Take administrative and political initiatives to resolve Kashmir imbroglio

The trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir is required to be dealt with administratively, politically, and not economically. There is no economic problem in the state. The growing economic packages for the state by the successive govt. at the Centre only increase corruption and loot of public exchequer there by the political leaders irrespective of political affiliation. Excessive financial package by the successive govt. at the Centre also provides opportunity to separatist leaders to pilfer in connivance with the political leaders in power in the state. If there had been economic problem in the state, it would have been solved. So, no economic package will help solve the issue of the state. Stone pelting has been going on in the state since July last. The day to day life in the state has been thrown out of gear for months. Neither the state nor the national political leader appears to be taking any initiative to resolve the issue in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also not been come out with a clear cut policy on Jammu and Kashmir as yet. Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. should not have any problem in following the policy of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in regards to Jammu and Kashmir. He had had given the slogan of Kashmiriat, Insaniat and Jambhoriat to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. One question also arises here that when Vajpayee and Advani had no problem in talking with separatist leaders to resolve the issue,why does Modi govt. shirk from talking to them? It is also a fact that the atmosphere in Kashmir at present is not conducive to initiating any type of talk. First, stone pelting on security forces must be stopped at all costs. The effort must be made immediately to remove the growing alienation from among the common Kashmiris. Undoubtedly, Pakistan plays a vital role in disturbing the peace and amity in the state through sponsoring terrorism and providing some sorts of economic help to separatist leaders. When it is crystal clear that terrorists are sent by Pakistan to attack the army camp in Jammu and Kashmir, why does the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent? Yesterday’s attack on army camp inKupwara is the fourth after Pathankot, Uri and Nagrota. In all these attacks, the country has lost its brave sons. Nobody knows how long our brave army officers and soldiers will continue to fall prey to the bullets of terror sponsored by Pakistan. The need of the hour is to give free hands to the Indian army to deal with stone-pelters and terrorists sent by our hostile neighbour in their own way. The rogue only understands the language of roguery. The talk is a must, but only after normalcy is restored in the state. Modi govt. must know that no financial package in the state of Jammu and Kashmir will help resolve the issue. The problem there is of political nature so it must be solved politically. Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir. The PMDP was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7, 2015.The package consists of 63 projects concerning 15 Ministries of Government of India and has an outlay of Rs. 80,068 crore. These projects have no meaning for the people of the state if normalcy is not restored forthwith. Whatever means has to be adopted to bring order and peace in the state, govt. of India must do so before pumping any financial package for any project.

Time to give befitting reply

The time is running out, and no action in regard to how to deal with Pak-sponsored terrorism firmly and the spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir is perceptible on the ground. It is time to give befitting reply to Pakistan. Terrorists numbering four reportedly sent from across the border attacked the Army camp in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir and killed three soldiers. One among the three is an army officer. Two terrorists also reported to have been killed and the two are still suspected to have holed up somewhere near the army camp. Nation is furious over the loss of precious lives of army personnel. This is not the first time that army camp has been attacked by the terrorists. The first attack was made on Indian Air Force base at Pathankot. Four terrorists and three of the brave Indian air force soldiers were killed in the gun-battle that ensued. After Pathankot, Uri and Nagrota army camps were attacked. 19 soldiers in Uri and 7 soldiers in Nagrota were killed. After that, Army conducted surgical strike and as they reportedly killed more than 20 terrorists across the border. Narendra Modi govt. went on drum beating about the surgical strike by the army. But the result on the ground in terms in terms of fall in terror attack has not been experienced yet. On the contrary, the terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up sharply. The frequent attack on army camps adjacent to border by terrorists clearly indicates that their intention is to demoralize the Indian army. There is hardly a day passes on which the country looses one of its brave soldiers in terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir. And the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. continues to tall talking. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha electioneering in 2014 had promised the people that if they voted BJP to power, he would teach Pakistan a lesson. If our one soldier is killed, we would kill 10 of our enemy. But that was election time and the promise was made only to gather votes. Modi govt. has completely failed on Kashmir issue and in dealing with terror like the previous regimes since independence. And in regard to Pakistan Modi govt. appears to have no policy. The killing of three army personnel, including an officer in the attack on army camp in Kupwara has enraged the people. Our soldiers are killed like insects in terror and naxal violences on one hand and Modi govt is watching like mute spectator. The time has come for taking a decision to teach Pakistan a lesson once and for all time to come. Modi govt. must give clear warning to Pakistan that now enough is enough and if terror is allowed to be operating from its soil against India, it will send its army to destroy the terror camps. Nation expect from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act immediately to put a stop to the killing of brave army personnel and innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir. As far as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti is concerned, she and her party PDP have been known to have soft corner for separatist and extremist elements in the state. How can she deal with them? Despite that BJP has cobbled up coalition with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir to form the govt. there. As nation is enraged at the killing of three army personnel in Kupwara today, the army must be given free hand to deal with the situation. They must not be advised to exercise restraint. If the attack on army camp by terrorists continues to take place, a message will go out that India is soft enough to act against the hostile neighbouring country. The loss of lives of young army personnel must not be allowed to go waste. India must act to crush terrorism and if for that it requires intervening militarily, it must do without taking any care of international criticism.

