के शिकंजे में फस सकता है।
कला और कॉमेडी के नाम पर जो भद्दा मजाक ये विदूषक आपके साथ करते हैं, इन्हें सही गलत का फर्क बताया जाना चाहिए। एक सन्देश प्रसारित हो कि हम भी अपनी आस्था के साथ मजाक नहीं सहेंगे। मुनव्वर फारुकी जैसों का एजेंडा बड़ा साफ होता है, बहुसंख्यक आबादी को टारगेट करो, देश विरोधी ताकतों के हाथों “अवेलेबल ऑन रेंट” रहो और कन्हैया कुमार टाइप चुनाव लड़ लो। लालू टाइप लोगों का समर्थन राजनीती में और स्वरा भास्कर टाइप बुजुर्ग फेल्ड सो कॉल्ड एक्ट्रेसेस का साथ सिल्वर स्क्रीन पर मिल जायेगा, लगे हाथ हार्दिक पटेल की तरह गांधियो से स्टेट चीफ का तमगा मिल जाये तो करोड़ों अंदर और मजे। लाइफ में और चाहिए ही क्या।
लगे हाथ हार्दिक पटेल की प्रॉपर्टी की लिस्ट भी गूगल कीजिये, पटेल आंदोलन से पहले और बाद में क्या फर्क आया, अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी नाम के टेंट के अंदर चलने वाला गेम समझ आ जायेगा।
Don’t be fooled by TV images of Farmers fighting for justice. They represent the privileged lot, who’s making money by holding Government to ransom.
For a month and a half now, the farmer agitation is going on at the Delhi border and TRP hungry News Channels, 24/7 are beaming the images of the farmers sleeping in tents or weeping for justice. Pictures of farmers reading newspapers atop a Mercedes Jeep, or farmers enjoying Pizza or relaxing in the Spa were dug out by Social Media users. But that’s beside the point. Since this agitation has begun, terms like ‘Economic Reforms’, ‘Modi’s 1991 moment’, ‘Authoritarian’ and ‘Failure to communicate(with farmers)’ are back in circulation.
Even economists like Ashok Gulati, who fully backed these laws are now beating a retreat and want the Government to hold the laws in abeyance for 6 months. Please get this fact straight, that this BJP Government is not going to repeal these laws. Also, rent-a-cause-activists (which now includes Khalistani supporters and Urban Naxals) posing as farmers and abundant supply of merriments for agitators continuing, this circus will not be dispersed in a hurry. They are going to stay put at least till 26th Jan. On that day they surely will try their version of the Capitol Hill attack and disrupt the Republic Day celebrations. How can they miss this opportunity when the global media is going to be in Delhi?
But before getting into the politics and economic argument behind these laws, let us look at these three laws and what they intend to facilitate.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Law,2020
This act allows farmers to bypass APMC and sell their produce in open markets. Please note, there is no intention of closing down APMCs. But to create competition for them.
The Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance & Farm Services Law
This bill aims at providing a framework to those farmers who want to get into contract farming with Private Companies.
Essential Commodities act,2020.
This allows Agents freedom to stock on agricultural commodities as much as they want,without the fear of being prosecuted by Government agencies.
The whole aim of these three laws is to provide a robust legal framework, allow farmers freedom to better price discovery and eliminate middle men. So, you see, there is nothing here which should provoke such a furore.
Devil in the details:
But then why are these ‘farmers’ not getting this argument? We will come to that in a bit. But before that, just think, if these laws are so unpopular, why is Modi so adamant about continuing with them and why Amit Shah is not worried about losing elections? Because only 6 % of farmers sell their produce at MSP. And most of them are from Punjab and Haryana! Can you believe that? Take a look at a little piece of stat, given out by Prof Gulati in an interview.
Total households growing:
Paddy: 4.35 Crores – Of which only 42.86 % Sold it (Others consumed it for themselves). Of this only, 13.49% sold it to Govt Agencies at MSP. This equals 5.78% of total Paddy cultivators.
Wheat: 3.52 Crores – Of which only 36.9 % Sold it. Of which 16.23 % of this sold at MSP. Which is 5.99%of total Wheat cultivators.
This brings out the truth clearly and shows the mirror to those who are peddling the lie that farmers across the country are up in arms against the Farm Laws. To reiterate, these laws will benefit a vast majority (90%) of farmers. Hence the agitators are mostly from Haryana and Punjab and protests are confined to the borders of these two states.
Politicians or Middle-men :
There is another angle to this whole farce. Once these laws are implemented Private players will be allowed to compete with APMC! That’s where the whole problem lies. In another article, Professor Gulati has dwelled on this. He says that after these laws are implemented the APMC will face competition from private mandis. These APMC Mandis are the fiefdom of so-called ‘Agricultural Leaders.’ By acting as a mediator between farmers and buyers, they have amassed massive wealth over the last decades. To understand what I mean, refer to this, this, this, and this. Once private corporations come in, they fear losing monopoly and money. Hence the heartburn and agitations.
Now coming to the criticism faced by the BJP, that it’s because of Modi’s arrogance that opposition is not cooperating. This is as big a lie as it can get. Pure rubbish! Taking the prognosis further the paid experts and opposition leaders argue that, contrast this with how the minority Congress led by PV Narsimha Rao brought the biggest reforms in the history of independent India in 1991 and how tactfully implemented them. Ditto for reforms brought by the UPA Government in 2004. Hardly any doubt that these two regimes brought many radical reforms that businesses needed desperately. That’s not all. Even legislation such as the Right to Education (RTE) and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA), both passed in 2005, were also implemented peacefully. There were no protests or Morchas organized by BJP? So what’s the magic Narasimha Rao or Manmohan Singh or Sonia Gandhi had, which Modi lacks?
Congress magic missing?
Well, there is no magic. The simple truth is at that time BJP was in opposition. And hence,reforms and legislations which were in National Interest or BJP thought will result in larger good, were not opposed at all. I mean if you want to take a cynical, gerrymandering view of everything, then those who were going to be benefitted by NREGA and RTE were not exactly BJP voters then. Notwithstanding which, BJP not only allowed these laws to be passed,but implemented in their own states (MP,CG,Raj to name a few). Instead, like Captain Amrinder is bankrolling farmers’ protest at Singhu border, Shivraj Singh Chouhan could have organized protests in multiple cities of MP and made the central Govt look anti-upper caste. But the BJP never did it! Why? You must ask!
Because for the BJP, Parliament is supreme. Laws cleared by this august institution are meant to be implemented. If they are repealed or amended it must be done through Parliament only. Not by holding cities to ransom and making life difficult for the common man. For example, a significant portion of the Indian population thought that article 370 was unfair. But to show displeasure BJP did not occupy Srinagar with its volunteers, and caused inconvenience to Kashmiris. What they did was, that they challenged the Islamic Terrorists, and Modi and Murli Manohar Joshi unfurled the Tiraanga in Lal Chowk on 15th Aug 1992. And when it had a majority in Parliament, Modi made Article 370 operable. That’s the way to do politics.
Democracy? No Mobocracy!
What Congress, AAP and other opposition parties are indulging in is plain Goondaism! This is nothing, but legitimizing mob violence. Opposition parties are trying to mainstream anti-social elements along with Khalistanis, Urban Naxals, and Anti-Nationals. You see this is not a coincidence, that this is happening for the second time within a year. Anti-CAA protests were also following the same modus operandi. I wrote a while back on, how Anti-CAA protests and ensuing riots are different, and why they should not be taken lightly.
And yes, the Anna Hazare Andolan, which RSS supported was not against any law passed by the Parliament, but against massive corruption indulged in by Sonia led Congress. I hope you see the difference between the two.
Another fact to end the article. Even after the new farm laws were notified, BJP won Bihar Assembly elections. In fact, it won only one seat less than RJD and emerged as the second-largest party. Also, it emerged as the biggest gainer in Bodoland Territorial Council local body elections in Assam. Hardly any doubt, that Modi knows his politics and by bringing these farm laws, he has decided to reinvigorate the economy bottoms up. In 2015, when he tried to pass Land acquisition bills, BJP was short of majority Rajya Sabha and hence it was stalled. Now there is no impediment of that sort.
Hence, no question of Modi budging and repealing these laws. So, don’t hope that the images of farmers ‘fighting’ for justice on your TV will change in the next few days. At least till these professional Activists, will not find another cause that will guarantee wall to wall coverage throughout the day, and free fun in the evening!
