Leave AYODHYA Alone

VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) once again blew the trumpets for amplifying its rhetoric of Ram temple at Ayodhya. This time it was in form of the ’84 Kosi Yatra’. The ruling Samajwadi Party’s crackdown on it brought about its failure but more than that it was something else that made VHP’s so called ‘Yatra’ a flop show. 

The Hindu sants severely criticized the timing and the political motive of the Yatra.

The local people of Ayodhya dismissed it completely.

This might have been a blow for VHP but is an evidence of a better, matured and an understanding India. In 1992 VHP accompanied by BJP had stormed Ayodhya which eventually resulted in Babri Masjid demolition. Repercussions that followed continue to be a blot on India and its tag of secularism. But times have changed and Indians have moved on. Development has become the most vital aspect and people are using it as the sole yardstick for any organization (party) demanding their support. Modern India is clever enough to dig out the motives of a yatra, such as the one organized by VHP. At a time when economy is tumbling, every Indian would desire for some sort of respite from inflation, poverty and multi thronged issues of the society. Exhorting for a religious structure that also at a highly disputed land and in process inviting communal violence is the last thing wanted. Igniting communalism can only give India miseries. Growth and that too inclusive is the need of the hour. Public fury on closed shops, disrupted transportation, and slew of barricades in Ayodhya made the stance of India crystal clear. It means that politics in garb of religion is not going to be entertained any longer by the common man. 

Work is worship and it is better that everyone did that, rather than holding processions for ‘no need’ issues. There are hundreds of far important problems which can be attended to rather than the one dealt by the VHP.

The political parties supporting Ram Mandir also need to gauge the affect of their support on their vote banks. It may garner votes of few more Hindus but the risk of losing on minority votes is alarming. At a time when India is struggling with numerous and diversified issues, politics on communal lines can badly backfire. Both majority and minority groups can turn their back on parties which don’t score on core development of the society. This may be the reason why BJP (the so called sister organization of VHP) was mum on VHP’s Yatra!

More than anything else VHP should respect the religious sanctity of Hindus. Why to play politics in name of Ram? They are most welcome to build a temple on any non disputed land of India. Obstinacy of building the temple at the much disputed place in Ayodhya shows extremes of identity politics and this should be dealt with a heavy hand. India has witnessed enough riots between Hindus and Muslims. No further seeds of communalism should be allowed to be sown in India. 

As for VHP (Praveen Togadia, Ashok Singhal) and its supporters I would like to dedicate a few lines of a beautiful song from the film Swades –

Ram Hi To Karuna Mein Hai, Shanti Mein Ram Hain Ram Hi Hai Ekta Mein, Pragati Mein Ram Hain Ram Bas Bhakton Nahin, Shatru Ke Bhi Chintan Mein Hain Dekh Taj Ke Paap Raavan, Ram Tere Man Mein Hain Ram Tere Man Mein Hain, Ram Mere Man Mein Hain Ram To Ghar Ghar Mein Hain, Ram Har Aangan Mein Hain Man Se Rawan Jo Nikale, Ram Usake Man Mein Hain Pal Pal Hai Bhari, Woh Vipda Hai Aayee Mohe Bachane Ab Aao Raghurai Suno Ram Ji Aae, More Ram Ji Aae Raja Ramchandra AaYeh, Shri Ramchandra Aayee Ram Ji Aae, More Ram Ji Aae Shri Ramchandra Aae...Ho... ( Suno Ram Ji Aae, More Ram Ji Aae Shri Ramchandra Ji Aae, Ho

Dead LO'c'K SABHA

The next time you brave the incessant rains, the potholed roads, the irritating traffic jams and what not in bid to reach your workplace on time; you can draw some inspiration from our Lok Sabha members.

As per news reports Lok Sabha sat for 7.42 hours in 10 days of the monsoon session which accounts for just 12% of the total available sitting time. 88% time was lost to adjournments. 7 bills were introduced and none were passed. This is the productivity of people who pull the strings of our country!! No wonder India is lacking direction due to futile legislation and add on to it the pathetic implementation. 