PM Modi's wave is still intact

The massive victory of BJP in MCD elections clearly reflects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity among the people is still intact. PM’s popularity is the single most important factor that led the BJP to the stupendous victory in MCD for third consecutive time. BJP has avenged the defeat in Delhi assembly elections in 2014-15 at the hands of AAP by retaining power in MCD. It has been ruling the MCD for the last 10 years. If the elections were fought on the issue of performance by MCD with the BJP as the ruling the party, the result would certainly have been different. MCD elections have not been fought on local issues such as cleanliness and civic amenities. If it was so, the BJP could not have won as its performance in MCD has been dismal. As far as cleanliness and civic amenities in Delhi are concerned, they are in worst shape. MCD is also alleged to be the most corrupt civic body. The astounding victory of BJP in MCD is a huge humiliation for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as they have also miserably failed despite the fact of their unprecedented victory in the Delhi assembly elections two years back in 2015. Chief Minister Kejriwal failed to keep his popularity intact among the Delhiites. It is a massive defeat for him. The Delhiites have rejected his confrontationist politics. AAP percentage of votes in MCD elections has fallen sharply from more than 50 in assembly elections in 2015 to 24 percent. As far as the hope of revival for the Congress party is concerned, it has missed the opportunity to do so, but registered a little improvement in terms of percentage of votes. AAP which had won 67 seats out of 70 in the last Delhi assembly has slipped to second position in MCD elections. The Congress party is at third position. With the massive victory in UP and Uttaranchal, the morale of the BJP was already very high. In the MCD elections, BJP dropped all its sitting Corporators to offset anti-incumbency factor and set the national agenda in the local elections. BJP understood that if it fought on local issues, its loss was imminent. Neither the AAP nor the Congress succeeded in convincing the Delhiites that the pilling of garbage and dirt all around the city was the stark example of BJP's failure in MCD. The outbreak of Dengue, Chikungunia and other diseases in the city is due to the prevailing unhygienic condition in the city; and for this BJP is solely responsible. This message could not be conveyed to Delhiites by the opposition AAP and Congress in the MCD elections. Undoubtedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the country. He is a great asset for BJP. And it is its natural right to win the elections by projecting him at all levels of elections in the country. One thing is also certain that minus Modi, BJP is no better than Congress or AAP at this juncture. There is a craze for PM Modi among the youngsters. Even after the elapse of three years in power at the Centre, they still hope that PM Modi would end corruption and unemployment. In addition to these two factors, BJP's dose of Hindutva also goes to favour it greatly. So, the party never falls short of exploiting Hindutva in its favour in all elections. With astounding victory in MCD, the Delhiites expect from the BJP to give Delhi a facelift. Delhi being the national capital, the civic amenities and hygienic condition of the city have not been better than a district town. So, BJP must act honestly this time to keep the city neat and clean and free from mosquito-borne diseases. The pathetic performance of the ruling AAP in MCD elections call for immediate introspection. As far as Congress is concerned, its leadership must introspect and act immediately to keep its house united. Otherwise, its revival appears to be very difficult.

Dastardly act

The killing of 25 CRPF personnel in an ambush by Naxals in Sukma of Chattishgarh is a dastardly act. Neither the problem of naxalism nor of violence is new to the country. Our brave soldiers and security personnel are killed either in naxal or terror violence at frequent intervals throughout the year. It is only last month that near about a dozen CRPF personnel were killed in Chattishgarh by Maoists. The successive governments do the same thing of offering condolences, paying tributes and making announcement of ex-gratia amount to the kith and kin of those killed after every incident of naxal or terror violence. Union Home Minister pays tributes to the slain soldiers and security personnel and PM offers condolences to the deceased families and make announcement of ex-gratia amount to the kith and kin. This is a routine affair and permanent ritual. It is just like the same path on which every successive government treads. Nothing more than that is done. The entire nation is shocked, shaken, saddened and enraged at the killing of 25 CRPF personnel in a Naxal attack. The security personnel and civilians are also killed in terror violence at regular intervals in the trouble - torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. These incidents were taking place during the previous UPA, and so is in the present Narendra Modi-led NDA regime. There appears no rebate on the ground so far as naxal or terror violence is concerned. Our brave CRPF were taken unawares. They were providing protection to road construction workers in the naxal-infested areas of Sukma in Chattishgarh. The region is prone to Naxal violence. It is also the bastion of Naxals. This is not the first time that naxal violence has occurred there. In 2013, the top leadership of Chattishgarh Congress party was killed in the Naxal attack in the same area. Six years back in 2010, the massacre of 75 CRPF personnel in Dantewada by the Naxals had taken place in Chattishgarh. While this area of the state is prone to Naxal violence, there was no intelligence report about the activities of Naxals. It has been reported that near about 300 naxals collected atop the hill and fired from there on the CRPF personnel who were taking lunch. This clearly shows the total failure of intelligence agency. More than that half of the country is affected by Naxal violence. The problem of Naxalism is not only of law and order but also of socio-economic. The govt. of the day must strengthen the security apparatus on priority basis and stop saying after every incident that it would look into the matter. Modi govt. must be tough with Naxals and terrorists. They are enemies of the nation. The Naxals are still in delusion that power flows from the barrel of the gun as said by Mao Tse Tung. India is a democratic country and it believes in non-violence. The violence has no place in India. If ever violence is carried out with the sole intention of weakening the nation, it must be dealt with mercilessly without caring for the so-called Human Rights activists and intellectuals. The killing of 25 CRPF personnel by Naxals in Sukma is also the failure of the state intelligence agency. Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh also must take the incident seriously as Naxal violence is taking place in his state regularly. As at the Centre and in the state the same party is ruling, there can be no complaint of non-cooperation between the two to fight Naxalism to finish. A multi-pronged planning is required to be charted out to deal with the situation successfully. The entire nation offers heart-felt condolence to the members of the bereaved families. Naxalism and terrorism need to be dealt with brute force in the first place. Until and unless the pressure is built on Naxals and terrorists, they cannot surrender before the security forces. The power of naxalism and terrorism cannot be bigger than that of state power. So, the need is to take decisive step to quell Maoism and terrorism once and for all time to come.