Being a youth in this country is like walking in a minefield. You never know which step will lead to a leftist/ liberal propaganda explosion. Walking towards the theatre? Boom! You come out feeling less Hindu and more liberal. Walking towards a literary fest? Boom! You come out knowing less of actual history and more of colonized history. Walking towards a comic show? Boom! Boom! Boom! You come out hating your Prime Minister & Nation and loving the secular minorities. Walking towards your University? You come out feeling less respectful towards our soldiers and in love with the urban naxals/ azaadi gang. Walking towards…Well…I can never run out of examples on this one.
Chilling! Isn’t it? The leftists are a very smart bunch fully aware which products will be consumed by their target. A target audience that is innocent. Wanting to Ranbir Kapoor life (‘udna chahta hoon, daudna chahta hoon, bas rukna nahi chahta hoon’ influence). Break free from the clutches of exam, job, peer and most importantly, family pressure. An audience that is looking for entertainment, a dopamine rush.
At present the country is dealing with self claimed ‘clowns’ wanting to entertain the audience only by insulting Hindu gods, practices and leaders. But do you know that’s not where they stop? That’s not all how they trick you to thinking Hindoos bad, Mudi fascist, India intolerant. The most innovative and fascinating touchpoint (other than the obvious Instagram stories, posts and going live) being YouTube live streams. And no no. They donot just live stream with their jokes or chat shows with fellow comedians but they live stream gaming.
Be it something as chill as PubG or as serious as Chess. These live streams are protected and cannot be viewed if you are not a part of it. You might be able to find some snippets. You may think what’s wrong with live streaming games? Well here’s how it starts. You join their private game rooms. They make you feel privileged because you get to play and talk with them. They subtly plant political, religious and communal ideas and casually get back to playing. These live streams are full of abuses, vulgar names, crass passing comments on prominent leaders and subtle brainwashing against topics that can lead to potential violence or conflict (which is common in their stand up shows).
Here’s another example of these popular YouTubers playing ‘L*nd Game’ and in another video hurling non stop abuses.
That’s not it. They also receive superchats from young kids to the order of 10,000 per stream. A prominent example is of the comedian Samay Raina (winner of Comicstaan) who live streams the game of Chess with eminent personalities like Vishwanathan Anand and International Chess Grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Judit Polgar. What is surprising is Samay Raina is popular for his anti-national stands and yet manages to share space with National winners like Vishwanathan Anand under the garb of making chess popular amongst youth.
The lockdown has unfortunately given them a boost wherein these thugs of comedy randomly go live with their fellow comedians to chill (apparently). These chilling videos of them randomly mocking Janta curfew efforts, callously talking of the ruling government, abusing after every second word to sound cool get more than 5 million views with continuously flowing superchats.
Post a ban on PubG, Tanmay Bhatt can be seen mocking this decision. In one of his videos, he is seen requesting Prime Minister Modi to ban another Asian nation instead like a Singapore or Japan and unban PubG. The video also talks about their modus operandi and how they are left to survive on random live streams.
Ok! Honestly I envy them now. What’s easier than earning through abusing?
While we are on the topic of subtle brainwashing, here’s a classic example. In this particular sketch, a comedian named Daniel Fernandes, mocks and shames a Kashmiri in the audience for supporting BJP. When the person from the audience says, “they (BJP) is doing a lot of work there and I support BJP”, a person from the audience yells, “pagal hai kya?”. This is where Daniel jumps in and adds, “we cannot force people to be smart about their political choices.” He then reiterates his question when the person says, “he has been taught something by his parents” to which Daniel cross questions, “did they teach to agree with the ones who kill you?” very conveniently allegating BJP workers are murderers. And then they want us to believe that ‘it’s all in the name of comedy’.
Well this is not where the buck stops. In fact this is just one of the mediums used by the leftist to woo the young audience. Organizing fancy, woke and liberal protests, making them feel like a victim while calling them intellectuals, flaring speeches, cross dressing, public kissing events are some other popular ways to trap the young minds. They claim to liberate them, only to cage them in their propaganda.
Another popular medium to engage with the young population during the lockdown period was the OTT platform. Releasing Hinduphobic content is almost a compulsion to be able to feature on an OTT platform. The signs are no longer subtle. Saffron clad mob chasing a man to lynch, dhongi pandit, angry Hanuman sticker on the car of the villain, it’s right in our face, fed forcefully till we are tricked into believing it. For the ones who do not consume video content, there are books by random authors available on Kindle. A recent report suggested how Amazon Kindle Editions are selling porn and rape literature specifically depicting Muslim men and Hindu women. So here’s a definite trap for the ones who prefer books over series.
This leaves me wondering, where are we heading as a society. What role are parents playing in the lives of their children. Is the new generation that gullible? What’s the solution to this? Is there a solution at all?
राहुलजी की विदेश-यात्राएं हमेशा ही देश के लिए कौतूहल का विषय रही हैं। वैसे तो राहुलजी का पूरा व्यक्तित्व ही रहस्यमय है: उनका खान-पान, उनकी पसन्द-नापसन्द, उनके मित्र, उनकी दिनचर्या- सबकुछ रहस्य के घेरे में है: मुट्ठी भर लोगों को छोड़कर आम जनता को इनके बारे में कोई जानकारी नहीं है, पर मैं निजी तौर पर सबसे अधिक चमत्कृत होता हूँ उनकी रहस्यमय विदेश-यात्राओं से। राहुलजी कुछ दिनों तक टीवी पर दीखते हैं, और अपनी मौलिक बातों से हमारा ज्ञानवर्द्धन और मनोरञ्जन करते हैं, और फिर अचानक दृश्य से गायब हो जाते हैं: कुछ दिनों के बाद पता लगता है कि वह विदेश में हैं, और विदेश में भी कहाँ हैं और क्यों हैं, इस सम्बन्ध में कोई जानकारी नहीं दी जाती। पहली बार लगभग एक हफ्ते पहले कांग्रेस पार्टी के प्रवक्ता द्वारा बताया गया कि राहुलजी कहीं ध्यान करने के लिए गये हैं, और इस तरह की ध्यान-यात्राएं राहुलजी करते रहते हैं।
