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Sabarimala verdict- Where it failed

munmun
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Sabarimala verdict- Where it failed

After recuperating from a massive flood it seems that Kerala has to wait sometime more for getting back to its normal state as the final verdict of Hon’ble Supreme Court has created more unrest than peace in the state. The judgment is very crucial in understanding the question that whether the top institutions and the people holding them really knows ground reality of India. However with this judgment the answer is more inclined towards a No sign.

The major holding of SC in its verdict dated on 28th of September[1] was that the prohibition on entry of women in temple is a violation of constitutional rights. Hon’ble justice D.Y Chandrachud in his judgement said that the practice of banning women of 10-50 years age group is a form of untouchability. The thoughts of Justice Chandrachud are reasonable in nature but he has missed an important aspect of this tradition that all women devotees are not barred but only those who are in their menstrual period. Untouchability should be interpreted by its meaning towards suppressed classes or Hrijan and other historical developments as stated by Hon’ble justice Indu Malhotra not by prohibition on women of a specific age group.

Any judgment starts with a petition which in this case is filed by a group of lawyers named Young Indian’s lawyer association based in Delhi. This fact is contradictory with the principals laid down by the SC in case of Hans Muller of Nurenburg v. Superintendent, Presidency Jail, Calcutta[2] where the court has ruled that a person can approach court to impugn a particular law only if his/her rights have been violated by that.

Another interesting point in this case is that the court has treated women as a class but it missed an important point that the prohibition is on a group of women not on the whole class. The Court previously held in the case of Hari Sastri v. Shri Badrinath Temple Committee[3] that “This right of entry into a public temple is, however, not an unregulated or unrestricted right”. The majority view of SC held that banning the entry of women doesn’t constitute an essential religious practice but it is in misconception about the tradition. The male member of family take the vow of vratam and every other member participate in it. One who take the vow visit the holy shrine after a period of 41 days which includes inner purification of body and abstinence of sex and other things. Every citizen of India has to bear in mind that while discussing the concept of religion and religious denominations especially of Hinduism which is very diverse, different sects, sub-sects can’t be treated alike.

The ban is because of celibate nature of presiding deity of temple who is Naishtik Brahmchai (One who follows tough celibacy throughout the life) and women are not allowed because of causing deviance to those devotees who has followed the Vratam. However the women may continue to be the devotee of Lord Ayappa. Here it is important to look over the Bombay High Court’s Judgment of Kalidas Jivram v. Gor Prajaram[4]  “Good conduct or orderly behaviour is always an obligatory condition of admission into a temple”. The word orderly behaviour should be seen as honouring the rituals which are necessary for worshipping lord Ayappa. Hence it is sufficient to understand that the ban is not imposed on the basis of sex, if it would have been on this basis then all women would have been barred from entering the temple but it is not so.

The main task of Courts is to give justice according to the Constitution of India which itself draws its power from people of India. With such judgments it looks like that SC has failed to catch the spirit of common faith adopted by masses and represents only an “elite lobby” situated in New Delhi.

The SC should have avoided itself from delivering the verdict for those who are not even going to worship at Sabarimala but it has certainly fueled the peaceful devotees of lord Ayappa. The true devotees of deity never filed any petition regarding this issue despite the fact that Kerala is most literate state in India. By doing this it has contradicted itself with its principals which were laid down in the case of State of Gujrat vs Mirzapur moti kureshi kassab jamat and Ors.[5] “When the fundamental rights clashes with larger interest of society it must yield to the latter.” Now the whole India is seeing the aftermath of one such decision which isn’t only futile for actual beneficiary but disturbing also.

[1] Indian Young lawyers association&Ors. V. State of Kerala 2018 SCC Online SC 1690

[2] Air 1955 SC 367

[3] 1952 SCR 849

[4] I.L.R 15 Bom. 309

[5] (2005) 8 SCC 534

Subash Chandra Bose: The Tipping Point of Independence Struggle

Ok
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Subash Chandra Bose: The Tipping Point of Independence Struggle

We often talk and write about the leaders who were present in the front during the Independence Struggle Movement of India but forget to remember those unsung or real heroes who were setting the tone of the movement.

And so today I have chosen a person to write about who was one of that kind. Unlike many authors I will not be describing his character and life or rather the mystery of his life but will try to motivate the readers through his very own words and henceforth after reading this article the ball will be in the readers’ court to decide the philosophy of Netaji’s life.

He was the founder of INA which was a great aspect of our national freedom struggle.

On 6 and 8 August came the Atom Bombs, dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Russia declared war on Japan immediately thereafter. And on 15 August 1945 Japan officially surrendered.

Yet just imagine this amazing person issuing the special order of the day, on that very day, 15 August 1945:

“Comrades,

In our struggle for the Independence of our motherland we have been overwhelmed by an undreamt of crisis. You may perhaps feel that you have failed in your mission to liberate India. But, let me tell you that this failure is only of a temporary nature. No setback and no defeat can undo your positive achievements of the past.[How true it was to prove soon]. Many of you have participated in the fight along the Indo-Burma frontier and also inside India and have gone through hardship and suffering of every sort. Many of your comrades have laid down their lives on the battlefield and have become the immortal heroes of Azad Hind. This glorious sacrifice can never go in vain.