Important bills like Land Acquisition, Direct Taxes Code Bill, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill are in queue to be passed. The much disputed Food Security Bill of an ambitious UPA also makes to the list.  

Over the years our parliamentarians have been governed by their humongous ego which disallows them to budge. Chained by loyalty and commitment to their respective parties, our MPs can’t avoid a cynical view about most proposals presented by the opposition group. Obstinacy often shrinks the bandwidth of functioning of our parliamentarians. As a result important legislations remain unfocussed. Previous grievances which are often least related to the bills engulf much of the sitting time. In the current monsoon season anti Telengana protests, missing Coalgate files did the same. The affairs are worth debate but yet shouldn’t be done at the cost of important bills. 

Political issues arising from every day India and most frustratingly from corrupt, inefficient politicians are never ending. Stalling sessions at the expense of ‘need of the hour’ laws symbolizes insensitivity and lack of prioritization. Perceiving everything in terms of political edge has been paralyzing India for years. Filibustering, shouting of acerbic remarks leading to chaotic Parliament and its eventual disruption needs to be checked. One shouldn’t get offended at everything. 

The MPs need to be sensitive about the bigger picture. Their experience should help them gauge the implications waiting to arise from their abysmal productivity. A more coherent and united Parliament is what India needs.

Every citizen of India is directly or indirectly affected by the legislations passed in the Parliament. We all look up to our MPs for proper administration and for laws needed to drive the nation properly. It is time the notion got cleared –

It is not the people who owe their existence to the Parliament; rather it’s the Parliament which is solely for the service of the people.

                                                   Pic Courtesy : The Hindu

                                                     Green: Sitting hours
                                                     Red   : Lost Hours

272+ @ 2014 Elections

With the country slated for general elections in 2014, political parties are busy gearing themselves for the grand event. The election mode turned on, a move by any major political party is bound to be seen in context of wooing the electorate. Onset of this political atmosphere also brings enough fodder for every responsible citizen of India to get engrossed. This fever can only be expected to rise and become more political in the process of build up to 2014. 

For many years now, Congress and BJP have been the major national level political parties. The others are regional parties. But India being a multiparty country ensures enough strength of the latter, both in terms of number and also the impact on the political landscape. But still the general election in India has always been a battle between the Congress and the BJP. This time around on menu is Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Although their names haven’t yet been declared officially, there is no stopping the media and the social networking sites in breathlessly showcasing the 2014 election as a showdown between the two.

Despite towing his controversial image Narendra Modi is the choice of BJP because of his popularity and his much advertised Gujarat success. On the other hand Rahul Gandhi who is although not that expressive on public forums emerges the best man for Congress. He being a youth icon (somewhat, mainly for his age) and most importantly being the Gandhi scion explains the choice. Supremos of certain regional parties expressing their ambitions of becoming the next PM is frankly  perceived by most as a dream which is least likely to come true. Thus Modi vs. Rahul Gandhi is what most of us are anticipating for. Polls on ‘Who is the better PM?’ or ‘Who will be the next PM?’ are often conducted by media and networking sites. 

But the election is more than just the individual Modi, Rahul battle. The real contest is between their armies (their political parties). The scenario is different from other countries like US where two candidates engage themselves in epic debates to persuade the electorate in voting either of them directly. In India we elect a Member of Parliament from each constituency. This choice is mainly dictated by local issues of the constituency. So because of our decentralized election process the question-who will be the next PM, may not find that much importance at the grassroots (constituencies). A recent poll conducted by a news channel showed NDA getting 158 seats, UPA 132 seats and other political parties getting 253 seats. This is where the collision of coalitions comes in the picture. Both NDA and UPA cannot reach the magical figure of 272 without joining hands with regional parties.

