Govt. indifference to Mumbaikars’ flood ordeal

This is not the first time that Mumbaikars have experienced water logging due to heavy and incessant rains for the first time. They have experienced more devastating water logging scene than this one, but what they have not seen is the inefficient, callous, lethargic and negligent govt. of Maharashtra like this incumbent one. BJP is ruling in the state and at the Centre. But the response of the government in Mumbai to the ordeal of Mumbaikars is horrible. Mumbai is not only the capital of Maharashtra but it is also the commercial capital of the nation. It is a cosmopolitan city where people from all over the world live. It has cosmopolitan character. The successive government at the Centre has always been assuring Mumbaikars of making Mumbai Shanghai or Singapore but what they see is that its condition is getting worse and worse. This is new India where everything happens opposite to the promises made by PM and Ministers. This time Meteorological department had cautioned the Maharastra govt. of heavy rains in advance. But the Fadnavis govt. took no measure to deal with the devastating water logging in the city. It is because ruling politicians neither themselves nor their relatives stuck in waist deep water on the roads nor none of them lost lives. Apart from the sheer failure of Maharashtra govt. in alleviating the pain of Mumbaikars caused by heavy rains and logging of water all over the city, the largest and the richest civic body BMC has also failed miserably to help the people. Near about dozen Mumbaikers died due to water logging in the city. It appears that the commercial capital, which is known for Bollywood all over the world, the city has been left to disorder, disturbance, and flounder. The civic body of Mumbai (BMC) is ruled by Shiva Sena, the partner in BJP state and central governments and its oldest allies. The worsening condition of Mumbai on Tuesday clearly reflected the inefficiency of the state govt. and BMC. It is surprising that despite the unbearable hardship caused by water logging in the city, no word against Shiv Sena boss or BJP govt. is spoken. This is the utter failure of BMC and govt. in tackling the situation. When the early warning of heavy rains on Tuesday was already given, why did neither the civic body nor the govt. take any preventive measure? It is well known that rains cannot be stopped, but smooth functioning of drainage could be ensured. The drains all over the city are choked. No govt. or civic official take any measure to clear it. Water logging is a perennial problem in the city. There needs to be well-planning for the passage of water smoothly. Fadnavis govt. and Shiv Sena run BMC but pay no attention to improve the civic life in the cosmopolitan city. The water logging in Mumbai must have been watched on TV news channels all over the world. What picture about Mumbai water logging would have been painted outside the country. As the flood waters receded in Mumbai, the grim task of taking stock of the havoc wreaked on the city got underway. According to latest reports, five people died and seven were reported missing while at least 11 were injured since Tuesday's torrential downpour. A 29-year-old lawyer was among those killed by the deluge. He was found dead inside his car after floodwaters receded at King's Circle on Wednesday, a chilling throwback to the death by suffocation of at least 16 people in cases where they were locked inside their cars during the 2005 flood. Meanwhile, multiple disaster control agencies had begun a manhunt for noted gastroenterologist (58), who is feared to have been sucked into a manhole on Senapati Bapat Marg during Tuesday's downpour. It means that in New India the life and property of the people will be left at the mercy of God and the govt. would be looking as the mute spectator to the people's woes.

Doklam disengagement

The rising tension over Doklam at the tri-junction of Bhutan, India and China has finally been reduced through apt diplomatic efforts made by China and India together. Both China and India pulled back their respective forces from Doklam. Both honoured disengagement agreement. Doklam is virtually the territory of Bhutan, which is at tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and China. China tried to make a motorable road through Doklam, posing a security threat to India. Indian Army jawans stopped the Chinese road construction team from working there that resulted in the scuffle between Chinese and Indian soldiers also. China showed one sided aggression at least verbally through its state run media, but India always showed restraint and patience to hold on. India showed China that it cannot change the status quo in Doklam as per the agreement between the two in 2012. It cannot be done by force. India had already assured Himalayan kingdom of providing security to its territorial sovereignty. China became furious at India for obstructing its road making spree as it was its part of a programme of encircling India. It threw challenges to India time and again to aggravate the situation. China must know that India can't buckle under pressure, and it proved all its threat as bubbles in the air. India remained resolute and committed to its stand. Indian army was unmoved and adamant not to allow the status of Doklam change forcibly by China. India held its ground. It is also India's success that it dealt Doklam issue diplomatically. China felt that when the territory did not belong to India, why did it oppose with all military might at its disposal? India never displayed aggression and even did not counter Chinese state run-media's belligerent story in the same vein. But even if China pulled its troop, it must not be fully believed that it would now not resort to aggression again. India is required to be alive to China's double standard approach to serve its interest. India is a formidable country and it would not be easy for China to go to war with it over Doklam. It has been the characteristics of China and India that despite border dispute in place since 1962, no single fire has been shot from any side. It is Chinese expansionist market policy and India’s military might that now restrain China from going to war. As India is the largest market for Chinese goods, it is difficult for China to think of war option in this age of open economy. So, as both India and China are emerging economy in the world, they will avoid war at all costs. The great change has come over in every respect since 1962. Neither India nor China can behave as if they were in 1962. This is 2017, not 1962. Both the countries are required to take measures that could help them prosper together. Economy governs and controls every sphere of life. It plays a very important role in planning and implementation of economic measures. If war breaks between the two countries, all economic activities would immediately come to a standstill. So, neither China nor India likes to go to war. War means destruction. No constructive work can be done during the time of war. China is rigid country. Expansion in terms of a territorial area may be its wish, but now the time changed and no country likes to involve itself in any type of quarrel.