In the dark hour I call upon you to conduct yourselves with discipline, dignity and strength befitting a truly Revolutionary Army. You have already given proofs of your valour and self-sacrifice on the field of battle. It is now your duty to demonstrate your undying optimism and unshakable will power in this hour of temporary defeat. Knowing you as I do, I have not the slightest doubt that even in this dire adversity you will hold your heads erect and face the future with unending hopes and confidence.

Comrades, I feel in this critical hour thirty eight crores of our countrymen at home are looking at us, the members of India’s  Army of liberation. Therefore, remain true to India and do not for a moment waiver in your faith in India’s destiny. The roads to Delhi are many and Delhi still remains our goal. The sacrifices of your immortal comrades and of yourselves will certainly achieve their fulfilment. There is no power on earth that can keep India enslaved. India shall be free and before long”

Then later in an another speech Netaji said, “……When we stand, the Azad Hind Fauj has to be like a wall of granite; when we march, the Azad Hind Fauj has to be like a steamroller. With the slogan ”Onward to Delhi” on your lips let us continue to fight till the National Flag flies over the viceroy’s house in New Delhi and the Azad Hind Fauj holds its victory parade inside the ancient Red Fort of the Indian metropolis”.

JAI HIND

It was Netaji’s dream to hoist the flag of India from the rampart of Lal Quila which is why every year on the 15th August the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from there and therefore PM’s decision to hoist the flag today from Lal Qila is commendable.

I have always believed that Netaji was the tipping point of the movement while Gandhiji was the basis for our Independence. Patel and Ambedkar were responsible for making the Republique de la India.

By not recognizing the magnitude of what Subash Chandra Bose had done for the Independence of India, you will be called as ignorant. If Gandhiji’s life is about enthusiasm, Bose’s about determination. If Gandhiji was the child splashing colour with glee, Bose was the scientist in relentless search for progress.

Promote AYUSH for paramedical therapy & mind healing

S Ranganathan
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Promote AYUSH for paramedical therapy & mind healing

The evolution of YOGA, meditation, Dhyana, spiritual Sadhana, Satsang etc., of Hinduism has kept India unique, different, extraordinary and exemplary from rest of the world. When the western world gallops towards materialistic pleasure and gratification along with discovering/inventing several ways and means for comfortable life, India had always stressed upon sacred wisdom for happy, healthy life.

Happiness of mind is the foundation of healthy body and this is the cardinal philosophy of Indian heritage. The traditional healing practices of India predominantly stress upon preserving the health and wellness than diagnosis, treatment or cure. Hindu tradition imparts wisdom to prevent diseases and that is how the traditional paramedical practices such as Ayurveda and Siddha came into existence.

Time has come India must promote the paramedical science and the philosophy of wellness of Ayurveda and Siddha. Preserving the health of the mind and body should be given paramount importance so that the disease burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases can be greatly reduced.

Fortunately India has two wonderful paramedical systems in the form of traditional healing practices such as Siddha and Ayurveda. The vision and purpose of AYUSH has lost due to improper definition and wrong promotional strategies adopted by the Government in promoting AYUSH. Cross pathy by several AYUSH Vaidyas in private practice is also destroying the system.

Instead of protecting, preserving and promoting the paramedical recipes and rituals of AYUSH, AYUSH was made to compete and prove in the modern world over scientifically proven allopathic system. Instead of recognising the institutionally qualified AYUSH Vaidyas as paramedical wellness cum health experts, our society has made the AYUSH Vaidas to fight the battle of medical science as ‘doctor’ as  our country has liberally granted ‘doctor tag’ to traditional healers. As a result, the wonderful ancient healing practices and its recipes started to suffer and the scientific community and our society have started to scrutinize and question the AYUSH recipes and practices purely because the recipes of AYUSH are given ‘drug’ status. In fact all AYUSH products are simple health food recipes.

Instead of cherishing the values of AYUSH for wellness of mind and body and for a disciplined life, we have started to ask whether AYUSH recipes would ever work like acetaminophen or antibiotics etc.

May be due to the dizziness in facing all such questions, many institutionally qualified AYUSH vaidyas in private practice have migrated to cross pathy and have totally and completely neglected AYUSH. Today we must promote AYUSH first to all those AYUSH vaidyas in private practice than to the society.

It is true with Siddha system as well where several Siddha vaidyas in private practice are engaged in rampant cross pathy and using Siddha recipes just to cover cross pathy so that the society will not see them as strict allopathic practitioner.  The above scene is quite vivid even in rural parts of Chennai; imagine the situation in extreme rural belt in Tamil Nadu.

The point to be pondered upon is why we are not taking right, correct and appropriate steps and measures to promote AYUSH as paramedical science for wellness and health than as medical science? India has recognized the importance of preserving the healthy mind and body than one being casual and confident about the medical advancement available to treat diseases.

AYUSH vaidyas role in the society must be clearly defined so that the system as well as our society would benefit.  Paramedical experts are much needed these days.

AYUSH vaidyas are trained well with the cult of philosophy, spirituality, importance of faith and trust in the treatment, counselling, astrology and its importance in health care etc. All the recipes of AYUSH are wonderful in a sense may provide small relief, give belief, confidence and hope to the patients and if not, would act like a placebo.

Cross pathy has not only demeans the medical system and AYUSH but also is causing medication health fraud resulting in delayed diagnosis, prolonged endurance of the patient due to wrong medication and causes loss of money and time to the patient. Cross pathy also creates the possibility of the disease spread to others in the community.

