Opposition-sponsored Bharat Bandh- A wake-up call for UPA govt

The opposition parties-sponsored Bharat Bandh over fuel price hike on July 5 has been a complete success. Entire Bharat was put on hold during the band as it received spontaneously support from the people of all walks of life. Dr. Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance government must wake-up and feel the pain of general public due to sky-rocketing prices of all commodities without any loss of time and address to their problems. Otherwise,they will have to pay the price for insensitivity to the problems of common poor public arising out their anti-people economic policy. In a concerted effort by opposition parties to take on the government on the issue of fuel price hike, the BJP-led NDA and Left parties staged a nation-wide strike demanding a rollback. Their Bharat Bandh has been a total success.Though the NDA and the Left parties made separate announcements , their motive was the same as the issue of price rise has hit hard equally to all economic categories of people irrespective of their political beliefs.It is good to grill the UPA govt that the opposition parties have shown rock like unity for the most burning issue of the day for the general poor public. Bhara Bandh call paralysed the nation and it has been the first such instance of opposition unity after the JP movement in the mid-seventies.In order to protest against this unjustified hike in petroleum prices and the total ineptitude of UPA government to address this problem, the entire country was put on hold against its highhandedness.There appeared no difference among the entire opposition on the issue of fuel price hike. Every party, except the ruling coalition, has demanded a rollback. But the Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government insensitivity to the Aam Admi’s pain caused by unprecented price hike of petroleum products and all other essential commodities can be seen today in the statement of Union Finance Minister and seniormost Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee that there is no question of rollback. He was replying to newsmen’s query as if he is the king and running his ministry on the line of belief that he can do no wrong. While the matter of the fact and ground reality in the country reflects that he is running his ministry on US dictation, which is anti-people and anti-poor . General public may have suffered from the Opposition- sponsored Bharat Bandh over fuel price hike but they have to be content that this strike has been for their benefit.All essential services like supply of water, milk, electricity, hospital and emergency services were exempted from the hartal.The initiative to bring all opposition parties, including the Left, to join hands in protesting against the government on price rise issue is commendable. The UPA government must be compelled to rollback the fuel price hike at all costs. The overwhelming support to the Opposition over Bandh against fuel price hike would certainly arouse the government from slumber. During the last budget session of Parliament, several non-Congress parties had spoken in one voice on rise in sugar prices and other issues.A joint protest by the Opposition over fuel price hike was made during budget session of Parliament in March, but it could not materialise. The Aam Admi slogan of the UPA is nothing but a political stunt to mislead the public. Opposition must do everything to attack this insensitive UPA govt.

Bihar CM's opposition to Narendra Modi may break their alliance

The rift between JD (U) and BJP has refused to die down and it is bound to erupt before the assembly elections and they are in all likelihood to face Bihar assembly elections separately if any political message is to be inferred from BJP's invitation to Narendra Modi for capaining there. With BJP upping its ante by inviting Narendra Modi , Chief Minister of Gujarat and one of the veteran leaders of the party, it has openly gone against the wishes of its oldest ally JD (U) in Bihar where the both are running the coalition government for the last four years. JD (U) promptly registered its annoyance over BJP's invititation to Modi for campaigning in Bihar. In Nitish-Kumar-led coalition government , JD (U) is a senior partner and behaves in the same way that goes against BJP’s temperament because it feels that it being a national opposition party it must not be dictated by the state level political party.Two weeks ago, the rift between the two allies became so serious that it hogged the national headlines for days. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cancelled dinner for the BJP top leaddership in Patna after he came to know about the advertisement showing him holding the hands of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Patna dailies during BJP Executive Committee meeting there. Nitish Kumar has run the government successfully in Bihar and brought the state back on the rail , which had been derailed during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri duo regime from 1990 to 2005. He in his four years of rule registered allround development of Bihar and made a strong votebank for the party. Undoubtedly, his stature as a politician has become bigger. Now he feels that his association with BJP belittles his professed secular politics, which he wants to keep safe. That is why he objects to to BJP leader like Modi for campaigning in the state of Bihar, which has always stood in favour of upholding secular values.BJP's invitation to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to campaign in Bihar is a move that is sure to be a red rag to the JD(U) and may revive a bitter clash between the two coalition partners ahead of the assembly elections.JD (U) and BJP may again show the facade of unity but the cracks that had already appeared in their alliance can not keep them together for a long time and Bihar assembly elections would their their flashpoint. Nitish Kumar is going from strength to strength while BJP is dwindling due due its internal bickering at the central level. Ntish Kumar can not lose his secular credential at any cost and his any longer association with BJP in given political scenario in Bihar where his arch rival and RJD supremo has already established his unquestioned secular identity will imperil his high political ambition. So, it all likelihood that JD will remove BJP tag from its fabric before the assembly elections in Bihar.

