Democracy as a tool to pacify the dissent of people

Though, criticizing democracy needs a preparation, dare and most importantly a better substitute of the governance for the system. But people dying for democracy in Arab world put various questions on fore regarding the cost they are paying for what. 

Now, the gulf countries are in dire need of democracy which has put Arab dictatorships under fire. Viewing the mass mobilaisation and what happened in countries like Tunisia and Egypt, it could be said that Arabian people will get their dreams fulfilled, sooner or later.

It is hard to believe that a single death caused burning situation in Gulf countries. Notably, on December 17, when a 28-year-old, unemployed high school graduate, Mohamed Bouazizi, immolated himself after a policewoman had confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling on the street. The young man belonged from Tunisia. When he died on January 14, his hometown, Sidi Bouzid, erupted in revolt. A single life changed the whole gulf region and people started mobilising against ruler of the country and ultimately forced Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee away from the country.

 Subsequent to the incident in Tunisia, other countries also faced similar volatile situation and now all rulers, who are ruling over the people for decades are in hot water.

As the news coming from petroleum rich countries, people are immolating themselves with the logic that if the immolation of a single man could change the system in Tunisia, their sacrifices could also do the same. Hope their sacrifice will not go in vein.

But in India, there are already such incidents happening but it is hard to see any united effort from the people in order to compel the government or politicians for taking any serious decision in their favour.

On last Sunday, Phooli Adivasi (49) resident of Tikamgarh district coming in Madhya Pradesh killed him subsequent to axing his wife and two children to death. The man apparently took the extreme step being tired of abject poverty. Reportedly, the family had not had meals for the last two days, which drove the man to take shocking act.

This horrifying incident hardly got single column space in newspapers and failed to receive any comment from leaders. This is not the unique case at all.

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government has admitted in assembly that 89 farmers and 47 agriculture labourers committed suicide in 87 days from November 6, 2010 to January, 2011. The overall figures of farmer’s suicides in the state are quite horrifying.  Vide, total 8,298 farmers committed suicide from 2007 to 2009, while on an average farmers ended life every day from 2007 to 2009 is 3.79.

According to a data published in ‘The Hindu’ in December the average number per year of farmers in India who committed suicide between the year 1997 and 2009 is 17,000 and percentage share of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states in annual farmer suicide in India is 62.

On the ground of poverty and unemployment, though, Government of India has its own claim but various committees formulated to get exact figure of people living below poverty line including Arjun Sengupta, have presented horrifying figure regarding poverty. Sengupta committee claimed that more than 70 percent Indian, which counts around 90 crore people are struggling for meeting the two ends. The enormous population of free India is surviving on a mere expenditure of Rs 20 a day. 

Even after such worst condition, why isn’t there any possibility of such scene in the near future, which will lead the people to congregate together and tame the ruling class.

If one can delve deeply, he would find the very similar reason for which Arab people are fighting for, is working against the people of India. The democracy (don’t know how much democracy it is) is being used to pacify the anger of people and working as the face-saving weapons for the ruling society in the country.

Whenever a common person comes on the road, opposing the government decision, many people among us started opposing vehemently our own friends. They just started using the logic that there is no place for violence or protest in democracy. This value has been imitated by the ruling class, who allowed such condition of Indians.

MP government is indifferent with farmers' suffering

While, plight of farmers in Madhya Pradesh provoking them to take extreme step, State government’s dilly-dallying is continue regarding any concrete step to ease the situation.

Shiv Prasad, committed suicide in CM's home district

In the scene when frost hit ruined crop, especially Arahar has taken 12 lives so far across the State in last fifteen days, the State government has used all excuses to escape from the responsibility.  

When first case of suicide surfaced in the state around January 5 in which a debt-ridden farmer poured kerosene and burned himself alive in his fields, the government came aggressively to show that there is no loan sanctioned in any bank on the name of this particular farmer.

Subsequently, the media in its rare aggressive role cracked the hidden character of money-lenders (which are not hidden at all in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and in other states) who are the responsible for the deteriorating scene.

 Subsequent to the long tussle and dilly-dallying, the government announced that the entire loan given by private parties would be considered now null and void.