Today’s national politics is heavily commanded by coalitions. Nitish Kumar withdrawing support from NDA on issues with Modi was a big blow. His party JDu willing to support UPA on terms of Centre conferring special status on Bihar will be a big game changer. Recently when Sonia Gandhi tried to intervene in the Durga Shakti Nagpal’s affair, Samajwadi Party threatened to withdraw its support in passing UPA’s Food Bill in the Parliament. Given the importance of the bill for UPA, it’s the coalition that will prove the most decisive. 

The country is currently disarrayed by the Manmohan Singh government. Dissatisfaction is brewing in minds of many people as UPA has failed on many fronts. Comparatively Modi who is more active, communicative and well connected with the public holds an edge. Success of Gujarat development backs him. For many who want actions and commencement of development Modi government might be the best choice. But Modi who is often called a ‘one man army’, someone who doesn’t entertain opposition needs to induct that flexibility for harnessing successful coalitions. His alleged involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots has always proved to be a big blot. It continues to be a major impediment on his way to fulfill his national dreams. Like many people (especially minorities), many political parties might think twice before they support NDA. For them the extra Hindu votes might not be good enough to compensate the loss of Muslim votes. The image of Modi has been blown so much out of proportion that BJP/NDA has become synonymous with Narendra Modi. That is where NDA lands itself in troubled waters. 
For its success BJP can’t allow Modi become something which is more than the party itself. Then only people who are sceptical about Modi can vote for BJP freely. But coming full circle the question remains the same, will Modi’s projection as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate provide that freedom to such people.

Let us all vote and wait for the 2014 general elections to unfold. 

Regardless of what the result will be, Indian electorate as always will try to choose the best from the available alternatives which it thinks will steer the country to further milestones of development.

DIL HAIN HINDUSTANI..

Reminiscing childhood days and getting nostalgic in the process can often occupy you at times.

Come 15^th August and India would be celebrating its 66 years of Independence. Sights of few dukaans having enthusiastically displayed tirangas (of various sizes) for sale, flag decorations at certain places, malls sprinkled with shades of tricolor with alluring Azaadi sales are good enough to make an Indian remind of the upcoming Independence Day. But frankly speaking no Indian really forgets the approaching 15^th August. It’s always in our personal memory, not because of its historical importance but simply because of it being a HOLIDAY!!

But childhood was a contrast. In those days we had that extra bit of enthusiasm with us. School days (the then working days of our early life) were more desirable and fun loaded than a holiday. 

 Being school kids 15^th August was never a ‘stay at home and relax ‘holiday for us.

Prabhat Pheri organized early morning where we would walk in lines and shout out naaras was so much fun. Starting early morning ensured absence of any kind of traffic and thus allowed us to almost occupy the entire width of the road. Don’t know why, but I felt those 15^th August mornings so serene. I would get a virtual feeling of birds chirping and flowers blossoming, the one which someone gets on his/her birthday. Obviously 15^th August is an occasion of birthday. Birthday of our Independent India!!

Jab Tak Sooraj Chand Rahega Bharat Desh Ka Naam Rahega!!

Vande Matram!!

 

We would shout out these slogans at peak of our voices. Naaras and occasional gossips with each other would keep us occupied while we covered a big round around our locality and reached where we started – our school. We would then enjoy well performed programs based on national themes which were summed up by the National Anthem. I always felt the 15^th August National Anthem a bit different and special. Variety of musical instruments played beautifully and in coordination made the melodious anthem sound even sweeter and as usual aroused a sense of nationalism in all of us. After this we were given food packets (comprising of samosas and mithais) which very well made up for our morning hunger. I remember, I would then be escorted by my father to our locality stadium (JawaharLal Nehru stadium) to enjoy further programs. Flag hoisting, parade, group dances followed by much loved display of Jhaakis would keep me and many others bonded despite the scorching heat of the sun.

This year it’s our 67^TH Independence Day. Now that I have grown up and become more aware and interested in what’s going in our nation, 15^th August has become something more than just fun (except the holiday part of it). The PM’s speech at Rajpath has now become important to me and worth listening to. 

Obviously the day acts as a checkpoint where the nation momentarily looks back at its successes and failures and then plans to move ahead. 

                                                                                                                                   JAI HIND !!