Complete failure of political leadership in Kashmir

The strife-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir has again been thrown into the
throes of violence. It is on boil and reminds of 21 years’ back incidents of
secession and anti-national activities. Thousands of youths have come out on the streets in atleast three districts-
Sopore, Baramulla and Anantnag against the security forces. The CRPF are
doing a commendable job there and they are fighting on multi-pronged fronts.
The message that the politicians are not giving among the general Kashmiris ,
especially unemployed youths, that they are here for the safety of our lives and
property from the militants sent into the state. But the politicians irrespective
of political affiliations have always failed on this most important front that
goes into the benefit of our hostile neighbour. The CRPF men are doing their job in a very tough terrain to protect the state of
Jammu and Kashmir. On the one hand they have to keep strict vigil on
infiltration from across the border and indigenous militants. The separatist
leaders of all factions of Hurriyat have already been dancing at the tunes of
agents to foment trouble in the Valley . Some of the Hurriyat leaders are allegedly the paid agent of Pakistan. It has
always been on look out to create upsurge in Jammu and Kashmir so that its
military and notorious Inter- Services Intelligence (ISI) could infiltrate
militants stealthily in large numbers. For this, they keep the different factions
of Hurriyat in good humour with money , arms and ammunition. Three more youtIhs were killed when CRPF allegedly opened fire during
clashes with protestors in Anantnag as violence spread to south Kashmir and
more towns in the valley were put under curfew. With Anantnag’s deaths, eight teenaged boys have lost their lives in the last
five days in incidents of fetal shootings involving security forces escalating
the tense situation in the Valley. In all, 11 youths have died in the last three
weeks during clashes between protestors and security forces.Government has rightly said there are reliable reports to suggest that
anti-national elements are trying to exploit the situation in Jammu and
Kashmir. Some militants may also have sneaked into the valley to trigger
violence. Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) is active in Kashmir and they
play major roles in creating and escalating violence.Union Home Minister has rightly made an appeal to the people of Jammu and
Kashmir to stand by the state government and help the state government in
restoration of law and order.The people of Jammu and Kashmir must reflect on the nature of the challenge
faced by the security forces. The need of the hour is that political leaders of all
hues should make concerted effort to bring back the situation to normalcy.

Good beginning, but no result

The crux of India’s problem with Pakistan is the issue of terrorism. Despite assurance given by Pakistan to India umpteen time that it will act against terror outfits operating against India from its soil, it does nothing and terrorism is being sponsored into Jammu and Kashmir and eleswhere in India to creat mayhem and destablisation continuosly. Several rounds of talks have been held between the two neighbours on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir in the past at the highest levels also, but no results have come out of them rather after every talk between the two there has been terror attack in India at Pak’s instigation. This is the first time after Mumbai attack of 26/11 that the talks at ministerial level have been held in so cordial atmosphere that reflect that keep talking would help understand each other and that there is no alternative to continuous involvement in talks between the two. After the Mumbai attack, all channels of connections were broken. India’s main demand on Pakistan is to bring LeT founder and J-U-D boss Hafiz Sayeed and all others involved in Mumbai attacks, who are at large in Pakistan, to book. Hafiz Sayeed is openly spitting venom against India and always talks of ruining it. But instead of taking any action against him, Pakistan shows its helpness and says that in democracy the government can stop not freedom of speech as happens in India in democracy. It is its lame excuse. This posture regarding Hafiz Sayeed makes any talks between the two neighbours meaningless. The warmth shown by Pakistani counterpart of P Chidanbram is good and reflects that Pak atleast wants to show its mentor- the US- under whose pressure it was eager to start the process of talks to establish peaceful and friendly relations with India. Though talks between Union Home Minister P Chidambram and Pakistan Home Minister Rahman Malik are a good beginning, but reining in mastermind of the Mumbai attacks LeT founder Hafiz Saeed must be prerequisite from Indian side to make them meaningful. Both met on the occasion of the conference of Saarc home minister in Islamabad. Undoubtedly, Pakisatan is under US pressure to talk reasonably with India and this is the prime reason that it reflected sincerity and seriousness to act against terrorism, the epicentre of which is in Pakistan itself, though Pakistan itself is under terror attack.Home Minister P Chidambaram has rightly said that India wants more action from Pakistan against those involved in the Mumbai terror attacks and expressed confidence of a positive outcome in the matter after his meeting with his counterpart Rehman Malik. He has also rightly said that India believes that more people were behind the attacks and more people should be prosecuted. The talk between Home of Minister India and his Pakistani counterpart has been described as good and both have identified what needs to be done other than what has already been done. Realising the past experiences, India must not relax in vigilance against any mischief from across the border.