The announcement does not refer that the government of Swarnim State did not know the fact earlier or changed the mint and instantly became pro-farmer.

The anti-human approach of the government touched height when its Agriculture Minister Ram Krishna Kusumharia, MLA from the district Damoh, where maximum number of farmers lost their lives, claimed that the farmers were paying for the sins of their forefathers. 

Agriculture Minister Kusumharia

How did he explained his statement, take a look. “The farmers are paying for their past sins.  They have been using chemical fertilizers so much that the soil has lost all fertility."

This was the statement the government came forward with after the death of seven farmers in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. The youngest was 27 and the oldest was 70.

  

When, the toll of total death reached nine or ten, the government reacting to the media outrageous cry, announced sweet-sounding compensations. But the suicidal attempt taken by farmers was heading to reveal the reality of the government very busy in puja-path. Even on Thursday, the agriculture minister was busy in puja, something at big level. When journalists ask about the purpose, when farmers are reeling and dying in the State. He responded that Lord Ram would smooth the situation.

In the process of announcement, Chief Minister of State Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the self-claimed kisan ka beta announced loan on one percent interest for farmers, but to no avail.

The question rise that if the government is that much honest regarding welfare of farmer society and converting the State in swarnim one. Then, why situation is continuously worsening. The answer is quite simple. The entire effort is nothing but to silent media and those who are very dependent over media for shaping their own perception about reality.

All the announcements of the government carry certain criteria which would be tough to fulfill for the farmers. Like, categorization of wrecked crop and distribution of compensations accordingly.

As, the bureaucrats, who are supposed to implement all those announcements are worthless. It has been proved already. Damaged crops are not in their ownership, so that they could maximise the loss and recovered as much money as they can. Rather, they would distribute money for only two purpose, one to rich their pocket and also to butter their Aakas. Not more than that.

In recent news, a farmer of Chirkhan village in Harda district Hariom Patel returned the cheque of Rs 16,000. He claims that he has lost the crop of 25 acres and the compensation amount is nothing but beggary and he is not begging at all.

मेरे पापा एक सजीव उपन्यास

करीब चालीस साल रेलवे की नौकरी करने के बाद पापा आज रिटायर हो गए. इतने लम्बे समय तक किसी के साथ रहना और फिर उससे अलग होना. उन्हें कैसा लग रहा होगा, यह जानना बहुत मुश्किल है. ना हम ही उस शानदार तरीके से पूछ पाएंगे और अगर पूछ भी पाए तो पापा बताएँगे नहीं. वो अपनी तकलीफ कम से कम नहीं बताना चाहते और न बताते है. मेरे पापा एक न ख़त्म होने वाला उपन्यास है, सजीव उपन्यास.

इस अतिविकसित समय में काश कि कोई मशीन इजाद हो पायी रहती जिससे हम किसी का मन पढ़ पाते..

यूँ तो समाज में एक से एक लोग हुए है और होंगे भी. पर पापा भी एक ही व्यक्तित्व है. जिन्होंने खूब खोया है और पाया शायद कुछ भी नहीं है. उनके व्यक्तित्व का अंदाजा इससे लगाया जा सकता है कि गाँव में उनके बड़े वुजुर्ग कहते है कि वो तो कलयुग में 'धर्मराज' है.

पापा हम सभी भाई-बहनों के हीरो रहे. ताकतवर और जुझारू , हार नहीं मानने वाला. यह सब तब था जब हम छोटे थे. बड़े होने पर पाया कि पापा पिछली सारी 'इमेज' से बड़े है, तब जब हमेशा हारते है. उनका कोई सपना पूरा नहीं होता पर हौसला ये कि सपने देखना छोड़ते नहीं. जितनी संख्या में सपने टूटते नहीं, पापा उसके कई गुना सपने देख डालते है. और फिर लग जाते है उन्हें पूरा करने में.

हम उनके सपने का हिस्सा रहे है. एक बार मै सात साल की उम्र में हास्टल में पढ़ने भेजा जा रहा था. मुझे नहीं मालूम था कि हास्टल कौन सी बला है. मेरे लिए कपडे, विस्तर और बहुत कुछ तैयार किया जा रहा था. मै बहुत खुश था कि बस में बैठने मिलेगा और फिर नए नए कपडे!

