It's The Same Old Story!

With the assembly elections upcoming, the restlessness in the political circles of Jammu and Kashmir flares on.

Omar Abdullah of the National Conference has called the Sajjad Lone of People’s Conference an ‘RSS stooge’ and that BJP would revoke article 370 along with Muslim Personal Law to damage the state’s demography and character.

What Omar has said, or done, is nothing new. It’s all part of that old ‘Blame Game’ in which Indian politicians where always the masters. When something like a General Election comes up, politicians without any party wise distinctions comes out of their comfy little burrows to blame someone or the other and then go back as soon as the elections get over.

Rarely does a politician speak of any practical actions that might be taken after the election. Everything that matters to the people, who listens to these politicians are the sentimental value attached to it. Indian politics in that sense is worse than the ‘Saans Bahu’ TV serials.

Here the heated debate is between two political leaders, who have had special status studying abroad and almost never seeing their ‘State’ and its people for almost half of their lifetime, about the distant possibility of revoking the special status given to the state.

When will there be an actual debate about the actual issues? Politicians need to at least attempt to come up with solutions to the actual and immediate issues that pertain to the people rather than blaming each other or promising, in ornamental languages, some abstractions that is ultimately only a figure of speech. 

Can this be called Fascism?

          The Indian Council for Historical Research recently made it into the news when the new chief, Y Sudershan Rao who was appointed by BJP Government openly expressed his belief in Vedic literature and caste system.

The ICHR is a fund distributing agency under the HRD Ministry which has a 27 member council whose three year term is coming to an end shortly. The RSS and its affiliates have already sent their list of favoured candidates to the Central government. “It is time they(the council) are replaced with people who help in writing history with Indian perspective, giving more space to Indian icons,” says the RSS who has recommended candidates who believes that Ramayana and Mahabharata were real.

It is true that an Indian perspective of looking at History is lacking, but what we need is not a religious perspective but a secular, objective perspective of looking at the various Historical and the possible Pre-historical events of India. If we find historical facts supporting Hindu mythologies and beliefs, it would be happily accepted but what RSS is trying to do is ‘Hindu’fying the Indian History. This is not acceptable and should not be allowed.

History and politics go interrelated, but to rewrite History using the ephemeral political power has always been associated with tyranny and hence must not be allowed to take roots in a democracy. 

A Tamil Uproar!

The only other Minister, other than Modi, to repeatedly come into news in the BJP government is Mrs Smriti Irani, owing to her ministry’s notorious and cruel plan to make Sanskrit compulsory in all the Kendriya Vidyalayas. But when it’s about nationalising Sanskrit, wasn’t this, a Tamil rebellion, expected?

Agreed, that Sanskrit is one of the most beautiful and richest languages of the world but to impose it on unsuspecting students, in the middle of an academic year, without any warning is not only inhumane but it also devalues the ‘language of the Gods’ as it is merely used as a tool in a farce attempt to perpetuate some petty ideologues of a neo-fascist organisation.  

On top of this, the fight between Tamil and Sankrit has been long, rather I should say the fight between Tamil speakers and Sanskrit adorers, who doesn’t know much of either language, has been long. Any attempt at ‘nationalising’ Sanskrit or any of its offspring languages is looked upon contemptuously by the Tamil speakers. This warning by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President EVKS Elangovan to the Central government might just be a beginning.

 Anyways, the decision to make Sanskrit compulsory is looked upon contemptuously by everyone and not only the Tamil people. When there are better, but slow and gradual, options to introduce Sanskrit as a practical language, such a radical introduction of Sanskrit was totally uncalled for.

If this ain't stupidity, then what is?

          The Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned thrice in the day when Congress MPs created a ruckus over the removal of Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the Domestic terminal of Hyderabad airport and renaming it after Telugu Desam Party’s late founder NT Rama Rao.

The Congress alleged that the Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was playing cheap politics by removing Gandhi’s name. The NDA was quick to react by saying that only the domestic terminal has been renamed, the international terminal is still named after Rajiv Gandhi.