PM's warning ineffective

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly said that violence in the name of religion is intolerable. But this is not the first time that PM has warned perpetrators of violence in the name of religion. His warning has been ineffective. It is almost six months back that PM had depicted so-called Gaurakshak in a very bad way and warned them that if they did not stop their violence in the name of religion, they would be duly punished. PM Modi in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort had warned perpetrators of violence in society in the name of religion. He has also said the same in his favourite monthly Radio Programme Man Ki Bat has strongly warned the promoters of violence in the name of religion. But his purpose of warning remained of no consequences. PM rightly said that irrespective of who they are and what they are all perpetrators of violence will be dealt with as per the law of the land. Since the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. came to power, one thing is certain and visible to all that the so-called Gau Rakshak and Hindu chauvinist got a shot in their arm. They have become emboldened and started targeting the people of other religion in the name beef and other religious considerations. India is a secular democratic republic in which people of all religions have equal rights. Govt. cannot interfere in religious affairs of a private individual. All are free in India to practise the religion of their belief and choice. The secular fabric of the country has to be kept intact. The increasing violence in the country has also let it down before foreigners. It would be meaningful if PM Modi got his statement and warning against the perpetrators of violence in the name of religion translated on the ground. Mere issuing hard statement cannot serve any purpose. PM must ensure that no crime is committed in the name of religion. This country belongs to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and people of all other religions equally. There is no majoritarian rule here. So, violence in the name of religion is not permissible. Law and order is a state subject. So, the state must also be held guilty if it fails to act against arson and violence by the followers of controversial godman. The Punjab and Haryana High Court's observation against Haryana Govt. for its utter failure to check violence in Panchkula by the followers of Ram Rahim, who was convicted in a rape case, is a blot on Manohar Lal Khattar govt. As there is BJP govt. in the state and at the Centre, PM must take serious note of the situation in Sirsa after the CBI court's verdict came out against the godman. The govt. irrespective of the political affiliation must act against violence in the name of religion. It is the duty of the govt. to provide safety and security to the people. But for the sake of vote bank politics, the innocent people are made to suffer. So, Mr. Prime Minister whatever happened after the CBI court judge delivered judgement against Dera Chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim is intolerable for any civilized society. The followers of Baba held the town of Panchkula to ransom and resorted to violence, arson and setting vehicles on fire only because he was convicted in the rape case. The Haryana police were standing as mute spectators to the naked dance of violence by Baba's followers. Around 30 people were killed and 250 were injured.

Welcome judgement

Supreme Court has struck down Triple Talaq as unconstitutional. It is a welcome judgement of the apex court. The five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar, deciding on the verdict, was seemingly split on the legality of the practice. CJI Khehar, while pronouncing the judgement, said, "Talaq-e-biddat is not violative of Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution", but did say that there was a need for Parliament to enact a law on the issue at the earliest. The decision came soon after the apex court resumed the hearing on the matter. It is a regressive and retrograde practice in Muslim society but the brunt of which was borne by our Muslim sisters. Supreme court verdict is historic and the most important one in terms of equality of gender rights. Triple Talaq violates the fundamental rights of Muslim women. They were treated as toys by Muslim male members under the so-called religious practices. The Muslim women have been liberated from the evilest practice of their society. When more than 20 Muslim countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh have already banned Triple Talaq, why would it be in practice in India? Triple Talaq has also no religious sanctity because if it was so, a theocratic country like Pakistan would not have banned it. Triple Talaq will no longer be practised in India. The govt. of the day must also enact a law to ban the evil practice of Triple Talaq like Sati and Devdas systems were abolished in the country. We are in 21st century , so the practice of medieval era must be discarded. Muslim Maulanas were exploiting the female member s of the society in the name of Triple Talaq. Does it make any sense that the holy relationship of marriage is broken whimsically through the telephone call or sending a letter through Speed Post or SMS by scribbling Trilple Talaq thrice? It was a senseless practice which should have gone long ago. Man and Woman irrespective of caste, creed, belief, and religion have got equal rights as per the Constitution of the nation. In the given position, why do women of Muslim community should be servile to their husbands. Why would be Muslim women always at the mercy of their male partners? Regressive, retrograde, backward looking approach has no place in society. The apex court verdict has been widely welcomed by all. All forward looking, progressive, liberal and development-oriented people have welcomed the SC's historic verdict on Triple Talaq. Triple Talaq was a curse for Muslim women. They will now feel empowered. The entire Muslim society must also come forward to welcome the verdict. First of all, Triple Talaq has nothing to do with religion. Even the holiest book Quoran of Muslims is reportedly not advocating in favour of Triple Talaq. The apex court verdict on Triple Talaq is hailed by all sections of society. Muslim women will no longer be a toy in the hands of their husbands. By launching a campaign to ban Triple Talaq, the ruling BJP has gathered votes in UP assembly elections by mobilizing the Muslim women on the issue. Whatever may be the political interest of BJP or Congress, but one thing is clear that all have welcomed SC's historic verdict on Triple Talaq. Man and Woman must be treated on equal footing. Women are not the object of exploitation that Muslim-dominated male members have been doing for many years. Triple Talaq was struck down by the majority bench 3:2 of Justices. Three were on the side of striking Triple Talaq, while two including CJI Justice Kehar for leaving it to religious society. If ever Muslim Mullahs in society gathered scent of Triple Talaq in any neighbour's home, they would go there to precipitate it. Now, they have no business to interfere.