Kejriwal is hiding under EVM cover

It appears that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal fears his party’s total rout in the MCD elections and that is why he has said that Electronic Voting Machines are flawed. He alleges that EVMs were tampered. He is of the view that they were set in the way that no matter which button is pressed by the voter; the vote will go to BJP. But Mr. Kejriwal forgot that when his party had registered unprecedented and historic victory in Delhi assembly elections in 2015 by winning 67 seats out of 70, the same EVMs were used to conduct elections. There is no malfunction of the EVMs. It is the malfunctioning of his government in Delhi with which the Delhiites have become disillusioned. AAP and Kejriwal must realize that they can cheat Delhiites once, but not twice. They have seen through their duplicity. They have squandered two years of their precious time in confrontation with the Centre and verbal duel with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Delhi CM Kejriwal must read the writing on the wall just after the result of Rajouri garden by-poll in which his party candidate lost the security deposit. In just two years his party slipped to the third from the first position. Kejriwal had raised hopes and aspiration of Delhiites that he would start alternative politics free of corruption, complacency and confrontation. The Delhiites supported APP wholeheartedly that was shown in the result of 2015 assembly elections. But the vaulting ambition of Kejriwal jeopardized AAP's expansion prospect, and Delhiites’ hopes and aspirations were dashed to the ground . AAP was badly defeated in Punjab only because it could fail to show any spectacular achievement in its two years of rule in Delhi. Punjab rejected APP and so did Goa. By merely winning assembly elections in the state like Delhi, he started putting himself on equal footing with the national leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He started cultivating Prime Ministerial ambition and that is why APP went to fight elections in Punjab and Goa. But in both these states it fell headlong. It is the humiliation of defeat in Punjab and Goa that APP has restricted its expansion activity. In the last two years of its regime, all charges of corruption and criminal activities against some of its leaders and ministers have also come to the surface. It goes against its birth as it was on anti-corruption plank. There has been no development in Delhi that could strike the people in the last two years by the APP govt. Kejriwal's way of governance is no better than that of BJP or Congress. CM Kejriwal must know that the grand building cannot be built on the weak plinth. He should also know that the people of Delhi have seen through his action. They can no longer be hoodwinked. Tall talking cannot prove to be beneficial for any political party or leader. The people have become smart enough to understand which party or leader is working or not. It is the fear of his defeat in the MCD elections as shown by the exit polls conducted by different news channel that he is alleging about the malfunctioning of the EVMs. It is just like blaming the road without knowing how to walk on it. There is no fault in EVM as EC has said and it can also not be hacked.

Safety and security is necessary for all Indians

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has rightly asked his ministry to issue advisory to all states for safety and security of Kashmiri students. The home ministry has been directed to issue the advisory to all states in the wake of an incident in which a group of Kashmiri students of a private university were manhandled and called terrorists by some locals in Chittorgarh of Rajasthan. It was the first incident of an attack on Kashmiri students in the recent day. In the second incident of Meerut, a number of hoardings sprang up in the town that read, Kashmiri students UP Choro ... verna (Kashmiri students must leave UP or face the consequences). The hoardings were put up at several places on the roadside by a little known outfit Nav Nirman Sena. Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India and it will remain so. Like any other student of any other state of India is Indian so is the student of Kashmir. The students of Kashmir can go to any state of India for education or livelihood and the state has the responsibility of providing safety and security to them. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has swung into action. If this type of incident is not nipped in the bud, a sense of alienation is bound to develop among those against whom discrimination is practised. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje Scindhia has also assured the Kashmiri students of safety and security. Kashmiri students have not come from an alien country. They are part and parcel of India. They are as much Indian as the students of any other state. So, the students of Kashmir must not be singled out merely because the state of Jammu and Kashmir is trouble-torn. Safety and security is necessary for all law abiding Indians. It is as much necessary for Kashmiri students as the students of other parts of the country who go to Srinagar for studying in engineering stream. As the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is getting worse and worse, especially after PDP-BJP coalition govt. was formed in the state, the govt. machinery there appears to have collapsed. PDP leader and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been soft towards the hardline elements in the state. When she was in opposition, she openly supported separatists in the state. The stone pelting on the security personnel has been going in the state for years with no hope of any abatement in it. It is due to deteriorating law and order coupled with the spurt in terrorism in the state, several students of NIT Srinagar had to leave the city to save their lives from terror and separatist elements. Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP govt. has failed to give them security. Leave the problem of terrorism aside, the state govt. has failed to even maintain law and order. Stone pelters are misguided youths. Separatist leaders have misguided and misled them. But what is state govt. doing? Why the representatives of Mehbooba Mufti govt. and BJP-PDP leaders don’t meet the parents of stone-pelters to say them that how their sons are misguided and misled by the self-seeking separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir. Your sons pelt stones on Army personnel who had saved you from drowning and provide all sorts of help during the devastating floods in the state some years back. But when they are fighting against Pak-sponsored terror in the state, stones are being pelted to them to help terrorists flee. Is this the reward that some misguided people of Kashmir are giving to them in the state? The students from other states who have taken admission in NIT Srinagar and any other college in any other parts of Jammu and Kashmir must also be given full proof security.

