Focus on effective law enforcement

Civil society and government agencies need to be in sync

By Nabeel A Khan

Insensitivity, vandalism and oppression in a democracy are the worst scourges. Unfortunately we, the Indians have become used to it. The most vital reason for this is the lack of fine balance between the rights and duties. It is correct that protest is pride of democracy and oppression, restriction is a blot on the form of people’s governance.  Last week, we have seen restriction and oppression by the government as well as protests from the civil society transcending its civilized limitations.

The government should respect its duty of allowing its people- right to protest, while at the same time citizen need to understand their responsibilities and not turn the protest into vandalism and hooliganism.  A wrong cannot be right through a wrong act or means.

The idea is not meant to preach but a gist of an ideal situation which is nothing less than a euphoric thought in the current situation. However, we must congratulate ourselves for the peace and patience we maintained in the majority part of the protest. Emotional issues like this, at many instances, weakens our intelligence and we tend to succumbed to some malicious, conceited and politically motivated forces.

This happens because of a preconceived notion, The moment we take up a cause to the street, we treat government and its agencies, as our enemies, we need to remember that, the system has not been imposed by a third party or foreign land but -we have made it, and we are part of it. So the fight is with us only.  

It is imperative that the core essence of the movement/protest should not only be emotional but a logical. The demand should be under well chocked out plan, precise and efficacious. But, unfortunately our logic and intelligence is most often overpowered by the blow of emotional outburst and we tend to lose the focus.

We most often ask for a new legislation aftermath of any mishap.  This could be the most convenient thing to do for any government in situations where public go berserk. We demanded for new legislation against corruption - the Lokpal bill, Mumbai attack (terror attack) and now for the  brutal rape case in the national capital.

But we should note that it’s not that we don’t have legislation/law or agency to punish/investigate/prevent rape, corruption, and  terrorism. We have well established agencies and law but what we don't have is effective enforcement of the law. Death penalty for rape is being demanded, but what is the guarantee that this will completely prevent the incidence of rape. Rape accused are not being punished the under the existing law then what is the guarantee that they will be convicted or punished under the new law. Experts of legal affair feel that this may further aggravate the situation, as the rapist might kill the victim, to protect himself, however in current situation also there have been many instances, where the victims have been murdered after being raped. The other debate could be – Is India, which is respected as a civilized nation in the world can accommodate death penalty?

Enforce Law
We don’t lack law. What we lack is the implementation, and execution of law. There are lakhs of rape cases pending in the country, but they are just there for years to pass by. And at the end of the day what is the result? We see almost negligible percentage of conviction.  The depressing factor behind this is that when these cases go on for long, the witnesses tend to become cold. Victims also get disappointed and loses hope. At many cases victims/accused/witnesses die but the cases do not closed.

The other major issue is that, the victim is also treated almost like an accused in current scenario. The society has a very cruel treatment towards the victim and she is forced to live with a social stigma. We need to make the judicial procedure more victims' friendly.

The low rate of conviction is one of the main reasons for inciting crime. So the right idea would be to demand for something which could bring immediate change. Something that is easily doable to prevent the crime. And in this case the government should give an assurance about its strategy and road map it is going to embrace for effective and efficient implementation of law.  Even new legislation will not help in reducing or preventing of these crimes until we have foolproof arrangement for implementation.

Since ages we have seen huge numbers of cases  pending due to lack of the size of judicial machinery in the country. Why can’t the government think of expanding it to match the growing population of the country. It may also look for alternatives such as distributing the responsibilities. The panchayati system (Sarpanch) may be made more effective for specific kinds of cases such as civil suits. 

Policing

The cops might be putting blame on maintaining VIP security as an excuse for their lack of effectiveness. But the police also seem to have lost their way in terms of understanding its nature of work. We immediately need to coach them of their responsibilities and job profile.

They need to act more than a thug in a look out to fleece bribes. For the cops, their most important job profile currently, is to find -if a chana wala, andawala, or any other small roadside vendors are paying the monthly bribe on time or not. Even the parking guys pay a fixed amount to these cops and a strategic identification sign is made to protect the vehicles parked at unauthorized location/roads. If the actual crime is reported, police will first try to scare those who come with complain, and then ignore and most often will not lodge FIR. They want to remain in the safe heaven and focus on the earning part.

If some pressure comes aftermath of a serious crime then many a time they will nab/arrest an easy pray and implicate them under fabricated charges. The same Delhi Police which is not able to prevent rape, robbery, murder, do not allow a single tempo wala, and petty vendors to run business without paying bribe.

They have become expert in smelling the petty crimes where they can easily fill their pockets. But now its high time they should take serious step towards curbing the real crimes. We urgently need to train the cops and make them understand actual KRA or Job responsibilities.

Be Civilized Society

Be the civilized society and not merely civil society. The civil society very quickly draws a divide between them and the government. Finger is raised against government which is quite valid and natural. But in democracy, how can we totally ignore the fact that the government is formed by us but none.

We make hue and cry - that MPs, MLAs are criminals –but who voted for them. The society also needs to wake up and understand its responsibility; we should not wait to put off the fire till it reaches our house.  Let me confront the bitter truth, we have crores of people shouting slogans after a crime is committed, but why the same society acts as mere spectator when the crime is being committed. No one comes to help the victims leave about intervening. People simply ignore. 'Why should I bother about it, it is not impacting me'. But we should know that we can be the next in place of the victim. We need to be sensitive and nip the crime in its bud stage.  The society need to build an environment where women’s stature and respect is restored as mother, sister and not treated as mere commodity. The women themselves should adopt a zero tolerance against any such advancement. Should never ignore even a small inappropriate move. The society should also collectively take action against the wrong doers so the stigma of doing wrong pinches criminal every minute and not the victim.

Did Anna rely on guile soldiers? (Part-1)

Nabeel A. Khan

                                           

Team Anna disbands. It was a headline foretold for me, just worth noting an action in the chronicles of the event, which was foreseen weeks after the first spell of the movement –had started in April 2011.  Innumerable doubts over the success and effectiveness of the movement had begun to haunt. The very first step of formation of the so called –Team Anna Core Committee was emitting sparks of contentious agenda embraced by the quite a few members, if not all, going by their history.

Hence, a team was formed without any teamliness apparent. They had to rather elaborate and convince about the strength and unity of the entourage. In the beginning, the smell of a strategic ploy was evident in the selection of people which was strictly based on needs such as to pull crowed, grab headlines and video footage.