शाम हो रही थी. अगली सुबह मुझे निकल जाना था. पापा चारपाई पर लेटे हुए थे, मै उनके पेट पर बैठा हुआ था कि अचानक पापा रोने लगे. मुझे उनका रोना अजीब लगा. मेरा हीरो, जिसके होने पर हम सबसे ज्यादा सुरक्षित होते थे, वो रो रहा था. और वजह भी क्या.. मुझे बस में बैठना है इसलिए.... बाद में अम्मा-पापा के रोने कि वजह समझ में आयी और 'अच्छे' से आई.

आज यह भी समझ में नहीं आ रहा है कि पापा खुश होंगे कि उदास.. छुट्टी नहीं मिली वरना आज मै उनके साथ होता और उनके मनस्थिति को जानने की कोशिश करता.

Our Jafar Panahi convicted in Iran

“Dictatorship is a constant lecture instructing you that your feelings, your thoughts and desires are of no account, that you are a nobody and must live as you are told by other people who desire and think for you”, said Stephen Vizinczey.

Feelings and thoughts of the people could only bring real threat for the power, so why they want to suppress it. Otherwise, what could be wrong in attending mourning ceremony!

Recently, Iranian film director Jafar Panahi has been convicted to six years in prison in his native country, a sentence extended by the additional punishment of being banned from directing or producing films for the next twenty years. Fellow filmmaker Muhammad Rasoulof, who was arrested with Panahi in a 2009 mourning ceremony for deceased victims of the Iranian election protests, also received a six-year sentence.

Panahi was inciting protest and discontent with a documentary he was working on. Panahi is a well-known supporter of the Green movement and the opposition to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president.

He has already been arrested and jailed several times following the democratic protests of 2009. During his imprisonment in 2010 Panahi went on a hunger strike, and was bailed in May for the equivalent of $200,000 after an international campaign by film-makers including a dramatic demonstration at the Cannes prize-giving ceremony by Juliette Binoche. Now the Iranian state has spoken with chilling decision.

The Berlin film festival has already invited Panahi to join its jury in February 2011, for a start. Berlin, Cannes, Venice, London, Edinburgh, Sundance, Telluride and every film festival in the world should make Panahi their jury president, and keep doing so for every year this gross injustice is maintained. Jeremy Hunt, our culture secretary, should make representations.

PM statement shows how far politcal brass from reality

How far our political fraternity is  from the reality was seen today, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was addressing the 83rd plenary session of All India Congress Committee.

Though, Mr. Prime Minister covered all the issues which have got attention of media now days including rampant corruption, communalism, international relation with various countries and all.

Citing various achievements of the Congress-led UPA government, he said that almost all children of the country have brought to primary education with the help of Right to Education bill, tabled by his government. Now his government would focus on secondary education for marginalised people.

This statement depicts the present scenario of rapidly developing India. It coveys, the entire political brass has gone far from the reality. Where the central government is lauding itself for bringing ‘almost all children’ of the country to primary education with the help of that bill, I can firmly say that the bill has not brought any significant change on the ground.

Those, who were unable to attend schools due to their penury, are still outside of the gate of school.

Dr Manmohan Singh emphasised over few other issue which were sounded will. Like, he said that he would be happy in presenting himself in front of Public Account Committee (PAC), presently headed by BJP senior leader Dr Murali Manohar Joshi. He said he has nothing to hide. He refused opposition claim that PM does not want to face probe so he did not permitted for Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Notably, it is the only legal authority which can call Prime Minister for questioning.

Secondly, he mentioned Russia first in his speech over international relation of the country and said that they were further work to cement the relationship with the time-tested friend. Though, visit of Russian premier Dmitry Medvedev to India, which is going to commence from Tuesday might be a reason for the comment.

He said that all South-Asian countries should work jointly to remove poverty, illiteracy and other such things instead of fighting to each other. Undoubtedly, he was indicating towards Pakistan.

About high inflation rate, Dr Singh said that he understood the problem of common man and his government would give his best to bring inflation rate to five percent till coming March from more than nine percent going at present.