Rail accident: A perennial killing incident

Kalinga Utkal Express rammed into a DMU train and derailed near Muzaffarnagar of Uttar Pradesh in which 23 innocent passengers were killed. Relief and rescue operation put into service immediately. It has been the practice of successive govt. in India that after every rail accident, some rail officials are punished with suspension, sending on leave and dismissal from service and announcement of ex-gratia amount for the kith and kin of the deceased passengers is made also. This govt. also, follows its predecessor in letter and spirit. The news about the accident is followed up even by the newspapers for 3 to 4 days and after that everything is forgotten. By the time another rail accident takes place, no safety measures are considered. The security of the lives of the rail passengers must be taken seriously. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu visits the accident site and makes an announcement of ex- gratia amount and instruct the officials to do this and that. And it is nothing more than that. No improvement in the service of the rail in Modi govt. is perceptible; rather it has gone down very sharply. The security of the rail passengers must be taken seriously and a concerted effort must be made to improve the situation. Now, it is three years since the Modi govt. took charge of power. But the result is no better than the previous UPA govt. period. It is not only during the BJP’s rule at the Centre that rail accident has occurred. It has occurred at frequent intervals since India got Independence. The cause of derailment of Kalinga Utkal Express has been attributed to the negligence of the railway officials. Some high-ranking railway officials have already faced the music. The need of the hour is to plug the loopholes wherever they are in the railway ministry. Railway is the largest organization with the largest number of govt. employees, so it must not be left at the mercy of the God to run safely and smoothly. This time the rail accident has taken place due to the negligence of the railway staff and at another time it takes place unmanned crossings. The suspension of railway officials has been made only to show that govt. is acting. There are a large number of unmanned railway crossings, which had become the cause of heavy casualties in railway accidents in the past. No month of the year passes without any rail accident. The time and political scenario in the country are much more different from what existed when Lal Bahadur was the railway minister in Govt. India when over a very small rail accident, he resigned taking its moral responsibility. If he is to be emulated, there will be the resignation of railway minister every month of the year as accident occurs every month and innocent passengers are killed. Neither safety measures nor timely running of the train is seen in the Narendra Modi govt. in the last years. All his claims of improving rail service in every way have fallen headlong. Suresh Prabhu is unable to control the erring railway officials. He has failed to lead the ministry from the front. The largest number of people in the country travel by train. Train is the biggest public career in India. In the given scenario, if the security measures are given a go by, the lives of the people are deliberately put at risk by the railway ministry. Until and unless, the first priority is given to the safety of passengers by the railway ministry, the accident will continue to take place. The railway is required to be dealt with meticulously. The chalta hai approach must go. It also needs to be overhauled immediately. The life of the innocent people is taken away for no fault of their own. Whoever is responsible for the accident of the train must be awarded deterrent punishment. The announcement of ex-gratia amount after every rail accident for the kith and kin of deceased passengers cannot bring them back to life. It is regrettable that govt. does not learn any lesson from the accident to take preventive measures so that it could not occur again.

Bihar floods wreak havoc

It is not the first time that the flood has devastated, demolished and destroyed Bihar. Floods in the state are its perennial problem. The successive govt. in the state has only been active when the loss of lives and property on the large scale are recorded. The Kosi is called the sorrow of Bihar. The neighbouring country Nepal also adds woes to the flood affected people of Bihar by releasing excess water from its barrage during the period of floods. The successive govt. at the Centre also did not talk to Nepal seriously on the issue of floods in Bihar to resolve the problems amicably between the two neighbours. The state of Bihar is already underdeveloped and the floods of this magnitude would certainly ruin it. Farmers and the poor in the state are the most affected entities. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi have conducted the aerial survey of some flood affected areas in the state. The aerial survey conducted by CM and his ministers is the routine practice of the govt. irrespective of its political affiliations. When water will enter their govt. Bungalows and pose threat to their life and property, only then the ground reality at the time of floods in rural and far-flung villages would be realized by them. They are living in the palatial buildings on one hand and the poor people surrounded by water and poisonous insects on all sides during the time of floods on the other. All know that natural calamity does not strike by giving information in advance. It does not take permission from anyone to show its macabre dance of murder. The govt. of the day irrespective of its political affiliation should have taken preventive measures against the floods. As flood is a routine phenomenon of Bihar, why does govt. not take steps in advance to alleviate the pain of the people caused by the devastating floods? The flood and the drought have been the bane of Bihar. It is because of hard labour put in by Biharis that the state is moving towards progress and development. The people of Bihar are labourious, intelligent, diligent, self-dependent, industrious and always be in front to face the problem with full confidence. The floods have caused havoc in the state. The people of the state witnessed a few days back the heavy rains without any break for three days. The situation was alarming in the state because the devastating floods and heavy rains and the ruling JD(U) was busy with its internal bickering between party supremo and CM Nitish Kumar and former party president and senior leader Sharad Yadav. To provide relief to the flood affected people in the state must be the prime responsibility of the Bihar govt. The govt. come and goes but the people remain in their place. CM Nitish Kumar must ask govt. officials to expedite relief operations among the flood affected people. Floods have washed everything in the affected areas. The people in the state are in great distress. Bihar govt. with the help of Centre must ensure that death, destruction, and devastation caused by the furious floods will not recur again. If the govt. had remained vigilant and sincere during the rainy season, the problems caused by the floods could be easily minimized. But for this, govt. have to be active, alert and responsive so that it could take steps in advance to lessen the pain caused by floods. Bihar floods continue to wreak havoc, 106 dead so far. The flood fury continues as increasing water levels of Koshi, Mahananda, Bagmati and Gandak are inundating new areas, displacing a large number of people. Over 96 lakh people spread over 16 districts are reeling under the impact of unprecedented floods. 106 people have so far died in the flood-related incidents. All schools in the flood-affected areas have been closed for this week. The state government has pressed into service 50 rescue teams comprising columns of the Army, NDRF, and SDRF, which include around over 2,100 trained personnel in the affected districts with 276 boats.

