Attack on Freedom of expression

It all started with a protest against a two-day seminar organized by Delhi University’s Ramjas College, called “Cultures of Protest”. It was opposed by ABVP, the student wing of the BJP. The seminar organized by the Left leaning Students' Union AISA and others in Ramjas College of Delhi University was disrupted. They invited Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid. Delhi University's North Campus seems to have turned into a battleground with ideologically-charged student groups backed by Left and Right wing political parties locking horns. The seminar was disrupted and Left leaning students were attacked allegedly by ABVP students. ABVP allege that they are anti-nationals as they are involved in anti-India sloganeering. Omar Khalid was charged with anti-national sloganeering in JNU campus. But it is because of JNU background, no student can be labeled as anti-national. In protest against the disruption of the Seminar a day after the Left leaning students took out a protest march. It is alleged that the ABVP students attacked the procession march in which several teachers, students and journalists were grieveously injured. Police personnel deputed to main peace and order there were mute spectators and they allegedly beat journalists and snatched away their cameras and phones. They also deleted the messages and videos from the phones. Delhi police officials also took note of their action when it was brought to their notice. Policemen’s alleged involvement in the fracas were also brought to their higher officials They punished reportedly punished the errant police men. The ABVP students' behaviour in Delhi University is in no way acceptable. They have no right to brand the students who are of left leanings as anti-nationals. They can also not crush the voice of dissent in the name of nationalism and patriotism. ABVP has allegiance to RSS, the doting parent of the BJP. It is well known that there is BJP govt. at the Centre. Delhi police come under the Central govt. But it does not give freedom to ABVP to use violence against anyone who opposes them. A teacher of DU has reportedly been kicked and booted umpteen times allegedly by ABVP student. There is no place of violence in the temple of education. ABVP must know that they can not suppress the voice of dissent with force. They are also not in a position to give certificate of nationalism. Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of the Kargyl martyr and a student of Delhi University, has launched a frontal attack on ABVP through social media. Her posts on Twitter and Face book became viral because of her bravery that she alone stood openly against the attempt of crushing the voice of dissent by the right wing forces in the country. How absurd it is that the ABVP student allegedly threatened her with murder and rape through social media posts. It is also absurd that how even the Union Minister came out in the support of hooliganism and violence allegedly by AVBP students in Delhi University. It is the premier university of the nation. If the students of this university resort to violence in order to establish their dominance, what can be expected of other university students in the country? Kaur launched a social media campaign against the ABVP after it forced the cancellation of a seminar at Ramjas College. It was then accused of attacking students, lecturers, and journalists in the campus.

Kansas shooting shocking

The shooting in school and college of America is not new. It takes place there off and on. But the shooting, which targets the Indians, is shocking and horrifying. President Trump must ask his administration to tighten the security of all Indians living in America. Though the life is invaluable whether it is American or Indian, gunning down of the Indian engineer has saddened and horrified the people living in America. The gunning down of Indian professional in a bar in the Kansas city of America is shocking. The Indian engineer Sriniwas Kuchibhotle along with his friend Alok Madasani went to a bar after the end of their duty to take beer for relaxation. A former US Navy veteran yelled,’’ get out of my country”. He also reportedly engaged the two Indian engineers in argument and made racial comments on them. After that he shot Sriniwas dead, though another American came forward and grappled with the drunk navy veteran and in the process he and Sriniwas’ friend were also injured. All Americans cannot be called to be practicing racialism in the post Trump era. The American who came forward to save Indians show the magnanimity also. The shooting of India engineer is nothing but hate crime which has increased in America since Donald Trump won the presidential election. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will visit America from Tuesday during which key bilateral issues, including India’s concerns over a possible clamp down on H1B visas and safety of Indians are expected to be discussed. According to officials, Jaishankar will hold talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members of the Donald Trump administration during his four-day visit. It is urgently required to raise with the Trump Administration the issue of the security of Indians living there on priority basis. Foreign Secretary must convey the concerns of Indians over the deteriorating security scenario for them in America in recent times. President Trump’s America First policy and his hard line approach on immigrants boosted those Americans who believe in racial discrimination. The drunk navy gunner mistook Sriniwas and his friends for middle-easterners. President’s Trump’s move to make H1B visas difficult to get for job in America for immigrants is his tactics to blackmail Americans as job industry there is itself shrinking. The immigrants get job in America and any other country on the basis of their talents and intelligences. Hundreds gathered in Kansas city for a peace march and prayer vigil for slain Indian engineer and two other victims of a US bar shooting.US Navy veteran, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Violence unacceptable