Anna Hazare, was made to be the show-stopper for his previous track record as the grand protester. Hazare, a man who single handedly changed the landscape of his village and made many governments in western state of India –Mharashtra touch the dust over the issues of corruption did succeed in first instance. As the politicians did have certain degree of respect or rather fear for him. But Charisma did not sustain till the second innings because ridding high on temporary heroic depiction and perception the team took fatal steps in between specially going political from the apolitical stand.

Thus Anna, the champion for decades lost his virtue at the India Against Corruption, alias Janlokpal movement most probably because he failed to understand the people around him. He seemed to have understood himself as patriarch and just came to help the team for a good cause. But in no time, he was neither a leader nor had a follower. Many of the members of Team Anna (or civil society…the term probably best suited to control population, as it reduced a population of billions into a couple of thousand) –took the “Mai Anna Hoon” (I am Anna) quite literally.  

The septuagenarian, with his usual verve and enthusiasm was on the venue for sit-in protest in Indian capital city New Delhi, probably holding the first protest outside his home state. The venue was indeed a very appropriate one as it was the centre of media including for the mushrooming satellite TV channels.

Cool & Jazzy Team

However, the movement (envisaged to uproot corruption) was real reflection and mirror of the changing India. It clearly said that now demonstration and protest can also be filled with cool quotient. It was no less a gala event than one organised by the political parties often to woo numbers while lacking a majority or a college fest or the page three events. It had a poet, cartoonist, rock stars, IT experts, media & branding specialist and sanyasi burning midnight oil to make it a super-hit event. What was lacking was only understanding of the real situation and understanding of the country’s politics. In a guile and mendacity they tried to blow air in the balloon without knowing the limit.

Staging up

Let’s see the chronicle of the events as it unfolded. Anna Hazare starts his indefinite strike on 5 April 2011 with a strong statement “I will fast until Jan Lokpal Bill is passed.” The start was full of emotional rhetoric and cached imagination of a large number of population. The middle class, which often keeps a commentator status came forward and participated which was a major change in the history of any movement in India. A day, the movement claimed the ejection of senior politician and a old foe of Hazare- Sharad Pawar from the empowered group of minister.  

The further trump of the team came as the government accepted their demand on 8 April and the next day government issued a history breaking notification in the Gazette of India on formation of a joint committee with a politician and non-politician co-chairing it.

This ensued the end of the 98-hour hunger strike with an announcement of 15 August as deadline for the bill to be passed. However, the people desperate to escape the scourge of corruption brought almost the country under siege thus forcing the government to take unprecedented steps to tone down the agitation.

Then the round of meetings held which reflected lack of agreement between the two parties. Despite, certain objections on 28 July 2011 the union cabinet approved a draft of the Lokpal Bill, keeping the Prime Minister, judiciary and lower bureaucracy out of the Lokpal’s ambit. Naturally, Anna Hazare rejected the draft, and threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike from 16 August 2011 if a strong Janlokpal Bill was not presented in Parliament.

It was then UPA government suffered another PR disaster after arresting Anna Hazare on 16 August while he was to begin his fast. This further demonized the already embroiled Congress-led government. Within four hours of the arrest public turned outrageous and the government had to release him on 20 August with permission to fast at the Ramlila grounds.

Now, Anna received a grand welcome, supporters’ choking the streets of the national capital. This was probably the zenith of his popularity. He vowed to fast till his last breath if the strong Janlokpal Bill was not passed in the ongoing Parliament session which was to conclude on 8 September.

The protest became highly impressive and makes an impact across the country as the TV and other media started devouring on it. Many channels almost started airing live telecast of the entire agitation. Following which was joined by people from all walks- films and the commoners started swarming near the cameras making reporters even life tougher. On 27 August both the Houses of the Parliament passed a resolution proposed by Pranab Mukherjee ‘conveying the sense of the House’ on the Lokpal Bill.

Hence, this accelerated the image of the Team Anna into the top gear the entire media heaped praise on him. However, the public frenzy plummeted as the Bill was not passed in the monsoon session despite unusual extended debate and Hazare called off his hunger strike sighting poor health conditions. … WAIT FOR PART-II

My Rs 2.5 business makes me love FDI

Of late FDI can more aptly be expanded into Frantic Display of Idiocy rather than Foreign Direct Investment. Though, I don’t have much understanding of economics but the business which I started as a 12-year-old school going village boy certainly makes me love FDI (100 percent -single brand and 51 percent-multi brand) in retail industry. I started my tiny venture with Rs 2.5 and sustained till my wish while being in competition with the mammoth (In respect to the size of my business) Kirana wala (un-orgnaised grocery seller) having a turnover of at least Rs 1000 a day.

Looking at the miniature capital, I had to choose the most suitable product for my potential customers. My first customers were my siblings and cousins, aged between 7 and 14 years. So the best product option available for me was –toffee, in those days Maha-lacto chocolate was very popular amongst us. I finally decided- this is the product I want to sell. With my total capital investment of Rs 2.5, I bought 200 grams of this chocolate. I sold them in retail @ 25 paisa a piece, the same price at which the other Kirana walas (neighborhood shops ) were selling. I earned a profit of 50 paisa and then total available money was Rs 3. I further bought the same quantity of the chocolate after selling them and adding the profit in the capital, I had increased my capital and added another products-biscuit cigarette (cigarette was bought by my father which was even then injurious to health :)). And finally added new products egg and mixture… the total value of my business had reached over Rs 2000, that too in less than a month.

My successful venture of Rs 2.5 despite the competition from neighbourhood kiranawala having a daily turnover over of Rs 1000 gives me really strength to question the cacophony created against the foreign players entering into the retail space in the country. Getting back to my entrepreneurial stint I think what kept me ahead was no expenditure in furniture. Where as the neighbourhood shopkeeper had to invest a substantial amount on it. Another edge I had was the convenience provided to the customers. My customers got all the desired products, with the satisfaction of check and feel within a walk of few steps. Relying on my own case study I would say that The distance and geography is very important. For one or two small things no will drive five km when the price of fuel is already skyrocketing. So the neghbourhoods shop can never die.

It’s not for the first time the so called well-wishers of farmers and mom and pop shop owners are creating ruckus against the organised players coming into retail business. Just few years ago, when Reliance Fresh stated off many of the politicians forcefully locked the outlets and routinely came on the street to oppose the move. Just after few years we see the situation. Reliance Fresh was opened in many cities. In Delhi, Jamia Nagar-Sarita Vihar area, where I stay, we had at least three outlets of Reliance Fresh but unfortunately, only one could survive and similar fate was meted to Sabka Bazar and Subhiksha. But so far I have hardly seen a small neigbhourhood shop being shut, rather I have seen them getting fatter and fatter everyday.