This is what is happening in the Upper House of Indian Parliament. Changing the names of airport terminals, fighting days and days over it and then letting everything go into the oblivion. What difference would it make to anybody who boards the plane, if the name of the terminal is named after NTR or Rajiv Gandhi? How does changing the names of terminal, in any way help bettering common man’s life?

Nope. No politician, no political party would ever have an answer to these, because if they had, then how will they be able to fool people? People should start thinking, questioning these acts of politicians. They are wasting entire days and weeks on matters that has least significance while huge issues are piled up begging to be solved with intricate discussions and planning.

I hope someday people ask the right questions and the politicians start finding the right answers. 

Tribes: Flattered!

            

What else did you expect? The master of rhetoric woos the poor people with rich promises in ornamental languages that can never be logically comprehended.

To tap Jharkhand’s 26% tribal population is the plan of BJP while making promises about making Jharkhand as developed as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. 

“I want the people of the state to become as rich as its land is rich.” “Have faith in a chaiwala (tea seller) and give a majority to the BJP.” This is the highlight of the speech delivered by our beloved Prime Minister, but think, what kind of stupidity is this? What substance does this speech have? What has he spoken about growth and development?

It’s horrifying to think about a Prime Minister who only talks in figures of speech and seldom anything substantial being the most popular, dominant leader in a country of 1.2 billion. What has happened to the educated middle class? What has happened to the enthusiastic youth? Are we truly this insane?

Speculations, Analysis; Dreams and Nightmares!

            As the J&K polls begin speculations and predictions are out. The predictions are majorly in favour of BJP and against the likes of National Conference and Congress.

          According to analysts, People’s Democratic Party might gain the highest majority in the Assembly while BJP will fall short of its target of 44. But BJP might still be able to play the kingmaker with sufficient amount to decide or choke the ruling party. 

          This essentially means that BJP would rise to what Congress has been doing in the state for the past 12 years. At the same time, Congress and National Conference would be reduced to the minimum.

Though Congress campaign was better than that in other states and even party chief Sonia Gandhi had campaigned in the state, the desired impact was never felt. Modi on the other hand was able to take masses into hands once again. The BJP campaigns avoided the controversial Article 370 and concentrated only on ‘Mission 44+’. The Modi wave might thus continue BJP’s winning streak while also striking Congress again and again.

The result, no matter in whose favour it comes out, is surely going to be another epoch in the current epoch-ridden scenario of Indian politics.

Water Politics in Jharkhand!

As Thomas Mann rightly said everything is politics. If you are a politician, you need to politicise everything. This time around the politicians of Jharkhand have made water their battleground.

 The Santhal Parganas region spread over 6 districts and 18 constituencies forms the most arid region in the state. Only 3% households in the region enjoy tap water facilities, while 62% depend on hand pumps and 28% on wells. But the wells and hand pumps go dry during summer. The irony is that the area is blessed with major rivers and sub-rivers. The region has given three JMM chief ministers including the current Hemant Soren.

“If our government comes to power, we will ensure tap water to every house under Modiji’s Central programme,” said Devidhan Tudu, a BJP candidate. But JMM was quick in reacting by saying that BJP was in power in Jharkhand for more than 8 years and couldn’t do anything while JMM has started many irrigation and drinking water projects.

Here what stands out as a glimmer of hope is that the issue of discussions and blaming has shifted from the usual religion and caste based nonsense to some issues that really matters to the people. If, even in the competitive spirit, and not in the spirit of social commitment, one of these parties does something good, it could practically help lots of people in a meaningful manner.

Rather than lamenting about stupid sentimental issue which never has any material value, politics and India could develop substantially if the onus of politicians changes to such subjects.  

Old Ways, New Hopes!

          In a democratic political system, it shouldn’t matter who becomes the CM but nothing goes according to theory when it becomes practical. Every foundation of a theory is altered and contradicted when it is applied. And when theories are applied to places and issues like Kashmir, the application becomes more complicated.