PM’s address on I-Day laudable

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a laudable address to the nation on I-Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort. This is a memorable day for all Indians. India got freedom after a great sacrifice by its men and women in their fight against the imperialistic power. They drove out Britishers and made India free on August 15, 1947. PM Modi in his laudable address from the ramparts of the Red Fort rightly vowed to fight against corruption, poverty, terrorism casteism and communalism. He again rightly warned all those committing violence in the name of religion. He has also rightly said that the social fabric must not be disturbed. India is known for peaceful co-existence. In the given situation, if anyone tried to disturb the social fabric, he would not be allowed to go unpunished. Prime Minister Modi also sent strong message against terrorism and said that it would be dealt with sternly and heavy hands. PM Modi also threw enough light on the work done by his govt. in the last three years. He said that the issue of One Rank One Pension of army men was stuck for 30-40 years, but his govt. resolved it successfully. This shows NDA govt.’s sensitivity towards the army men of the nation. PM also praised his pet decision of demonetization and said that due to it, crores of rupees was deposited in the bank and came to the knowledge of the government. It is a step towards wiping black money out. PM also talked of GST, which has recently got parliamentary approval and put into force. He said that GST would promote co-operative federalism. As usual, Prime Minister Narendra Modi looked confident, decisive and spoke for the poor of the country. PM also spoke on the issue of trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir and vowed to make it heaven on earth again. He advocated for embracing Kashmiris to resolve all issues and rejecting ‘Goli’ and ‘Gaali’. He appeared to be interesting to invoke former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Insaniat, Jhambhoriat and Kashmiriat to resolve Kashmir issue. PM Modi appears to have realized that Kashmir issue cannot be resolved with bullets. Kashmir has been badly disturbed for a year now. Since the militant commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces, the entire Kashmir Valley has been on boil. The govt. of India needs to take urgent notice of the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. has not been constant on Kashmir issue. Its flexible approach has made the matters worse there. Kashmir needs immediate attention of the nation. BJP should also sever ties with the PDP and come out of the govt. The recent tragic death of 60 children due to govt. apathy in BRD hospital Gorakhpur has not got enough space in PM Modi’s speech. He compared Gorakhpur tragic incident with natural calamity. How he evaded the issue of urgent attention is praiseworthy. He did so because his party is ruling the state and UP CM is handpicked by him. He did not even reprimand the CM for UP govt’s failure in maintaining the supply of oxygen. It is alleged that 60 children died only because the supply of oxygen was stopped. It was stopped because payment was not made by the Yogi govt. to the supplier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have assured the nation at least from the ramparts of the Red Forte that such criminal negligence by the state govt. would not occur again in the future. If the children continued to die in this way, how he would make a New India by 2022.

The death of innocent children due to Govt. apathy

60 children have reportedly been died at BRD hospital in Gorakhpur due to non-supply of oxygen there. It is nothing but the criminal negligence. Gorakhpur is not an ordinary town of Uttar Pradesh. It is the parliamentary constituency of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He has been representing Gorakhpur in Lok Sabha for the last 25 years. It has been the bastion of BJP for more than 35 years. Yogi Adityanath had also been the Manhanth of Baba Gorakhnath Mandir before being elected as CM. In the given importance of Gorakhpur, when the criminal negligence of such magnitude can be committed in the hospital there, what can be expected of other hospitals in Uttar Pradesh? The death of children is not new to BRD hospital Gorakhpur. Children have have been dying of encephalitis there for the last 30 years. But this is the first time that innocent and poor children died due to the cutting of oxygen supply to the hospital. It is also surprising that CM Yogi had visited the BDR hospital Gorakhpur on August 9. He had reviewed the functioning of the hospital. Why was the shortage of oxygen supply not brought to his notice? Oxygen supply was stopped because of the non-payment of the dues of the company with the govt. Why was payment not made in time to avoid any shortage of oxygen? All these things must be investigated thoroughly and awarded deterrent punishment to all those who are found guilty. It appears to be the case of criminal negligence by the state health ministry and hospital authorities responsible for ensuring the supply of oxygen. When media highlighted the tragedy and inefficiency of the Yogi govt. for their failure to pre-empt it, Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath along with his Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh and Medical Education minister held press conference to present govt. side of the story. They blamed media to highlight the tragic death of the children in an exaggerated way and made jugglery of statics to show that in the month of August in the previous govt. there had been much more number of death of children. UP Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh's insensitivity also came to the fore when he said Children had to die in the month of August. Most of the time in CM's press conference was passed in praising the promptness shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in asking him to take stock of the situation. It clearly appeared from CM Yogi's press conference that he was more interested in praising PM than taking action to ease the pain of the mothers who have lost their children. Prime Minister Narendra Modi likes tweeting on every incident of importance or concern in the nation, but he has not tweeted even a single word on Gorakhpur tragedy as it has taken place in the regime of his party and the CM of the state, also happens to be his lieutenant. This is nothing but the apathy of UP govt. and hospital authorities that the 60 children died. Gorakhpur hospital's tragic incident has exposed the inefficiency of the Yogi govt. To cover up govt. failure, CM and his ministers tried their best to put blame on media and the month of August. But the ground reality tells a different story. The children died of non-supply of oxygen. They were killed. A case of criminal negligence must be instituted against the authorities concerned in UP govt., health ministry and hospital staff. CM Yogi must ask his Health Minister to resign because he has completely failed in running his ministry efficiently. His statement that children have to die in the month of August clearly reflects his insensitivity to the loss of lives of poor and innocent children. The guilty must be punished as it is a case of murder.