Banning red beacon is good, but lot more required

Banning of red beacon atop all kinds of vehicles is a good decision taken by the Narendra Modi government. With a view to strengthening healthy democratic values in the country, NDA govt. took another historic step. It has decided to do away with beacons of all kinds atop all categories of vehicles in the country. Beacons, however, will be allowed on vehicles concerned with emergency and relief services, ambulance, fire service etc. It will end one of the signs of VIP culture that prevailed among govt. dignitaries. Red beacons atop the vehicles of dignitaries added glamour to their position. They had created a sense of importance for them among the people whenever a govt. dignitary in vehicle with red beacon on top of it visited them. But as far as the decision of doing away with red beacon atop all kinds of vehicles is concerned, it would make no impact in any way on the common people in the villages. It is the educated middle class people who understand how the vehicle of govt. dignitary with red beacon atop it makes differences. One message that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intended to send by banning the red beacon atop all kinds of vehicles is that his govt. treats the people as VIPs. All are equal in status as far as govt. privilege is concerned. But by doing away with red or blue beacon, the Govt. will not in any away curtail other privileges of ministers and MPs. Will there be any cut in the facilities- of the sprawling bungalow, fleet of vehicles and security- that are provided to ministers, MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries? If these facilities are cut down, it will be beneficial as far as the govt. exchequer is concerned. The decision of doing away with red beacon will end the British reminiscences as some ministers in the Modi govt. say. As far as British reminiscences are concerned, our parliamentary democracy is itself based on Westminster model. Can the Govt. replace it? So the decision of doing away with red beacon is nothing but a populist one to show the people that Modi govt. is closer to them than any other previous govt. That is why it has also been said that red beacon should have been banned long before. To go closer to people to identify with them, the govt. dignitaries whether they are ministers, MPs, MLAs or govt. officers, they should emulate the life style of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, as far as his simplicity is concerned. Mahatma Gandhi identified with the common men through his simplicity. His dress, life style and his humbleness identified him with the poor people very easily. Can anyone of the present day leader have the moral authority to emulate the life style of Gandhiji to go closer to the poor people? Million of rupees are spent only on security, maintaining residences and fleet of vehicles of our ministers, MPs, MLAs and leaders. Can the govt. curtail their facilities to be closer to the common people? It is not only red beacon that reflected VIP culture. More than that, it is the mindset of ministers, MPs and MLAs that makes them VIPs. Red beacon has been removed, but big SUVs are there for them to move along with convoy of security vehicles. The security vehicles that accompany the ministers themselves reflect their VIP status. So, Only removing red beacon will not help end the VIP culture. It is the convoy of vehicles of security personnel to protect ministers, MPs, MLAs and high bureaucrats that establish them as VIPs. Banning red beacon from atop all kinds of vehicles is a decision that appeals the people in the first place but it will make no difference to their VIP status that they enjoyed. If the sprawling bungalow and security personnel are not taken away from the govt. dignitaries such as ministers, MPs, MLAs and high bureaucrats, VIP culture among them will not end.

Expedite the process of Mallya's extradition

The absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya was arrested, and subsequently granted bail by a London court. His extradition to India is urgently required so that he could be tried according to Indian laws in Indian court. All procedures of extradition must be completed expeditiously so that Mallya could be brought back to India soon. Mallya had fled away to London after gulping about Rs. 9000 Crore of Indian money. He had taken loan in the name of his business from different banks. But he did not care to pay it back. As without implicating politics in any development in India, nothing is possible. It was experienced in Mallya’s absconding. Mallaya got loans from banks during the Congress led UPA regime and fled the country during the BJP-led NDA regime. So both the main political parties of the country cannot be absolved of conniving at the Mallya issue deliberately. It is a long history how Vijay Mallya procured so huge amount of loan from different banks. The role of banks in the underhand dealing while sanctioning loan to him can also not be ruled out. With his arrest in London, one thing is clear that the Central Bureau of Investigation is seriously pursuing the case against him and the Narendra Modi govt. is also diplomatically dealing with it. Now the CBI and the Indian High Commission must start the process of extradition of Vijay Mallya to India expeditiously. Mallya is an economic offender. He must be treated as such. He is absconding from law of the land. It is also clearly evident that there are two parameters for getting loans from bank. One is for big business men and the other is for farmers and common people. The famers of the country in different parts are committing suicide under the pressure of bank loans in the wake of drought on the one hand and Vijay Mallya is living in luxury after taking Rs. 9000 crore from banks on the other. One thing is also surprising that Vijay Mallya was also an MP and defaulter for not paying the huge bank loans. Despite taking loan of so huge an amount of money from different banks, no question was raised in Parliament over Vijay Mallya's known default in paying back loan. It shows that all MPs are united when their own interests are involved irrespective of political affiliations. That is why no MP raises question against the interest of an individual MP. It is a fact that extradition of Vijay Mallya to India is not so easy. But the concerted effort must be made by the CBI, Indian High Commission and Govt. of India at their respective level to bring him back. As far as his fleeing from the country is concerned, it appears impossible that it could happen without any knowledge of the govt. department concerned. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Indian High Commission will start the process of Mallya’s extradition. India needs to set precedent and Mallya’s extradition is one such case, also those defaulters who think that their money is safe in tax heavens are on wrong foot. The 61-year-old liquor businessman, wanted in India for defaulting on loans, appeared before the Westminster's Magistrates' Court in London for his bail hearing where the court granted bail to him. Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed that extradition of the absconding liquor baron has been stratified by the Secretary of State of the U.K. Government and added that a warrant would soon be released against him.