Instead of reading CIMS or other books just to learn the brand names of various allopathic drugs to engage in cross pathy, AYUSH vaidyas must re-invent their instinct, sensitivity and astuteness in reading Tridosha and other eight ways of understating the health of the patient and providing the individualized AYUSH recipes.

Self-discipline, awareness about the medical problem, knowing the preventive aspects etc., are more important to our society today. AYUSH vaidyas must take pride in promoting and popularizing own system and must prove their system is relevant and useful to our modern world to offer best paramedical therapy. Government should not shy to take stern legal action against those offenders of law – the cross pathians who are mandated to promote AYUSH.

Why Ram Temple in Ayodhya is important

S Ranganathan
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Why Ram Temple in Ayodhya is important

Human beings across the world have evolved with certain belief and faith based practices and social conditioning which is transferred from one generation to another. In course of time, most of such belief and faith systems were getting modified, improved or followed rarely or discarded totally. Certainly for health and happy existence of humanity all such belief and faith systems are needed otherwise man may prey upon another man without any sympathy and empathy. We collectively call all such practices as culture, civilization, tradition etc.

If we ask any individual in our society who is educated or illiterate, young or old, imbecile or prodigy would admit that they fear the God – the supernatural/unknown power the most or law of the land. Law is visible, defined, made by man and the judgment is awarded purely based on undeniable evidence. Therefore some may even feel that circumventing law if possible to commit a crime and can escape punishment. Ironically even such cleaver criminals also would admits the existence of divine force or the invisible force and the force that maintains the order of the universe which they cannot blind or can escape.

It means, human faith and belief systems are deeply programmed by our society over several generations and cannot be easily washed off or removed like dirt or worn out garment.

Hinduism is very sacred culture and has influenced most religions in the world. Every Indian irrespective of their religious affinity knowingly and or unknowingly follows some aspects of Hinduism because Hinduism is not just a religious practice but it is an all pervasive value system for the welfare of humanity and universal brotherhood.   In that sense all Indians are Hindus in some respect although they may practice other religions.

In the matter of faith, human sentiments, value systems that have been in existence for centuries, our legal system must handle such issues with care and the wisdom employed for dealing such issues should come mostly from outside legal dictum.  In all other litigations, the merit of the law can be easily judged based on the evidence or the rationale but in the matter of faith, it is not the rationale or evidence, faith alone can set things to rest.

The call of Mohan Bhagavat for an ordinance by the government to build Ram temple in Ayodhya, the birth place of Ram may look odd to the pseudo secularists but today the issue is a simple land dispute therefore an ordinance may fulfil the dream of New India.

For the devotees of Lord Ram only Ram and his or her devotion alone matters and nothing else.

India being a majority Hindu populated country, which is being distorted by several political parties by dividing religions through minority appeasement, the ultimate reason for the unity in diversity in India is possible only due to the fact that India is a Hindu Rastra.

Hindus are tolerant, accommodative and compassionate and that is why all other religions are also given equal respect and right which is not true in most of the Islamic countries. Several European countries and even US also when believes in secularism are fundamentally Christian countries.

Lord Ram is the symbol of love, compassion, justice, dharma and cradle of virtues and values. Building temple for Ram at his birth place is therefore needed equally for the minority communities as well.

Government is desired to explore the ordinance option to solve the long pending desire, dream & devotion and pray of millions of Indians and of which, many are not even Hindus.

RSS chief has made a right suggestion and has shown right direction to India to solve the issue. Tradition, human faith, value system, cultural heritage etc., cannot be re-defined or sanctified by law of the land or with intelligence as law can be applied only to the issues that are obvious and the dispute can be judged based on merit and evidence.  Such an attempt would be like measuring the affection and love of parents towards their children.

Ram temple is the cultural identity of our country. India was, is and shall be practicing Hinduism in some respect, irrespective of the multi-religious society. Therefore Ram temple must be built sooner than later.

हिंदुओं के अस्तित्व की बात: हिंदुओं के विश्वास की बात

alphakilosingh
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हिंदुओं के अस्तित्व की बात: हिंदुओं के विश्वास की बात

सभी को जैसियाराम।

बुराई पर अच्छाई की विजय के प्रतीक के रूप में मनाये जाने पर्व विजयदशमी की शुभकामनाएं। हम इसी तरह साल दर साल विजयदशमी मनाते रहें-ईश्वर से बस इतनी सी प्रार्थना है।

फ़ेसबुक पर लिखी एक पुरानी पोस्ट देखें:
साक्षी महाराज ने तो एक साधारण सी जानकारी दी कि मुसलमानों की जनसंख्या हिन्दुओं के सापेक्ष भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप में तेज़ी से बढ़ रही है। यह तो एक तथ्य है जिसे कोई काट नहीं सकता, पर एक तो हममें से अधिकांश लोग इस मत के हैं कि इन सबसे हमें क्या लेना-देना! और दूसरे, जो लोग इससे चिंतित भी हैं, वह भी इसके कारणों की मीमांसा नहीं कर रहे हैं: इसलिए नहीं कि कारण उन्हें पता नहीं है, बल्कि इसलिए कि सब जानते हुए भी इसमें वह कुछ कर नहीं सकते: यह तो लगभग एक प्राकृतिक/ स्वाभाविक क्रिया है।