यह सुनकर मेरे जिज्ञासु चित्त को थोड़ी शान्ति तो अवश्य मिली: कम से कम यह पता तो चला कि राहुलजी इतनी विदेश-यात्राएं करते क्यों हैं, पर उनकी यात्राओं के उद्देश्य ने मुझे चक्कर में डाल दिया। वस्तुतः ध्यान के बारे में मुझे कुछ विशेष जानकारी नहीं है- ‘राग दरबारी’ में श्रीलाल शुक्ल जी ने एक ही जगह ध्यान का ज़िक्र किया है। रुप्पन बाबू के स्वभाव की चर्चा करते हुए वह कहते हैं: “रुप्पन बाबू रोज़ रात को सोने से पहले बेला के शरीर का ध्यान करते थे, और ध्यान को शुद्ध रखने के लिए वह केवल बेला के शरीर को देखते थे, उस पर पड़े कपड़े को नहीं।” इस सीमित जानकारी के कारण मैं बहुत चक्कर में पड़ गया: राहुलजी आखिर किसका ध्यान करते हैं? और ध्यान को शुद्ध रखने के लिए क्या देखते हैं और क्या नहीं? बहुत सोचने पर भी जब इन प्रश्नों का उत्तर नहीं मिला, तो मैंने एक बार फिर अपने राजनीति-विज्ञान के गुरूजी की शरण में जाने का निश्चय किया।
अगले दिन सुबह-सुबह मैं फूल-माला और गुरूजी को अतिशय प्रिय सङ्कटमोचन मन्दिर का प्रसाद लेकर गुरूजी के द्वार पर जा पहुँचा। दरवाज़ा तो खुला था ही, उनका कुत्ता भी मेरे ऊपर नहीं भौंका जिससे मुझे काफ़ी प्रसन्नता हुई कि इतने दिनों बाद उनका कुत्ता मुझे पहचानने लगा है। मैं बिना रोक-टोक के सीधा गुरूजी की बैठक में चला गया, और वहाँ जो देखा उससे मेरी आँखें फटी रह गयीं।
कमरे में बिछी चौकी पर हमेशा बिछा रहने वाला गद्दा आज गायब था और उसकी जगह एक दरी बिछी हुई थी। दरी के ऊपर एक मृगचर्म, और मृगचर्म के ऊपर भव्यमूर्तिगुरूजी पी चिदम्बरम की तरह श्वेत लुंगी और श्वेत अंगवस्त्र धारण किये पद्मासन, ज्ञानमुद्रा और शाम्भवी मुद्रा के साथ ध्यानमुद्रा में विराजमान थे। बगल में एक स्टूल पर कुछ मिठाई और पानी रखे हुए थे। गुरूजी के ध्यान का यह चमत्कार देखकर मैं अभिभूत होकर मन ही मन सोचने लगा: क्या गुरूजी ने ध्यान में ही जान लिया था कि मैं उनसे मिलने आने वाला हूँ? कुत्ते के न भौंकने का रहस्य भी मेरे सामने एकदम से स्पष्ट हो गया: उसे पता था कि गुरूजी ध्यान में थे और उन्हें डिस्टर्ब नहीं करना है। क्योंकि मैं ध्यान पर ही बात करने आया था, गुरूजी के ध्यानमग्न होने को एक शुभ संकेत मानते हुए इस चिंता के साथ कि पता नहीं गुरूजी का ध्यान भंग कितनी देर में होगा, दबे पाँव कमरे में दाखिल हुआ। कमरे में मेरे प्रवेश करते ही आश्चर्यजनक ढंग से गुरूजी ने आँखें खोल दीं जिससे मुझे थोड़ी निराशा भी हुई, पर गुरूजी ने मुझसे अधिक निराशा के स्वर में कहा; “अरे, आप हैं? कुछ पत्रकार मेरा इण्टरव्यू करने आने वाले थे; मैं समझा वही हैं।”
मृगछाला, गुरूजी के ध्यान और कमरे में रखी मिठाइयों का एक नया अर्थ मेरे समक्ष प्रकट हुआ, जिससे मेरी निराशा और गहरी हो गयी; गुरूजी ने मेरे चेहरे के भाव पढ़ते हुए मुझे एक तरह से पुचकारते हुए कहा, “तू काहें परेसान होत हउवा ? तोहरे खातिर त हम हमेसा खाली हई।”
मैंने फूल-माला, ‘काशीक्षेत्रे निवासश्र्च जाह्नवी चरणोदकम्, गुरु विश्र्वेश्वरः साक्षात् तारकम् ब्रह्मनिश्र्चयः।’ आदि मन्त्रों से गुरूजी का स्तवन किया, सङ्कटमोचन के लड्डू उन्हें भेंट किये, और अपनी जिज्ञासा से उन्हें अवगत कराया।सुनकर गुरूजी गम्भीर हो गये; मुझे लगा कि इस बार गुरूजी भी मेरी जिज्ञासा शान्त नहीं कर पाएंगे, जिससे मैं और निराश हो गया, पर गुरूजी ने मेरे मन के भाव पढ़ते हुए तुरन्त ही कहा, “यह तो कोई बहुत कठिन सवाल नहीं जान पड़ता; हर विदेश-यात्रा से लौटते ही राहुलजी जिस प्रकार प्रधानमन्त्री मोदी पर नये सिरे से आक्रमण शुरू कर देते हैं, उससे तो स्पष्ट हो जाता है कि वह लगातार प्रधानमन्त्री की कुर्सी और उस पर बैठे नरेन्द्र मोदी का ध्यान करते हैं, और ध्यान को शुद्ध रखने के लिए वह केवल नरेन्द्र मोदी को देखते हैं, उसके पीछे छिपे त्याग और तपस्या को नहीं।”
“पर मोदी का ध्यान करने के लिए विदेश जाने की क्या ज़रुरत है? क्या यह ध्यान भारत में नहीं हो सकता?”- मैंने अगला सवाल किया।
“भारत में उन्हें ध्यान करने कौन देता है? सुबह-सुबह चमचे उनका मूत्र माँगने आ धमकते हैं; उसके बाद का समय विदेशों में पढ़े उनके सलाहकार और दिग्विजय सिंह जैसे उनके गुरु खा जाते हैं। फिर इस देश में प्रदूषण भी तो बहुत है- वायु-प्रदूषण, ध्वनि-प्रदूषण, दृश्य-प्रदूषण, सुबह से शाम तक वही काले-कलूटे मनहूस चेहरे ! भारत में राहुलजी के पास मूतने तक की फुरसत तो है नहीं, ध्यान कहाँ से करेंगे? और आजकल जिस प्रकार असली खेती गाँव की मिट्टी में न होकर बड़े शहरों के बड़े बंगलों में प्रस्थापित गमलों में होती है, उसी प्रकार आजकल असली ध्यान भी विदेशों में ही लगता है।” – गुरूजी ने उत्तर दिया।
मैं निरुत्तर हो गया।
मैंने राहुलजी के व्यक्तिगत जीवन पर पड़े रहस्य के आवरणों की चर्चा छेड़ी, जिसने गुरूजी को और गम्भीर बना दिया। मैं सोचने लगा कि अब गुरूजी अपने ख़ज़ाने में से चाणक्य नहीं तो कम से कम मैक्स वेबर या ज्योफ़्रे आर्चर या ओटो वॉन बिस्मार्क का कोई उद्धरण निकाल कर मुझे समझाने की कोशिश करेंगे, पर जब गुरूजी ने ‘राग दरबारी’ की बात की, तो मैं आश्चर्यमिश्रित आनन्द से भर उठा।
“भूल गये ‘राग दरबारी’?” – गुरूजी ने मुस्कराते हुए कहा, “नेतागिरी के बारे में गयादीन जी ने माता परशाद को क्या समझाया था? “चाहिए यह कि लीडर तो जनता की नस-नस की बात जानता हो, पर जनता लीडर के बारे में कुछ न जानती हो। यहाँ बात उल्टी है। तुम खुद तो जनता का हाल जानते नहीं हो, और जनता तुम्हारी नस-नस से वाकिफ़ है। इसलिए यह इलाका लीडरी में तुम्हारे मुआफ़िक नहीं आ रहा है। तुम या तो यहाँ से किसी दूसरे इलाके में चले जाओ या कुछ दिनों के लिए जेल हो आओ।” बाद में रंगनाथ को समझाते हुए भी उन्होंने कहा था, “बाबू रंगनाथ, लीडरी ऐसा बीज है जो घर से दूर की ज़मीन में ही पनपता है।” याद आया?
“‘राग दरबारी’ के रंगनाथ-गयादीन सम्वाद को याद करके मैं खिलखिला कर हँस पड़ा। गुरूजी ने कहा, “लीडर के लिए रहस्यमय व्यक्तित्व का होना तो अति आवश्यक है।”
“पर गुरूजी, अगर ऐसा है, तो मोदी इतने बड़े लीडर कैसे बन गये? वह तो यहीं के हैं और जनता उनके बारे में सबकुछ जानती है।” – मैंने विस्मयपूर्वक पूछा।
“नहीं।” – गुरूजी ने बलपूर्वक कहा, “जनता उनके बारे में सबकुछ नहीं जानती। उन्नीस साल की चढ़ती जवानी में अपनी नवोढ़ा पत्नी को कौन छोड़ देता है? मोदी ने ऐसा क्यों किया? इसके बाद के तीन सालों में वह कहाँ रहे, किनसे मिले, क्या साधनाएं कीं? उनके व्यक्तिगत जीवन के ऐसे पहलू हैं जिनके बारे में कोई नहीं जानता। फिर उनके निर्णय लेने की प्रक्रिया- नोटबन्दी जैसा फ़ैसला उन्होंने किसकी सलाह पर लिया? यह सब गोपनीय है।”
“नेता के लिए रहस्यमयता आवश्यक है।” गुरूजी ने फिर दुहराया।
मेरे सारे संशय छिन्न-भिन्न हो गये थे; मैंने चलने के लिए गुरूजी से आज्ञा माँगी।
गुरूजी ने मिठाई की प्लेट मेरी ओर सरकाते हुए कहा, “पानी पीकर जाइए।”
– “मिठाई रहने दीजिए गुरूजी, पत्रकारों के लिए कम पड़ जाएगी।”
“अरे लीजिए।” – गुरूजी ने ज़ोर देकर कहा, “पत्रकारों को आपके लाये लड्डू खिला दूँगा।”
चलते-चलते मैंने पूछा – “ई मृगछाला कहाँ से लहाये गुरूजी?”
“ई?” गुरूजी ने मुस्कराहट के साथ उत्तर दिया, “बहुत पुराना है यह; इस पर बैठकर हमारे दादाजी पूजा-पाठ किया करते थे।”
इसी के साथ गुरूजी पुनः ध्यानस्थ हो गये।
दण्डवत प्रणाम के बाद जब मैं गुरूजी की बैठक से बाहर निकला तो उनका कुत्ता जिसने मेरे आते समय अनपेक्षित शराफ़त दिखायी थी, जाते समय मुझ पर भौंकने लगा। मैं रफ़्तार बढ़ा कर जल्दी से गुरूजी के अहाते से बाहर निकला, और काशी के ट्रैफ़िक के महासमुद्र में विलीन हो गया।
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) is a Congress front en – and has always been supporting Congress agenda. Congress and Commies have adopted the strategy of harassing Indians by blockades, which are well funded by forces opposed to the progress of the country.