The issue of Kashmir is more multi-faceted than it appears to be. A sense of identity, separate from that of Indian and not really Pakistani has crept into the minds of Kashmiri Muslims. Kashmir, even with considerable Sikh and Pundit population, is identified with Kashmiri Muslims.

A demographic reorganisation is one of the greater fears of many Kashmiri Muslims and a Hindu being elected to the highest position in the state is the indication of an imminent manifestation of their fears. On top of this, J&K has always aroused interests internationally and it takes no time for even the smallest issue to get global attention. 

Hence, no party has ever dared to make a Hindu CM of the state. Though, in the past, parties had Hindu majority Muslims were allowed to be on the top spot.

This has in a way sacrificed the rights of other communities living in J&K as well as the spirit of democracy has also been compromised. But if this is necessary to maintain peace in a war ridden region, then these are compromises and sacrifices worth making for. Perhaps, through such a democracy if a better Kashmir can be built, we might be able to build a better democracy in such a Kashmir. 

Article 370, The Hypocrites, The Dreamers and The Losers!

          ‘We have a clear stand on Article 370’ said the BJP state vice president Ramesh Arora. BJP wouldn’t press for the abrogation of article 370 and will let J&K maintain its special status. BJP hands in glove with RSS perpetuating Hindutva in Bengal are saying in Kashmir that ‘this contention is wrong that the BJP is a communal party.’

Wow! BJP is again and again proving that to be in politics, you need to be the best hypocrite.

Even if BJP is hypocrite, communal and extremely right, it is gaining ground in Kashmir. And when the fight comes to Kashmir, it is not going to be between NC-Congress and BJP but between BJP and PDP. The anti-incumbency in the state has rendered the ruling National Conference and Congress chanceless. People’s Democratic Party will be giving its best shot to get back into power by overcoming NC-Congress. Its greatest obstruction will be BJP which has been able to make its name synonymous with progress.

Farooq Abdulla’s absence during campaign has put NC at a loss. Congress has already accepted defeat. PDP has already started taking measures to counter the BJP onslaught and BJP is continuing its onslaught in full swing. The J&K elections and its results are going to spark fire this time. 

Jharkhand waiting for sweet speeches!

          “Modi is a storm that will blow away the opponents,” said Trivendra Singh Rawat, BJP’s Jharkhand in-charge. “Panic bells have started ringing in the BJP camp. They know they will be restricted to 20-22 seats. Hence, they are clinging on to the Prime Minister’s shoes,” said JMM’s Latehar candidate Prakash Ram.

The war of words grows stronger and stronger in Jharkhand. As the secular parties consisting of JMM, Congress, RJD and JD(U) are strong BJP faces a stiff challenge in the state. Comments from senior BJP leaders indicate that they were unable to create pro-BJP sentiments in the state and that they are waiting for Modi to create them.

The incumbent JMM is strong and so is all other parties. BJP on its own wasn’t much of a worry till date. But Modi could bring about a change in the power distribution and that is dangerous to everybody.

The powers of secular parties are decreasing; RSS through BJP and BJP through Modi’s speeches are gaining ground.  Verily, Modi’s speeches have the magic to create pro-Modi sentiments but entire state politics depending on the speeches of one man is an insult to democracy. 

Someone's Dreaming about the Third Front.

          What has ailed India for long? What has been its weakness for long? What has denied India what it deserves for long? Yes, it’s the devil that creeps in us all; it’s that condescending attitude towards everything that’s alien to us; it’s that lack of unity amongst the varied populace.  

Oh, I don’t say this; this is what was intended by Lalu Prasad Yadav when he said that ‘The Mughals and the British ruled because powerful Indian Emperors were divided among themselves. Only if there could have been a Third Front, before the Lok Sabha elections, uniting the regional leaders, the BJP would have trembled.’