जंगल में शेर भयंकर अल्पमत में रहते हुए भी वहाँ राज्य करता है. अन्य पशु चाहे जितने संगठित हो जाएं, चाहे उनमें से हरेक सैकड़ों बच्चे पैदा करने लगे, पर वह बच्चे अंततोगत्वा शेर के भोजन ही बनेंगे; राज्य नहीं कर सकते। उसी तरह हम भी जानते हैं कि हिन्दुओं का खात्मा प्रकृति के नियमों के ही अनुसार हो रहा है: इसमें कोई कुछ नहीं कर सकता।

फिर भी, अगर इस स्थिति को उलटना है, तो हमें इसके कारणों की तह तक जाना होगा। महर्षि दयानंद ने इस पर विचार करके संदेश दिया: वेदों की ओर लौटो, पर हमने इसका अर्थ यह निकाला कि मूर्तिपूजा छोड़कर वैदिक ऋचाएं याद करो। गीता किसी भी दुविधा में मनुष्य को किस प्रकार अपने कर्त्तव्य का निर्धारण करना चाहिए, इस विषय पर एक अप्रतिम ग्रन्थ है, पर हम केवल उसे याद करके संतोष कर लेते हैं: प्रकृति ने हमें ऐसा ही बनाया है। महमूद गजनवी ने जब सोमनाथ पर आक्रमण किया था, जिसका सबसे अच्छा किन्तु औपन्यासिक विवरण आचार्य चतुरसेन शास्त्री के ‘सोमनाथ’ में मिलता है, जिसके अनुसार महमूद तो जानता था कि उसे क्या करना है: उसने अपने कार्य की सफलता के लिए मंदिर के प्रधान पुजारी गंग सर्वज्ञ से आशीर्वाद भी लिया था, पर जिनके ऊपर मंदिर की रक्षा का भार था, वह दुविधा में थे- उन्हें लगता था कि भगवान शिव स्वयं अपने विग्रह की रक्षा कर लेंगे। दुविधा में वह अपने कर्त्तव्य का निश्चय नहीं कर सके, और गीता का ही वचन है: ‘अज्ञश्चsश्रद्धानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति’। संशय में ही उनका सर्वनाश हो गया। पर इसमें उनका कोई दोष नहीं था: ईश्वर की यही इच्छा थी। ईश्वर ने उन्हें बनाया ही इसी तरह था। हम चार्वाक से पहले भी चार्वाकपंथी रहे हैं, इसीलिए हमारे ऋषि-मुनियों को बार-बार आकर द्वैत-अद्वैत की शिक्षाएं देनी पड़ीं, पर हम नहीं सुधरे; हमें बनाया ही इस तरह गया है!

दूसरी तरफ़ मुसलमानों की सबसे बड़ी ताकत अल्लाह और मुहम्मद पर उनका मुकम्मल ईमान है। इस विषय पर ठीक एक साल पहले मैंने फेसबुक पर ही यह लिखा था, जिसे आज ही दुहराया है, कृपया देखें:
इस्लाम के अनुयायियों की एक खासियत तो माननी ही होगी। इनका धैर्य असीम है। ऐसा धैर्य अटूट विश्वास से पैदा होता है। अन्य धर्मावलम्बी जहाँ अपने विश्वासों में वैज्ञानिकता ढूँढ़ते रहते हैं, वहीँ वैज्ञानिकता-अवैज्ञानिकता की परवाह किये बिना इस्लाम के अनुयायी अपने विश्वासों पर अटल हैं। कोई कुछ भी कहता रहे, पर इन्हें विश्वास है कि जीत इन्हीं की होगी क्योंकि अल्लाह ने खुद फ़रमाया है: अल्लाह पर ईमान न लाने वाले शैतान की पार्टी के हैं (क़ुरआन 58:19) और वह हारने के लिए अभिशप्त हैं, वहीँ अल्लाह और मुहम्मद पर ईमान लाने वाले अल्लाह की पार्टी के हैं और जीत उन्हीं की होगी (क़ुरआन 58:22)। अल्लाह के इस सुस्पष्ट सन्देश पर पूर्ण विश्वास रखने के कारण मुसलमान कभी हार नहीं मानते, और पूरी दुनिया में इस्लाम का झंडा फहराने के अल्लाह के फरमान (क़ुरआन 9:29) के अनुपालन में प्राणपण से लगे रहते हैं।