Quit India Movement's 75th anniversary

The nation is celebrating Quit India Movement's 75th anniversary. Parliament also witnessed the grandstanding speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate it. Congress President Sonia Gandhi also spoke full-throated in her veiled attack on the government that there are some organizations in the country which had no role in Quit India Movement, rather they had opposed it. She also blasted the government and said that free speech and secularism are in danger these days in the country. She resolved to preserve them at all costs. PM Modi had rightly said that the Quit India Movement launched on August 9, 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi to throw out Britishers imperialism from the country and make India free. Thousands of freedom fighters had participated in the Quit India Movement and some of them even sacrificed their lives also. Undoubtedly, Congress had led the Movement, but it does not mean that the members of other political organizations did not participate in it. Some organizations or political parties had opposed it because they had ideological differences. Not mentioning the name of our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru along with the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi in any speech on freedom struggle will be absolutely injustice to him. PM Modi did not mention the name of Pt. Nehru while speaking on 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement, while Nehru was one of its leading lights. He was a front ranker among participants in Quit India Movement. Without remembering Nehru, no speech on freedom struggle movement can be presented in right perspective. Nehru was not only the first Prime Minister of the country, but he also worked shoulder to shoulder with Mahatma Gandhi in all freedom movements. He had undergone imprisonment for the longest period during freedom struggle. So, his contribution to freedom struggle is invaluable. And he must be remembered for that by any leader irrespective of his political affiliation while delivering speech on any event of freedom movement. As far as the speech of PM Modi on 75th anniversary of Quit India movement is concerned , he rightly urged the nation to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, communalism, dirt, corruption and terrorism to make a New India. The word New India has also been coined by him. Now, it 70 is years since we got Independence, but we are still confronting with some vices at every step. India must be free of all them. It requires united effort. But when the name of a single and one of the most active participants of Quit India Movement, who also happens to the first PM of the country, is not remembered by the incumbent PM only because he belonged to the grand old party of the country, the united effort cannot be made. One thing also needs to be kept in mind that it is very easy to talk about high ideals, but at the same it is also very difficult to translate them on the ground in a limited time. Anyway, all must rise above party politics and extend wholehearted support to PM Modi’s call to work for freeing the country from corruption, communalism, terrorism, illiteracy and poverty by 2022 to make a New India. Until and unless concerted and united effort is made, they cannot be removed. PM's concept of New India is praiseworthy. But how it would materialize is the main issue. All political parties irrespective of their ideological belief must work together to eradicate all the vices such as terrorism, poverty, corruption, illiteracy and communalism like our freedom fighters did in Quit India Movement to get Independence. The nation is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement. A number of events are being planned at organizational and local levels to mark the occasion. This year's theme is "Sankalp se Siddhi- the attainment through resolve. The Quit India Movement was an important milestone in the freedom struggle. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi along with Pt. Nehru, people across India came together to uproot imperialistic power. When our freedom fighters threw British imperialism out of India, why can we not remove illiteracy, poverty, corruption, communalism and terrorism from our soil?

Ahmed Patel's victory is a big morale booster for Congress Party

The dramatic late night victory of Congress candidate Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat is going to be the first of its kind in the history of electoral politics in India after Independence. Ahmed Patel is the political Secretary of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. So, his election had been an issue of prestige for the Congress party. Ahmed Patel’s victory shows BJP President Amit Shah that what he is learning has been forgotten by the Congress party. The election to three RS seats was to be held in Gujarat. The two seats were of BJP and one of Congress as per their legislative strength respectively. As BJP had fielded its party President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smirti Irani for two seats, their victory was a foregone conclusion. Congress fielded Ahmed Patel for its one RS seat. The BJP has been going from strength to strength and winning one state election after another for the last three years. So, its morale is very high. On the other hand, the health of the Congress party has been deteriorating day by day and losing one state election after another. In the meantime, three RS seats fell vacant from Gujarat. The desertion of MLAs had set in the Gujarat state unit with the resignation of legislative party leader Shanker Singh Vaghela followed by six other MLAs causing a great setback for it. BJP with power and money allegedly tried to cause defection in the Congress party so that its strength could be reduced from 57 to 35 in the state assembly to make it impossible for Ahmed Patel to sail through. BJP President Amit Shah was reportedly very active to ensure the defeat of Congress candidate Ahmed Patel. It is alleged that Congress MLAS were intimidated, lured, threatened and tempted to change sides. Fearing a certain poaching on its 44 MLAs, Congress Party took all of them to Bengaluru and put them in Engleton Resort there in Karnataka. Karnataka is a Congress-ruled state. As Karnataka Energy Minister D K Shivakumar was asked to take care of the party MLAs of Gujarat in Engleton Resort, the Central govt. allegedly sent IT men to raid his more than 40 locations in Bengaluru, New Delhi and other places in connection with an old case of misappropriating money. The timing of the raid clearly reflected that it was done only because Shivakumar was taking charge of Gujarat Congress MLAs in Engleton Resort. BJP used money, power and politics to defeat Ahmed Patel, but it ultimately failed. It shows that BJP has to learn still more from Congress party how power could be misused to destroy opposition in democracy. In the victory of Ahmed Patel, Congress showed BJP that it might have learnt everything in politics, but still lacking in application of undemocratic means. The victory of Ahmed Patel is a great morale booster for the Congress party and a setback to BJP in Gujarat in particular and the entire nation in general. Gujarat assembly goes to poll in the next few months. The united posture shown by Congress in Delhi and Gujarat will certainly boost the party’s fortune in the assembly elections. Apart from Cong's own 43 MLAs, one from JD(U) and one from NCP also voted from Ahmed Patel. Though only 43 MLAS voted for the party and one defected and did not vote for it, the exit of Shankar Singh Vaghela is also not going to be a very serious cause of concern for Congress Party. Now, Congress has tasted victory. It will go all hog against the BJP in the coming Gujarat Elections. Anti-incumbency factor in the state of Gujarat has to be faced by BJP. If the result of Gujarat Gram Panchayat elections are anything to go by, Congress is going to give stiff fight to the ruling BJP in the state in the assembly poll.