Till a bit before the Lok Sabha elections, the UPA at the Centre was preposterously failing to contain the expansion of interests of regional political parties. The soaring significance of the role of regional political parties at the National level was alarming. Though in the elections, the cumulative share of vote of the regional parties was commendable, the BJP in a masterpiece of political strategy was able to overpower all these parties.

But as Joseph Conrad states “Your strength is just an accident owed to the weakness of others”, does the credit for the success of that political strategy really belong to BJP? Or does that belong to the failure of these regional parties to unite together?

But success is success and failure, a failure, no matter how it comes. It is high time for the regional parties to think once again about the ‘Third Front’ if they wish to taste the nectar of power again, and get corrupted by its charm again.

An Advice!

The grand old party of India has accepted defeat even before the battle has started. When even the local parties have published their manifestos and started off with their campaigns in pomp, Congress is yet to catch up the heat.

What has happened to Congress? Where is that spirit that even a child has before a competition? And this is no small competition where you’d get a one rupee toffee, but it’s election; it’s politics. And in politics the wind can change direction anytime, the tide will turn anytime but you need to at least have your sails on to adjust to it!

Congress has a lack of leadership, agreed but this is not about leadership. This is going beyond that and deep within. There is a general lack of spirit in Congress workers; a lack of faith in the cause, in fact Congress is right now lacking a cause. What it needs right now is a cause, an ideology to boast off. BJP has an idol, in the form of Modi, and Congress needs an ideology that could attract masses, that could get people believing, that could get people working.

Right now, Congress has neither the idol nor ideology. Unless it has at least one of them, preferably the latter, no amount of advertisements, no leader can bring the glorious past again for Congress.

Ego within Coalitions!

Navjot Singh Sidhu, former cricketer and one of the more prolific speakers in Indian politics today, had earlier commented rather derogatively on the coalition government between Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP in Punjab. Sidhu being a BJP member, and as BJP had earlier made it clear that the coalition would continue, it was a mistake on the part of Sidhu to make such a comment.

In response to this, the Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema officially lodged a protest against Sidhu with Punjab BJP President Kamal Sharma. Cheema said that what Sidhu did was against the ‘Coalition Dharma.’ Since it was against the advice of senior BJP leaders to speak against the Akali Dal leadership, Cheema urged Sharma to take strict disciplinary actions against Sidhu.

So, what does all this signify? It’s simple – politics in India is stupid. For days and days BJP leadership has been pestering, and subtly condemning the leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal and one fine day they decide to continue with the coalition. They expect everyone, the leaders, the members and the supporters to change their attitudes then and there. The momentary attitudes of the party leaders must be the attitudes of everyone and if it’s not the same for someone then he is the enemy of the party and must be either strictly disciplined or eliminated. Thus dictates the ‘Political Dharma.’

The Socialist, the Fascist and the Nazi dictatorships have faded away, but their traits are still evidently felt in modern democratic politics. And the sad part is that, they are being more and more evident.

Are we really progressing?        

The Funny relation between Politics and Black Hole

What is funnier than the funniest Indian politician, through funny speeches making fun of the funniest promises made just for fun by other politicians? Oh, that was a lot of fun. But on a serious note, how much more fun would the politicians make of the common man?

Lalu Prasad Yadav, before kicking off the Election campaign, criticised the Pre-poll promises of Narendra Modi to provide Rs 15 Lakhs to every Indian by bringing back Black Money stashed abroad within one month. Doesn’t Lalu know? Come On! Lalu must know that Black money is like black hole. Black Hole attracts and gulps in only light while black money attracts politicians, their promises and what not. The existence of, both, black hole and black money can only be felt but they can never be seen.

What’s better than that for a politician? Any politician can make as many promises about black money, since no one can know the actual facts about it the fulfilment of the promises doesn’t matter at all. As long as you don’t catch a politician, or an official, while receiving black money, nothing is more rewarding to a politician after it reaches his Swiss bank accounts.

No political party is exempted from the temptation that is black money. It is a force of infinity, the never exhausting source of material abundance. Who, in their right mind, would neglect it? 