To determine which organization is nationalistic or which is not is not the business of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student wing of the Bhartiya Janta Party. Under the cover of nationalism, ABVP has no right to declare some students belonging to students' wings- AISA and SFI- as anti-nationals. What was the need of disrupting, attacking and throwing stones at the literary seminar at Ramjas College organized by college literary society allegedly by a group of ABVP students only because Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited to participate? Khalid was arrested last year in a case of sedition over organizing a rally on the JNU campus in which anti-India slogans were allegedly heard. Rashid was the then the JNU student union vice president. It has been seen for almost two years that college and university campuses have been turned into a battle ground over the issue of nationalism. Jingoism has done no good to any country. All Indian students are nationalists irrespective of their allegiance to organization. So, centre of learning must not be converted into battleground. ABVP students alleged that they shouted anti-national slogans the video of which was also shown, though unverified. As far as the issue of violent clashes is concerned, some DU students, led by members of AISA and SFI, took out a march a day after demanding action against the ABVP members. Violence erupted after students from Delhi University colleges and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) congregated outside Ramjas with the intention to hold a protest march against the RSS-backed ABVP student group. They were demanding action against the ABVP members who had allegedly hackled and threw stones at students gathered for a seminar at a conference hall, where controversial JNU student Umar Khalid was invited to speak. Teachers, students and journalists were wounded on the Delhi University campus as group clashes broke out over the disruption of a literary festival in Ramjas College a day ago, allegedly by members of the ABVP. The role of Delhi police also comes under scanner as they allegedly snatched cameras and mobile phones of the journalists and deleted the videos and messages. Not only journalists, teachers and students were also attacked. Police have allegedly attacked the journalists covering the protest march. Several students, teachers and journalists were injured in the group clashes. Some of them were also detained, but for a brief period. Delhi police appeared to be mute spectators to the clashes that were going on before them. As Delhi police is under central govt. in the city, it may be possible that some signals were sent to them to act passively as the students' wing ABVP is backed by RSS and BJP. The BJP-led NDA govt. is at the Centre. The freedom of expression must not be curbed under the garb of nationalism. Who is nationalist and who is not nationalist cannot be decided by the ABVP.

Debasement of democracy

Amidst chaos, ruckus and violence, E Palaniswamy won the trust vote and continued to be the chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He got 123 votes while the rebel OPS got only 10 thereby he comfortably sailed through. But whatever happened in Tamil Nadu assembly during the trust vote is a total debasement of democracy. All democratic norms, courtesies and rules were thrown to the winds in the T N assembly. AIADMK leader E Pallaniswamy is the nominee of Sasikala, party General Secretary VK Sasikala. She nominated EPS as AIADMK legislature party leader as she was declared guilty in DA case. She was sent to jail after being found guilty by the Supreme Court. EPS was seeking trust vote in the assembly. It was necessitated because Sasikala's leadership was challenged by the rebel O Paneerselvam. He claimed to be the true representative of late Jaylalithaa and he too staked claim to form the govt. Governor Vidya Sagar Rao after some dilly-dallying for some days, he called E Palliniswamy to take oath of office of the Chief Ministership. As Palliniswamy had submitted the signature of support of 124 MLAs and OPS merely submitted of 10 MLAs, Governor called EPS to form govt. and show majority on the floor of assembly within 15 days. E Pallaliswamy sought trust vote and won comfortably. But the behaviour of the opposition DMK MLAs in the assembly has demeaned the democracy. It was the most unsavory day in the assembly of Tamil Nadu. Violence, ruckus, uprooting of microphone and flinging of chairs inside the assembly were the hallmarks of the assembly, though they have become normal practices in almost all state assemblies. But the way DMK MLAs misbehaved with the Speaker in the assembly is nothing but the mockery of democracy. What more despicable and disturbing act could be possible than the spectre of Speaker’s helplessness before the hooliganism in the assembly. He was taken out by the Marshal. His chair was occupied by the DMK MLA in the assembly. He was seen on the TV screens showing his torn shirt and uprooted microphone. It was the lowest point in democracy. Democracy was lowered to abysmal level. DMK MLAs had to be evicted and Congress MLAs walked out. The trust vote was conducted in their absence. It may be feasible that if the assembly was dissolved at this point of time, there could be political benefit for the opposition DMK. But for taking political advantage, hooliganism inside the assembly has no justification. DMK acting President Stalin also showed his torn cloth before the TV cameras outside the assembly, though his shirt appeared to be unbuttoned, not torn. If the elected representatives of the people behave in this manner in the assembly or Parliament, what impact it would have on the common people. Most of the elected representatives considered to be role models for the electors. But when they themselves turn the temple of democracy into a wrestling ground, what can be expected of the common people? EPS won the trust vote in the assembly, but democracy .