Triple Talaq is an injustice to Muslim women

The practice of Triple Talaq in Muslim community is a curse. It is against the dignity, equality and safety of Muslim sisters in their society. The Narendra Modi govt. and the BJP have already expressed their views against Triple Talaq. It is against progress and development. Triple Talaq is a retrograde practice imposed on Muslim women by Maulanas and Maulvis in Muslim society. It is exploitative and absurd practice of giving divorce to Muslim women by men. Supreme Court is to start hearing the case of Triple Talaq from the next month. Several Muslim sisters have raised her voices against the practice of Triple Talaq. Muslim women's dignity, equality and safety suffer most by the practice of Triple Talaq in their community. Man and woman have been given equal right by the Constitution of India. In spite of this, why women in Muslim community are treated as toys with which men play as long as they want and after that they throw them by only uttering Talaq thrice. They can do it on the Telephone and through the SMS. What is this? This is sheer injustice to Muslim sisters in the society. The practice of Triple Talaq must be done away with as soon as possible. It is good that Narendra Modi -led NDA government is the practice of Triple Talaq. In most of the Islamic country, there is no practice of Triple Talaq. There is no practice of Triple Talaq in Indonesia despite it being the largest Muslim populated country of the world. Our hostile neighbour Pakistan, which is one of the most important frontline Muslim countries as far as theocracy is concerned, doesn't favour the practice of Triple Talaq. In India, the main exponents of Triple Talaq in Muslim society are Mullahs and Maulvis, who exploit the society in the name of religion. Some days back even Vice President's wife Salma Ansari had reportedly spoken against Triple Talaq at a function. It is said that there is nothing like Triple Talaq in the Quran, which is the most sacred book of Muslims. All India Personal Law Board amidst the opposition to Triple Talaq by some of the educated Muslim women has taken the decision in their meeting that those Muslim male members who give Triple Talaq without concrete and just reasons; they would be boycotted in the society. But AIPLB has openly opposed any interference in their personal law by the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly said at his party's National Executive Meeting in Bhubneswar to BJP leaders and workers to reach to Muslim community to convey his message to resolve the issue of Triple through consent, but not by conflict. Modi govt. wants to win the sympathy of those Muslim women who are against Triple Talaq on one hand and not prepared to take measures to do away with the practice on the other. The ruling BJP favours Uniform Civil Code. But India is a diverse country in which different communities practise different practices. Unity in diversity is the beauty of India. So, no govt. can dare make law to abolish the practice which is not only outdated but also outrageous, undignified and medieval, but linked to religious belief. It is the medieval mindset of Mullahs in Muslim society who advocate for the continuance of Triple Talaq even in 21st century India. Triple Talaq is a bane for Muslim sisters. They must be given equal right and freedom to leave a life of dignity. The Govt. of India can bring a bill in Parliament to do away with the practice of Triple Talaq in Muslim society. But no govt. will ever do that and the issue will only be in public discourse to polarize the society on the basis of religion. Otherwise, when the practice of Triple Talaq violates human rights, why govt. is not seen to be active in taking measures to end Triple Talaq - the bane for Muslim sisters.

Unnecessary outrage over video Politicians in Jammu and Kashmir are unnecessarily outraged at the video of a youth, who according to the army is a stone-pelter, tied to the bonnet of the jeep, which is front of the convoy of moving vehicles. Stone pelters pelt stones at the army personnel when they are engaged in conducting search operation against the terrorists. They pelt stones on security personnel to help terrorists flee. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had rightly said some time back that those young men who pelted stones on the army personnel to disrupt their operation against terrorists were anti-nationals and they should be treated as such. Those who aid, abet and sympathize with terrorists are undoubtedly anti-nationals. There are some misguided youths who play at the hands of separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. It is also alleged that separatist Hurriyat leaders of different factions are the paid agents of Pakistan. They misguide the Kashmiri youths to disrupt army’s operation against terrorists by pelting stones on them. And they are doing it all on the behest of Pakistan. The video of a stone - pelter tied to the bonnet of army jeep need not cause concern among the common Kashmiri people. If the video is authentic, it was made to show the other stone pelters that if they pelted stones on army personnel, they would also be tied to the bonnet of the jeep in convoy and made round of the area. It is utmost necessary for the police and security personnel in the state of Jammu and Kashmir to strike fear among the stone pelters. Stone pelting is an anti-national act. Army is deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to combat terrorism, which is being sponsored in the state from across the border, and provide safety and security to the people. Army has also been strictly asked to exercise maximum restraint. But the problem in Kashmir is that the separatist leaders instigate some misguided youths to pelt stones on the security personnel when they are engaged in encounter with the terrorists. They do it to help terrorists flee. And this is what they have been instructed by the sepatist leaders. As separatist leaders are allegedly the paid agents of Pakistan, they would never like the return of normalcy, peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. If normalcy returns to Kashmir, their job is over and they would not be paid. The parents and guardians of the stone pelters must be appealed by the state govt. to not allow their sons and wards to go near the site of encounter between security personnel and terrorists. It should be impressed on them that the sons and kith and kin of separatist leaders have nothing to do with stone pelting. They are either studying outside the state or in govt. jobs. So, their career is unaffected. It is the sons and daughters of some common Kashmiris whose career is badly affected because of their participation in stone pelting on army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. One thing must be understood for once and all time to come that Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India and it will remain be so. Army should also be careful that those who have nothing to do with stone pelting must not be harassed in any way. Army personnel must exercise maximum restraint.

Campaigning in full swing for MCD elections

The campaigning, canvassing and door to door contact exercise by all the leaders of all political parties for the MCD elections in Delhi is in full swing. MCD elections are going to be held on April 23. The main contestants in the MCD elections are the three major parties - Aam Admi Party (AAP), Opposition BJP and Congress- besides all other small and regional parties. AAP is the ruling party and BJP is the opposition party in Delhi assembly. Congress has nil in Delhi assembly after ruling the city for 15 years in a row. BJP has been ruling MCD in Delhi for the last 10 years. So, it has to do a lot of explaining for deteriorating civic amenities and hygienic condition in the city. AAP is ruling in Delhi. Only two years back, it had got resounding victory in the assembly elections, winning 67 seats out of 70. It was an unprecedented victory. AAP had swayed the Delhiites by its leaders' high idealistic speeches. But in the last more than two years of its regime, the AAP govt. and the functioning style of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have dashed the hopes of Delhiites down to the ground. The way AAP has lost security deposit in the Rajouri Garden by-poll clearly reflects that Delhiites have become totally disillusioned with it. AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wasted the valuable time in indulging in the controversy of which the people of Delhi have nothing to do with it. Kejriwal govt. mostly kept involved itself in confrontation with the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre. Kejri always spoke on national issues and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has become his main occupation. These things also clearly reflect his vaulting national ambition. CM Kejriwal campaigned vigorously for his party in Punjab assembly elections and ignored his govt. functioning in Delhi. Delhi suffered most on one hand and AAP was decimated by the Congress party in Punjab on the other. He appeared to have learnt a lesson from Punjab experience that he restrained his political activities in Gujarat. He had also fixed his eyes to fight Gujarat elections. But the Punjab has given him the clear message. APP’s humiliating defeat in Rajouri Garden assembly by-poll will also have dampening effect on its hope of winning the MCD elections in Delhi. Being the ruling party of Delhi, AAP considers itself as the strongest claimant of power in MCD also. As far as BJP is concerned, its morale is very high with its resounding victory in Rajouri Garden assembly by-poll and elsewhere in the country. Its tallest leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charishma and his connection with the people are marvellous. The best thing that goes in the favour of the BJP is the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the people. He is the single leader of the party who can win any election for it single handedly. If the recently concluded UP assembly elections are anything to go by, PM Modi has out-weighed every leader in the country. Undoubtedly, BJP has the most popular leader in Prime Minister Modi. But as far as BJP's performance in keeping Delhi neat and clean as the ruling party in MCD is concerned, Delhiites may give a second thought on voting it back to power in MCD. As it is ruling MCD, it will be held responsible for all the malaises in it. Corruption appears to be rampant at all levels in MCD. Education, Health and cleanliness are in jeopardy in the city. So, despite getting victory elsewhere in the country, winning MCD elections this time will be very tough for BJP. After AAP and BJP, the third major contender in MCD elections is Congress party. The main weakness of the party is its lethargy and indecisiveness. Its leadership has so far failed to connect with the people. The morale of the party cadres and workers is at the lowest level due to one defeat after another in elections. The cadres and workers of the Congress party are required to be given pep talks by the top leader of the party. Undoubtedly, Congress is the oldest and the longest serving party of the country. But its leaders are required to work on the ground and be among the people to be aware of their difficulties. All three major contenders claim for their victory in MCD elections. There is no wave in favour of any party.