Being from a farmer family, I understand the criticality of the situation in all aspects. We have not been better off when it comes to government policies for procurement of food grains and other farm produces. The prices offered to the farmers are far below than the actual price in the market. At times the prices of essential commodities like-pulse, onion, and sugar reach to unbelievably highest limits but farmers had never got any benefit from it.

It is obvious that the price escalation is not caused by the organised retailers. The traditional traders across the country deliberately hoard the commodities to fuel the price escalation and earn higher profits. Yet another vital issue is the quality of the products which every now a then poses serious question against these local traders. The real gainer so far is not the actual farmers but the middle man and traders. Any goods have to pass through at least four to five middlemen before reaching to the dinning table of the consumers. We can not assert that we will be able to completely remove the middlemen with the foreign players coming in but it will certainly be minised.

The other fundamental argument I would give is the lack of infrastructure. We have critical shortage of storage capacity. Almost 30 percent of produce go wastage every year. It doesn’t matter how good we become in terms of increase in procurement of the grains, but until we don’t have a proper storage we cannot deliver them to our citizen at affordable prices. The proposed FDI will certainly help in improving the infrastructure as one of the vital clauses of the bill talks about the mandatory 50 percent of the total investment going into infrastructure related work. It is also important to note that the farmers will be in better bargaining position with more and more players coming in; they will be given desirable revenue for the contract farming as well.

However, it’s not a flash dispute but a well anticipated. Any change will first attract criticism. It’s the duty of the government to be prepared to face it and implement what is good for the country with full conviction rather than succumbing to the fear of loosing the majority on the floor of the Houses. It was government’s failure not to be able to convince the country about the vitality of the bill and pushing the hold button on it. The similar concern over the sovereignty of the country was raised when the de-licensing was implemented in the country. But since then- from a debased indebted economy we have metamorphosed into the world’s one of the fastest growing economy. The emotional outburst like ‘another East India company waiting to happen’ is utterly childish. We need to understand that- India is not same as that of early 19^th century. Today’s India is independent, united, and young. Anyone who wants to move ahead cannot ignore the importance of Asia’s third largest economy. Going by this theory of blunt jingoism- the other countries should also ban the fast growing Indian Inc from acquiring companies in their countries but this is not the case.

I agree that we cannot only look at rosy side. Many have feared that once these foreign players establish themselves they will be dictating their terms. My answer is that the farmers will never be bound under any law or rule to remain loyal to these people. If not give right treatment they can anytime shift their relation to the small shop owners.

Encounter with an uncommon surprise

26 Oct, 2011

Two middle-aged women were being chased by at least five men including a person wearing uniform of a security guard. After few seconds I saw one of them grabbed one woman by neck. She scuffled with him and some how escaped but her dupatta fell on the road. She left it behind and ran away, two of the men continued chasing her. The other woman, carrying a small infant in her lap, could not run now. She stopped and started walking in the mean time one of these men got hold of her and gave her one tight slap on the face as if he was performing an assigned duty. After that the guy let her go. He stopped right there waiting for others who had gone following the other woman.

This was not the scene of a small village in the outskirts of the country but at a main market in the national capital- Kalandi Kunj-Sarita Vihar Road, where almost all the multination brands’ stuffs are sold. The road is a national highway and very close to my house so whenever I am free, I enjoy coming here for at least a window shopping. Today being a national holiday on Diwali, I had come here along with my two nieces just for a hang out.

Most of the men chasing the women were known to me. They were the shopkeepers and shop owners. But being a gentleman their act had enraged me to the hilt when I saw this from a distance. I had formed an opinion that this was an unpardonable offence of these men.

But men were right

But the moment I reached closer to them and spoke to them. To your surprise, I felt sympathy for these men and you will come to know the reason as you read it.

As I reached, I saw the dupatta of the lady still lying there. I asked one of them, “What happened why you guys are chasing her.” In a very upset tone he (one of the shop owners) first hurled some abuses and then said “She had stolen over 20 shirts from our shops.” Just to check the veracity of his statement, I asked him “so could you get back your shirts or she fled away with them”. In the mean time a person wearing drivers dress said “sir vo sab shirt to hamare gaadi ke paas gir gaya tha jab vo bhaagte bhagte achanak gaadi ke paas aagyi thi, aur main brake lagaya (Sir, all the shirts which she had stuffed inside her body fell near my vehicle while she was trying to flee)” I saw the bag full of shirts he was holding. This guy was a driver of some call centre and had come here to pick staff.

The lady was strategically carrying the baby in her lap so that her belly will not be easily seen where she was hiding the stolen shirts. The shop owner said “my staff had gone chasing her I hope he will nab her. We had also informed the police.” I replied “Ya don’t beat her but you should definitely hand her to the cops.” I was a bit scared for those guys who went chasing, because such people always come in a gang. Other gang members might be following so going far alone or two people will not be wise.

In the meantime, I saw the two men returning. I was the first to ask. What happened? They said “I had caught hold of her but she pleaded and the people around said leave her she is a woman so I had to let her go.” I was again struck under shock. Why leave just because she was a woman.

Cops come, fear loom

We all started returning. I went with the shop owner to his shop. In next five minutes the PCR came. The moment the cops’ vehicle stopped, these shopkeepers were in a sense of awe as if they were the thieves. One of them murmured “now they have come, they will create unnecessary scene and ask for money.” I retorted him saying “why will you give any money to the cops.” He replied “sir you won’t understand.”

They went to the cop. I also followed. We three were standing near the doors of the PCR Van. One of the cops started in a very heavy tone as if they were some culprit. “Hanji ke hoya kisne complaint kariyi thi (who had filed the complaint)” the shop owner said “Sir it was me.” The cop in a very dominating tone asked “where are the thieves?” He said “We could not nab them” the cop said. “Do you think we are useless, we will come whenever you call and you let the thieves go?” The tone and manner of the cop had already scared the shop owner enough.

Looking at the successful work done by his colleague the other cop in his 50s called the guy to his side of the vehicle. In a dramatically friendly tone starts talking to him. Me and one of the shopkeepers were standing there and observing. In the mean the first cop asked the shopkeeper standing with me “why are you standing here. You go” But I don’t know why he did not say anything to me. I kept standing there and staring at them. I saw the second cop suddenly got down from the van put his hand around the shoulder of the shop owner as if they were the chuddy-buddy and took him inside the shop.

