Semblance of Of Fascist And Authoritarian Rule

“Ideas are only lethal if you suppress and don't discuss them. Ignorance is not bliss, it's stupid ”, Journalist, Novelist Anna Quindlen had warned number of times.

But such sane voice go over head of the power-drunk rulers. A few unfortunate incident in India biggest state- Uttar Pradesh- ruled by saffron party, the custodian of Indian ethos, are most disturbing. A journalist was arrested for tweeting objectionable material against Yogi Adityanath. The scribe Prashant Kanojia had shared a video on Twitter and Facebook in which a woman is seen talking to reporters outside CM house claiming that she had sent an marriage proposal to Yogi.

And that was enough provocation and police immediately booked the scribe under IPC and IT acts. However, he was later released by the country top court. In latest development a journalist on Shamli district of UP was punched, slapped and urinated in mouth a group of policemen. The incident has been video recorded. His only fault was that he was covering the derailment of a train in Shamli district.

Sadly, the incident happened just after the Supreme Court ruled that "liberty of citizens is sacrosanct and non-negotiable". These two incidents just underlines the authoritarian thinking of our rulers and police actions can, in no way, be justified in a democratic set up where Citizens have many inherent constitutional rights. Right to personal liberty is one of many Does posting an video of an simple reporting act provide enough grounds and call for invoking penal actions? And how is that covering an train accident is seen as an act of offence. If such is the thinking of our rulers, then country is surely heading towards authoritarian streak.

The perception is growing stronger that ever since Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, India has grown deeply divided along ideological and religious lines. Under saffron party dispensation at center and states, religious minorities and dissenters have been become target of saffron outfits.There is also an impression that party top leaders have largely remained silent about violence against such groups.On the contrary, they have even gone too far as to laud such acts.

In August 2015, Malleshappa Kalburgi, an Indian scholar who criticized Hindu idolatry, was murdered by Hindu right-wing groups. His death was later celebrated on Twitter by activists from Bajrang Dal, another right-wing Hindu group whose members are strong supporters of saffron part. On same year, a 50-year-old Muslim man, Mohammad Akhlaq, was killed by a mob for allegedly committing the “sin” of eating beef. In 2017, a prominent critic of Hindu groups, journalist Gauri Lankesh was slained. In all of these cases, the PM Modi didn't react, neither condolence or condemnation. Worse is the saffron party leaders and activists routinely label protesters as “anti-national.”

The latest incidents only add to the list of "fascist" incidents. What is worrisome is that in Kanojia case, no one from fraternity came forward to his aid. Here, I wish to remind a latest similar case in Russia. The Kremlin has dropped all charges against an investigative reporter Ivan Golunov accused of drug dealing after a massive public outcry over the case. Drug dealing is more serious a crime then so called "offensive" post. .In a rare public show of support, Russian newspapers rallied around Ivan Golunov and after a massive public outcry over the case, govt had to buckle/

Indian democratic ethos are strong enough to withstand and fascist or authoritarian onslaught. All we need is to vociferously champion the genuine causes.

(Chander Sharma)

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Kathua Rape Case: Full Justice Not Delivered

The life sentence to "rapists" of the 8-year nomadic Kashmir girl by a trial court  doesn't meet the requirement of the law as enacted by the Modi govt. Last year, Indian parliament had  passed a stringent legislation prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. In the aftermath of rape and murder of  Kathua girl, the government had promulgated an ordinance on April 21, 2018. As the new law prescribes harshest punishment to the heinous and inhuman crime of child rape, the life sentence to four accused and letting one prime accused free for want of evidence is not only inadequate but runs contrary to the spirit of amended law. 

The gravity of the crime in Kathua rape case is no less than other such cases. Infact, Khatua rape case assumes more seriousness because of regional hiatus and the dirty politics played after the crime was committed. All efforts were made to protect the "rapists" and even state machinery was used to prevent the justice to the victim family. The chargesheet filed in the court made it clear that it was a carefully planned strategy to out the minority nomadic community from Kathua. It was the darkest day in Indian history and blot on its cultural ethos tat even local leaders including  ministers came forward to shield accused.  Travesty of the justice was that  even lawyers prevented  crime branch officials to file a charge sheet in the case. Finally, Supreme Court had to intervene and case was transferred to  Pathankot, a neighboring city in Punjab. 