Compel Dow to bear liability

Why should the Govt bear multinational’s liability with tax payers' hard-earned money? The Bhopal gas tragedy victims deserve adequate compensation from the Union Carbide Corporation of the US, which sold to Dow Chemicals in the aftermath of worst-ever industrial disaster in Bhopal due to poisonous gas leak in Union Carbide Pesticide plant .All the assets of Union Carbide Bhopal was inherited by Dow Chemicals. Therefore,it is liable to pay the liability to the victims of Bhopal gas disaster.As far as the US policy regarding payment to victims of industrial disaster is concerned, it always adopts double standard. Oil giant British Petroleum spill in Gulf of Mexico is its stark example of double. It spilled oil in Gulf of Mexico that caused neglible damage to the life and property in comparison to the Bhopal gas disaster. US President Barack Obama forced BP to pay $20 billion to set aside for meeting the claims of victims. But he never made any mention about the plight of Bhopal gas tragedy for US company is solely responsible. The Government of India must put diplomatic pressure the US to make Dow pay its liability and pursue the issue of extradition of former CEO of Union Carbide Warren Anderson, who is the prime accused in Bhopal gas tragedy, with the Obama administration.The Group of Minister (GoM) on Bhopal gas tragedy was reconstituted very swiftly to douse the people’s anger over the verdict of a local court and they recommended very fast to pay Rs. 1,320 crore as compensation to the victims. The vital question here arises that why should the tax payers’ money be paid as compensation by the government instead of putting pressure on Dow Chemicals, which bought over Union Carbide, to pay its liability to the victims. The Dow Chemicals purchased Union Carbide after the world’s wost ever industrial disaster that killed more than 2000 people and maimed lakhs. Instead standing before the Us President for the cause victims, the GoM on Bhopal gas disaster has recommended a Rs 1,320 crore package for the victims enhancing the compensation for the kin of dead to Rs 10 lakh and for permanently disabled Rs five lakh. Government must act fearlessly and as the US President thundered at the BP for payment of liability to the victims of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it also roars at Dow to pay the liability to the victims of Bhpal gas tragedy and work hard to extradite Anderson. This will be the best tribute to those who died in the worst-ever industrial accident.