Arrest Varnica’s stalking accused

The stalking of Varnica Kundu in Chandigarh by the Haryana BJP President Subhash Barnala's son Vikash Barnala and his friend makes mockery of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. It proves BJP’s claims of respecting women hollow, false and misleading in the first stance. Varnakica Kundu showed fearlessness, courage, and guts to file police complaint against her stalkers Vikash Barnala and his friend. Vikash Barala’s SUV car followed and chased her car in the night around 10 PM in Chandigarh when she driving back home from office. Vikash and his friend knocked and thumped her car’s front gate to open with the alleged intention of kidnapping. They wanted her to come out of the car. Though Varnica did not directly made allegation of kidnapping against them, it was for the police to make inferences about this from her complaint. Police only filed the case of stalking and as it is a bailable section under IPC, Vikash got bail easily. It was the public outcry, over active media and the bravery of the victim Varnica that the police had to retrieve CCTV footage, which clearly shows that Vikash Barnala's car followed her car for a long distance with the alleged intention of kidnapping her. As Vikash Barenala is the son of ruling and powerful Haryana BJP President Subhash Varnala, the Chandigarh police might have come under his father’s influence and because of this they lodged Varnica's complaint against him under easily bailable section of the IPC. But when media’s pressure increased and public outcry got louder and louder, police retrieved the CCTV footage of stalking of Varnica Kundu by Vikash Baranala. Immediately after the retrieval of CCTV footage of stalking which left no doubt about Vikash’s culpability in stalking Vernica Kundu, Haryana BJP President and the father of the accused Subhash Barala said the parroted line of all ruling party leaders that law would its own course and advocated for justice to Vernica, whom he described her as his daughter. BJP always boasts of character and professes high respect for women, but it is at loss for words to defend itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah must ask Subhash Baranala to resign as the party president of Harayana. Haryana and Central BJP give explanation that father is nothing to do with the activities of his son. So, Subhash Baranala cannot suffer because of his son's wrong doing. But one thing to which state and Central BJP leaders have closed their eyes is the influence being wielded by the father of the accused on police to slap cases against him under an easy section of IPC so that he could be easily bailed out. Police would not slap stringent section against the accused because his father is one of the most influential leaders of Haryana. Chandigarh police is under the Centre. Subhash Barnala has also been very close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So, he must resign immediately as Haryana party president. It will end the chance of favouring the accused. With the retrieval of CCTV footage, which is a clear proof of stalking, the police must arrest Vikash Barnala and his friend immediately under stringent section of kidnapping. The incident of stalking is alarmingly rising in our country. Varnica Kundu is a brave girl. She is the daughter of a senior IAS officer in Haryana govt. Her father has rightly supported his daughter and vowed to take the incident of stalking his daughter to a logical conclusion. On the one hand PM has launched Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao campaign and BJP leaders raise question on Varnica's staying out in the late night on the other. This clearly shows BJP leaders’ narrow and anti-women temperament. Boys and girls are equal in every respect. Any assault on girls must be dealt with the most stringent measure. It is very sad that despite the stringent laws were made by the Govt. of India in 2013 after Nirbhaya rape and murder incident, the incident of assault on women did not come down. It is also surprising that Chief Minister of Haryana Manoharlal Khatter has not opened his mouth on the incident of stalking. Now, the Chandigarh police must be asked by the Central govt. to arrest Vikash Barala and his friend under stringent section of kidnapping so that a message could go loud and clear that howsoever powerful and mighty, the wrong doers cannot go scot free.