इस विश्वास का ही परिणाम है कि यह पूरी दुनिया पर दावा ठोंकते हैं, और अपना दावा कभी नहीं छोड़ते। युद्ध में कब्जे पर कब्ज़े होते रहते हैं, और इस्लाम ने एक बार जहाँ कब्ज़ा कर लिया, उस पर इनका दावा अनन्त काल तक बना रहता है; इस बात का कोई मतलब नहीं रह जाता कि उनके कब्ज़े से पहले वहाँ कौन रहता था या बाद में वहाँ किसी और का कब्ज़ा हो गया। अपनी इस विशेषता के कारण यह आज भी न तो भारत-भूमि पर अपना दावा छोड़ने के लिए तैयार हैं, और न ही कुस्तुंतुनिया (Constantinople) सहित शेष योरप पर। यहाँ यह तथ्य ध्यान देने योग्य है कि कुस्तुंतुनिया पर कब्ज़े की पहली कोशिश ईसवी सन 674 में हुई थी, और अनेक लड़ाइयों के बाद कब्ज़ा सन 1453 में। जो क़ौम अपने विश्वास के बल पर इतनी लम्बी लड़ाई लड़ने का धैर्य रखती हो, उससे कोई कैसे लड़ेगा? ऐसी क़ौम को B52 बमवर्षकों और अन्य उच्च तकनीक वाले हथियारों से नहीं हराया जा सकता; तकनीक उन्हें केवल एक अस्थायी विजय का आभास दिला सकती है। इस्लाम अथवा इस्लामी आतंकवाद पर निर्णायक विजय तभी प्राप्त होगी, जब इस्लाम का अंतिम अनुयायी समाप्त हो जायेगा। इस्लाम अपने विश्वास के सहारे अन्त तक लड़ने के लिए तैयार है, जबकि तकनीक से लड़ने वाले अस्थायी विजय के बाद मैदान छोड़ देते हैं। इस्लाम और इस्लामी आतंकवाद से लड़ने के लिए उनके टक्कर का ही विश्वास चाहिए। क्या किसी में है ऐसा अटूट विश्वास?
साल भर पहले की पोस्ट समाप्त।

कहाँ से लायेंगे ऐसा अटूट विश्वास? विश्वास के बिना चाहे आप संगठन बना लीजिये चाहे दर्जनों बच्चे पैदा कर लीजिये, कुछ नहीं होने वाला।
क्वांटिटी नहीं क्वालिटी बढाने की बात कीजिये।
जय सियाराम।

Everyday cheating of Lutyen’s media

kingsukh
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In the media parlance, BJP is accused of degenerating the scientific temperament in the country. The Lutyen’s media has solemnly pledged of doing this. Their readers and viewers religiously follow them and it’s difficult to invade into this chartered territory as well.

Let’s understand the dynamics of it. The jaundiced view or the manufactured truth propagated by Lutyen’s media dominates and indoctrinates the gullible mass. Moreover, their (leftist) aeons of domination at various premier educational institution of the country have fabricated their doctrine which is based on some ideology. The neo believers of this faith are anti-establishment and vacillate across ‘ism’. These institutions have masqueraded the young minds with a biased mindset and to consider Hindu liberals as men of illogical dispensation.

The denizens should answer this question. Who are their soft targets? The variable answers might be college or university students, young professionals or NRIs. First, they will create an ambience where one succumbs to their beliefs because of tender age and being a novice. Secondly, they gradually influence you and then use you as a tool to manufacture and propagate their biased unquestionable truth. You become their harbinger and spread the designated message across the country. The liberal tag gives them immense pleasure and to retain it they corrode their prudence. That’s how it works.

Coming to the scientific temperament, one can state a recently happened incident in the state of West Bengal. A villager was punished with chopping off his finger on charges alleged by a witchcraft practitioner. The leftist media accused the incumbent political regime of this. Upon analysis, one can discern that superstition is an evil practice and must be condemned at any cost. The practitioners of this discipline are uneducated and interest-driven men. So to blame a political regime for this is beyond the pale.

Now, the rechristening of Allahabad to Prayagraj is considered by them a machination to hide the political failure of Mr. Yogi’s government. A sane mind can never conceive a diabolical thought like this. We know that the altruistic motive behind was to connect to the roots. A simple fact.

The cognizance has to be taken by every citizen to educate and spread the awareness. People should make informed decisions and work for the betterment of the country rather than breaking it. Don’t blame BJP for the consequences of 70 years of failed governance.

#MeToo: Checks and Balances

Parth Bhardwaj
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#MeToo: Checks and Balances

#MeToo campaign is gaining heat in India over social media as well as over the 4th pillar of democracy. Emerging as the strong platform of women who couldn’t gather courage to speak out against their sexual predators yet, this campaign has taken into grip many celebs, journalist, actors, politicians, etc in last few days.

#MeToo spread virally on social media in October 2017 to demonstrate the prevalence of sexual assault, especially at workplaces. This trend on social media followed soon after the sexual misconduct allegations against an American film producer Harvey Weinstein by a film actress Alyssa Milano. She tweeted her accusations against Weinstein using #MeToo and also encouraged other sexually assaulted women to use #MeToo on social media platforms to give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem. Milano later said that the premise of her hashtag was to create a platform where women had an “opportunity without having to go into detail about their stories if they did not want to”.

Now after a year #MeToo has gone viral again, this time in Indian context following the allegations on Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by Tanushree Datta. The actual momentum of the #MeToo movement in India started heating up after the Kerela Nun rape case got into limelight in September 2018. A Nun in Kerela spoke up robustly against a Bishop of raping her 13 times over a period of two years. What makes this case particularly tragic is that in every step of the way, the powerlessness of the individual was pestered by the state and the priest of the Church. When the victim was facing institutional suppression and sought the state’s help, she was let down again.

One independent MLA from Kerela PC George went to the shameless extent of calling the complainant a prostitute. George’s misogynist attacks on the nun failed to provoke the outrage which we saw during the Kathua case where two BJP MLAs who appeared in a rally in support of the accused MLA were forced to resign. This happened because whole of the state mechanism tried hard to deteriorate the case. Hence the righteous fight of the Nun lost into the labyrinth of vote-bank politics. Soon after this the allegations on high profile people faded away the minutiae memories of the Nun case which worked as the spark for the #MeToo movement in the real sense.