Cop enters the shop

Both of them entered the shop which was in the basement. I was still standing at the same place. I could barely control myself from entering into the discussion. I kept observing. Both the cop and shop owner started talking for sometime. In the mean time the shop owner goes inside and fetched few hundred rupees (around 4 to 5 notes of Rs 100). He cam out and in quite open offered the money to him. At first the cop declined accepting it “you had already suffered the loss, I don’t need it.” But the shop owner continued fawning “NO sir it’s alright, please take it’s just for sweets”. Finally the cop accepted the money and “from now you don’t call on 100, rather take my mobile number call me directly”. I continued staring at them the cop saw me staring at him with a grim face. After seeing this, I felt like slapping the shop owner. Somehow I controlled myself but this old and experienced cop could read my face while coming out of the house shook hand with me just to assuage me. I did not say anything, he smiled and got into the vehicle and left.

I felt hurt due to this shop owner. I was waiting to support him but first he should be ready. But he had already decided to give up. I find the shop owner a bigger culprit than the cop…Who is the real culprit here

Chetan: Constipation achha hota hai

He is the man with brain. Evidence? The extraordinary longevity of his memory. What we generally flush out every morning, he preserves in his mind and re-produces it flawlessly. Balancing all the cacophony of masses in a perfect harmony, he builds the paradise of buffoons. Undoubtedly, he deserves to be the Shakespeare of this art. I have no reason to condemn his fancy of being the patriarch of English literature, which he always proclaims although so far no one has bought his opinion. His success really makes me envious. I wish I also had constipation and could store all the excrement to produce my own magnum opus. Constipation achha hota hai yaar!

His craftsmanship is impeccable. No humour can be as effective as his serious and concerned statements in invoking wildest of laughter. Creating laughter is not easy. Mind it! This excellence is indisputably his prerogative, after all he is an IITian, who (according to him) are the only chosen few blessed with hi-tech knowledge and analogy. All the other disciplines of study are just a waste of time. Let me recount his one of the need-to-know quote - ‘He (Shakespeare) was probably the Ekta Kapoor of his time.’ Yes, I was a bit confused like many of you, with my petty understanding, (I don’t if I have any because I never went to an IIT) about who came first- Ekta or Shakespeare. What appeared so simple to us was de facto as complex as rocket science which was revealed after the analogy and technology of the sacrosanct IITian put on it. This wise theory was discharged by the genius (Chetan Bhagat) around year ago while announcing his next -The Story of My Marriage.

The quotable quote of the genius was devoured by the media as a new breakthrough to the society. All the theory of Einstein, Plato, and Aristotle were the things of past. The new world was to move on his recommendation of the new Shakespeare of the eon. The purpose of the event was to let the people know that after long spell of constipation, he was ready for a discharge. His works spotlessly recounts all the minute details. His lucid style of depicting how a boy would react to girl’s proposal and vice-verse is unparalleled. While, his depiction of falling in love in his work is really un-matching, once someone reads, will certainly have one thing engraved in his mind about Love—Keep Distance. His books are really a boon for those who have ample time and willing to spend it without bring any change to their lives, thought and knowledge—just read his discharges (for which the euphemism is book) . The best part is that it (his books) will let you re-live the commonest moments of your life chronically without giving any burden to think.

Hey don’t you dare call that he has acquired this skill by cramming but this is a pure analogy and technology and many other -logy of an IITian which prints everything in his mind. This genius gives the unique option of being as light and empty as you were before reading the book as you really dont get any thing out of it. This is what makes him miles ahead of Shakespeare, as he did not have this skill. Whatever Shakespeare wrote centuries ago is still contemporary and we feel carrying it forward for ever.

Not only this he is also a crusader against corruption but he perhaps fought against corruption in such hi-tech manner that the common men have never been able to notice it except on TV. He is a genuinely writer of the masses, so always craving to be among the masses and he puts great efforts in finding all the possible way to hit the places where he could the maximum publicity. He never misses a chance, to be in the public eye. We have seen his love to be in the people’s mind. How after making all the agreement with the film producers he created controversy to let the people know who he was. Though, the film was only few percent of his book.

He has been out of his beloved masses for quite some-time but fortunately he got a great opportunity to bounce back by slamming Narayan Murthy. I do agree with Chetan Bhagat, how Mr Murthy could talk anything negative about IIT, what even if he is also an IIT alumnus. Before making any opinion he had to consult the only genius on the earth. So what if you (Murthy) had sucessfully run one of the largest IT firms and perhaps hired and trained thousands of IITian your organization. These thing only can not qualify you to make such statement. No Mr Murthy. Though this genius might not have provided jobs to even a dozen of IITian and might not have a single successful venture to his credit and might have hardly interacted with fewer number of graduates from his alma mater but such agenius doesn’t really need these things. He (Chetan) is also a graduate from IIT then how could anything be negative about it? Mr Murthy, you need to get your statement back. I am sure Chetan is already into a constipation mode on this development and one day he will discharge. So the shorter his constipation is better. He will have to push little lighter in order to get some more success .So come an join the members who say - for Chetan Always, Constipation Achha hai!

Prioritize duty not rights to kill corruption

Nabeel A Khan

Sixty four years have passed but we continue to be embroiled in the spiral of corruption. We have witnessed all forms of scams in a series all this years- from coffin to bicycle to fodder and with time the size of the omnipresent malice and involvement of people have been making a northward move. The story of corruption which started in India soon after the independence in 1948 when V. K. Krishna Menon, then the Indian high commissioner to Britain, bypassed protocol to sign a deal worth Rs 80 lakh with a foreign firm for the purchase of army jeeps. The case was closed in 1955 and soon after Menon joined the Nehru cabinet. Now the phenomenon is a part and parcel of life at every nook and corner of the country.

It is an irony that, in a country of over one billion population, where every single individual shows (in words) to be the most upset due to the spreading tentacles of corruption. But the eloquent enigma is that whose support has kept the demon alive. The only statement comes from most corner is that ‘nothing can be done about it’ and finally all the blame is smacked primarily on the politicians as if they have landed on this earth from some other planet. Before you get me wrong, let me clarify that I have no intention to give a clean chit to the white-khadi clad people and I know their vital role in the germination of dishonesty in the country. But do we not need to think that how can these few thousand people can overpower billions who claim to have abstained from the evil pie.