Old Buddies Patching Up?

The Hindu dharma is to be reinstated and protected. The glory of Hinduism will spread far and wide. Didn’t you know? The forces of Hindutva want to unite again.

Shiv Sena, which had formerly threatened to sit in the Opposition if BJP dared to take support of NCP, now, has expressed its interests in forming an alliance with BJP and for this RSS is expected to negotiate and mediate. NCP which, before the elections, called the Shiv Sena- BJP duo as ‘Saffron Terror’, within hours of result announcement had offered unconditional outside support to BJP at the assembly.

When will people learn to see the reality? Every time a party wins the election, every time a party or an alliance of parties forms the government, it is the mockery of democratic principles. No political party in the world has ever worked for the people. Many parties have come and gone, all preaching something or the other but they only preach that. Never has been there any useful practical application of their ideologies when they get into power. Power has this innate ability to make people forget who they were or in fact power has the ability to make people be who they are in actuality.

Here, Shiv Sena and BJP talked of Hindutva and NCP talked of stopping the Hindu terror, but when it became evident that the power can be shared and can only be secured thus, they all forgot everything and are going to fool people once again. The gullibility of the people is the greatest source of strength for any political party. 

Listen, Listen, Listen! Or I commit Suicide!

What are the characteristics of Indian politics? One might ask and the answer lies in this news article. Once a prominent journalist and a trusted lieutenant of Mamata Banerjee, former TMC MP Kunal Ghosh journey from fame to attempted suicide will tell you everything about how Indian politics works.

In this grand blame game, everyone blames everyone and someone gets trapped, the others are saved. In this particular instance Kunal Ghosh along with some key leaders of Mamata regime managed to make some money (in Crores) out of the Saradha Scam, but not all of them were able to get away with it. Kunal who was a part of it gets caught and reveals the names of his partners and alleges that he is only but a scapegoat while the real culprits are outside the jail (inside the Legislative Assembly) but nobody listens. He had threatened to commit suicide if proper actions were not taken but again, nobody listens. So he takes the ultimate step of gulping in some sleeping pills only to be rescued on time by a security guard.

Now perhaps somebody would listen to the poor scapegoat. 

A Walk Among Contradictions!

It is a philosophical question: What are contradictions? We won’t find an answer to that but we can find examples. Oh, the best example is the new BJP government in the state.

Congress, the decisive loser of the election is the only Party which doesn’t face any dilemma or contradiction. It’s only duty, now, is to oppose. Their role has been clearly fated after the Lok Sabha election itself. But all the other major parties now stand in contradiction to their own values, ideologies and promises.

Shiv Sena, the 25 year old ally of BJP who has been disposed off quite effortlessly by BJP, now supports BJP at the Centre and sits in the Opposition at the State. Moreover, even hours before the Confidence vote, Sena was ready to patch up with its old ally but nonetheless they must now be against them.

BJP which had promised to teach NCP a lesson if it comes to power has to learn lessons about contradictions because they have come to power with the support of NCP.

While teaching and learning about contradictions would take a lot of time, the Fadnavis government has a lot of work to do. The UPA government had left Maharashtra on a high note economically and even to maintain that would be difficult for BJP if it is busy sorting out their government. Further if it fails in delivering the golden promises, the anti-incumbency would be much greater and fatal.

Before the Horn Blows!

Kashmir has always been a sensitive area both nationally and internationally. The presence of high number of Muslims and focus of separatist groups along with cut throat political competition makes Kashmir valley always inflammable. But there is now a gradual turn towards the peaceful democratic processes in the people. People have started voting in better percentages, they have started asking for their rights and moreover they are experimenting with different political alternatives which are a good signs of a strengthening democracy.