Well deserved victory

The captain of Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni has proved his worth by leading it in the Asia Cup to victory. This memorable victory has come after 15 years. Dhoni broke the jinx of being Choker in the final. In most of the competitions, it was seen that even if India played better and better in any tournament in the beginning but it miserably failed to register victory in the final. That jinx has been broken by Dhoni. The chief characteristic in Dhoni is that he leads the team from the front and never show nervousness even if the team were placed in adverse situation. He always inspires his teammates to play to their full potential. Dhoni is the most suitable captain to continue in the World Cup next year. He must not be disturbed and given free hand to prepare the team for the biggest challenge.The World Cup is exactly a year away and India has knocked the door by emerging as the champion of Asia. Under Mohammad Azharuddin’s captaincy, India had won Asia Cup in 1995. They had defeated the Sri Lankan team that year too in the final. With lethal bowling , the Indian pacers led by Ashish Nehra made the match one sided in favour of India. The average score of 267 runs made by India became too heavy for Sri Lanka that they could not gave any challenge to the Indian team at any point of time in the match. One year ahead of Worls Cup, winning Asia Cup reflects the strength of India before the world. Asia Cup victory is itself makes India strong claimant of World Cup. A 15-year-old title drought came to an end as India won the Asia Cup cricket tournament after crushing defending champions Sri Lanka by 81 runs in a lop-sided final. This was India’s first Asia Cup triumph since Mohammad Azharuddin had led them to the title in Sharjah in 1995. On that occasion also, India had beaten Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final.The Indian seam attack rose to the challenge when it mattered the most, accounting for the scalps of Tillakaratne Dilshan (0), Upul Tharanga (16), Mahela Jayawardene (11), Angelo Mathews (0) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (17) in just 16 overs.Sri Lanka never recovered from those telling blows. Nehra was the most successful Indian bowler with four for 40 while Zaheer Khan and Ravindra Jadeja taking two wickets apiece by conceding 36 and 29 runs respectively. Praveen Kumar chipped in with one wicket.Praveen Kumar struck first blood when he had Dilshan caught at mid-on, an attempted pull from outside off stump ballooning to Harbhajan Singh inside the 30-yard circle.Even as Sri Lanka had recovered from Dilshan’s fall in the first over, Zaheer Khan, bowling with great verve and zing, castled Tharanga. The ball broke back to hit off stump as the left hander shouldered arms.Taking over from Zaheer from the pavilion end, Ashish Nehra struck thrice in seven balls to break the Sri Lankan spine.The major contribution of victory in Asia Cup goes to the Indian bowled, though the batsmen too did well. As generally the bowling department is not the strength of India, bowlers showed in the Asia Cup final that they also have guts to bowl well enough to make the batsmen play very difficult. Still, our bowlers need improvement if they are to play at the world class level in the World Cup. The bowlers by winning Asia Cup must take pledge to win the coming World cup like Kapil Dev did in 1983.

Compel Dow to bear liability

Why should the Govt bear multinational’s liability with tax payers' hard-earned money? The Bhopal gas tragedy victims deserve adequate compensation from the Union Carbide Corporation of the US, which sold to Dow Chemicals in the aftermath of worst-ever industrial disaster in Bhopal due to poisonous gas leak in Union Carbide Pesticide plant .All the assets of Union Carbide Bhopal was inherited by Dow Chemicals. Therefore,it is liable to pay the liability to the victims of Bhopal gas disaster.As far as the US policy regarding payment to victims of industrial disaster is concerned, it always adopts double standard. Oil giant British Petroleum spill in Gulf of Mexico is its stark example of double. It spilled oil in Gulf of Mexico that caused neglible damage to the life and property in comparison to the Bhopal gas disaster. US President Barack Obama forced BP to pay $20 billion to set aside for meeting the claims of victims. But he never made any mention about the plight of Bhopal gas tragedy for US company is solely responsible. The Government of India must put diplomatic pressure the US to make Dow pay its liability and pursue the issue of extradition of former CEO of Union Carbide Warren Anderson, who is the prime accused in Bhopal gas tragedy, with the Obama administration.The Group of Minister (GoM) on Bhopal gas tragedy was reconstituted very swiftly to douse the people’s anger over the verdict of a local court and they recommended very fast to pay Rs. 1,320 crore as compensation to the victims. The vital question here arises that why should the tax payers’ money be paid as compensation by the government instead of putting pressure on Dow Chemicals, which bought over Union Carbide, to pay its liability to the victims. The Dow Chemicals purchased Union Carbide after the world’s wost ever industrial disaster that killed more than 2000 people and maimed lakhs. Instead standing before the Us President for the cause victims, the GoM on Bhopal gas disaster has recommended a Rs 1,320 crore package for the victims enhancing the compensation for the kin of dead to Rs 10 lakh and for permanently disabled Rs five lakh. Government must act fearlessly and as the US President thundered at the BP for payment of liability to the victims of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it also roars at Dow to pay the liability to the victims of Bhpal gas tragedy and work hard to extradite Anderson. This will be the best tribute to those who died in the worst-ever industrial accident.