However, in this long time period we have seen a number of campaigns and demonstrations against corruption but none has been effective. They came and faded and in my view the only reason I see is all the while the main focus was to put full blame on a particular class of the society and no one emphasized on their own responsibilities. The proper execution of responsibilities or duties of the people is mightier than the rights. So if every one performs his/her duties and responsibilities properly it will ultimately result into fulfilling the rights others. So in order to form a clean and corruption-free society, we need to shift our prime focus to act upon our duty rather than rights. And we really don’t need to be somebody to have duty and responsibility at whatever level or status we are we all have some attached responsibilities. Suppose you walking on the road- you have some duty as walker –like you should always cross the road from zebra crossing and not coming in the main road rather walking on the pedestrian lane. Similarly if you are driving it’s your duty to give the first right to the pedestrian to cross the road.

We all know an old adage ‘it needs two to tango’ so for any action there has to be respondent, single handedly nothing can be done. Let’s take an example of a petty bribery which is apparently the most common form of corruption in India –there has to be a giver and then only there will be a taker. And we cannot shirk away by just putting all blame to one kind of people as we have already seen examples that no one is left from being party to corruption including educationist, corporate, sportsperson, army, judiciary, policemen, media, investigative agencies, civil society or a petty clerk they all have contributed to down rooted corruption in the country.

So, if we count the number of people supporting Anna Hazare for an anti-corruption cause, and consider that they all were really serious and committed then the graph of corruption should be substantially down with a sea change in the structure and functioning of a good number of departments. I guess a substantial percentage of people who were making a statement in the recent event at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi some how had the opportunity to eradicate corruption at their levels. But had they really stopped their direct or indirect involvement in any kind of irregularities. The kind of answer comes to your mind is the real concern. So we just not need to be upset with the corruption in words but also in action. The other concern is that just passing legislation is not enough the full implementation is the real key. We have laws against corruption but had we been able to stop it. No. We have Right to Information Act then why are we not able to save people who are risking their lives to expose the corrupt. So answer all this we just need to see inside us as how many times have we really lived for the society.

According to a survey report revealed by Transparency International in December, 2010, 50 percent of the Indian had admitted to paid petty bribe in the last 12 months to get their job done. And half of the people said that they paid the bribe to avoid problem with the authorities and a quarter of them said that they paid the bribe to speed up the process.

The other interesting fact which the report revealed was that the bribes to the police have almost doubled since 2006 and an increased number of people reported paying bribe to the judiciary and permit service divisions. Other shocking fact revealed in the report was that the lower income earner (touted as common man) paid more bribes than higher income earners. The report further added that the poorer people are twice likely to pay bribe for basic services such as utilities, medical services, and education than their wealthier counterparts.

Going by simple calculations of the presented statistics we will notice that almost every individual is directly or indirectly party to the pandemic of corruption and now only way forward looks is to start turning the fingers towards ourselves. The main reason for the launch of Voice4You is to call for a holistic introspection amongst the fellow citizen for a cleaner and corruption-free society.

Bullets cannot buy peace in the Valley

By Nabeel A. Khan

On the 81st day of unrest in the Valley, the ire of the people continues to rise and intensify. Courtesy, the central and state government’s misconception, wrong crowd controlling measures and partially hypocritical approach. As many as 65 people have died in the ongoing unrest in the Valley since June 11 this year.

The first blunder from the government side was to overrate the mass turn-up in the recent assembly polls which they touted as a triumph. And the government remained intoxicated with unfair sense of victory disregarding the ardent desire and hope for change among the masses of the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. No doubt that the common citizens in the state are fed up of living in a hostile environment for generations and they are desperate to bring normalcy by any means.

But the people’s hope and desire were shattered when more than a year after its reign, the youngest chief minister of the state Omar Abdullah could not bring much change. Abdullah's performance has been almost similar to his predecessors when it comes to creating opportunities for the unemployed youths, developing infrastructure and most importantly persuading New Delhi to reduce the presence of the Indian army in the state. While another shocker for the people was no amendment in the Armed Forces Special Power Act.

The cycle of violence in the Valley is primarily considered as a handiwork of the terror groups based in Pakistan. The hand of these militant outfits cannot be denied in any sense, but if we give all credits to these groups for the unending conflagration in the Valley – that would certainly be utterly unfair. These foreign elements only possibly played a role in the early outbreak of frenzy in the region.

The maniac mob throwing stone, with almost predetermined state to bear the bullet is not result of mere provocation. And, it was obvious from the continuous increase in the number of protesters on the street. Even the parents keep encouraging their children to take part in the bloody orgy.

The security forces’ insensitive firing and killing of few people who had no role in the unrest acted as the hottest currency for the warmongers of the state to buy protest-killing-protest cycle. Initially, the establishment’s strategy to open fire on unarmed (some time stone-pelting) protesters to create fear and avoid repetition of such occurrence failed brazenly. But the government is still not waking up and trying to suppress the flood of emotional outrage with bullets—which is no way going to be a success.

The current upsurge in the Valley is most dangerous than ever since independence. As of now, the reason behind the spark in the Valley is not only political, but also emotional. In recent arson by protesters at a government office, the support of the officials came openly when they took out their service book before letting them set the place on fire.

The routine death of protesters, which consists of youth, women, professionals, students and even government employees, is the biggest concern.

This time it’s not one section of separatists’ follower who has come on the roads. But this time those who have no links to any such groups have also taken to the streets seeking answer to the brutal human rights violation.

The government has totally failed in the using the right method in controlling the ire of the people on the street. The use bullet and highly dangerous smoke shells have been another fuel to the fire.

But the fire is taking very perilous shape and the people of the Jammu and Kashmir need to be warned against getting entrapped under Pakistan’s hidden ambitions. The rise in violence will further aggravate the situation in the region. The people of Jammu andKashmir need to take advantage of New Delhi’s offering for talks and even considering autonomy for the state.

The separatists call for a tripartite talk on the issues is subject to scrutiny, but if they really want to bring peace in the region they should welcome a dialogue with New Delhi. But the separatist have mistaken the people’s upsurge as their support to them.

While there has been a positive change today as hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani agreed for talks with New Delhi with five conditions, which includes revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act, release of political prisoners, and India should agree to accept disputed status of Kashmir.

Today's offer for talks from hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and New Delhi's recent overtures are clearly a welcome sign. If such gestures from all the stakeholders is taken up seriously and in a positive way, the days would be not far off when the Valley would see signs of normalcy and peace returning forever.

