Editorial, "FOR A UNITED STATES OF INDIA," in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 29 February 2016 issue, Vol. 12, Part 1, No. 4

FOR A UNITED STATES OF INDIA

Nowadays everybody is talking of nationalism in our country – left, right and center. The Right, broadly led by BJP, RSS, VHP, etc., mainly aiming their guns at whoever does not toe their line or ideology, with the left too, a motley of extreme left to parliamentary ‘right’ communists and socialists, strangely, defending themselves on the ground of being real patriots and nationalists fighting for azaadi of common man and various communities/ nationalities within the country and also accusing the right of anti-nationalism [for e.g. decrying RSS for not, till recently, hoisting the national flag though it is hard to understand how one can compel any person or organization or group to hoist the national flag or sing the national song, though it can be justly demanded that they don’t disrespect either]. They also do not shirk singing Janaganamana, if not Vande Mataram, on occasions to parade their patriotism/ nationalism. The center swings this way and that way, but now sees an opportunity in countering the established ‘right’. But it is a well accepted proposition that our country is itself a mix of various races, tribes, religions, communities – linguistic, ethnic and otherwise – and that only the motto of ‘unity in diversity’ can save and promote our unity and progress. Prior to the advent of British Rule there was scarcely any political unity in India and any much of unity existing was mainly cultural, religious and in allied matters. If there are banes of the British Rule, there were boons too, and one such is of welding this country into a broadly united polity and that by giving rise to oppositional nationalist forces like the Indian National Congress and others also for making a political unity – even if it was tentative, distorted and wanting in many respects. Freedom from British Rule has resulted in horrible and tragic consequences – in the main, partition of the country – a big blow at this political unity and concept of one-nationalism; and the gradual rising of various fissiparous/ sub-national/national movements was also expected and is happening. The real way out is to try all the best to bolster up and make entrenched the already talked about ‘unity in diversity’ and rather make our country a real United States of India, the ideal of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association of martyrs like Bismil, Ashfaq, Azad, Bhagat Singh, et al, with a really meaningful federal setup, than what is now existing as a shabbily forged Union of India. §§§

Editorial, "SEDITION LAW AGAIN IN FOCUS," in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 15 February 2016 issue, Vol. 12: Part 1, No. 3

SEDITION LAW AGAIN IN FOCUS

The political situation in our country is turning into a mess, with some extremist students resorting to excessive deeds, and counter-extremism is also on the rise. No two opinions on that the mindset and activities displayed in the above images are highly deplorable. Even if the hanging of certain persons felt unjust and, earlier, their sentences sought to be commuted on any grounds, that does not give license to anyone to go to the extent of hailing them as martyrs etc. It is really sad that when certain terrorists, guided and aided by our unfriendly neighbor Pakistan have staged a gory attack on Pathankot Air Base, killing some jawans, or when the dutiful soldiers in Siachen got buried in ice and died, and especially Sri Hanumanthappa, coming out luckily from icy burial and fighting with death for some days, also succumbed, these ‘patriotic’, ‘progressive’ etc. students, and teachers, of JNU did not find one word of sympathy for them or of condemnation of the attacks, but were too eager to demonstrate with cranky slogans on the third anniversary of Afzal Guru’s hanging, queerly in revenge for which the Pathankot attack was admittedly conducted. Further, Afzal was hanged against all conventional ethics by the UPA government, with Sonia and Rahul as the ruling party leaders, and when some action is taken by the government against the miscreant students, these opportunist leaders shamelessly rush to inflame passions against the government. Likewise it happened in HCU when Yakub Memon was lionized and perhaps in Madras also it may happen so if the nut Dilipan Mahendran, who burnt the national flag, be taken to task. It should be remembered that even the arrested JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar clearly declared: “An unfortunate incident occurred in our University on 9 February 2016 which I hereby condemn. …it transpires that inside JNU, some persons belonging to JNU as also some outsiders were giving out unconstitutional slogans. Therefore, per my commitment to the Constitution of India, I don't support such slogans and also appeal to one and all that in this regard no disturbance of peace be committed in the country, society and other Universities.” However, slapping sedition charges against the student (s) under Section 124 A is no good. This notorious provision in the Indian Penal Code, a colonial legacy under which eminent leaders like Tilak and Gandhi were jailed for long years, and scrapping which the national movement has persistently demanded, has to be repealed forthwith. All should remember that we have only one this country with so much diversity and tolerance to live in, compared to so many other countries the world over, and we should improve and not destroy this fabric of our society and character of our people, and commit ourselves to the protection and promotion of democracy, secularism and human welfare.  §§§

Editorial, "TIME TO END RESERVATIONS," in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 31 January 2016 issue, Vol. 12, Part 1: No. 2

