Slight response to Bharat Bandh

Bharat bandh called by the main opposition party BJP and the Left to protest fuel price hike has evoked slight response in national capital New Delhi and mixed response in the rest of the nation. People nowhere have given spontaneous support to bandh, though they are furious with Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. They consider this as the first directionless and spineless government of Independent India. Its economic mismanagement has resulted in soaring prices of all essential commodities. But the opposition parties so far have failed to exploit the worsening condition of the government in their favour. They are also not favourites of the people. In Delhi, barring roadblocks at few intersections, all activities in the city have remained normal. Barring small shops, big business establishments, government and private offices, hospitals, banks and traffic have run smoothly as they do on normal days. Really, the entire nation is in anger with Dr. Manmohan Singh UPA-II government due to unprecedented hike in prices of petrol and its total failure to check runaway prices of all essential commodities and corruption at all levels in every department. But it does not mean that the aggrieved common people see the opposition parties with hope and as an alternative to the UPA government at the Centre. BJP, Left and the regional parties should have first co-ordinated among themselves to jam the functioning of the government and all other organizations on the day of Bharat Bandh itself. If BJP-led NDA and Left leaders had toured all over the nation a month before the day of Bharat Bandh to galvanise and mobilize the mass people’s support for the day, it would be a complete bandh and would force the government to either do something against the runaway prices of all essential and edible commodities or make way for them under people’s pressure. Today’s bandh has not evoked a response that could compel the government to act immediately. Barring few BJP ruled states; the bandh has evoked a slight response. Petrol and other petroleum products are imported items and its prices are determined by the market. The government has already de-regulated the petrol price in 2010. Now, Oil Companies decides the price of petrol according to its up and down in international market but it will be wrong to say that they need not take consent from the government. Without the consent of the government, Oil companies can not make announcement of hike in petrol prices. The people of the nation at last realize that petroleum products are imported items and the price in international market is going up and up. But as far the food inflation and souring prices of all essential commodities are concerned, the common people are extremely angry with the UPA Government-II and the benefit govt.’s failure has not been reaped by the opposition.

Team Anna’s courageous act

Team Anna has levelled corruption charges against the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and his 14 other Cabinet colleagues, including the Finance and Home Ministers. It is praiseworthy that they have shown courage by leveling charges of corruption against the most powerful Union Ministers, including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. It means that they should also be prepared to face the retaliation from the powerful men. The charges they are leveling should also have substance. Otherwise, they may backfire and give birth to vengeance. One thing that has surprised the nation is that Anna Hazare under whom the movement for making Lokpal to eradicate corruption was launched has reportedly said that he is oblivious of the charges made against the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He will know about the press conferences of Team Anna at which they have released chargesheets against the 14 ministers and the PM when he visits New Delhi. It clearly shows that the press conference was held by Team Anna without the knowledge of the leader of the team Anna Hazare. It also clearly reflects that some of its members do what they like. Their action may give enough signal that they are making use of Anna Hazare to satisfy their own personal interests. It also indicates that some of its members may have grudge against the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government due to the ideological affinity with opposition party and because of that they are using the platform given by Anna Hazare against it. Anna Hazare is oblivious of the press conference. He also considers at least Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as honest. It suggests either there is complete lack of co-ordination between the team leader and the members or some of the members using the mood of the nation gavalised against corruption to target the government for personal vested interests. By leveling the charges of corruption against the 15 ministers at a time and not talking about their main demand of Lokpal, they squandering the popular mood of the nation in their support to fight against corruption. They are now targeting only the government due to ideological differences , and not the system. Team Anna has leveled charges and suggested how and by whom they are to be investigated. It appears ocular. Undoubtedly, The corruption galore is big. There are 2G Spectrum, Adarsh House scandal, CWG scandal, Coal Blocks, Antrix-Devas and other scandals affixed to the name of Dr. Manmohan Singh UPA government. All these scandal have taken place right under the nose of our honest Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Can it be possible for an honest Prime Minister to preside over the allegedly corrupt Cabinet? Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is a man of integrity and honesty but he is certainly a man of inaction. That make him completely unfit to be at the helm of affairs any more.