The proof of BKU association with Congress is given at the end of this response. Sample these tweets from Bhartiya Kisan Union official handle –
The 8 points charter by the Kisan Coordination Committee includes –
liberalization of agriculture,
the end of government intervention in the farm economy,
scrapping of the National Food Security Act,
direct benefit transfers to the poor,
free trade in farm products and
the removal of restrictions of rural land markets.
From the article
These demands deserve attention when the limitations of the recent cycle of higher procurement prices as well as farm loan waivers are evident. Joshi often said that the internal terms of trade discriminated against farmers, who were not allowed to export and had to operate under tight controls in the domestic market.
Indian MSP is already higher than the world price – how can these farmers export when MSP is “made a law”? The farmers have clearly called for “price discovery”, and not for MSP to be made a law.
We don’t want alms, we want the price of our sweat and toil.” Ultimately, his was a cry for their dignity. Realizing his dream would require trusting the farmer to make his choices, but that requires institutional changes that can allow price discovery and free avenues for trade.
Who would have done these foreign direct investments to “integrate our farmers in the global supply chain”? Chinese companies? Facebook, Google, Walmart, Amazon?
He supported foreign direct investment to integrate our farmers in the global supply chain and was fanatically in favour of the latest seeds and farm technology, arguing that these would improve productivity. In contrast to the political class, he didn’t glorify the village life, and wanted farmers to have the freedom to exit. Alas, state land laws prevent the transfer of land to non-farmers, prevent formal land lease arrangements and enforce land ceiling. Finally, he was an optimist about free trade; an early advocate of WTO-led liberalization.
Note the words “pre-purchase agreements”, “contract farming”. Nowhere these people who are fooling and causing loss to the country now, under Congress and Communist instructions are calling for “MSP to be law” – but “price discovery” is the demand.
Futures markets, for example, would allow traders to incorporate information about seed purchase volumes, area under harvest, weather forecast, etc., to predict future shortages or glut and enter into pre-purchase agreements with farmers. Low futures prices will allow farmers to foresee a glut and shift production to substitute crops, preventing the yo-yo-ing of crop prices every alternate year. Contract farming and land lease laws will similarly allow farmers to share the risks associated with farming, and allow them access to cheaper credit and farm inputs.
Who is going to make the investments? Adani Ambani are purposefully targeted to destroy the investment environment in India so that you and your children would suffer.
The stock-holding limits preclude investments in the supply-chain as the food processing and retail companies need stocks in order to shield themselves from price shocks. Moreover, stock-holding allows a smooth supply of produce, reducing price volatility.
Look at some other tweets –
Note the words- “freedom of trade”, “future trading”, and clearly mentioning the Congress manifesto to promote Congress in 2018 election among farmers.
Rahul Gandhi has been promoted on various platforms. This case is related to Mandsaur, where BJP had won the election in 2018 elections – Lok Sabha as well as the state elections.
Now they are calling for “APMC to be reformed” and make MSP the law!
Bhupinder Singh has been supporting Amarinder Singh and Congress since 2012.
Now the government is openly asking them to list the issues in the ordinances so that the government can rectify them, but they are insisting on removing it. Why? Because Congress would not be able to get brownie points.
A quick summary of the three laws for your reference –
Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 – This act allows farmers to trade outside the Mandis if they want. It prohibits the State Government to levy any tax on “farmers’ produce”, so farmers do not have to pay any tax. If the farmers want to sell it in Mandis instead – they are free to do so. The State Government can remove the “levy” or “taxes” in the Mandis – why charge the farmers?
Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 – This act allows farmers to engage in “contract farming” if they want. For example, if Tata Sampann or ITC Aashirvaad, or Big Basket want to engage in a contract with farmers – to purchase it directly, what is the problem. This is not the first time – many farmers are doing it and benefiting from it.
Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 – This is got nothing to do with farmers but with end consumers. It seeks to restrict the powers of the government with respect to the production, supply, and distribution of some commodities – pulses, onions, potatoes, edible oils. This does not impact farmers, and there is no point in discussing it.
These laws a good start, and long-standing demand of the “actual”, “non-politically” affiliated farmers in the country. The government is clearly asking for issues so that they can amend and make these laws – pro farmers.
Since Donald Trump elected to preside over The White House and the US governance for four years as President as per the country’s constitutional mandate, many used to call him Don, a negative and thuggish character, instead of calling him by full name. I was not that happy with this branded name calling, for reason that after all he is the President of the world’s oldest and successful democracy, the country which is the world super power from economic, military, scientific and education, etc. point of views apart from the leading light and inspiration for the world of democracy, so far considered as one of the best form of governance. And Donald Trump has not ascended to the throne in The White House through a military or theocratic or communist coup as seen in Pakistan (in 1958, 1977 & 1999), in Iran (in 1979) and in China (in 1949), etc. respectively and in many other nations. He was duly elected to legitimately rule the US for four years, and for that very reason, it is political blasphemy to call him with Don branding.
During the campaign for his bid to The White House in 2016, Donald Trump was rejected by the then incumbent President Barack Obama, who successfully completed two terms and for his works was awarded the coveted Nobel Peace Prize, with statement ‘Donald Trump is misfit for The White House’. And the majority of leading newspapers and opinion leaders in the US have forecasted that he would lose to veteran politician, former First Lady and the former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, his challenger; yet he won defying famous political foretellers. After the election, it was allegedly reported that he manipulated the election in his favour using external forces. For the above, I had an apprehension that he was a victim of political envy or inferiority complex since the business man Donald Trump had encroached politicians’ realm.
It had never come to my mind that there would be a time in the US democratic history when the very US based social media such as Twitter and Facebook could dare to block country’s President and the world’s most powerful person’s tweet and account with statements, and I quote, “This Tweet is no longer available because it violated the Twitter Rules” and “President Trump blocked from posting to Facebook, Instagram ‘indefinitely’, at least through end of term”, respectively.
On 06 January 2021, Donald Trump directed his supporters, who had come together for a “Stop the Steal” rally in front of The White House, to march towards the Congress, the country’s revered Parliament. President said ‘he would go with them to Capitol’, but didn’t for reason best known to him. Might be he wanted to fire at the nation’s democratic institution keeping gun on the shoulders of fanatics forces, many of them were misguided and brainwashed with undemocratic thoughts by the vested interests. Thank to the fate of democracy and the US, he slipped into his car and went to The White House instead. After that what happened were free for all, not seen in the constitutional history of the country for more than two centuries.
The event turned into a violent riot, rioters entered the Capitol Building where law-makers had gathered under the presiding authority of Vice-President Mike Pence, the member of Donald Trump cabinet and his number two, to certify –though the certification is customary yet carries a lot of constitutional significance since Congress is the country’s highest law-making body- the defeat of Trump-Pence reelection bid and Biden-Harris election win as mandated by the world’s oldest written constitution. Rioters wrought havoc in the Capitol Building, where law-makers were forced to hide for their lives, entering the same breaking the worst ever security arrangement. As the chaos unfolded, Donald Trump like typical Don of the Hollywood movies encouraged the rioters in a video posted over Twitter telling them “You are ‘Special’ and ‘We love you’”.
The US is a leading light for world of constitutional democracy. And The White House occupant is the supreme authority of the country that represents the world’s third largest population’s voice and aspiration. Apart from this, the US democracy is strength and has strengthened democratic revolution in all over world. And, unfortunately, this democratic accident took place when the world is struggling to rescue it from one more belligerence of autocratic communist China, world’s second largest military power and economy that the democratic US helped come to present status with misplaced assumption that the engagements would democratize the autocrats, and the paramount leader of which has given direction to nation’s military to remain war ready at any second as his new year message. And another two weeks (as on 06 January 2021) are there for change of guard in The White House, and some months are needed for new guard to settle and take deserving decision.
In the ensuing riot, four people lost their lives and the world’s super power became laughing stock all over the world including in the countries which had faced and suffered due to the US interferences in order to establish democratic governances there vis-à-vis Communist encroachment during infamous Cold War. Who will be accountable for loss of lives and spoil of image of the US as the purveyor of democracy? The US had encountered a Civil War in 19th Century, threat to her national security during World War-II and Richard Nixon’s unconstitutional method to suppress political opponents (Watergate episode in 1970s) who was about to be impeached, the first of the kind; but what Donald Trump did on 06 January 2021 was unprecedented and disgraceful.
To prevent Donald Trump kind of adventure in the future, the US Congress soon initiates impeachment motion against him so that before the D-day of transition came on 20 January 2021 as per the constitutional mandate which has not been breached so far, he is removed from office with sole objective to tell the future generations that the world’s oldest democracy does not tolerate any undemocratic bid to occupancy democratic institution/s. Apart from this, there is urgent need of nationwide uniform election rules and regulations, the absence of which have been main reason of discontents in several Presidential elections in the past, and in which Donald Trump sees an opportunity to legitimize his hunger for power.