TIME TO END RESERVATIONS

has no doubt arrived. This system, in its current grotesque form in our country, cannot be deemed reasonable or equitable like any just and valid reverse discrimination measures as exist in some democratic countries, but is basically a divisive policy measure that strikes at the roots of our unity in diversity. All this mess is a consequence of the ‘divide and rule’ policy of the British imperialists, who introduced political reservations to Muslims as a ploy to antagonize them to the budding national movement for self-rule, largely participated in by the Hindu masses. The Morley-Minto reforms duly introduced those and it was continued till the end of the British Rule despite the objections raised by Mr. Montagu at first while proposing his Reforms Scheme in 1918. The Round Table Conferences and the Government of India Act had further deepened the malaise, with Dr. Ambedkar actively canvassing for separate electorates for depressed classes, which was averted only due to the sagacity and intervention of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders. But, after freedom, this system was further broadened and in my opinion worsened, with all and sundry communities – even those economically developed to a fair extent – being accorded not only political but also public education and employment reservations. This has created a deep dent in the society, inflamed passions and conflicts between the communities and continues to do so. The psyche of people turns bizarre with each community taking glory in claiming a record of backwardness instead of taking pride in its meritorious contributions and progress. The recent deplorable developments fanning base casteism and related violence/hate politics that occurred in the Hyderabad Central University and Godavari districts is but one example of the degeneration that set in our society. Weighing all pros and cons, this editor has come to a firm conclusion that time has come now to call for a sunset i.e. demand abolition of these reservations – political, educational or employment related – for the good of the country and achieve it by a process of gradual elimination within utmost 20-30 years from now and thereafter retaining any such reservations to a minimal extent only to benefit genuine economically/physically challenged persons and to reward exceptionally talented persons, cutting across all communities.      §§§

Editorial, "Casteism Bane of Indian Society" in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, Vol. 12, Part 1, No. 1, 15 January 2016 issue.

CASTEISM BANE OF INDIAN SOCIETY

Not long ago in history, varnasrama dharma and its distorted resultant/ concomitant jaati prada (caste system) were cherished as the unique heritage of India, which saved, conserved and promoted the Indian, especially Hindu civilization, for thousands of years. However, with change of times and socio-economic conditions, and spread of modern economic modes and democratic ideas, gradually the caste system in India, which had ossified into an oppressive exclusivist entity, began to be looked as a bane than a boon, demands for its total abolition began to be made and the ideal of a casteless society was and still is endorsed by many liberals, progressives, especially leftists of various sorts. But, post-independence, in the name of eradication of caste disabilities and inequalities, a distorted system of reservations with wrongful appeasement of castes/communities and accordance of special favors to the various castes/communities in the name of their uplift, but mainly to make them vote-banks for this or that political outfit, has taken roots and now casteism has again risen its ugly head and almost all sections of the society, including, to an extent, even the communities theoretically free from caste system, are plagued with caste/ factional strife. Once upon a time it was usual for castes and communities to strive for upward social mobility but by the current reservations system it seems every community/caste at some time or other is voicing demands for downward gradation – e.g. even relatively better off and comfortable communities as those of Patels and Kapus, and sometimes even Brahmin communities in certain regions also, striving to get listed as backward classes which in effect comes to mean in the strange socio-judicial system of our country as backward castes. Watching this ugly situation, some times a feeling comes whether the restoration of caste system in full may be the way out or may, in a farcical manner, turn out inevitable. Until a  conscious and concerted effort is made by the people of the country, for a process of gradual elimination of this reservation system, keeping it to an extent only for really economically or physically challenged persons – and not communities – and palpable successes are achieved in that course, it seems this country will have no redemption; but if the present farce continues and intensifies the country is sure to go to the dogs.  §§§

Editorial, WARS, TERROR AND HUMAN RIGHTS, in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 31 December 2015, Vol. 11, Part 2, No. 24 issue

WARS, TERROR AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The great poet (Mahakavi) Sri Sri so ruefully queried: ‘ea deaSa caritra cuucinaa

eamunnadi garvakaaraNam? ఏ దేశచరిత్ర చూచినా ఏమున్నది గర్వకారణం? (What is there to be proud of in any country’s history?’ and affirmatively declared: “narajaati caritra samastam parapeeDaNa paraayanatvam, …parasparaapaharaNoadyoagam, …raNarakta pravaahasiktam,

beebhatsarasa pradhaanam, piSaacagaNa samavaakaaram…, నరజాతిచరిత్ర సమస్తం పరపీడన పరాయణత్వం… పరస్పరాపహరణోద్యోగం … రణరక్తప్రవాహసిక్తం… పిశాచగణసమవాకారం… etc. (the entire history of humankind is but an addiction for oppression, soaked in blood shed in battles, a gory dance of vampires, etc.)” and may be were Sri Sri to live in present times he would have used still stronger impacting words or perhaps got stunned into complete silence by the scale of genocides and atrocities! Sometimes it seems we have learnt nothing from history and perhaps all history is bunkum!? In the name of religions, supposed to inspire and lead people to live in peace, amity, friendship, and worship of some almighty God, the basest cruelties are being perpetrated and one’s heart goes out to a four-year old child strapped with explosives and blown up, or several women, children and old persons killed or injured by some drones pouring hellfire on their habitats; or when scores of people are butchered or literally burnt alive by fundamentalist outfits, suicide bombers, etc. In the context of the UN Human Rights Day 2015 which is “devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50^thanniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966 and which set out the civil, political, cultural, economic, and social rights that are the birth right of all human beings” and taking the exhortation of the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon to “on Human Rights Day, … recommit to guaranteeing the fundamental freedoms and protecting the human rights of all,” at its face value, the essential questions one should put to oneself and to the people, governments and international bodies all over the world are as to how genuinely and how assiduously all of us are trying to fight international terrorism as also to at least stop the pace of such genocides and atrocities, and counter imperialist aggressions committed in the guise of war against terror, for world peace, etc. §§§