Interlocutors report makes no headway

The interlocutors- Dileep Padgaonkar, Rahda Kumar and M M Ansari- have finally made their report public. The report rules out a return to the pre-1953 position, but at the same time it suggests for reviewing of all central laws extending to the state of Jammu and Kashmir made after the Delhi Agreement with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1952. That makes the interlocutors’ report all confusing. What is need of reviewing all central laws extended to J & K? Do the interlocutors feel that the existing facilities provided to the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not enough? Interlocutors have recommended to uphold the Article 370 but here also they have suggested to replace the word ‘temporary’ with the ‘special’ as is in the case of several states other than Jammu and Kashmir which enjoy some additional facility. To build on the consensus that exists in the state, the interlocutors have recommended that a Constitutional Committee (CC) be set up to review all central acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the state after the signing of 1952 agreement. The report also says that no more central laws and Articles of the Constitution should be extended to the state by Presidential order. It has also suggested that Parliament will make no laws applicable to the state unless it relates country's internal and external security and its vital economic interests, especially in the areas of energy and access to water resources. The main opposition Bhartiya Janata Party as well as the separatists has rejected the interlocutors’ report. It is also correct that the purpose for which the three interlocutors was appointed has not been served, though no reaction has come from government side. Interlocutors have failed to bring the main separatist leaders and the people who have been worst victims of terrorism to the table to talk with them to know their feeling and discuss how to create an atmosphere of peace and development in the state. Interlocutors have nowhere thrown light on the burning issue of Pak-sponsored terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They have rightly said that clock can not be set back, their suggestion that due to erosion in Article 370 over decades needs appraisal has no meaning. On the whole, interlocutors have not recommended anything that could bring about any change for betterment in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India and it will remain so. It is reality that any improvement whatsoever can be achieved by considering the ground realities prevailing in the trouble-torn state in the first place. Interlocutors have nowhere dwelt on the issue of the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland. Kashmiri Pandits fled Kashmir when terrorism was at its height in 1990. Thousands of them became the prey of terrorists’ bullets. They were displaced on large scale. They are minority in Jammu and Kashmir. And minority community in the state has been the worst victim of terrorism in the state exported from across the border. Interlocutors have not suggested anything about the rehabilitation of the displaced pandit community living in different parts of the nation.

Don’t test people’s patience any more

It is better for the UPA Government not to test people’s patience with its acts of price rise spree. Petrol price has been hiked by Rs. 7.50 per litre. Steepest-ever hike in petrol prices has shocked the people. UPA Government washes its hands off highest hike in prices of petrol by saying that the price of petrol stands de-regulated and this has been done by oil companies. But in reality, the oil companies can not announce the hike in prices on their own and at the time of their choosing. If the petroleum companies have increased prices to reduce their losses as per the government’s view point, why did they not do so in January when there were elections in five states, including UP and why did it a day after the end of Budget session? This shows that this UPA-II has no sensitivity. The entire nation is in fury over the complete failure of UPA-II to check prices of all essential commodities, including the petroleum products. To galvanize the rising anger of the people against the government, the entire opposition parties need to launch a joint and concerted agitation to paralyze the government so that it could dare not test the patience of the nation. By giving suggestions only to the UPA-II government to do this way or that way to check price rise will not do any purpose. The people of the nation have lost all hopes with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. They are impatiently waiting for the opportunity to throw this government out. This government does not deserve to be in power even for a moment any more because of its total failure to halt the running away of prices of all essential commodities. The disenchantment of the people with the government is so deep that if it did not pay any attention to the problems being faced by them due to price rise at frequent intervals; it will definitely be taught a lesson that all predecessor governments will not like to forget. In democracy, sovereignty vests in the people of the nation. They are the masters. The majority of the poor people living below the poverty line are facing hardship to the extreme level. NDA led by BJP must seize the opportunity and come out on the streets against the government. It is good that NDA has decided to hold nation-wide bandh on May 31. But it must mobilize the support of Left and other political parties out of UPA to compel the government to review the price of petrol hike by Rs. 7.50 per litre by oil companies.

Re-think on IPL

Indian Premier League (IPL) is defaming the gentleman game of cricket. It has been primarily formed to make money, offer politicians top level post and enjoy romancing. IPL Franchise owners, players and politicians have made the game of cricket a mockery. IPL has been plagued by match fixing, brawl by famous owner of KKR and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and the charge of molestation against an Australian player of RCB. The charge about an attempt of rape is the most unsavoury incident of the IPL. The way young girls are engaged to encourage the players of different teams during IPL matches only shows the hunger for earning more and more by hook or by crook. IPL is against the game of cricket in India. It should be dissolved as early as possible. Otherwise, the players of the national team will concentrate less in the One-day or the Test matches more in IPL matches to make money in a very short time. IPL is their instant source of money. The falling standard of Test and One-Day matches in the field reflects all the evils borne out of IPL. The franchise owners in the IPL offer huge money to players to play cricket for their team. The players have an easy source of money. They take huge money and play better to increase their amount of contract in the next IPL matches. The players play for their team in IPL with more concentration than what they play for the national team. They also want to earn more in a very short time. Another huge controversy has struck the IPL with an Australian player Pomersbach with Royal Challengers Bangalore being arrested on charges of molesting an Indian American woman and severely attacking her fiancee leaving him in hospital. Pomersbach has been granted bail According to the police, 27-year-old Australian player Luke Pomersbach allegedly misbehaved with the woman, a US citizen of Indian origin, at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel here last night and has been arrested. The court has granted him bail. All these developments show how deep degeneration has set in official and players of IPL that they can go to any extent for pleasure and money.