Deal Doklam standoff diplomatically

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has rightly said that the dialogue is ultimately the best option to resolve any issue between the two countries- India and China. She was speaking in the Rajya Sabha in the context of Doklam standoff with China. It is our biggest neighbour and all weather friend of Pakistan, which is hostile to India. So, it needs to be dealt with diplomatically. China has again extended its technical hold by three months on the proposal supported by US, UK and France to designate Pak based JeM Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. India had moved this proposal at UN.It is been vetoing the proposal for almost a year. China is one of the members of the UN Security Council. It is one of its five members. It has also been creating a hurdle for India to enter Nuclear Suppliers Group. On the issue of banning Masood Azhar, China is the only member among the 15 at the UN organ, which opposes it. It is crystal clear that China would always support Pakistan against India. As far as Doklam standoff is concerned, China wanted to make motorable road through Bhutan, which Indian troops opposed. Chinese construction team was not allowed to work by the Indian troops to work. Doklam is virtually the territory of Bhutan. It is tri-junction of China, India and Bhutan. It is strategically and from security point of view very important for India. So, China cannot be allowed to construct motorable under its plan of encircling India. Doklam is very close to Sikkim. When Chinese construction team was stopped from working, PLA personnel scuffled with India troops. Chinese media started publishing belligerent articles to strike fear in the Indian camp. But India stood the ground very valiantly. China has been crying for pulling back of Indian troops from Doklam. It has reportedly been told that now China is also thinning its troops’ deployment at Doklam. In the prevailing situation and economic environment in both China and India, talks are only options to resolve any outstanding issue between the two. In the age of market economy, war is nowhere the talking point. The economy is the first priority and the first interest of any nation in the world. Sushama Swaraj has also said rightly in Parliament that the meeting between the opposition leader and the Chinese Ambassador in India should have in the knowledge of the government of the day. She has also rightly said that it would be better if the opposition leader sought govt. position before meeting Chinese ambassador. He could have told him about India's position on the standoff with China clearly and forcefully. Both China and India must pull back their respective troops and sit together to find out resolution to the problems between. Even if war breaks out between the two countries, they come to negotiating table after it ceases. So, External Affairs Minister Sushama Swaraj's advocacy for talks to resolve the issue in question China and India is absolutely correct. She has taken the right stance. Belligerence leads to destruction. It is also good that Indian army is always prepared to meet any eventualities. It would be misadventure for any country to go for was in the prevailing situation in the world. Talks and Dialogues must be pursued to resolve all outstanding issues between China and India. It is not 1962. It is 2017. Both China and India must know. China must also be not in a delusion that if ever war breaks out with India, it would easy for it like the war of 1962. India has travelled very fast from there in every respect. Its army is one of the most professional armies in the world. So, the only option between the two countries is dialogue and talks.

IT raids on K'taka's Energy Minister

The Income Tax officials conducted raids on around 40 locations of Karnataka Energy Minister and senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar. Congress cries foul at the raids and described them as witch hunt. Congress MPs showed their protests against the raids by raising anti-govt. slogans vociferously in the Rajya Sabha. However, Union Finance Minister and leader of the Upper House Arun Jaitely said that IT raids were not linked to Gujarat MLAs, who were put up in Engalton Resort in Karnataka, to save them from being poached by the BJP in view of the Rajya Sabha elections. Only recently after the resignation of Congress leader in Gujarat assembly Shankar Singh Vaghela from the party, six more party MLAs left and joined BJP. The RS elections for three seats from Gujarat are going to be held on August 8. BJP has the adequate number of MLAs for winning two seats from the state. BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani have filed nominations for those two seats. The Congress party has also the required number of MLAs to win one seat. Ahmed Patel, the political secretary of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, has filed his nomination for RS seat. But it is alleged that BJP tries to win all the three Rajya Sabha seats from the state. It has fielded the third candidate, who has just resigned from Congress, also for Rajya Sabha seat. The BJP candidate has just joined the party after defecting from the Congress. So, there is a fear in the Congress party if its MLAs are left in the state, they could be intimated, lured and pressurized under the temptation of money and power to switch sides. So, it took its 44 Gujarat party MLAs to Karnataka and put them in Engalton Resort. Karnataka is a Congress ruled state. Congress party deputed the Energy Minister D K Shiva Kumar to take care of all the Gujarat party MLAs put up in the resort. In the given situation, the IT raids on DK Shivakumar are allegedly linked to Gujarat MLAs in the resort. Congress alleges that BJP ruled Gujarat and Central Govt. try to terrorize, intimidate MLAs by power and tempt them by money to switch over sides so that its candidate Ahmed Patel could be defeated in the Rajya Sabha elections. IT men have reportedly recovered about Rs. 7 crore from Shivakamar’s Delhi residence. The case against Shivakumar has not been registered today or in recent times. It is an old case of misappropriation of money. The question that causes suspicion behind the IT raids is about its timing. If anyone in the country has accumulated unaccounted money, he or she must be brought to book without any loss of time. Whether the politician belongs to ruling or opposition party, it must not matter. The corrupt must be treated as such under the law of the land. But at the same time, the govt. agencies like ED, IT, CBI and others must not be misused by the ruling party against its rival political party leaders. There must be transparency in the function of these agencies. Can it be possible that there is no corruption in a certain political party in power and because of this allegation against its leaders must be given a go by? Whoever is corrupt must be punished under the due process of law. The I-T department recovered around Rs 7 crores from Shivakumar’s properties that it found to be questionable. The Congress, on the other hand, said that there was a clear connection between the raids and the upcoming elections in Gujarat for three Rajya Sabha seats.I-T department, on the other hand, says that this was a pre-planned raid. If the Karnataka Minister is found to be misappropriating money, he must be dealt with sternly. But the investigation must also be fair and without any bias. The investigating agencies have to be impartial and unbiased. It is because of RS elections in Gujarat and the exodus of Congress MLAs allegedly at the behest of the ruling BJP in the state must also not be lost sight of.