Army Chief's warning to anti-national elements

Army General Bipin Rawat has rightly warned the anti-national elements and those who sympathise with terrorists and stone palters in the trouble torn-state of Jammu and Kashmir that if they continued to do so, they would be dealt with gun. His warning is justified. He gave this warning while paying tribute to the brave hearts of the Handwara and Bandipora encounters. What wrong the Army General has done by warning the people, who have picked up arms, involved in acts of terrorism and displayed flags of the ISIS and Pak. He has rightly said that Army will treat them as anti-national elements. He has done no wrong in warning the anti-national elements. It is well known that Army uses minimum force and exercises maximum restraint. PDP-BJP alliance govt. also appears to have supported the Army General warning by issuing a statement that it is the responsibility of the parents to keep away their children from the stone pelting sites. Gen. Rawat has neither warned the Kashmiri youths nor common citizens of the state. His statement must not be seen through political prism. It is right that Army must not be involved in politics. But at the same time it is not correct to say that they should not open its mouth about the difficulties being faced by their deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to curb terrorism and keep the citizens of the state protected from terrorists, who are being sent from across the border. There is no wrong in taking action against all those who encourage, support, aid and abet separatism and terrorism in the state. Army General is not expected to say that all anti-national elements will be awarded by the army. General Bipin Rawat has rightly said that sympathisers of terrorists will also be dealt with guns. General Rawat’s warning has unnerved the separatist leaders and anti-national elements in the state. Since the Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. came to power at the Centre, terror acts and infiltration, ceasefire violations have gone up. Though our army personnel give befitting reply to ceasefire violations and terrorists during encounter with them, our several brave hearts have also been martyred in encounter with terrorists, who are sent from across. It appears that terrorists across the border have forgotten the surgical strike undertook by Indian Army in the recent past. So, a stern message was required to be sent across the border that now enough is enough and if they continued to create mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir with overt or covert support from the separatists, Indian Army would not hesitate in taking harsh measures to quell them. General Rawat's warning has upset the separatist leaders because they support the terrorism which is being sponsored by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Gillani's faction of the Hurriyat Conference, a separatist conglomerate, openly advocated the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan while other faction JKLF advocates for the independence. That is why they have been upset and disturbed at the warning of Army General. Anti-national and separatist elements don't deserve to be awarded, but they should be dealt with heavy hand. Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India and it will be so. India must act to take away Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir(PoK) with Jammu and Kashmir. The local people of Jammu and Kashmir need feel threatened by the warning of General Rawat. It is for terrorists, anti-national elements and separatists who are bent on breaking our unity and integrity.