India must raise terror issue prominently

The two-day Home Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan are going to be held on May 24 and 25 in Islamabad. The agenda for the home secretary-level talks with Pakistan has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.At the talks, the home secretaries would be discussing terrorism and are expected to sign a revised visa agreement to provide for easier travel between the two countries. Among the provisions of the revised visa agreement is the increase in the number of cities allowed to be visited, exempting elderly people from police reporting, multiple entry for business persons and group tourism. It will promote the people to people contact between the two countries. The Indian delegation, led by Home Secretary R K Singh, is expected to press for action by Pakistan to bring the Mumbai terror attack perpetrators, including JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, to justice, and speedy trial in a Pakistani court of seven 26/11 accused like Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. The issue of Pak-sponsored terrorism is India’s main concern. Since the Mumbai attacks in 2008, India has been making demands with concrete proof to handover the mastermind of Mumbai attacks JuD boss Hafiz Sayeed, but Pakistan has always adopted the dilly dallying tactics and allowed him roaming free to spit venom against India openly. At the Home Secretary level talks, India has to raise the voice to bring the Mastermind Hafiz Sayeed and other perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice if they have to be of any sense. It is good that both sides try to prepare the ground for summit level talks to resolve all outstanding issues between the two. Pakistan is moving in regard to India on the strategy of thousands cuts since the military rule of General Zia-ul Haq in 1980s. Pak military and its ISI have major say in the formulation of policy to deal with India. Political leadership has always been weakened there. That is why no fruitful talks have ever been held with Pakistan. Home Secretary level talks may prove to be very successful but one thing is clear that until and unless the final approval of Pak military is given to them, no headway is possible. Hafiz Sayeed’s influence in Pakistan can be known from the fact that even when the US announced 10 mln on his head to catch him, he is freely moving in Pakistan. US has been the mentor of Pakistan since its inception. It always pumps economic package to keep it to going. Even the announcement of huge money on his head made no difference in Pakistan. Because the military backs Hafiz Sayeed and the democratic leadership is weak and shaky.

Real life behaviour

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan must have realized that it was happening in real life and any undeserved action would draw national media attention. And he has defended his real life controversial action at Wankhade Stadium. Though he has rightly said that it has become fashion to defame luminaries in the incident involving them that they were drunk, they have also greater responsibility to maintain courtesy and decorum at the public gathering. Luminaries should also not impose their influence and status at public place. Within days of a TV sting operation that implicated five players in spot-fixing, the IPL was hit by another furore during KKR's match against Mumbai Indians with one of its franchise owners in the spotlight. The MCA officials have lodged a police complaint against Khan for his alleged badmouth at the stadium and decided to ban him for life from entering the premises. Bollywood superstar and Co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL is not an ordinary personality. His action must be exemplary. He is expected to control himself, if the allegation of abusing MCA guard and officials of MCA at Wankhede Stadium is considered to be true, and not carry away at a mere victory of his team over Mumbai Indians in IPL match. Being the co-owner of a sports team in IPL and an icon of the nation in the field of cinema , superstar Shah Rukh should have avoided the brawl with guards. MCA has alleged that Shah Rukh Khan was inebriated and he abused the guards and MCA officials while forcing his way along with children into the field from the dressing room after the end of the match. MCA has already lodged a complaint against the with police. Though superstar Shah Rukh Khan has not denied he had abused guards and MCA officials at the provocation . He has reportedly defended himself and alleged that they misbehaved with the children with him. He has also reportedly said that he has not tendered any apology. MCA demands life time ban on Bollywood superstar King Khan for entering the Wankhade Stadium. It has demanded of BCCI and IPL to act against him. Undoubtedly, the nation holds Shah Rukh Khan in high esteem and he has done us proud. His popularity transcends all boundaries. The big personalities of the nation must not flaunt their status before guards and peons. If guards at Wankhade Stadium misbehaved with him and the children, he should have complained against them with the officials concerned at the Wankhade Stadium.