देश के गिने-चुने वैज्ञानिक राजनेताओं में से एक माननीय अखिलेश यादव जी पहले भी राजनीति और विज्ञान के अन्तर्सम्बन्धों की नयी परिभाषाएं गढ़ते रहे हैं। गत वर्ष लोकसभा के चुनाव में अपनी पार्टी की हार पर उन्होंने कहा था कि बहन मायावती के साथ चुनावी गठबन्धन करके लड़ना उनका एक वैज्ञानिक प्रयोग था, और वैज्ञानिक होने के नाते ऐसे इस प्रकार के प्रयोग करना उनका स्वभाव है। तब भी उनके बयान ने वैज्ञानिक राजनीति और राजनीतिक विज्ञान की सीमाओं पर खड़े उनके प्रशंसकों में खलबली मचा दी थी, और आज जब उन्होंने भारत सरकार द्वारा जनसाधारण के लिए कोरोना की वैक्सीन पर यह टिप्पणी की, कि भाजपा-नीत सरकार द्वारा जारी किये जाने के कारण कॅरोना की यह वैक्सीन विश्वसनीय नहीं है, और वह तो यह वैक्सीन कदापि नहीं लगवाएंगे, तो एक बार फिर उनके प्रशंसकों में उत्तेजना फैल गयी है।
उनकी पार्टी के एक नवनिर्वाचित एमएलसी ने तो अपनी पार्टी के समर्थकों के लिए यह कहते हुए वैक्सीन लेने का निषेध ही कर दिया कि इसे लेने से नपुंसकता आ जाएगी, और सरकार वैक्सीन के बहाने जनसंख्या-नियन्त्रण का कानून ला रही है। कुछ ऐसे ही विचार पाकिस्तान के वैज्ञानिक नेताओं और विचारकों जैसे शेख़ रशीद और ज़ैद हामिद बहुत दिनों से व्यक्त कर रहे हैं। कांग्रेस के राशिद अल्वी ने भी पीछे न रहते हुए कॅरोना की वैक्सीन के विपक्ष के लिए हानिकारक सम्भावनाओं से युक्त बता दिया। राज्यसभा में कांग्रेस के उपनेता वैज्ञानिक आनन्द शर्मा ने भी राशिद अल्वी की बात का समर्थन करते हुए सरकार पर आरोप लगाया कि विपक्ष को पुंसत्वविहीन करने के उद्देश्य से ही मोदी-सरकार मानक प्रोटोकॉल की उपेक्षा करके वैक्सीन जल्दबाजी में बाज़ार में उतार रही है, और राहुलजी का तो आधिकारिक बयान यह है ही कि मोदी-सरकार देश के पिछड़ों, दलितों, अल्पसंख्यकों, किसानों, महिलाओं और युवाओं के हिस्से की वैक्सीन छीनकर अपने दो-तीन उद्योगपति मित्रों को लगा देना चाहती है। मामला इतना पेचीदा हो गया कि एक बार फिर मुझे अपने गुरूजी की शरण में जाना पड़ा।
वहाँ एक बार फिर अपने सेकुलर मित्र से सामना हुआ जिनका विज्ञान से तो कोई लेना-देना नहीं था, पर उनका मानना था कि कार्ल मार्क्स को पढ़ लेने के बाद उन्हें विज्ञान पढ़ने की कोई ज़रुरत नहीं थी।
गुरूजी की मुखमुद्रा विवर्ण हो रही थी: ऐसा लगता था जैसे उनके दिमाग का फ़्यूज़ बस उड़ने ही वाला हो; सेकुलर मित्र किसी भी सामान्य व्यक्ति का पाँच मिनटों के अन्दर यह हाल कर देने में सक्षम थे। वह कह रहे थे, “क्या ज़रुरत थी इस वैक्सीन की? क्या हमने सरकार से वैक्सीन की माँग की थी? करोना तो यूँ ही जा रहा था। सरकार यह वैक्सीन मुनाफ़ा कमाने के लिए लायी है, और सारा मुनाफ़ा चुपके से अम्बानी और अडाणी के खातों में डाल दिया जाएगा।”
मैंने और गुरूजी ने एक-दूसरे की ओर देखा, और चुप रहे क्योंकि हम जानते थे कि सेकुलर मित्र को समझाने का एक ही तरीका था जो ‘राग दरबारी’ में श्रीलाल शुक्ल जी ने छोटे पहलवान के लिए बताया था। वह तरीका था उन्हें पटक कर उनकी छाती पर चढ़ बैठना और उसके बाद बात करना।
मित्र कहते रहे: “बताइए, यह कैसे हो सकता है कि एक ही वैक्सीन अगड़े, पिछड़े, दलित, अल्पसंख्यक, महिलाओं, किसानों, मजदूरों और युवाओं- सबके ऊपर एक जैसी प्रभावशाली हो? सरकार को वैक्सीन बाज़ार में उतारने से पहले हर वर्ग पर उसके पड़ने वाले प्रभावों का अध्ययन करना चाहिए था।”
सेकुलर मित्र के इस वैज्ञानिक तर्क के समक्ष हम दोनों गुरु-शिष्य ढेर हो गये। मित्र कहते रहे, “और मुसलमानों के इस भय का निवारण होना भी आवश्यक है कि इसमें कोई घुलनशील माइक्रोचिप पड़ी हुई है जो वैक्सीन लेने वालों में नपुंसकता उत्पन्न करने के साथ-साथ उनके मस्तिष्क की इस प्रकार प्रोग्रामिंग करेगी कि वह इस्लाम से दूर होते जाएंगे। जो सरकार अल्पसंख्यकों की चिन्ताओं की उपेक्षा करती है, उसे सत्ता में रहने का कोई अधिकार नहीं है। ऐसे लोकतन्त्र से तो तानाशाही भली। सरकार को मुसलमानों पर इस वैक्सीन का अलग से परीक्षण करना चाहिए था।” “पर श्रीमान, जब मुसलमान यह वैक्सीन लगवाएंगे ही नहीं, तो उन पर इसका परीक्षण कैसे होगा?” मैंने पूछा।
सेकुलर मित्र थोड़ा लड़खड़ाए, पर सँभल गये।
“यह जिम्मेदारी सरकार की है। उसे वैक्सीन लाने से पहले अल्पसंख्यकों को विश्वास में लेना चाहिए था। अब कोई मुसलमान तो यह वैक्सीन लेगा नहीं।”
थोड़ी देर रुक कर वह फिर बोले, “मैं भी नहीं लूँगा।”
शायद उन्होंने सोचा हो कि उनके इस व्यक्तव्य के बाद देश में नहीं तो कम से कम शहर में तो शोक व्याप्त हो ही जाएगा, और गुरूजी और मैं उनके चरण पकड़कर रोते हुए उनसे विनती करने लगेंगे कि वह ऐसा क्रान्तिकारी निर्णय न लें, पर हम दोनों उनके इस कथन को भी उसी तटस्थता से झेल गये, जिस प्रकार उनकी अन्य बातों को झेल रहे थे।
अपने श्रोताओं के निर्विकार चेहरे देखकर सेकुलर मित्र ने मानो पटरी बदली। “एक विज्ञान के नाम पर मोदी को देश में मनमानी करने की छूट नहीं दी जाएगी।”
अब यह नयी बात थी; इससे गुरूजी भी चौंक पड़े, और मुँह खोलने पर विवश हो गये। “का बिज्ञानो दू-चाट्ठे होला का?”
“क्यों नहीं?” सेकुलर मित्र दुगुने उत्साह के साथ बोले, “अगर इतिहास का पुनर्लेखन हो सकता है तो विज्ञान का क्यों नहीं? विज्ञान भी तो एक अन्धविश्वास ही है?! पूरा विज्ञान एक ब्राह्मणवादी पितृसत्तात्मक अन्धविश्वास की नींव पर खड़ा है। सूर्य जो पितृसत्ता का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है, एक डॉन की तरह पृथ्वी जो एक अबला नारी की प्रतीक है, पर अपने प्रकाश का रौब डालता रहता है, और बेचारी पृथ्वी उसके इर्द-गिर्द चक्कर काटती रहती है। अगर यह मूल आधार ही बदल दिया जाय, तो पूरा विज्ञान उलट जाएगा।”
गुरूजी घबराये। जब वह बोले, तो उत्तेजनावश उनकी आवाज़ एक घरघराहट के साथ बाहर आ रही थी और शब्द एक के ऊपर एक चढ़ कर निकल रहे थे: “ऐसे कैसे बदल देंगे आप आधार? कोई घर की खेती है?” मैंने हैरान होकर गुरूजी की ओर देखा; मुझे लगा कि वह बस अपने आसन से कूदकर सेकुलर मित्र की गर्दन पकड़ने ही वाले हैं। मैंने उन्हें शान्त रहने का संकेत किया, और वह तुरन्त ही संयत हो भी गये। मेरी तरफ़ एक कृतज्ञता-मिश्रित प्रशंसा की दृष्टि डालते हुए गुरूजी फिर सेकुलर मित्र से सम्बोधित हुए: “मतलब साइन्स क पूरा आधारै बदल देबा तू?!”