Due to collective accusations and wide spread media coverage, it may be possible to prevent sexual harassment at least in the elite class to some extent at this juncture as they would be cautious for their reputation. But reality is that even after twenty-one years of Vishakha Guidelines and five years of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, we have miserably failed in ensuring the safety of women at workplace. According to recent report by Oxfam, 17 out of 100 women in both formal and informal sectors face sexual harassment at workplace in India. On 12th October, Union Minister Mrs. Maneka Gandhi proposed to form a 4-member panel to look into #MeToo cases. Mrs. Maneka further said, “I believe in all of them. I believe in the pain and trauma behind every single complainant”. The committee will look into the legal and institutional framework for handling complaints of sexual harassment. The quick reaction from the Government of India shows that it realize the graveness of the issue and is keen to provide a stable situation.

According to Livemint, the reported instances of sexual harassment at private workplaces are higher than those at workplace owned by the state. This means that women at government workplaces feel unsafe to report against their perpetrators than those at private workplaces. The mechanism at state owned workplaces need to be improved.

The hits on the social media are only a beginning. The #MeToo campaign started just by revealing the acts of the sexual predators, should only be called off after the extinction of this great social evil of eve-teasing, sexual harassment etc. We are on board for a long journey but the challenges to continue this campaign with credibility is quite a difficult task to handle. The major challenge is to fight against “false accusations” just to get cheap limelight for a while. The accused are not being given a chance to put anything of their story and the public judge them shredding their reputation with no qualms. Any woman saying anything using #MeToo is being construed as the truth, and one has to ask whether justice is being served when all of this is based on “facts”, except who knows what the facts are?

Hoping this nationwide campaign to help woman getting respect and power at workplaces, one can easily imagine the self-consciousness and light hearted humouric conversation between the two genders while working together because who knows what can offend a person sexually. One can drown even in three feet of water and the other can survive even in the ocean. Considering the fear of being judged by the society negatively, the team spirit and the team work at workplaces will be on the life support system too.

So, to overcome these challenges and creating a “sexual harassment” free nation, only the online outrage is not enough, justice is to drag the predators into the court too. The courage which the women have now found standing solidarity against their sexual predators should come to a logical end.

Will Arnab destroy Hindus unity, by pretending to be a Right Guy?

Krishna Baalu Iyer
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Will Arnab destroy Hindus unity, by pretending to be a Right Guy?

The regrettable turn of events on Sabarimala issue that we have witnessed in the last few days should worry Hindus all over India, particularly at a time when the Hindus are aspiring to find a long-lasting one-time legal solution to all their woes.

Before going further into the happenings in Sabarimala I wish to bring to the reader’s notice, that the Kerala Government in last July, has amended the “Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act’ in such a manner to enable the Non-Hindus to make an entry into the respective Devosvom Board as members with full rights in decision taking of day to day Temple matters. It is not clear why the eminent legal fraternity that is fighting the case on behalf of devout Hindus and Sabarimala Devotees has failed to take note of this encroachment of non-Hindus in Hindus affairs?

Let’s come to the current events.

The events that took place following the last month Supreme Court Judgement allowing Hindu woman of all ages to enter Sabarimala Temple will have serious political, legal, social and religious repercussions. But the BJP Government at the centre was conveniently watching the war-like situation that prevailed at the hill shrine Sabarimala on 17th October 2018 under the pretence that the issue is in the state domain.

In fact, it was a sad and embarrassing moment for Hindus, when the first day of the opening of the Sabarimala temple for this season witnessed a battle like a scene, which can only be compared with Muhammad Ghazni’s invasion of Somnath Temple. This time it was Hindus pitched against Hindus. When Jallikattu protests shook the Tamil Nadu state, the PM Modi was seen personally assuring the Tamil people, that their regional cultural practices and customs would be protected ignoring the Apex court. And the BJP Government at centre and the AIADMK Government in TN were seriously deliberating the possibility of bringing into an ‘ordinance’. But in the case of Sabarimala issue, the centre maintained a stoic silence but allowing the Kerala State BJP to take advantage of the situation on its own. Let us examine why BJP at the centre remained nonchalant, regardless of the state -centre subject row.

The major set back for Hindus in Kerala was the ruling Marxist Government which is known for its anti-Hindu contempt. Though Keralites are known for their regional and community affinity beyond religion, this time the Kerala CM had behaved in a retaliation manner against his own Kerala Hindus. There are many reasons for this strange attitude of the ruling Marxist Government.

Marxists are known Hindu biters. They are well known for pampering non-Hindu minorities, even ignoring the bigotry and communal behaviour of the religious minorities. The state ruling dispensation has become hostile to Hindus sentiments on account of their commitment to political ideology. Secondly, the media’s campaign in support of the SC Ruling has further dampened the spirit of the BJP and pushed the party and the PM into further anxiety and in defensive mode. The BJP and the PM might have felt that any open support to the agitating Hindus in Kerala against the SC ruling may invite the fury of the media and the chance of getting branded as ‘misogynists’.