Capital punishment have been awarded to rapists even before the amended law was enacted. In Nirbhaya rape-murder case that shook the nation's conscious, death sentence were awarded to the accused and upheld by the Supreme Court. The apex court even rejected   rejected the claims of  not being present at the crime scene. In Kathua rape case, court has acquitted one prime accused on the alibi that he was not present at the crime scene. This doesn't conform to the spirit of top court ruling. Its often  a clever ploy to hide the presence at crime scene  by forging documents.

There have been fast-track justice in recent child rape cases  and the Indore case is the fastest. In May 2018, a fast-track court in Indore awarded death sentence to rapist of a three-month old girl. Another trial court in Madhya Pradesh's Satna  awarded a death sentence to a school teacher  for raping a four-year-old girl. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to enact a law in December 2017, providing  death penalty for rapists of girls below 12 years of age. Later, many states followed the suit. 

In 2013, a local court in Mumbai  had awarded death penalty to a man  for raping and killing a five-year-old girl . The verdict was delivered within six months of the crime.
However, trial delays make the death sentence ineffective, In the last 14 years, out of 371 prisoners on the death row, only 4 have been executed and out of these only one was rapist. 

The long wait and legal wranglings sprinkle salt on victims and their families' wounds. In Nirbhaya rape case distraught  mother pressed for a speedy execution of the death sentence. “There have been times when my faith in law and justice is restored but as the court hearings get deferred by I feel extremely hopeless,” Nirbhaya’s mother had told a newspaper.

She had to suffer more pain  after Supreme Court reserved its order on the plea of two of the four condemned convicts seeking a review of its 2017 verdict upholding the death penalty.

The new law on sexual abuse of children  will be useful only when instant and speedy justice is delivered  and rapists are sent to gallows at he earliest . 





  

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Why Aren't Our Cop As Smart As Army Men ?

Have you ever noticed why cops are bodily and physically not as smarter as army men. If you look at the visual images of police men on duty, you will find most of them are pot-belled, their body language looking lazy and sluggish. But you will always find army men fit and slim. Like expressive human face  conveying countless emotions without saying a word, body language also reveals the human ability to deal with a particular situation. A slim body will, definitely, react more smartly and attentively then a pot bellied man.

Civil Police (it has armed wing as well) in India or for that matter  anywhere in the world is the custodian of maintaining law and order and providing security to citizens, whereas army protects citizens from external aggression. All over the world, internal security and law and order get added attention as law and order and citizen's security is a minute-to-minute and day-to-day problem. External aggression is not as frequent as day-to-day law problems. The point is, why not  police force should be as smart, well-trained and well-equipped as army? In fact, internal security system has to be more foolproof and responsive. Unfortunately, in India more attention is paid to protecting rulers and influential than the ordinary citizens.This mindset hasn't helped the internal security issue  getting high priority

Worse, the image of police in India is that of a corrupt and lethargic force, solely commanded by and meant for ruling class. Not only poor but even higher people are often afraid of approaching the police for help. On the contrary, army men are held in high esteem and people adore them. This marked difference in perception calls for immediate corrective measures. It is difficult but not impossible. 

As a first step, it should be mandatory for cops to shed weight. We often hear news of different states asking pot bellied cops to reduce weight but next day it is forgotten. Authorities should be serious and there has to be some deterrent in place.                    

There is also a feeling that the ingenious method of ‘cadre management’ of assured promotions for cops has led to complacency. It was recently revealed that out of the total 400 IPS officers in UP, more than half are of the level of DIG and above, with as many as twenty DG rank. In a small state like Himachal, there are five DGP rank officer,  9 IGs and 8 DIGs.  This high ratio of the officers (demanding more subordinate staff) can't help a disciplined force. It only results in leaving a few officers to field when the chips are down. Its a time tested fact that soldiers can fight battle, if they are led from the front. The data of the past decade points out steep rise in crime statistics . As per the data of the National Crime Resource Bureau, cognizable crimes saw drastic increase of 63% and cognizable crimes an increase of 73%.frame

It is high level of competition and regular training that  bring the best out of a person. Promotion should be a motivator to strive for excellence, not complacency. Experience, undoubtedly, is useful, but it can't be the sole determinant of performance. ‘We don't choose a surgeon on ‘seniority’ for complicated surgery'.

To ensure a army like smartness, a pot bellied, betel chewing cop doesn't fit into khaki uniform. He has to change. 

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Poor Umpiring In World Cup 2019

The poor umpiring in 2019 ICC World Cup has somewhat affected the credibility of this prestigious tournament. The credibility of the game has already been dented by "match fixing" incidents. 