In the past three elections of 1996,2002 and 2008 the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party has alternatively come to power in alliance with Congress. But this time around a new contender enters the contest. BJP which had earlier limited its activities to Jammu and Ladakh, where there is a Hindu majority, now seeks to expand its role into the Kashmir valley. Even if BJP does not stand much of a chance, the people of Kashmir have not altogether excluded it. While this might be strengthening the democratic processes of the state, the extremist religious groups might see this as expansion of Hindutva. This might have serious repercussions on both national and international fronts.

  While Congress, NC and PDP are very strong in the state, an entry of BJP, even marginally, might prove expensive to them as minor parties like People’s Conference have already extended a hand to BJP. The might of PDP will be tested; NC and Congress will form deciding factors and BJP will not take anything lightly. 

O Secularism, Where art Thou?

BJP, an open supporter of Hindutva and Hindu religion, coming to power at the Centre with thumping majority; AIMIM’s stunning performance in Maharashtra and the fall of Congress and Left; these instances make us ask questions: aren’t Indians anymore proud of our ‘unity in diversity’? Is it the end of ‘secular’ politics in India?

With the simple promise of honestly representing Muslim aspirations in the legislature, AIMIM was able to win two, come second in three seats and third in nine in the Maharashtra elections where it contested only in 24 seats with Muslim prominence. This came as a shock to all secular parties as Muslim votes form a major share for them. If AIMIM’s policies of expansion towards Delhi, UP and Bengal succeeds, it’s a concern of great significance to these secular parties.

Moreover, such an expansion if at all succeeds, holds great threats to the integrity of the nation, primarily because the nation would be once again divided on the basis of religion, the Hindus supporting BJP and the Muslims supporting AIMIM, and that such a divide would only prove catastrophic is already proved by the history.

As citizens of India and lovers of humanity, it is our responsibility to stop such a progress of events. The onus is on the secular parties like Congress and the Left to build up their bases once again and to lead the nation away from such perils before it is too late.  

It's All Part of the Plan!

          Anti-incumbency is at the strongest in Bengal. TMC has preposterously failed in fulfilling their promises. Law and Order is in shatters in the state. What could be a better time for BJP to enter Bengal?

          The standing of BJP is steadily increasing in Bengal. The inclusion of the first-timer Babul Supriyo as Minister of State into the Cabinet is a shot at brightening the prospects for BJP.

BJP’s grand plans of conquering Bengal first at the civic election in the early 2015 and then at the assembly polls in 2016 must be exasperating the other parties. While Congress and Left have a considerable presence in the state together, the weak Left and the weaker Congress separated should not be worrying BJP much.

The RSS has been working tirelessly to create a formidable groundwork for the BJP to step in. More and more people are associating Hindutva with progress and might cede into supporting BJP whole heartedly. While this is good for BJP, it might also form the reason for other ‘secular’ parties to unite against the might of BJP.

Judging by the current political scenario, BJP is prospects in the state is building up perfectly and might penetrate deep enough to make a stronghold in the state. But since Left is against ‘communalism’ and Congress the face of secularism, there might be an alliance that could obstruct the big dreams of BJP.

The Grand Puppet Show... Oh, I meant the Expansion!

The cabinet expansion by Modi is said to be the least troublesome reshuffle in recent years reflecting Modi’s dominance over the Government, BJP, NDA as well as RSS.

The new Ministry that was incorporated is a perfect example of how to balance everything out. The 65 member Cabinet has some exceptional performers, crowd gatherers and of course members representing communities too. While the size of Government is small, the effectiveness of their Governance is yet to be seen.

What remains an undeniable fact is that no matter how powerful or dominant the Prime Minister is, he can never make a Cabinet full of capable and promising ministers. He always has to give representation to the states where elections are impending and to the communities that are dominant.

But what can be learned from Modi’s style of governance is that however you distribute the portfolios the most important and the ultimate decisions are taken by the PMO while the ministries are only a puppet in the hands of the PM. Highly centralised decision making, with no input whatsoever from the ministry concerned is a very salient feature of this Government.

    What remains to be seen is how effective can this new cabinet be in disguising the Centralised decision making through such an attempt at decentralisation.