Right decision, but belated

Tamil Nadu Governor has taken right decision by inviting Sasikala loyalist Edapadi Palaniswamy to form govt. He is going to be sworn-in as CM of Tamil Nadu this evening i.e. on Thursday 4.30 PM. Though the decision of the Governor is belated, it appears that when he became convinced about the number on the basis of the signature by 123 AIADMK MLAs support to Sasikala's nominee E Palaniswami's candidature for the leader of the legislative assembly, he invited him to be sworn-in as CM. Governor has given him 15 days' time to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly. He appears to gone by the number, which is also the right criterion for invitation to the legislative party leader to form the govt. OPS may have claimed that he has overwhelming support of the people of the state and he represents Amma in AIADMK politics in the true sense of the term, but as far as number of supporting MLAs is concerned, he is far behind the majority support. He had reportedly submitted the signature of only 10 MLAs to the Governor. But he claims that if the party MLAs kept in the protective custody in Golden Resort by Sasikala, before being sent to jail by the Supreme Court in Disproportionate Assets case freed, they would flock to his camp. If his claim holds water, he can show it on the day of vote confidence to be sought by Paliniswamy in the assembly within 15 days. Paliniswamy has been one the most trusted lieutenants of J Jayalaliththa and he is also Sasikala’s loyalist. When AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala was held guilty in Disproportionate Assets case and awarded four years of jail by the Supreme Court, her hope to become the CM was dashed to the ground. Before going to jail, she appointed Paliniswamy as the leader of legislative party and Diwakaran her nephew as the Deputy General Secretary of the party. She had already expelled OPS from the party.It clearly means she intends to rule the state and the party from the jail through her proxies. The formula of rule by proxy is not new in the politics of the nation. It was for the first time when Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was sent to jail in Fodder scam case, he had brought his wife Rabri Devi straight from the kitchen and put her on the chair of Chief Minister. First he got her elected as the leader of the legislative party, then she staked claim before the governor to be sworn-in as CM. Lalu went to jail and she became the Chief Minister of Bihar. He ruled the state from jail through none other than his wife Rabri Devi as proxy. So, it appears that Sasikala has played the same game. But there is also a wide difference between the political scenario of Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD supremo has always been one of the most popular leaders of the country. He is a mass leader while Sasikala's political identity is only that she has been a close aide of Jayalalithaa. She is not a leader of the people in Tamil Nadu. She claims to be the most suitable person to carry forward the legacy of Amma only because she lived with Jaya in Poes Garden residence and was treated as her sister. That is right. But as far political succession is concerned, it can only be decided by the people of Tamil Nadu. Paliniswamy may win the vote of confidence in the assembly, but the real test will be in the assembly elections. As far the claim of O Panerselvam on the legacy of Jayalaliththa is concerned, he has been one of her most trusted political lieutenants. Whenever she had to vacate the chair of CM either because of adverse court judgement or ill-health, she nominated OPS to rule the state in her absence. He has carried out the responsibility twice. OPS himself is a leader of the people in his own right. Sasikala nominee Paliniswamy may win the vote of confidence, but the battle for inheriting Jaya's legacy will go on until the assembly elections are held. The command of the government will only be established by a fresh mandate. In the assembly of 234 members in Tamil Nadu, Jaya's AIADMK had 134. So, at least 117 MLAs are required to show majority in the assembly. Otherwise, state will be put under President's Rule.

A dangerous city

Delhi is not only a city but it is also national capital. People from all over the country come to the city in search of job, pursue higher studies, get better treatment and make round of it as tourists. As it is a national capital, foreign dignitaries also live in this city. Besides all of them, the common Delhiites live in the city in constant fear and danger. Women are considered to be most unsafe if the disclosures at the annual press conference of Delhi police are anything to go by. There is a rape every four hour in the city. It is shocking and shameful. The incidents of rape hang our heads in shame. Three of the four cases are unsolved by the police. The performance of Delhi Police in curbing crimes against women is not great either. Of the 4,165 molestation cases, 1,132 were not unravelled, while 291 (14%) cases of rape of a total of 2,155 remained unsolved as well. Despite the fact that Delhi police is one of the most smart police forces in the country, its failure to solve the cases is nothing but deplorable. Apart from rape, eve teasing, molestation and stalking of women in the city are common. The situation has reached to such a pass that even the mother and the father of the tiny and teen-aged daughters fear in allowing them to go out of the door after the sun sets in the city. The recent arrest of a serial child rapist in the city exposes the weakness of police force to strike fear among criminals. The women in the city live in the shadow of rape, molestation, eve teasing and stalking. They are always concerned about their safety and security. Despite the enactment of rigorous laws after the Nirbhaya rape and murder incident, the atrocities against women have gone up sharply. Even more heinous crimes have been reportedly committed. Apart from the question of women's safety, Delhi police have to contain murder, kidnapping, theft, robbery and burglary. Police in Delhi is controlled and commanded by the Central government. So, it is the responsibility of the Central govt. to improve their functioning. It is also a fact that the increasing influx of the people in Delhi from all corners of the country has made the task of the police very difficult to tackle the problems that come with them. Central govt. must make the resources available for Delhi police to organize them in the most modern way. Police personnel must be equipped with modern weapons and gadgets to pre-empt any crime in the city. All police stations in the city must be equipped with overhauled vehicle, telephone, weapons and personnel to attend the call made by the victim to act promptly and swiftly. The issue of women's safety must be dealt with sincerity, promptness and swiftness. It is not fourteenth century when the greatest English playwright William Shakespeare said, "Women Thy name is Frailty". It is 21st century when men and women have equal rights. And women even leave men behind in several fields where talents and intelligence are put to test. So women's security must be of utmost importance for Delhi police. It should be dealt with priority. Unless and until police strike fear among criminals and develop contact and co-ordination with the common Delhiites, the graph of crime is bound to go up and up. The gap that exists between the police and the people must be bridged. The sense of alienation among the people with the police creates gap between them. So, the friendly relation between people and police in the city is required to be developed to win the war against crime. .