However they calmly allowed the local Kerala State BJP’s agitation against the SC ruling to gain politically in Kerala. So, now when Mohan Bhagwat demanding an Ordinance to clear the way to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the same RSS, BJP and other Sangh Parivar had ignored the Sabarimala issue deliberately. So there was no talk of ‘Ordinance’ against the SC Judgement on Sabarimala ruling and not even a whisper of any review petition being filed against the SC ruling. Whatever be the Legal expert’s opinion on the matter, in contrary, there is definitely a legal way out that exist, that ought to have taken even before the Ruling was out, or at the current time by the Centre.

During Jallikattu protests last year, the protests turned anti-Modi, so the worried BJP had sent emissaries like Tarun Vijay and others to TN for a truce. They also succeeded in drafting an ordinance making legal the Jallikattu event.

BJP is weighing its option very intricately and then preferring one Hindu issue over the other Hindu issue, basing on the assessment of 2019 poll outcome.

MEDIA

Which TV channel is supporting the BJP and the Right cause today? The Republic TV, Times Now and the NewsX. Fine. Let me take the Republic TV and Arnab Goswami now. It is a known fact how the BJP MP Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar spent on Republic TV. Yet on many issues in the past and now on the Sabarimala Issue, Arnab has been acting “smart’. Republic TV is a media house a guild. It is not a proprietary ship concern so that Arnab’s views alone should be beamed and facts and reportage can be twisted to satisfy his ego. Since last few days, Arnab has been on a smear campaign against Hindus and Hindus image. His lies have already damaged the Hindus centuries-old image of forbearance. The problem with Arnab was he too like the Hon’ble CJ Dipak Misra did not catch the intricacy of the belief that is associated with the very Deity that is Lord Ayyappa. Lord Ayyappa maintains eternal celibacy according to the legend. So, Lord Ayyappa does not wish to receive woman in age as devotees. That was Lord’s plea and this is the specialty attached with the Sabarimala.

So, what is Arnab screaming about ‘right to pray’ is denied for the woman. Is it not a deliberate twist to the whole issue and does it not appear a deliberate smear against Hindus? There are over 2 million Hindu temples in India. Half of it is in South India. But only in a couple of Temple woman’s entry is prohibited due to eccentric reasons associated with the very respective deities. As rightly pointed out, there are many Ayyappa Temples in other parts of India, where a woman can walk freely along with men. Only in Sabarimala, the restriction is in place for the reason the Lord Ayyappa after reaching Sabarimala rested himself and went in Dyana. The other Sabarimala Temples outside Sabarimala are only replicas and a place of worship for all.

Let us not forget that Arnab never claimed himself as a ‘Right Winger’. He, in fact, denied that he was a right-winger. He clearly stated that “I am pro-Indian Army, pro-Nation but not a right winger”. His smear on Sabarimala would continue till next elections and I am sure BJP would never even attempt to mend him in the interest of Hindus and Hindus cause.

Before concluding, I shall reveal why Hindus are defying SC order and preventing even a single woman entering the shrine. It’s because even if one woman in the prohibited age group gains entry into the shrine and stands before the Lord Ayyappa, the deity will be transgressed and the shrine would stand redundant for the devotees forever. This is what the Hindu antagonists wish, and that is why this protest now, even if it amounts to contempt of court technically and legally. So this is not a case like others, where the SC order is implemented in first place, then reversed after the review is allowed.

So, the situation is, the Hindus have to fend themselves against this invisible civil war that is being waged by the non-Hindus in India right now by bullying the entire system.

The latest flash news is Activist Rahul Easwar has been sent to 14 days custody, Kerala CM says “Rituals must change with time: some meant to be broken” and RSS demands an ‘Ordinance’ for Ayodhya Temple but silent on Sabarimala stalemate.

US – China Trade War: What’s in it for India?

Ajeet Panigrahi
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US – China Trade War: What’s in it for India?

One of the main Presidential Elections agenda for Donald Trump in 2016 was to bring back more jobs to America and for doing so he would introduce strict measures on countries with high trade deficits with the US, mainly hinting on China. And with almost two years of his term over, Donald Trump has taken it too aggressively in the calendar year 2018.

The year began with the US imposing tariffs on Solar Panels, Washing Machines and other small electronic goods which formed a major chunk of Chinese imports to the US. Further in March 2018, President Trump asked the United States Trade Representative to investigate and apply traffic on goods worth 50-60 Billion USD. As a retaliation China too imposed tariffs on US Imports to China, which mainly includes automotive parts, weapons and food products. As a result of this retaliation Trump announced another round of tariff on goods worth 60 Billion USD in May 2018 and also planned to keep a check on investments. With this announcement, a full blown trade war began between the two global giants with US announcing tariffs on goods worth 250 Billion USD (source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44529600) and China announcing the same on goods worth 110 Billion USD till September end.

The question that comes to mind is that ‘Is it fair enough from the end of the United States to go into a full-fledged trade war with China at a point where the global GDP growth rate is already slowing down? However when one realized the trade deficit between the two countries and their government bond holders, it becomes very clear if US needs to do so.

With a trade deficit of 380 Billion USD it is very clear that US needed to take measures.

The ongoing trade war is being seen as a full blown war by various analysts who predict that this may slow down the global GDP growth rate by around 0.5%. However the point here to be noted is that if it will be a curse for all or if it may be a blessing in disguise. For instance, with Apple getting a major hit due to the sanction of tariffs in for import from China is planning to shift its base to Vietnam, which may boost the economy of Vietnam. In near future, many manufacturing units from China may move to nearby countries with low cost production capacity which may boost their economy.