Lack of political morality

These days whatever is going on in the politics of the country is ridiculous, morally degraded and politically absurd. The political degeneration in the last 10 days first began with the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that resulted in the breaking up of the Mahagathbandhan and formation of the new govt. by him in alliance with the BJP. Nitish Kumar did not do anything wrong by resigning as CM on the issue of corruption as his Deputy Chief Minister Tejswi Yadav from RJD quota refused to explain in public point by point about the charge of corruption against him in Hotel-land scandal. The CBI had lodged FIR against him after raiding the residence of his mother former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. CM Nitish Kumar rightly said that it was untenable for him to work. But he did not ask Tejswi to resign directly. When he felt that Tejswi was not going to resign, he tendered his own resignation and broke up the Mahagathbandhan. He formed a coalition with BJP whom he had left only four years on the issue of Narendra Modi when he was declared Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha elections by the party. He was with BJP for 17 years in his first stint. Undoubtedly, CM Nitish Kumar is a man of principle, honesty and integrity. There is no corruption charge against him in his long political career. But the fact here is that the people of Bihar had voted Mahagathbandhan to power with overwhelming majority. They voted against the BJP in the last assembly elections. As he was the leader of Mahagathbandhan of Congress, RJD and JD(U), he was sworn in as CM in 2015 after assembly election results. Nitish was seen as the face of the opposition parties led by Congress in the 2019 elections. So, it would be better for Nitish Kumar if he had recommended for the dissolution of assembly. And again if his new coalition with BJP had won assembly elections, he would easily be sworn in as CM, which he did not do and formed govt. against the mandate of the people. It means he has gone against the wishes of the people in the state. His conscience might be biting him that he is at the helms of affairs in the state without the approval of the people. This is nothing but moral degeneration in politics. Now take an example of Gujarat; the election is to be held in the state for 3 Rajya Sabha seats. There is an adequate number of MLAs of BJP that its two candidates- party President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani- will easily win. But to deprive the Congress party of one seat for which it has also required of number of MLAs, BJP has allegedly started to tempt, lure, intimidate and threaten its MLAs to switch over sides. Congress candidate for one Rajya Sabha Seat from the state is Ahmad Patel, political secretary of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, whom the BJP tries to defeat at all costs. Congress had 57 MLAs. Six of them resigned and joined the BJP. To thwart the BJP's attempt to lure party MLAs by hook or crook, Congress shifted its 44 MLAs to a resort in Karnataka where it is in government. Today, Income Tax raid was conducted at 37 places of D K Shivakumar, the energy minister in Siddaramaih govt. in the state. D K Shivakumar is a senior leader of Congress and he is in good book of party high command. He was reportedly deputed to take care of all 44 party MLAs Gujarat lodged in Egleton Resort of Karnataka. As far as the IT raid at Congress minister's places is concerned, the case is not of today or yesterday against him. There must be stern action against the corrupt politicians or anyone else irrespective of who he is. The corrupt must be punished. But the action must not be as such as it could give out the scent of political vendetta. The question, which casts doubts on the intention of BJP govt. in the state as wells at the Centre, is the timing of IT raid. Does the BJP govt. terrorise Congress MLAs of Gujarat to switch sides? If it is so, it is very dangerous for democracy. Whether it is BJP, Congress or any other political parties, all must function in such a way as to uphold democratic norms, decorum and values. Otherwise, the democracy will be imperiled.

NIA must investigate big separatist leaders to expose them before nation

NIA (National Investigation Agency) has been conducting raids and interrogating junior separatist leaders of Hurriyat Conference for allegedly receiving funds from Pakistan for fueling terror in the state. NIA has rightly taken 7 junior separatist leaders into its custody in Pak funding case. Now, it has conducted the raid at the residence of Devendra Singh Behl, the Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), in connection with terror funding case. It has interrogated Behl at his residence over his suspected connections with separatist elements. During the searches, the NIA team recovered incriminating documents, financial papers and some other articles. The NIA is investigating into his role as a courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to the separatist leaders from Pakistan based handlers. The NIA also conducted searches at various premises of Behl, who is also a member of the legal cell of the Hurriyat.He is a close associate of a top Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and regularly attends funerals of militants. Though NIA should have been asked by the govt. to go into the Pak funding to Hurriyat leaders much earlier, it must go all out also against the senior separatist leaders of the Hurriyat Conference. Hurriyat leader Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani is the face of Pakistan in the Valley. It is alleged that Geelani along with Mirwaiz Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and others are actively acting at the behest of Pakistan to fuel terror in the Valley. For fanning terror, Hurriyat leaders are allegedly paid by Pakistan. The arrest of Devender Singh Behl by the NIA is a good move. He has allegedly been the main conduit between Pakistan and Hurriyat in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain so. Why do the Hurriyat leaders dance at the tune of Pakistan? They breathe, eat and live in India, but act against it. Why should Hurriyat leaders be allowed to meet ambassador of Pakistan in India to brief about Jammu and Kashmir? All the Hurriyat leaders have acted as agents of Pakistan. They deserve to be put in jail for life time for their anti-national activities. They misguide and mislead the youths of Kashmir to act against India at the dictation of Pakistan. Pak govt. army and notorious ISI play a key role in aiding, abetting and supporting terrorism in Kashmir. In addition to Hurriyat’s anti-national activities, it has been the curse of Jammu and Kashmir that two of its main state political parties National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) never come out openly against the Hurriyat and the terror elements. Whenever one of the two is in opposition, it speaks the language of Hurriyat. As far as the ruling PDP is concerned, its main plank has been the soft approach towards separatist and hardliners in the state. Presently, PDP- BJP coalition govt. is in place in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being vertically opposite ideologically, they are in govt. together for the sake of power. When the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti says that if article 35A is scrapped, there will be no one to hold the national flag. She must be removed immediately by imposing Governor’s Rule. BJP claims to be a No.1 nationalist Party of the country. It is ruling at the Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considered as decisive and bold in taking a decision in the interest of the nation. But nothing has been pursued by Govt. of India against Mehbooba Mufti. Her govt. must be pulled down by imposing President’s Rule in the state. Now, NIA must start raiding the residences and interrogating top ranking Hurriyat leaders like Sayed Ali Shah Geelani, Miwaiz Omar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and others in connection with Pak Funding case. It would expose them to the world as the nation already knows their dubious, scandalous, treacherous and treasonous characters. There is a solid allegation against them that they are the agents of Pakistan. The NIA must probe all aspects of funding to separatist leaders and how they reportedly used these funds to fuel unrest in the Kashmir Valley.