सेकुलर मित्र झगड़ा टल जाने से थोड़ा निराश तो हुए, पर उन्होंने कोशिश जारी रखी। “इस्लाम नहीं मानता कि पृथ्वी गोल है और सूर्य के चक्कर काटती है। किसी ने क्या कर लिया उनका, और क्या बिगड़ गया उनका ऐसा मानने से? पाकिस्तान में दोनों तरह की साइन्स पढ़ाई जाती है: पृथ्वी के गोल और सूर्य के चारो ओर घूमने वाली भी, और उसके चपटी और स्थिर होने वाली भी, जिसको जो मानना हो, माने। यह होता है असली लोकतन्त्र!”
गुरूजी अब सेकुलर मित्र की बातों का मज़ा लेने लगे थे, और मित्र को इससे कुछ उलझन हो रही थी। गुरूजी ने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक कहा, “मतलब अब भारत में भी दो तरह की साइन्स चलेगी, और मानने या न मानने का फ़ैसला पढ़ने वाले करेंगे! वाह! बहुत खूब!! यानि साइन्स में भी लोकतन्त्र!” सेकुलर मित्र ने झगड़ा शुरू करने की एक और कोशिश की: “जब दलित साहित्य हो सकता है, तो दलित फिजिक्स और दलित केमिस्ट्री क्यों नहीं? अगड़े गोल और गतिमान पृथ्वी वाली साइन्स पढ़ेंगे, और दलित, पिछड़े, अल्पसंख्यक, महिलाएं और युवा चपटी और स्थिर पृथ्वी वाली साइन्स।”
गुरूजी ठठाकर हँस पड़े, और इस घटना ने सेकुलर मित्र को अति गम्भीर बना दिया। वह चर्चा को वैज्ञानिकता के नये स्तर पर ले गये: “एटम का भी क्या मॉडल बनाया है! बीच में ब्राह्मणवादी पितृसत्तात्मक प्रोटॉन और उसके इर्द-गिर्द चक्कर काटता बेचारा सर्वहारा इलेक्ट्रॉन! अब यह नहीं चलेगा।”
“यानि आपकी साइन्स में प्रोटॉन इलेक्ट्रॉन के चक्कर काटेगा?” गुरूजी ने दाँत पीसते हुए पूछा।
“हो भी सकता है।”- सेकुलर मित्र प्रसन्नतापूर्वक बोले: “पर हम तो एटम के इस मॉडल को ही खारिज करते हैं। क्यों एक पार्टिकल मस्ती में बैठा रहेगा, और दूसरा उसके चक्कर काटेगा? सारे पार्टिकल बराबर हैं, और सभी बैठे रहेंगे। हम तो यह भी नहीं कह सकते कि एटम जैसी कोई चीज़ होती ही है। दलित, पिछड़े, अल्पसंख्यक, महिलाओं और युवाओं के लिए हम अलग साइन्स लाएंगे। बुर्जुआ लोग अलग साइन्स पढ़ेंगे, और सर्वहारा वर्ग के लोग अलग।”
गुरूजी अब पूरी तरह चट चुके थे, और सामान्य दिखने के लिए उन्हें अपनी पूरी इच्छाशक्ति लगानी पड़ रही थी। बात को किसी तरह ख़त्म करने की नीयत से उन्होंने कहा, “अच्छा ठीक है, जब आपकी सरकार आयेगी, तो आप यह सब कर दीजिएगा, पर इसका वैक्सीन से क्या लेना-देना है?”
इस बार हँसने की बारी सेकुलर मित्र की थी। हास के बाद प्रकृतिस्थ होकर उन्होंने कहा, “वही तो मैं इतनी देर से समझा रहा हूँ; एक बार जब साइन्स के प्रतिमान बदल जाएंगे, तो वैक्सीन कैसे वही रहेगी? यह वैक्सीन नील्स बोर के एटॉमिक मॉडल और कोपरनिकस के सौर मॉडल को सच मान कर विकसित की गयी है। यह वैक्सीन उन लोगों पर क्यों काम करेगी जो पृथ्वी को चपटी मानते हैं? सरकार को पृथ्वी को चपटी मानकर नये सिरे से वैक्सीन की खोज करनी चाहिए।”
बैठक में सन्नाटा छा गया; सभी लोग बस एक-दूसरे का मुँह देखने लगे।
सेकुलर मित्र थोड़ी देर और अपना प्रवचन देते रहे, पर हमारे मस्तिष्कों पर बैठक का सन्नाटा हावी हो चुका था; हम न कुछ सुन रहे थे, न समझ रहे थे। अपनी बातों का कोई असर न पड़ते देख सेकुलर मित्र हमारी अवैज्ञानिक ब्राह्मणवादी पितृसत्तात्मक सोच को कोसने लगे, और इसी क्रम में गुरूजी को उत्तेजित करने का भरसक प्रयास किया, पर इसका भी कोई प्रभाव न पड़ते देख मुट्ठियाँ भींचते और पैर पटकते हुए वह वहाँ से निकल लिये। हम दोनों ने राहत की साँस ली।
मैंने भी गुरूजी से चलने की आज्ञा माँगी। गुरूजी हलके मूड में बोले, “बइठा यार, चाय पी के जा।”
The pandemic has compelled the nation all over the world for a self-introspection. Economies around the world are re-aligning their trade partners and allies. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s remarkable and transformative leadership during the COVID-19 crisis that has made India rethink and re reform its economy and realign itself to the demands of the 21st-century world. India is on the brink of another major economic reform since 1991.
Prime Minister’s vision of making a 5 trillion dollar economy relies on making Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh touching the 1 trillion dollar mark in the next 5 years. However, it should be noted the journey for an Atma Nirbhar India must go via eastern states like Bihar. The fruits of liberalization embarked on in the 1990s have yet to reach Bihar. Bihar of today is amongst the poorest state and lags in almost all human development indicators. For India to become a 5 trillion dollar economy, the size of Bihar’s economy must grow to 500 billion dollars in the next 5-7 years.
Atma Nirbhar Bihar was the campaign slogan of BJP in the 2020 Bihar Elections and helped Bhartiya Janta Party secured 74 seats in the last year’s elections. The verdict in BJP favor is clear that Bihar wants to progress. Bihar has once been part of BIMARU State need to grow at unprecedented rate.
Bihar is the land Of Chandra Gupta Maurya and Ashoka, Budha and Mahavira, Nalanda and Vikramshila and if India is the cradle of world civilization, Bihar is the cradle of Indian civilization and had been the birthplace of some of the greatest empires of the world. From astronomy, mathematics, science, medicine to spiritualism, Bihar had been at the forefront of Bharat in ancient times. The decades of misrule in modern times ruined the prestige of Bihar. The era of Lalu-Rabri made Bihar stateless and placed Bihar in the league of “BIMARU” states. The statelessness and lawlessness of The 1990s had turned Bihar into a chaotic state and the stain has stayed with Bihar till today.
As India has emerged as a key International player in Covid-19 time and is redefining the need for Global Cooperation to make a multi-polar world, India’s growing International stature must be backed by inter-states economic equality, parity in development, aspirational states like Bihar must utilize the occasion to mark a remarkable shift towards and re-orient its position in India’s economic growth.
I have tried to cover the key sectors that need to be focussed by the new government.
Finance
Against the general perception, the annual expenditure budget is larger than that of Luxembourg and twice that of Sri Lanka. Bihar is not a cash-rich State, but yet the sustained efforts in the past 15 years have made a lot of difference. Bihar’s budget has increased eight times, only to touch Rs 2,11,761.49 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 23,885 crore in 2004-05. Bihar has quadrupled the gross state domestic product between 2005-06 FY to 2019-20. With an average of over 10 percent growth, Bihar’s growth has been higher than that of India. The fiscal deficit was 2.68 percent of GSDP, revenue surplus 1.34 percent of GSDP. Bihar is a revenue surplus state, thanks to its fiscal prudence. It has consistently been a revenue surplus state since 2004-05. The revenue surplus for Bihar was 1.34 percent of the GSDP in 2018-19. Bihar has consistently shown fiscal prudence in the last few years where deficits are within the stipulated thresholds has the bandwidth to go for higher spending.