The poor umpiring is going to further erode the credibility of glamorous and money minting game of cricket. and "fixing" can't be ruled out in umpiring . Like cricketers, umpires are also human beings and susceptible to lure of money. After all, its the money, not charity, on contemporary world of sports. So, there are high chances of fixing in umpiring as well. 

Yesterday, the "atrocious" umpiring between in match between Australia and West Indies has left much to be desired. The super hitter Chris Gayle was given out on a no a free hit.Earlier, he was given out twice by the umpire and both the time decision was reversed by third umpire after DRS. Finally, standing umpire Gaffaney missed a Mitchell Starc no-ball delivery before the left-arm quick dismissed Gayle for 21. 

Had the umpire called a no-ball, the next delivery could have been a free hit and Gayle could not have been dismissed. He finally become the victim of poor umpiring, Not only Gayle, West Indies skipper Jason Holder also had to suffer from a similar umpiring howler. He was also given out twice but survived after DRS as third umpire ruled him not out on both the occasions. The poor umpiring cost the West Indies match as it failed to 289 and suffered a 15-run loss to Australia. Had the Gayle and Holder still on the crease for a few more overs, West Indies could have chased the 289 easily. There were bitterest reactions on social media describing it as Chris Gaffaney finally getting  the wicket of Gayle for Australia.

Such  strong reactions call for a review of the manual Umpiring. The decision of third umpire as viewed by all on screen and live looks  absolutely fair and much more acceptable. Then why not to go for a much more human judgement error free umpiring?  In this high tec era, nothing is impossible. Cricket is a gentleman game and let it be like that. Gentleman game shouldn't be allowed to be ruined by "fixing".       

Umpiring in cricket is most important part of the game and losing a match because of poor umpiring is worst part of it. A cricket umpire is not to be confused with the referee who usually presides only over international matches and makes no decisions affecting the outcome of the game. Cricket is a bat-and-ball game and whosoever bats, bowls and field smartly wins the match. But then, umpire has his own role to influence the outcome. Any bad decision as was yesterday at Trent Bride could tilt the match and hit the credibility of the game.   

(Chander Sharma)

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Power Pangs In BJP, Gloomy Congress

Growing larger than life size is a forbidden and unwritten law in contemporary politics and anybody who dares to defy this law is immediately cut to size. 

Indian political history is replete with hundreds of leaders who tried to grew more than their size but were pulled the rug from under their's feet. From the time of Nehru-Indira to "saint" Modi, this unwritten law is religiously honored. One should feel pity for BJP tall leader Rajnath Singh and Congress maverick cricketer turned leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for discarding the rule and now being cut to the size.  

There cannot be too many strong personalities leading a ruling  party . From Xi Jinping Of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, all follow this dictum. Surely, Prime Minister Modi also knew it very well.

So after the emergence of Modi as the supreme commander, cutting leaders like Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Sawaraj down to the size was a natural corollary. It is said power doesn't come without luck. Party long time ideologue (from ABVP) and troubleshooter Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj deteriorating health proved blessing in disguise to Anit Shah, Now only, younger seniors like Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari were left in the field  after party bigwigs like LK Advani, MM Joshi, Shanta Kumar were long time back made submit to strategically worked out age bar rule.        

Now Amit Shah has grown larger than Rajnath  Singh and all others. He has vastly succeeded as organisational head and nothing succeeds like success. In the new dispensation, prime minister Modi's  Man Friday Amit Shah is the real 'Bhamashah. 

So far so good. As the Modi-Shah duo leads the country, a new chapter is going to be scripted in political history. In Modi-Shah double,there is hardly any space for other leader including Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari. The configuration of the power dispensation clearly  shows that  Amit Shah is going to be the chief  architect of PM Modi's 'New India'political and economic arenas. For the country's fast growth, it will be too fruitful but at the same time there is a danger that "absolute power" lead to authoritarian rule. This is the real danger.

For Congress, there is hardly any hope of rejuvenation. The morale of the party is at the lowest eb and infighting at its peak. The " leadership void" has left party in an orphanage mode. State leaders are ferociously  indulging in "Cat and Dog" fight and its free for all. In Punjab, chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has emerged as all powerful and Navjot Sidhu has paid the price for growing larger in size, If h wants to remain "fit and steady" in politics, he must follow the unwritten rules.   

   

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