The sentence to death handed out to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pak military court is a heinous act

The death sentence handed out to the alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jhadav by the military court of Pakistan is a heinous act. Kulbhushan is not a spy but a retired Indian navy officer, now engaged in business. He had gone to Iran in regard to his business where he was kidnapped and taken to Pakistan. Merely giving stern warning of consequences by India in its reaction to Kulbhushan’s sentencing to death is no longer making any impact on Pakistan. India requires teaching Pakistan a lesson, which it could never forget. In convention of all established international laws and even Vienna Convention, Pak military court unilaterally sentenced Kulbhushan Jhadav to death. It is shocking and outrageous. It is also no secret that Pakistan military is everything in the country and the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif is a toy in their hands. Though India has expressed strong reservation and called Jhadav’s sentencing to death a pre-meditated murder, it is not enough and it has to take stern action against Pakistan, which would assuage the hurt feeling of all Indians. Kulbhushan Jhadav was denied consular access. India had tried 13 times for providing consular access to Jhadav. It is time for India to wake up and act. Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a rubber stamp in the hands of military. Everything is decided by Pakistan military and its notorious ISI. The death sentence to Kulbhushan gives clear signal that Pak is no longer interested in improving relations with India. There is jungle raj in Pakistan. Nothing is governed by law. Whatever army wants is carried out without any murmur. When Pakistan military can send Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, one of the most popular leaders of the country, to gallows, what can be expected from them? Pakistan military sentenced Kulbhushan Jhadav to death on charge of spying to show the international community that how India's most prestigious intelligence agency RAW's agent is involved in inciting rebellion in Balochistan. Pakistan has mastery in creating false image of India. The death sentence to Jhadav is against all norms of law and justice. He was given no time to defend himself. It clearly appears that Pak military court was pre-determined to hand death sentence to Kubhushan. India must act and launch vigorous diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. There is no need to improve relation with the neighbour, which is rogue and has no human value. Amnesty International has also criticized the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jhadav. Pak military court is killing one who is defenceless. It should have given him opportunity to defend. Pak doesn't understand gentleman's language. It is a rogue country and it should be treated as such. Talking improvement of relations with it is nothing but foolishness. Our gesture of friendship with it is considered as our weakness. So, it is required on the part of India to take stern action against Pakistan. Whenever Pak commits heinous acts against the Indian, there is very strong reaction to them in India. The entire nation is shocked and outrageous at the heinous act of Pakistan. India is also required to give befitting reply to the military establishment of Pakistan as democratically elected govt. is spineless there. It is time for India to canvass among the world powers to put pressure on Pakistan to defer the execution of the death sentencing of Kulbhushan Jhadav. If India continued to pursue for talks with Pakistan, its image will be affected. India being the largest democracy and emerging economic power in the world, it must assert and teach a lesson to Pak military once and for all time to come. The people of India are agitated and shocked at the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jhadav by Pak military court.

Abolish the practice of Triple Talaq

The practice of Triple Talaq must be abolished. It is against the Muslim women in every respect. Muslim women are treated like dolls in the present day Muslim society in which it is practised in letter and spirit under the influence and pressure of the so-called Maulanas. Vice President's wife Salma Ansari has rightly raised the voice against Triple Talaq. She said that saying talaq thrice does not amount to anything, and called on Muslim women to read the Quran thoroughly instead of relying on clerics for their views on Islam. She says rightly that there can be no talaq just because someone utters 'talaq, 'talaq, 'talaq three times. A considerable number of educated and liberal-minded Muslim women have also come out against the practice of Triple Talaq in Muslim society. The largest Muslim populated country of the world is Indonesia, but there is no practice of Triple Talaq in that country. Triple Talaq is not practiced in most of the Islamic countries. Why we have to go far it is even not practiced in Pakistan, which is a front ranking Islamic country of the world. The practice of Triple of Talaq is sheer injustice to the women. It would be better of Muslim women to read the Quran themselves, and not rely on what the Maulanas in their society say about the Shariat. The issue in question is the violation of Muslim women' right. Men and women must be treated equally in society irrespective of religion. In the name of religion, the women cannot be exploited. It is the medieval mindset of Maulanas in Muslim society that tries to impose their medieval practices Muslim women. It has been wrongly established in Muslim society that women are meant only for breeding. It is not only the educated Muslim women but also the men should come out against the evil practices, which are being practiced in society for decades. We are living in 21st century in which there is no place for obscurantism, medieval mindset and outdated practices based on the notion that they satisfy religious aspirations. Triple Talaq is the glaring example of human rights' violation of Muslim women in the society. Though the issue of Triple Talaq is under the consideration of the apex court, the chorus against it among the Muslim women is commendable. It is the first and foremost responsibility of Muslim women to come out against Triple Talaq. It has not been sanctioned by the most sacred religious book the Quran. It is the so-called Maunas and Maulbis who want to impose their will on society. Can any religion sanction atrocity against the women? Triple Talaq is nothing but the sheer atrocity against the Muslim women by their men. The marriage is sacred. It must not be broken in a whim. Our Muslim sisters must come out in the support of abolishing Triple Talaq. The Allahabad High Court had in December 2016 held that the practice of triple talaq is 'cruel' and raised an issue that whether the Muslim Personal Law could be amended to provide relief to the Muslim women. The High Court also stated that the form of 'instant divorce' is 'most demeaning'. The Supreme Court is to hear multiple pleas challenging the validity of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy practices among Muslims community on May 11 by a Constitution bench during the summer vacation. Earlier on March 27, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) told the apex court that the pleas challenging such practices among Muslims were not maintainable as the issues fell outside the realm of judiciary.