Talking about the surge in corruption at present, he promised that his government would bring all culprits to the book without taking care of their position. They might be political leader or government officials, he added. It also sounded good.

Few noteworthy points in his speech are he spoke in English and Hindi as well, alternatively. He mentioned all welfare schemes brought by his government. He demanded help from Congress workers to remove corruption as well as in the better implementation of these welfare schemes. And last but not list, his Hindi dialect was not better then AICC President Sonia Gandhi.

DID INDIA HAVE ‘UNCLE’ CHIEF JUSTICE TOO?

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)

Nothing can be more disgraceful for Indian judicial system when a former Chief Justice of India was caught by TV cameras first lying and then backtracking from his earlier stand on being countered for his lie by a sitting judge of Supreme Court on question of the then Union Minister A Raja said to have approached Justice R Raghupati of Madras High Court through minister’s lawyer-friend.

Fortunately India presently has a Chief Justice known for honesty and integrity. But present system cannot avoid posting of some undesirable person as head of Indian judiciary. Chief Justice SH Kapadia should direct that all judges from lower courts to Supreme Court to compulsory make complete details of approaches and influences immediately on the case-files apart from reporting these to respective Chief Justices, and all such reporting should be in public domain. He should ensure fast-track decision on Supreme Court’s petition at Supreme Court against CIC-verdict allowing to provide all correspondence and information relating to Justice R Raghupati having been approached by a Union Minister.

It was wrong on part of Union Law Minister to recues himself from the bitter episode by terming it merely as opinion-difference of two judges. Union government has duty to ensure legislation for ensuring non-entry of ‘rotten eggs’ and ‘Uncle’ judges in Indian judicial system. Union government should also reject plea of former CJI KG Balakrishnan to dilute RTI Act in respect of judiciary. Union government should publicly seek resignation of Justice KG Balakrishnan from post of NHRC chairperson in case he does not resign at his own.

Tainted CVC has brought season of scam

Kundan Pandey

Philosophers claim that various shades of life enrich it and all its ups and downs to make it beautiful.  PJ Thomas, who has experienced many 'ups in life' and might be agree with the notion also. But, now it would be interesting to know his perception about the shades, as he is undergoing  an extraordinary phase of his life i.e. 'the second phase'. Credit goes to the Apex Court of India.

The rare stance of Supreme Court has put fourteenth Central Vigilance Commissioner of India PJ Thomas in hot water now days, which he would definitely not be able to forget ever in his life.

When, Thomas was charge-sheeted in Palmolive oil scam, working as the secretary of food and civil supplies department in Kerala, he would not even guessed that it might bring such a huge trouble to him at the juncture, when he is enjoying an apex post .

Now, two players Former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) are continuously endangering his chair of CVC of biggest democracy.

Subsequently, the Apex Court has asked Thomas, why should he not be quashed from the CVC designation and he refused to talk with media, saying the matter is sub-judice. We all are eagerly waiting to see the final result in the case.

In the season of scams, the case of Thomas drew attention, especially due to hue and cry over 2G Scam in which Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai has said, caused a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 crore of the exchequer.

Thomas was secretary in the department of telecommunication in October 2009 when communication minister A Raja allocated 2G spectrum at an off the cuff price to certain non-players and interestingly, he received the responsibility to probe the biggest scam in the history. Now, viewing the outcry of opposition, he has rescued himself from the ongoing probe of 2G Scam.

He assumed the office on September 6 in which all big personalities participated but Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) boycotted the oath taking ceremony; even when the leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj was one of three-member team including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram, who recommended Thomas for the CVC post.

A 1973 batch IAS officer of Kerala Cardre, Thomas has enjoyed a number of significant designations in Kerala government including secretary of finance, Industry, Agriculture, Law and Justice and Human Resource Development. He was the founder director of IIM Kozhikote for six month.

He became Kerala Chief Secretary in 2007 and moved to central government as Parliamentary secretary in 2009 and later became the telecom secretary in Government of India.

He is the successor to incumbent Pratyush Sinha, a 1969 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, who assumed office in September 2006.