शशि की देवदास हिट हो गयी

आज तो मैं बहुत खुश हूँ ! मेरी वर्षो की ख्वाहिश पूरी होगी ! आज मेरे पास क्या नहीं है ! कहानी है, ड्रामा हैं हिरोइन है, एक्शन, इमोशन सब कुछ है, और अब बस हीरो और विलेन की फ़ाइनल एंट्री करनी है।

जैसा की आप लोग जानते हैं की हमारे देश मे किसी भी फिल्म को सफल बनाने के लिए उसके पीछे किसी प्रकार की कंट्रोवर्सि खड़ी कर देना एक सटीक फार्मूला है। तो मैंने फाटक से - शशि थरूर जी को हीरो बनाने का फैसला किया - एक तो वो आजकल फ्री हो गए हैं दूसरी तरफ दर्शकों को भरपूर X फैक्टर भी मिल जायेगा! अब जब शशि जी हीरो बनने के लिए तैयार हो गए तो बस मोदी जी ने झपट के विलेन का रोल हथिया लिया। मैंने भी कहा चलो बेटा मुझे तो ऐसा ही कुछ चाहिए था, –और रही बात हिरोइन के बारे में तो आपको मालूम ही होगा – हाँ –सुन्दर है आप को आनंद भी आएगा। जी हाँ –वो हैं सुनंदा !

अरे भाई मेरी फिल्म हिट है –और क्यों नहीं होगी- जब इन्ही तीनो की हफ्ते भर से घिसी पीटी कहानी जिसमें न अच्छा डाइलोग है न सही प्रस्तुति फिर भी लोग चैनल बदल बदल के चुस्की ले रहे हैं! तो मैं तो इसमें और भी मसाला मिक्स करके नमकीन बना दूंगा! चलो तो फिल्म का नाम देवदास रख दिया। चुकी पहले ही हिट फिल्म का नाम लेलो ताकि फ्लॉप भी हो के हिट ही रहे।

चलिए फिल्म के कुछ दृश्य जो बन चुके हैं वो सुनाता हूँ। शशि थरूर यानि देवदास—

देवदास चुन्नी बाबु के साथ बैठ हुए है तभी –देव बाबु हैं ? बोलता हुआ देवदास का नौकर आया

देवदास: हाँ हाँ बोलो क्या हुआ ?

नौकर: मालिक ७ रेस कोर्स में सब गड़बड़ हो रहा है, जल्दी कुछ कीजिये वर्ना आप की कुर्सी किसी और की हो जायेगी !

देवदास: अरे मेरी कुर्सी! मेरी जान हैं - मैं क्या करू, मुझे तो कुछ समझ में नहीं आता,

-चुन्नी बाबु मैं जा, जा रहा हूँ---बस जा रहा हूँ

(थोड़ी देर बाद चंद्रमुखी के घर पर)

देवदास: चंद्रमुखी मुझसे मेरी कुर्सी छिनी जा रही है

चंद्रमुखी: तो किस ने कहा एस एम् एस करने को , मुझे तो लगता है तुम्हे कुर्सी पसंद ही नहीं है तभी तो हमेशा Twitter में फस के बचे तो अब SMS में फसे हो ! तुम तो SMS और Twiter कुर्सी छोड़ने के लिए ही इस्तेमाल करते हो

देवदास: अरे कौन कमबख्त कुर्सी छोडने के लिए SMS करता है, हम तो SMS करते है के तुम्हारा भला कर सके तुम्हें IPL टीम दिला सके लेकिन क्या करें इतना SMS करने के बावजूद तुम्हे थोड़ा ही दिला सके थे वो भी काली बाबु ने छीन लिया- क्यों , क्यों—क्यों --क्यों इतनी चालाकी करने पर भी –कुर्सी खतरे में आ जाती है, क्यों—क्यों इंसान इस कदर फस जाता है के सब भांडा फोड हो जाता है –क्यों, क्यों –क्यों ऐसा होता है की एक IPL खो देती है और दूसरा ..

---खो डाला, खो डाला, खो डाला, खो ही डाला....

(सुबह—देवदास का नौकर चंद्रमुखी के यहाँ )

नौकर: देव बाबु, जल्दी चलो बड़े साहब लन्दन से आये हैं और आपको बुलाया है।

देवदास: तुम चलो मैं आता हूँ

(बड़े साहिब के यहाँ पहुँचने के बाद )

बड़े साहब: क्या करू मैं! तुमने तो मेरी नाक कटा दी—लोग क्या कह रहे है तुम्हारे बारे में – अगर तुम्हे नहीं निकला तो ..

देवदास: लेकिन मुझे एक मौका तो दीजिए मैं –आपको सब बता ....

बड़े साहब: नहीं मुझे कुछ नहीं सुनना अगर सुनूंगा तो बड़ी मालकिन मुझे निकल देंगी—तुम अपने आपको खुद बेदखल कर कर लो ...

(शाम का वक्त, काली बाबु से मुलाकात )

देवदास: मुझे कोई गम नहीं मुझे तो मालूम था ये होगा मुझे कभी भी इन लोगों ने नहीं समझा तो तुम क्या समझोगे लेकिन एक बात जान लो काली बाबू अब तुमभी IPL हवेली मं अपना कला चेहरा छुपा नहीं पाओगे ..

(तडाक तडाक, कलि बाबु ने थप्पड़ ज़र दिया)

कलि बाबु: अभी तो तुम्हारी मुझसे बात करने की औकात नहीं-- आगे बाद में देखेंगे !

महिला आरक्षण बिल ने रामकली भाभी के दांत तोड़े !

नबील अहमद खान


विश्वास करो या नहीं करो - के क्या निर्बल दिखने वाला कागज का बिल जिसकी मुंडी हम कभी भी मरोर कर अपने कानो की सफाई करते हैं किसी के दांत भी तोड़ सकता? भले ही वो गामा पहलवान की दुकान का हो या किसी लोहार के। लकिन मेरे आँखों के सामने ऐसा हुआ। मैं ये नहीं समझ प् रहा हूँ के ये अचानक कौन सा घुटी पी आया के महिला आरक्षण बिल का नाम से पिछले कुछ दिनों में इसने अच्छे अच्छों की हवाई गूम करदी ?