China must be rebuffed

The famous Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has been a thorn in the flesh of China since he fled to India and former Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru granted political asylum to him. Since then, Dalai Lama has been living in India and spreading the civilization, cultural and traditional values of India. He propagates India's message of non-violence, peace and amity. It is China's way of imposing its dominance on other countries in the neighbourhood that it has called India’s ambassador to China to lodge its protest against the visit of Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh. His visit is strictly religious and no political angle should be attached to it. Arunachal Pradesh is one among seven the north-eastern states of India. It shares no border with China. Arunachal Pradesh shares borders with Tibet. It means China is not India's next door neighbour. Tawang is the border district of Arunachal Pradesh and it has been a famous for the Buddhist centre. Dalai Lama intends to visit Tawang. Dalai Lama is a valued guest of India. That is why India has arranged his week-long visit to the north-eastern state. China is unnecessarily creating controversy over his visit by laying its claim on some portions of territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China has described Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh as obstinately arranged by India. But the fact of the matter is that because of which China is upset is that it feels that the visit of Dalai Lama to the Buddhist majority district of Tawang is against its interest. Dalai Lama has openly said that India has never used against China. He has also not been demanding the secession of Tibet from China. He is demanding only autonomy of Tibet. It is the highhandedness of China that it wants to crush the Tibetan voice of dissent mercilessly. Why China is so much perturbed over the visit of Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh that it has launched diplomatic offensive against India and warned that the obstinately arranged visit of Dalai Lama will strain the relation between the two countries. As far as the relation between the two countries is concerned, India is not to budge from its stated stand on the issue of autonomy to Tibet and it must also provide all sorts of help to Dalai Lama. Has China ever thought the interest of India while opposing its proposal at UN to get Pak-based Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar declared a terrorist? It also opposed India’s entry in NSG while most of the leading world powers supported. Then why India would take care of China’s sentiment or anything else. India must give clear message to China that it is not 1962. It is 2017. The time has changed and India is no longer in any way behind any of its neighbour, though it also supports the principle of co-operation and good neighbourly relation. It is well known that Pakistan has always been hostile to India. Despite that, China increased its activities in PoK and started building Economic Corridoor. What is this? This is nothing but the deliberate move to upset India. While Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh is not for hurting the interest of China, its knee-jerk reaction reflects its narrow mindedness. Though it was a foregone conclusion that Dalai Lama's visit to NE would upset China, its claim on some parts of territory in Arunachal Pradesh is completely unfounded. China being one of the two Asian giants must not go overboard. Otherwise the other giant will also react in the same coin.

Uncalled for suggestion

The statement issued by US ambassador to United Nation Nikki Haley that US President Donald Trump’s administration would try to find its place to be a part of efforts to de-escalate the tension between India and Pakistan is uncalled for, unnecessary, unwarranted and unsolicited. Though India's External Affairs Ministry has rejected US suggestion outright, the BJP-led NDA govt. must not budge from the stated position of bilateralism between India and Pakistan to resolve any issue whatsoever in accordance with Shimla agreement in letter and spirit. If something happens, India is ready to face. But the US' wait for intervention would remain be unending. Nikki's statement also reflects that the Trump administration has no knowledge about history. We follow Shimla agreement between the two countries in letter and spirit that all longstanding issues would be resolved bilaterally. It would be better for Trump administration to wipe out the root of terrorism, which is lying in Pakistan, from where it emanates and puts the peace of the entire region and beyond in jeopardy. Almost all the immediate predecessors of President Donald Trump whether it is Obama, Bush or Clinton has tried to find place in the efforts of de-escalating tension between India and Pakistan, but all went in vain. What they achieved is all before the world. The third party intervention to resolve any issue between India and Pakistan is out of question. India has made its position clear times without number. Pakistan has always been trying to rope in third party i.e. US in talks between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established the prestige of the nation all over the world, and his personal rapport has been good with almost all top leaders of the world. So, as Donald Trump is a new entrant on international stage in the capacity of the President of world's most powerful country the US, he must be told very clearly that India would never agree to any third party intervention to resolve any issue with Pakistan. It appears that the love of US for Pakistan is still intact despite the fact that terrorism originates from its soil. It is also clear that the US keeps its interest above everything. Pakistan has been its blue-eyed boy for decades. It is with the fast change in world political and geo-strategic scenario that pushed the US to lean towards India. With coming closer to India, US has alienated Pakistan a little. And because of its shift, Pakistan went into the lap of China. Pak has facilitated China to build economic corridor. The economic corridor in Pakistan with the total help of China was built. China also set its feet in Pakistan. It is very big thing for China as it has also come to the backyard of India. It is correct that US and India are the natural allies as former is the first democracy and the later is the largest one. But US soft-corner for Pakistan sours the relation between the two time to time. US endeavour to have a place in the effort of de escalating tension between India and Pakistan clearly shows that it is still in delusion. It also reflects that the US would never act against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in India. It acted against Osama bin Laden only because he was its most wanted terrorist. Osama had directly attacked the US (9/11). It is US administration's attempt to keep Pakistan in good humour so it has spoken in Pak's language of third party intervention. India must send out a message in an unambiguous term that as and when any talk is held with Pakistan, it will be bilateral one, and nothing else.