Now the main concern for us is ‘What is in it for India’. The main point here to be noted is that the trade war may not only restrict to these major giants but the ripples of it will be felt by most of the countries, including India as in its current form the global economy is still in a way bipolar in nature, though moving towards a multi-polar setup. The tariff imposition will increase our import cost resulting in increased prices, pushing the inflation which so far seemed to be manageable. The rupee value may further degrade on this account. Also in that case, government may not achieve its fiscal deficit target. Further the sentiments of investors will decline globally resulting in lower investments with many already looking cautious, which is already evident with downward trend of the bull in recent past.

However, for being a more of an internal market demand based economy and just by being a silent spectator as on date, India can see a lot of potentials due to the void that this trade war has created. For instance, as a result of this war, China may reduce its crude import from US and may look for alternatives. As a result, crude oil prices may fall globally which is a good news for India as it might lower its burden on Imports. Thought oil bills might reduce, investor sentiments might get weaker too squaring off the benefits. With our Exim component standing at around 40% of our GDP, it is hard to predict regarding the case. Also due to the voids so created in US imports, Indian manufacturing sector may explore ways to fill the gaps so created.

One of the major advantage that India may see is the softening of the Chinese stand as it will be the bigger looser of the Trade War with US, being an export dependent economy. With most of its industries being hit, it may look towards its neighbor India and other south Asian countries for help. The situation may help India negotiate better. Also India may seek a resolution of OBOR and entry into Nuclear Supplier’s Group. With its relations with the smaller neighbors souring in recent past, this comes as an opportunity as the bear will be weaker than before.

There is no doubt that economic growth of all involved, directly or indirectly, will be hurt across the globe, but the intelligent will be the one who is hurt the least and still grabs the new opportunities, in economic or geopolitical scenario, better through the tricky waters.

मोहन भागवत का शक्तिशाली भारत

alphakilosingh
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मोहन भागवत का शक्तिशाली भारत

संघ-प्रमुख मोहन भागवत जी ने कहा है कि भारत को इतना शक्तिशाली होना चाहिए कि कोई देश हमपर आक्रमण करने की बात सोच भी न सके।

यही-यही वह साम्प्रदायिक विचारधारा है जिसका मैं विरोध करता हूँ। भारत अपने इतिहास के आरम्भ से ही एक कमज़ोर राष्ट्र रहा है; इसका प्रमाण यह है कि यहाँ जो भी आया, हमें ठोंक गया। शक, कुषाण, हूण, यूनानी, इस्लामी, पुर्तगाली, अंग्रेज़- हम सभी से न केवल पराजित हुए, बल्कि सबसे कुचले गये। यही हमारा इतिहास है, यही हमारी परम्परा है।

अगर हम १००० साल पहले शक्तिशाली रहे होते, तो राजा दाहिर ने मुहम्मद बिन कासिम को हरा दिया होता और इस्लाम इस देश में आ ही न पाता। और अगर ऐसा हो जाता, तो शान्ति के इस महान धर्म और धर्मनिरपेक्षता जैसे महान सिद्धांत से तो हम अपरिचित ही रह जाते। इससे यह सिद्ध होता है कि भारत का शक्तिशाली होना देश के धर्मनिरपेक्ष ढाँचे के लिए ठीक नहीं है। चाचा नेहरु ने इस बात को समझते हुए देश की सुरक्षा को अपनी प्राथमिकताओं में सबसे निचला स्थान दिया था। आज के परिप्रेक्ष्य में शक्तिशाली होने का अर्थ होगा-पाकिस्तान पर निर्णायक विजय प्राप्त करना, और यह घटना भी देश के धर्मनिरपेक्ष स्वरूप पर बुरा असर डालेगी। एक तो देश का वह वर्ग जो देश में इस्लामी शासन-व्यवस्था स्थापित करना चाहता है, उसका मनोबल एक बार तो टूट ही जाएगा, और उसे नये सिरे से इस दिशा में प्रयास आरम्भ करने होंगे, और दूसरे आज जो हमारे कांग्रेसी मित्र देश में धर्मनिरपेक्षता की रक्षा के लिए पाकिस्तान से मदद माँगने चले जाते हैं, वह कहाँ जाएंगे?

मैं समझता हूँ कि राहुलजी यह जो राफेल-सौदे का इतना विरोध कर रहे हैं, वह इस कारण से नहीं है कि सौदे में मोदी या अम्बानी ने १३०००० करोड़ रूपये बना लिये: एकाध लाख करोड़ रूपये इधर से उधर हो जाने से इस देश या कांग्रेस पार्टी को क्या फ़र्क पड़ना है? विरोध का प्रमुख कारण यह है कि मोदी देश को शक्तिशाली बनाकर अपना साम्प्रदायिक अजेंडा आगे बढ़ा रहे हैं। राहुलजी भला ऐसा कैसे होने दे सकते हैं?

बात सीधी सी है: भारत को शक्तिशाली नहीं होना चाहिए क्योंकि शक्तिशाली भारत साम्प्रदायिक भारत होगा। धर्मनिरपेक्ष होने के नाते मोहन भागवत की हर बात का विरोध करना वैसे भी हमारा कर्तव्य है, तो आइए, देश को शक्तिशाली बनाने के मोहन भागवत के विचार का हम बलपूर्वक विरोध करें।

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