However, the success of fiscal prudence lies more in the fact that central transfers and the grants for resources form the biggest chunks of its budget receipts. The receipts under Grants-in-aid and contributions from the Central Government wasRs 24,652 crores in 2018-19. The 15th Finance Commission has recommended increasing Bihar’s share in the total shareable resource pool has increased from 9.67 percent to 10.06 percent. The State must put in place a system of increasing revenues from its own sources, depending on central finances, and merely asking for the status of special status is not an attribute of a strong state.
The pandemic has compelled the nation all over the world for a self-introspection. Economies around the world are re-aligning their trade partners and allies. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s remarkable and transformative leadership during the Covid19 crisis that has made India rethink and re reform its economy and realign itself to the demands of the 21st-century world. India is on the brink of another major economic reform since 1991. As India is re-orienting itself, to become Atma Nirbhar, Bihar must follow the path provided by the centre. The twin-engine government, one at the centre and other at state-led by Bharatiya Janta Party, Bihar would never have a better chance to reposition itself as a vibrant economy.
Ways to improve state finances
Tourism The government needs to go beyond the traditional and historical tourist destination sites like Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, and Vaishali and develop new tourist hot spots.
This not only includes support from the government but also includes a behavioral change of citizens. Cataract operation in Virat Nagar to kidney transplant in Vellore is the occasional medical tourism a Bihari undergoes. While the State The government has planned as many as eight tourist circuits in the state — (i) Buddhist Circuit, (ii) Jain Circuit, (iii) Ramayan Circuit, (iv) Shiv Shakti Circuit, (v) Sufi Circuit, (vi) Sikh Circuit, (vii) Gandhi Circuit, and (viii) Eco Circuit. But this is on paper only.
Bihar is an undersold tourism spot and has the potential to be at par with any other Indian state. Situated on the Terai region of the Himalayas, it is home to two UNESCO world heritage sites, the birthplace of Mahavira and Guru Govind Singh. Being home to several Buddhist hotspots, Bihar in 2019 alone saw 10.9 lakh, foreign tourists. However, the visits have not been monetized and the government can do a lot to gain dollars from foreign visits. Marketing of GI tagged items at tourist destinations, dedicated tourist trains, cruise in Ganga, Dolphin Safari, sister-sister partnership with Varanasi to develop Manihari Ghat inline with that of Kasi, Waterways could be such potential initiatives.
Valmiki Nagar, often considered as a tourist’s delight offering Jungle Safari and various trekking adventures could be projected as the Kashmir of Bihar. Kabar Taal wetland in Begusarai has been declared the first Ramsar Site in the state has the potential to transform the local economy as well as has helped put the place on the international map. Gogabeel in Katihar too can be evolved into a major picnic site.
Revoke alcohol ban The state government’s decision to ban alcohol has its basis on the Gandhian Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP). Article 47 of the constitution states, the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. But the move has proved to be counterproductive for a resource scare state like Bihar. In Bihar’s liquor crackdown, the poorest have been hit the hardest, while the elites still have access to it is a classic example of symbolic socialism.
Delhi and Maharashtra have already shown the nation how to generate revenue during the crisis by charging a premium on Alcohol. Alcohol sales account for close to 14.1 percent of the Delhi government’s entire revenue projections for 2020-21. Bihar government has been losing Rs 4,000 crore annually because of the alcohol ban. Just for a comparison, this is half the amount of what the government lays to Police in Bihar. [INR. 7,492 was allocated to Police in 2018-19]. The Gandhian model of socialism can work well for richer states like Gujarat but does not suit the ground reality of Bihar.
Sectoral imbalance: Focus on manufacturing As per the Economic Survey, the share of Primary, Secondary, and The tertiary sector in the GSVA was 21.3 percent, 19.7 percent, and 59.0 percent, respectively. The sectoral composition of the Bihar Economy has changed during 2011-12 to 2018-19. This is mainly due to shifting in the sectoral share from Primary to the Tertiary sector, while the share of Secondary sector has remained almost unchanged. Without having a solid secondary sector, the growth of the primary and tertiary would not be sustainable. Agriculture is a stagnant sector that has not seen much change in the last two decades.
The demand for the primary sector depends on the manufacturing needs of the state. After the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000, almost all industries went to Jharkhand and Bihar became just an agrarian state. Jharkhand is rich in mineral deposits and has been the home for manufacturing industries. On the other hand, Bihar has large swathes of alluvial soil, often replenished by floodwaters. The geography of the state can’t be changed and it is indeed on the disadvantaged side. However, to its advantage, Bihar enjoys a strategic geographic location. This angle has not been leveraged by the policymakers. Bihar shares an international border with Nepal. Bhutan and Bangladesh lie in its vicinity. An 6-8 hr journey by road can land you in any of these nations. Bihar can become an export hub to these nations and also an important gateway to the North East and has proximity to the vast markets of Eastern and Northern India. The state is well connected to the rest of India and international markets through over 200,000 km of the road network, 6,700 km of the rail network, and two international airports.
Manufacturing has the potential of attracting higher investment, which in turn generates more employment, the government needs to focus on encouraging the manufacturing sector.
Agriculture The share of the agricultural sector in the state’s GSDP declined from 35.8 percent in 2000-01 to 19.7 percent in 2017-18 due to the increase in share of Tertiary Sector.
However, its continued importance lies in the fact that more than 75 percent of the population is engaged in agricultural operations. Since the bifurcation of the state in 2000, the bulk of the mineral resources are currently in the state of Jharkhand. Agriculture supports the livelihoods of 80 percent of the population. Besides generating employment, it also provides raw material to industries, augments the food supply, and assists in poverty alleviation. As per the Economic Survey, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the State’s GSVA stands around 20 percent in 2017-18. The share of the crop sector in total GSVA was 10.64 percent during 2018-19.
Despite the constraints of finite land resources, fragmented land holdings, and erratic rainfall, the production performance of crop and horticulture has been encouraging, registering a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% much higher than that of India’s. The new farm’s Acts of the Parliament may provide impetus to small and marginal farmers. Therefore, a vibrant agricultural system forms a crucial part of the development strategy of overall economic growth in Bihar. Achieving high and sustained growth in the agricultural sector is crucial to creating both on-farm and off-farm employment opportunities and doubling the income of the farmers by 2022.
Income Augmentation: Going beyond Agriculture Export should drive the production of agriculture and horticulture products and not just mere consumption. Following sectors/areas can be crucial for Bihar Progress :
1. Fisheries, Livestock and Animal Husbandry
Bihar being a river-rich state, rivers like Ganga, Kosi, Mahanadi, Gandak, Bagmati, Son, etc coupled with the abundance of high rainfall in the northern region make it a perfect place for in-land fishing. Bihar has an abundance. Bihar has the potential to export fishes not just to Indian states but also to neighboring countries like Nepal & Bhutan. As a result, there is abundant fishing potential in Bihar. The fisheries industry heavily contributes to the Gross Domestic Product of India. The right execution of central government and state government schemes will play an important role in making the fisheries sector Atma-Nirbhar.
Along with agriculture, livestock farming, dairy, fisheries activities are an integral part of Bihar. . These activities improved the food system and helped in saving livestock. Due to climate and topography, the animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries sector can play a major socio-economic role in Bihar’s growth.
It can contribute significantly to the empowerment of women, increasing their income and role in society and doubling Farmers income. It has become a boon for small and marginal farmers, especially in rainfed areas of India.
State government must launch an Animal Husbandry Startup related Challenge to attract entrepreneurs in the state. Appreciating innovations coming from villages to expand dairy, fisheries ensuring quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock, production system and capacity building of all stakeholders, Central Sector Plan on Blue Revolution, Integrated Animal credit card schemes by development and fisheries management (CSS). Today Bihar youths are getting hit in big cities in search of jobs, while their local resources and economic potential remain un-utilized. There is still a lot of potential for new experiments in this field. If the youngsters want to start a business, then they can start fish farming and animal dairy. The loan is also being provided from Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana to do this work. For the eradication of poverty, the livestock and fisheries sector should not be just a vehicle. Rather, it should emerge as a platform to gain a livelihood. Looking at cattle, pigs or poultry may not seem glamorous, but earning good money is certainly an attractive proposition.
2. Food processing:
Bihar is one of the largest producers of crops. maize, Makhana, Banana, wheat, rice. However, the production is largely limited for self-sustenance leaving limited scope for farmer’s growth and income opportunity. The state has to re-invent its potential. The Food Processing Industry can play a key role in realizing the Agriculture potential in the state. PM SAMPADA scheme must be effectively implemented at the production hub of these crops.