इसका प्रकोप तो हम ने राज्य सभा में भी देखा के इस बिल को पटल पर रखने के बाद उपरी सदन के सभापति के हाथ थरथराने लगे, और उनकी आँखें कौवे की तरह चौकन्ने होकर हाउस के कोंने- कोंने तक पहुँचने लगी के कहीं कोई उग्र सदस्य उनके समीप न आजाए । लेकिन सभापति जी के डरने में भी उनकी अकलमंदी नजर आती है कयोंके इतने आपातकाल स्थिति में भी उन्होंने अपने सफ़ेद बाल और सफ़ेद दाढ़ी को बचाया जो कभी भी आक्रमन का शिकार हो सकता था कयोंकि केआपने देखा के सदन के कुछ सदस्यों को इस सफ़ेद कागज के बिल में बहुत कालाबाजारी नजर आरही थी और वो पागल भेरिये की तरह हर कागज ओर इसके जैसी चीजों के सामने आते
चीर फार मचा देते थे।

लेकिन सभापति महोदय चाहते तो बिना अपनी कमजोरी और भय को दिखाए इस शक्तइशाली बिल को पास कर सकते थे , इसके लिए उनको बस एक मजबूत हेलमेट और मुह पे कुछ काला पोत कर आना चाहिए था ताके उनके ऊपर हमले का डर न होता । बहरहाल मुझे ये तो मानना होगा के लाखों महिलाओं को महाबली बनाने वाले इस बिल में दम तो है। आखिर सैकड़ों मुस्टंडों के बल पर उन बिल के दुश्मनों को बहार करने के बाद भी अभी आधी जीत मिली है आगे मामला बिगड़ता ही जा रहा है

लेकिन चारो तरफ जश्न का माहोल देखकर कर ऐसा लगता हैं के इन कोमल देवियों में अब खली ही बसा करेंगे और अब इनपर होने वाले जुल्म इतिहास बन जायेंगे। लेकिन मेरा पत्रकार मन किसी भी बात को मानने से पहले साबुत देखता है। तो मैं साबुत को हासिल करने के लिए निकल पड़ा भले ही अपने जर्जर जेब पे काफी भारी परने वाला था तो मैंने अपनी गति बिधियाँ शुरू कर दी। बहोत कोशिश करने के बावजूद मैं वो सदन का बिल तो नहीं लापाया लेकिन बिल तो बिल होता हैं। इसीलिए मैं जितने भी दोस्त, रिश्तेदार और पडोसी थें उनसे किसी भी खरीदारी के बाद मिली बिल इकठा कर आया। लेकिन इससे भी संतुस्ठी नहीं मिली तो खुद भी माल्स, मिठाई तथा अन्य दुकानों से कुछ बिल ले आया. अब बात ये थी के आजमाया कैसे जाये तो मैंने इसका भी जुगार कर ही लिया।


मेरे पड़ोस के धोबी की पत्नी रामकली भाभी, ममता ताई और सुजाता जी ने इस एक्सपेरिमेंट में सहायता करने की हामी भर दी ! अब सभी मेरे घर में आगये थे और मैंने सभी को २० से २५ बिल्स दे दिया था और कह दिया के इससे अलग मत होना. अब बिल मिले काफी वक्त हो चूका और सही प्रमाण प्राप्त करने का समय था। मैंने राम कलि भाभी को सबसे पहले चुना कयोंकि उनका पति सुखीराम एक नुम्बर के पियक्कर है और रोज़ शाम को भाभी के साथ जोर आजमाइश करते है जिस्सके कारण भाभी काफी खिन्न और निर्बल महसूस करती हैं लकिन मैंने आज उनको उनके अन्दर एक नए बल का एहसास दिलाया था. और वो बल था इस बिल का. मैंने उनको बिल की पूरी स्थिति बता दी के किस तरह से ये बिल इनको टार्जन बना देगा और वो अपने पति की रोज़ की हाथा - पायी को सबक सिखा देंगी " आज आने दे मरे को अगर कुच्छ हुआ तो सबक मिल जावेगा" भाभी ने काहा।


बस थोड़ी ही देर में उनका पति लटकते फटकते आ धमका और रोज़ की तरह अपने भद्दी जवान से अपना प्रोग्राम शुरू कर दिया लकिन आज भाभी जो नए बिल के बल से फुल कर गुब्बारा बन गयी थीं अपनी सालों से रौंदी गयी स्मिता को हासिल करने के लिय भीड़ गयीं थी लकिन आम तौर पे जो प्रोग्राम एक दो थपड और बाल खीचा तानी पर ख़तम हो जाता था आज रामकली भाभी को अपने दो दांत गवाने के साथ निपटा । और अब मेरी अब तो मेरी हवा गुम हो गयी थी चुकी भाभी तो मुझे ही दोसी मानती क्यों मैंने ही उसे चढ़ाया था भिरने को. लकिन वो मुझे कुछ बोलती मैंने अपनी चतुराई लगादी मैंने कहा "भाभी देखा आपने ये बिल सच में औरतों को हर दुःख से दूर करेगा और चमत्कारी भी है , देखो आप तो कितने महीनो से दांत के दर्द से परीशान थीं लकिन आज इस बिल ने मुक्ति दिला दी" फिर जल्दी से मैं मैंने वहां से टिकट कटा लिया लेकिन दोषी तो वो महिला बिल ही था जिसके भ्रम में मैंने ये कराया ।

लकिन मुहे ये समझ नहीं आया के ये बिल कामयाब क्यों नहीं रहा आखिर रह्श्य क्या है. फिर मैं इसके लिए ममता ताई के बारे में सोचा के बिल तो आज आधा पास हुआ तो फिर बल बहोत पहले से कयेसे है इनमे। उन्होंने तो अपने बल से अपनी बहु को जला कर मार डाला कयोंकि वो उनकी चार साल से एक गैस चूल्हा का सेट मइके से नहीं ला पाई थी. लेकिन क्या ये बिल वो महिलाओं जो बहु के रूप में रोज जलाई जाती हैं उनको बचा पायेगा...मुझे तो लगता हैं ये उन महिलाओं को शक्ति देगा जो जलती हैं कयोंकि इसका तो काम ही हैं जलने में मदद करना और कागज तो हमेशा माना जाता है के जलाने की सकती देता है जलने से बचने में तो असहाए होता है।

अच्छा ये हो सकता है के इस शक्तिशाली बिल में कुछ ऐसे मंत्र लिखे गए हैं जिसे पढने के बाद शक्ति प्राप्त होती होगी लेकिन देश की अधिकतर महिला तो पढ़ ही नहीं पाती हैं . तो फिर क्या होगा? हाँ अरे ये बात भी तो हैं के ३३ प्रतिशत महिला अब सदन में आएँगी और वो १८१ देवियाँ सुपरवोमन बन कर देश के कोने कोने में जा कर हर महिलाओं का उद्धार करेंगी चालों अच्छा जो हम रील लाइफ में देखते थे अब रियल लाइफ में देखने को मिलेगा

Ramkali Bhabhi lost her two teeth, thanks to Women’s Bill

By Nabeel A. Khan

Trembling hand, speech faster than a jet, eyes scuttling all around the House, this is how Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President Hamid Ansari rushed out the Women’s Bill. He really snatched my sympathy with his meek attitude. I guess it was his intelligence that must have made him see his vulnerable white color of hair and beard (which is the color of paper also) to be caught up by protesting MPs (Member of Pariah) who were hungrily jumping and tearing any paper or anything they come across. Like a perfect wild cur.