Misuse of public money

Public money must not be spent by public figure to defend his or her personal case in the court of law. The eye brows have genuinely been raised over the bill for Rs. 3.42 Crore sent by the veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani to defend Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the case of personal suit filed against him by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his objectionable statement against him. Veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who is Kejriwal’s counsel in the defamation case filed against him by Jaitley, has reportedly sent bills for Rs. one crore in retainership and Rs. 22 lakh for each appearance in court to the Delhi Chief Minister. Jethmalani has made 11 appearances so far, leading to a total of Rs 3.42 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has signed off on the bills and sent them for clearance to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, who has sought the opinion of experts on how to proceed. Baijal’s move comes after the Delhi Government’s Law Department, responding to a note by Sisodia, said that Lieutenant Governor’s permission for clearing the bills was necessary. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has rightly sought legal advice from Law Department how to proceed on the matter. Kejriwal is the CM of Delhi. Delhi govt. has a team of lawyers. So when the Delhi govt. has a team of lawyers, why CM Kejriwal engaged one of the most imminent and costliest lawyers like Ram Jethmalani at the cost of public exchequer. It is a personal suit that Kejriwal is facing. There is no involvement of Delhi govt. It is the hard earned money of tax payers of Delhi. It is a simple matter that if you have issued objectionable statement against anyone, you should have to be prepared to face the consequences on personal level. Kejriwal has allegedly issued objectionable statement against Arun Jaitley in regard to the charge of corruption against him in DDCA. What is the interest of Delhi govt. in DDCA that Kejriwal has taken the issue so seriously and allegedly issued objectionable statement against Jaitley? It appears that the fact of the matter is that at that time CBI had raided Kejriwal's personal Secretary Rajendra Kumar's chamber in relation to the corruption cases against him. While searching Kumar's chamber, CBI took away some files from there. This incident made Kejriwal upset. He started issuing objectionable statements against Jaitley and the later filed a personal suit against him. Jaitley also filed defamation suit against four more AAP leaders with Kejriwal. Delhi govt. must not foot the bill of Ramjethmalani and Kejriwal must meet the legal expense incurred in his personal suit from his own pocket. Neither Kejriwal nor Arun Jaitley can meet his legal expenses from govt. coffers. This only shows the hollowness in the claim of high idealistic principle by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The public exchequer cannot be used by the public figures for meeting their personal ends. The matter must not be politicized in view the coming MCD elections in Delhi. If the public money is used to defend the public figure like Kejriwal to defend personal suit in the court, there will then be filed personal suit against political opponents on daily basis. As Kejriwal is habituated to describe all his rivals as corrupt and callous, a bunch of personal suit can be filed against him. And he will be defending himself at the Govt. expense. So, the bill of Ram Jethmalani must not be footed by the govt. of Delhi. Public money is only meant for public work. Defending Kejriwal as individual in the court of law by govt. money is not proper and valid. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bid to have his legal bills footed from the government’s exchequer must be foiled and he should pay his legal fees from his own pocket.

Message of peace, progress and development

While inaugurating the Chenani - Nashri tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly called up on the youth to shun terrorism and adopt tourism. This tunnel will bolster up tourism and increase employment in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly said that while some misguided youth are involved and engaged in stone pelting, 25,000 youth of Jammu and Kashmir have toiled hard to make this tunnel. This tunnel will pave the way for the development of the state. Prime Minister Modi again invoked the famous slogan of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee -Insaniat, Jhambhooriat and Kashmiriat - and said that it would only help solve the problem of the trouble-torn state. PM Modi has pledged to carry forward the famous slogan of Vajpayee in regard to Kashmir. The blood shedding of the innocent people in the state at the behest of our hostile neighbour cannot help prosper Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has been facing Pak-sponsored terrorism for the last 40 years and no solution has yet been found. It is primarily because of some misguided people in the state. The tunnel is a long jump towards development for Jammu and Kashmir and would act as an engine of growth and employment to the people. This tunnel not only connects Jammu to Kashmir but also showcases progress the state has achieved. The farmers of the region can transport their vegetables, flowers and products to Delhi on time. The tunnel will guarantee tourism for the land and this will bolster tourism in the state.The tunnel is expected to give sigh of relief to travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, as it will reduce the travel time on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by about 2 hours by shortening the distance between the cities by 31 km. If the issue of development and peace is dealt with seriously, terrorism from the state of Jammu and Kashmir will go away. Undoubtedly, the unemployed youth are lured to participate in stone pelting. They are paid for pelting stones on security forces to help terrorists flee. If the incident of Budgam is anything to go by, it is clear that stone pelters were paid to pelt stones on security forces when they were engaged in encounter with the terrorist. The separatist and secessionist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir are allegedly working as the paid agents of Pakistan in the Valley. They are allegedly paid to misguide the unemployed and uneducated youth in the state. One thing can also be experienced from the fact that no sons or daughters of any of the separatist leader are engaged in stone-pelting. They are either studying outside the state or in the govt. jobs. It is the misguided and unemployed youth who suffer most. This thing needs to be impressed on the people. An awareness campaign against terrorism should also be launched by the govt. to expose the duplicity of separatist leaders before the people. The parents and guardians should also not allow their wards and children go to the site of encounter between security forces and terrorists. So, people’s co-operation is of utmost necessity to make former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee’s slogan of Insaniat, Jambhooriat and Kashmiriat a success. Chennai-Nashri tunnel will certainly herald a new era of development in Jammu and Kashmir.