Potential Processed Food :
Banana: Bihar’s Hajipur is famous for “Chineeya Kela” Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur are famous for “Hari-chhal Kela” . Food Processing industries can be encouraged at these places to make banana chips, cloth, eco-friendly plates made up of banana leaves. This will not only augment the income local population but also open new avenues for employment.
Makhana: Darbhanga, Katihar, Madhubani, Purnia are imporatant centres for Makhana Production. Right kind of climatic condition and topography makes this place an ideal bearing place for Makhahana. Makhana is a cash crop and if effectively marketed, this could become an important export oriented crop. Makhana has a long Shelf-Life and has key health benefits that make this crop the right choice to be used in daily use.
Medicinal Plant: Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan can be re-designed to promote the growth of Medicinal plants such as Aswagnadha, Giloi , Musli , Amla. This will not only increase the forest and tree cover in Bihar but also create an opportunity for the local population for agroforestry economic development.
3. Marketing GI Tags: Katarni Rice, Zardalu Aam, Maghai Paan, Sahi litchi should be leveraged.GI tagged handicrafts like Sikki Grass Work of Bihar too can be an export material. Madhubani Paintings have recently made inroads to Canada and Japan.
To attract new ideas and young minds and startups, challenges can be designed by the government for promoting the e-commerce startups who only make these products global but also provide employment opportunities in the state.
4. Production of Biofuel and Ethanol: Ethanol can be produced from maize and sugarcane waste, Bihar has huge potential for driving India’s ethanol supply. Making ethanol from sugarcane will not only promote sugarcane industries in the state but also help India reduce import bills. Ethanol alone has the potential of being a Rs 2 lakh crore-industry in the country and Bihar can grasp a big chunk out of it.
Female Labour Participation
While Bihar takes pride in being the 1st state to provide 50 percent reservation to women in the Panchayati Raj institutions, the workforce participation rate for females in Bihar is abysmally low at 3.9% in rural Bihar and 6.1 percent in the urban. Given the size of 2.69 crores of the female population in the age group of 15 years and above, only 4.1% were engaged in any kind of gainful economic activities in Bihar. An overwhelming majority of the employable population in Bihar has been out of work mainly because of social stigma, lack of awareness, safety, struggle with entrenched patriarchy it is necessary for the State Government to draw alternative strategies to harness the available human resources in the state which can lead to higher levels of social and economic development.
The idea of a “mini capital” in Semanchal
I would like to make a case for two capitals in the state. BJP’s 2020 success story can be attributed to its unprecedented performance in 3rd the phase of elections in the Semanchal region. The choice of picking Shri Tarkishore Prasad from Katihar was indeed a thank you message to the voters. The Seemanchal region is amongst the most backward in the country, has a 47% Muslim population, and accounts for 24 assembly seats.
The backwardness in the Semanchal can not overcome unless the power center in the state moves from Patna to the east. The attributes of a good capital are its closeness to the river, a major point of connection, and a notable ancient past. Purnia lying on the Bank of Kosi [Katihar to be precise], a major junction for connectivity with the North East, an airport (under development), the historic association from Mahabharata to Mughals makes it an idle fit. Though lagging in the human development indicators, the place might need support from the centre and state government but is one of few ways to bring the region to the mainstream.
While the idea is not mooted in the power circles of Delhi or even Patna, the idea is worth a discussion. Even an informal status of ‘mini capital’ if not a winter capital can help improve the socio-economic development of the region.
Way forward
Bihar was the main source of attraction of education, from Huan Xang to Tsing had made their visit to Nalanda for scholarly works, Bihar must introspect itself as to why it ended up becoming labor exported to the rest of the country. Bihar has the highest percentage of the young population in India has immense potential that India has yet to exploit. When India intends to project itself as the manufacturing hub of the world and recasting its image as the vaccine provider to the world, Bihar must also utilize this crisis and make it an opportunity to reposition itself as a New Bihar.
This New Bihar should be an anti-dote for the decades of misrule in post-independent Bihar. This New Bihar must shed its notorious tag of Babbu culture and BIMARU state and must be based on a foundation of progress, social and economic equality. Bihar had given the world its first republic in the form of Vaishali, Bihar of today can’t afford to remain in the backstay. To transform Bihar from a Hobbesian state to a rule-based Kautilyan State, the state must make quantum of jumps, incremental jumps would not do justice to the state’s potential.
About Author: Ashok Kumar Choudhary is a retired banker who has wide experience in handling rural banking, agriculture and rural credit. He is also a Trade Unionist and has held a leadership position in Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, trade wing of RSS.
मेरे प्यारे देशवासियो .. , भाइयो … और बच्चो… बीता साल भारत के लिए और पूरी दुनिया के लिए अभूतपूर्व संकटो से भरा हुआ था। नेहरू जी और इंदिरा जी के बनाये एम्स से और सोनिया गाँधी जी के अथक प्रयासों से भारत कोरोना को काबू करने में काफी हद तक सफल रहा! संकट की इस घड़ी में मुस्लिम भाईयो को सहायता की अभूतपूर्व आवश्यकता है। तब्लीगी जमात जैसे तमाम मुस्लिम संगठनों धार्मिक सद्भाव ,शांति और भाईचारे का जो परिचय दिया है उसके लिए देेेश हमेशा आभारी रहेगा।
हमने कोरोना को खत्म करने के लिए सहायता देने के लिए WHO और वर्ल्ड बैंक को खत लिखा है। माननीय अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी जी और सोनिया गांधी जी के अथक प्रयासों से WHO भारत को चीन में बनी वैक्सीन की 30 करोड़ खुराक सस्ती दरों पर प्राथमिकता से देने को तैैयार हो गया है। वैक्सीन की खुराकों को खरीदने के लिए वर्ल्ड बैंक मात्र 3% की दर से भारत को $10 बिलियन डॉलर (75 हज़ार करोड़) रुपए का कर्ज देगा। प्यारे देशवासियों, हम नेहरू जी और इंदिरा जी के सिद्धांत पर चलते हुए देश के गरीब और मजदूर वर्ग को सस्ती दरों पर वैक्सीन देने के लिए रॉबर्ट वाड्रा जी की दवाई कंपनी को (PPP मॉडल के तहत) 35000 करोड़ रुपए की एडवांस भुगतान देंगे ताकि वो पूरे देश में वक्सीन स्टोरेज के लिए इंफ्रास्ट्रचर बना सके।
वाड्रा जी की कम्पनी पूरे देश मे सरकारी हस्पतालो और निजी हस्पतालो के साथ मिलकर टीकाकरण करेगी। जिला लेवल और गांव के स्तर पर वैक्सीन लगवाने के लिए गांव के (कांग्रेसी) सरपंचों और नेताओं को आप (थोड़ा बहुत चाय पानी देना होगा)।
उसके बाद हमारी देश की 100% जनता को वैक्सीन मिले उसके लिए चीन की 4 कंपनियों के साथ रेहान वाड्रा और प्रियंका वाड्रा जी की कंपनी एक SPV बनाएगी ,जिसमे सरकार ५१% की भागिदार होगी और ५० हज़ार करोड़ का निवेश करेगी! इससे भारत में ३ लाख लोगो को रोज़गार मिलेगा। बंगाल की विषम स्तिथियों को देखते हुए बंगाल की बेरोज़गार जनता (रोहिंगयॉॉ “मुस्लिम” वोटर) को रोज़गार मिले इसके लिए संयंत्र और कंपनी भी बंगाल में लगायी जाएगी।
चीनी कंपनियां भारत को तकनीकी जानकारियां देंगी जिससे भारत अगले 20 वर्षों में कोरोना वैक्सीन बनाने में आत्मनिर्भर हो जाएगा। कोई भी (कांग्रेसियों के अलावा) वैक्सीन की कालाबाज़ारी न कर सकें उसके लिए सम्पूर्ण प्रशासन और जिला पुलिस को पहले से चौकन्ना कर दिया है। आशा है २०२२ के ७३वे गणतंत्र दिवस पर हम कोरोना से मुक्त हो जायेंगे।
![[व्यंग]-72वे गणतंन्त्र दिवस पर प्रधानमंन्त्री मनमोहन सिंह का राष्ट्र के नाम सम्बोधन!](https://i0.wp.com/myvoice.opindia.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/pm.jpg?fit=696%2C347&ssl=1 "[व्यंग]-72वे गणतंन्त्र दिवस पर प्रधानमंन्त्री मनमोहन सिंह का राष्ट्र के नाम सम्बोधन!")