Editorial, LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITARIANISM, in 15 December 2015 issue, Vol 11, Pt 2, No 23, of LAW ANIMATED WORLD

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITARIANISM

is also plaguing our country. It may seem strange, but sadly true – this is because it appears the Judiciary is not intervening in the critical affairs of the country when it must but unjustly and unnecessarily interfering when it shouldn’t. Especially when the interests or powers of superior courts are curbed or threatened, really or seemingly, they are too alert and quick to set aside any overwhelmingly popular measures even – as in the case of striking down the constitutional amendment instituting the much desired and applauded National Judicial Appointment Commission – but when it comes to the real interests of masses reflected in, or to be carried through, the actual working of democratic system, not only outside but also inside the legislatures, the Courts shy away, to say the least. All this judicial non-intervention in the name of ‘separation of powers’, which strangely didn’t come into picture in the above referred case which resulted in perpetuation of an unconstitutional judicial privilege of instituting and continuing a collegium for appointment of Judges and reducing the President of India and the Prime Minister of India to mere figureheads in this crucial matter. The reluctance of the judiciary to intervene in the case of legislative recklessness in the State of Telangana, on the infamous appointment and continuance of a turncoat Telugu Desam (opposition party) MLA as a Minister with the Speaker refusing to declare him disqualified within any reasonable time but perhaps planning to drag the matters till the next General Elections – an obvious fraud on the Constitution – is a glaring example. This is not just the case of a right or wrong concerned with an individual minister but having widespread ramifications, and has already resulted in a situation of a sort of one-party absolutism in the State. We see a queue of opposition MLAs aspiring for posts of pelf and perks before the ruling party – several already joined it – in full confidence that nothing would harm them as long as the ruling party Polit Bureau member is at the helm as Speaker and the Judiciary non-intervening in the name of ‘separation of powers’. The conditions in the other Telugu State of Andhra Pradesh are not any pleasing either, with the opposition parties there treated with absolute contempt. It is really very woeful to have to live and suffer in such a sordid situation.  §§§

Editorial, PARIS TRAGEDY AND ISIS TERRORISM, in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, October Revolution Special issue, 15-30 November 2015, Vol. 11, Part 2, No. 21-22

PARIS TRAGEDY AND ISIS TERRORISM

Reminding the world of the horrific Bombay terror attacks of 26/11, a gruesome massacre of almost the same proportion rocked the French capital on 13/11 this year. Suicide bombers cum militant armed attackers, numbering about 8-10 in all, in different areas of Paris, certainly with covert support of scores/hundreds of other fanatics therein, have killed at least 130 innocent citizens, injured many more and left it as a practical declaration of their Jihad to invade and occupy the West sooner than later. With the official organ Dabiq of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL; also called ISIS, Daesh etc.) proudly claiming, in its recent issue, this gory act as their work by illustration on the front cover page of  French troopers attending to the terror victims with the tag JUST TERROR, and immediately in the Foreword (perhaps they mean it editorial) announcing it to be their work in revenge for the war unleashed on them by Russia, France and other Western powers, it may be taken as confirmed that it was a deliberate well-designed massacre plan and no wonder if some other rogues states, apart from the Daesh, were covertly involved in it. Some lines from the above Foreword in Dabiq are worth quoting: “Like Russia, it was blinded by hubris, thinking that its geographical distance from the lands of the Khilāfah would protect it from the justice of the mujāhidīn. It also did not grasp that its mockery of the Messenger would not be left unavenged. Thus, the Islamic State dispatched its brave knights to wage war in the homelands of the wicked crusaders, leaving Paris and its residents “shocked and awed.” The eight knights brought Paris down on its knees, after years of French conceit in the face of Islam. A nationwide state of emergency was declared as a result of the actions of eight men armed only with assault rifles and explosive belts.” So it can be safely inferred that there was no question of this having been a false flag operation, by the home state at least, and the tenor of the ‘foreword’ which has no pity or remorse at the death of and injuries to hundreds of innocents, including women and children, exposes the enormous proportions of the menace of fundamentalism and a new barbarianism now being faced by the people the world over. It is to be noted that with such international terrorism running rampant in the world, it would be extremely difficult for the progressive democratic and socialist forces to conduct or consolidate their movements and strive for real, people-friendly socio-economic transformations through militant mass movements and upsurges, since they would be targeted by both the ‘right’ and the misguided ‘left’ in their attempts to do so; as such, without hesitation, they should join in, and where possible even lead, the struggles against such fundamentalist terrorism, at the same time preventing their degeneration to racist or religious bigotry. §§§