But Ansari’s timid expression during the passing of the bill really left me in great puzzle as I still don’t know was he not smart enough to remain bold by putting on some protection like helmet or borrowing a black cap to avoid any unwarranted hands, or he did it deliberately because the Bill is proposed to make ‘weaker sex’ strong. So he pretended to be weak but gave a strong smack.

But, since then I have amassed thousands of white paper Bills. Some of the bills I have got from the ration shop, malls, sweet shops and I don’t know what I have not bought today and whose door I have not knocked at to collect the Bills, before it starts getting black marketed. Just to know that what Chawanparas could not do in many years this few pages of bill can do as I see everyone around claiming so. They are celebrating and claiming that this one bill will make millions of women strong. But it’s been more than 15 hours that I tabled all these bills but I have not got any iota of change. It’s not that to me only – but to my Mamta kaki, Ramkali bhabhi and Sujata and to many other whom I could consult. They rather laughed at me says “ What a fool you are to believe that a paper can make some one strong which is used ……….”.

I sent Ramkali Bhabhi, (she is the wife of my Dhobi-washerman) to check if she has got the power or not। Her husband has a routine of everyday coming drunk and testing a little power with poor (sorry ) now powerful Ramkali Bhabhi। So even today as he has come to home and starts in his way। But I had convinced Bhabhi that she is now powerful because today she had the ‘Bill’ so she should take it up for her rights---so now the moment he starts his usual match Bhabhi turns strong and is ready to face anything like a soldier. But I really did not know that this will make the worst of all the matches they had as the Bhabhi ultimately lost her two teeth till she could understand the emptiness of the Bill. Now I had to think something to quickly to save myself from her as it was me who persuaded her to be fool like me. But, thanks god I was smart and quick enough to find that it was the same two teeth in which she had been complaining about pain for past few months but could not see a dentist. So I quickly told her “see the Bill was really powerful and it has rescued you from the pain you had”.

But I really don’t know, how Mamta kaki (aunty) was so powerful even two years back that, she had burnt her daughter-in-law to death because she could not manage to get gas cylinder and stove from her parents as dowry in four years। But I still wonder how this paper bill could (can) protect millions of women from fire. Ohhoooo!!! I am really a fool! I think there are some magical mantras written on the bill and after reading this they will get the power, but still I am puzzled half of the women in the country don’t know how to read then what benefit will these women get.? But why should anyone bother about those who can’t read why should anyone care whether who can read or who can not. Ultimately those who can read and they will get the benefit. Yes I should also not make a fuss about rather be happy with everyone!!.

I am still having many doubts about the bill which I will explore tomorrow with more practical!!

Bark, bicker, break: the political rhyme

By Nabeel A. Khan

Today, it’s time for me to make a confession. I would have utterly failed in my pursuit to understand the omnipotent politicians of India and remained a dumb, until the fracas of past few weeks have not enlightened and opened my wisdom. All thanks to Thackerays, Mulayam Singh, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, relishing Congressmen and embattled BJP heroes.

Now, I am an ardent disciple of all these sacrosanct deity of politics for specific reasons. For inspiration, I guess, the much talked about books by Paul Coehlo, Shiv Khera, Robin S Sharma etc have no worth compared to the Mulayam Singh Yadav’s blind belief and confidence to return to power in Uttar Pradesh upcoming assembly elections despite touching the nadir of any possible defeat by his own rebel actor-turned politician Raj Babbar at his own bastion, Firozabad in November 7 bypoll. Mr. Yadav also deserves kudos for his promptness and performing a chameleon act by immediately calling off one of the most happening political honeymoons with amorphous Kalyan Singh, which he and the party thought was a hole in the ship that resulted in drowning the trust among minority voters. I have never understood how can anyone follow Gandhiji’s teaching of –don’t hear wrong, don’t see wrong and don’t do wrong until these two just kept on blabbering only what was good for each of them and abstained from all three forbidden act.

But when Mulayam Singh saw his minority voters distancing from the Samjwadi Party, he just kicked Kalyan Singh out. While the latter who had recently apologized for the demolition of Babri masjid suddenly turned into a staunch follower of Hindu ideology and advocated construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya hinting on his entry into BJP putting my acuity under heavy duress preserve the incident in my mind so that I could boast of my knowledge to my coming generation. Albeit, the sources at Samajwadi party say that Mulayam, owed allegiance to Azam Khan and never made any direct criticism against him but to remain loyal friend he had to support Amar Singh also, so he chose Shiv Pal Yadav to announce Khan’s expulsion. And Mulayam remained a Good Samaritan with an option at the end to recall Azam Khan.

Mayawati, with hordes of acolyte among dull-it sorry Dalits she maintained a good show in November bypolls. Hence it was proved that she really deserved the accolades. No drought sorry doubt! It’s her craftsmanship in erecting edifices strengthened trust among her followers. She also ensured that she always had a reserved compartment in the society called dalit. And the audacious statues across the state has two reasons to ensure her good future-one if her rival comes to power and tempers with her edifices she will have enough reason play her favourite Dalit game and two, she splurged out money in construction rather than spending on the almost famine hit people and avoid loosing her future. She earned an aficionado in me with her impeccable show-off affection towards Dalits.

However, the politics of division has been favourite among all the magnet (magnate) of the trade. Congress had minority, BJP owns Hindutava while Marathi game for Shiv Sena and its offshoot Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The bickering over copyright as to who really can fight for the rights of Matathi manoos kept both them engaged in duel which resulted in great topsy-turvy for the common man. Congress getting a mileage with the rise of MNS has nothing against them as the foe of an enemy is a friend. Raj Thackeray, who has a vitriolic plan, just played the most effective game which was long back played by his uncle to ensure his victory. He thought there was nothing more important than ensuring that all the legislators take oath in Marathi with a hidden motive to woo maximum publicity which he got.

While Thackeray senior who has been embroiled with the debacle in the in the assembly elections roared back to overpower MNS and win back the Marathi people. And Thackeray senior could not hold himself when he saw a dual opportunity with Sachi Tendulkar’s statement on “I am proud to be Maharashtrian but I am an Indian first.” First benefit was that he could never get better publicity than connecting his name with effervescent Master Blaster. Second, he could prove his loyalty and commitment towards Marathi cause which being waned for sometime. I am sure he got his share of publicity but doesn’t matter negative or positive but I am yet to see the success of the second one.