SAVE OUR TIGER

Are we doing enough? Our tigers are in danger. They are falling prey to poaching and man-tiger conflict. Inviolate spaces for tigers are shrinking. Villagers living near core and buffer areas of tiger reserves poison them in revenge for killing their cattle. The government agencies have failed miserably in relocating the reluctant villagers; as in the last 40 years they have been able to relocate only 105 villages out of 1700 in protected tiger reserves. [...]

Now, Noida MMS Sex Scandal

A 23-year old MBA student of Noida is another victim of MMS sex scandal. She was filmed by her boyfriend when she was stripping off her clothes on music. Her boyfriend circulated the MMS because she refused to marry him. This is not the first case of that kind. It is happening in the country from the last few years. [...]

Pyaar Ka Punchnama

Love is about sacrifice. Is it? I have seen in the Bollywood movies of the late 60s and 70s actors profess that love is all about giving and not gaining. Their dialogues are only appropriate for reel life and not practical in real life[...]

If you are going [...]

Share your thoughts, in short

Micro-blogging is all about posting small digital contents—text, pictures, video and links—on the Internet. In short, it is a combination of blogging and instant messaging. Micro-blogging websites allow users to share a message of 140 or less character, a video of 12 seconds or less duration, short links or individual images with online followers[...]

Express your love, but is it that simple?

No. It’s not. The three-word expression I Love You is perhaps the most difficult one to express. People may be headstrong but go weak at the knees when it comes to proposing to someone special. For one and all, the expression of love requires perfect timing, ideal setting and right approach[...]

0
Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 23:00:00
xyz

|
1

Why discriminate against girls?

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 20:21:00 in
By Abhishek Pandey

Council of Degree College principles have decided to ban mobile phones for all students and wearing jeans for girl students in the colleges in Kanpur. The latter decision taken by principles have created furor among the girl students and women organization. In the wake of unconstitutional decisions taken by the university professors, Uttar Pradesh government has warned universities and colleges to stay away from theses kinds of unconstitutional norms in the colleges.

Earlier, the similar decision taken by the Principle of Dayanand Girls Degree College was criticized by the feminist groups. The principal of the college said in an interview, which was published in the newspaper, that the body hugging jeans invite sexually coloured remarks to girl students and it might tempt eve teasers. The reason of ban given by the principal was not justifiable. It is like that ‘Don’t earn money because it might invite thieves to rob you.’ The victims of eve teasing were given punishment rather to put a stop on eve teasing and other molestation cases in the city, which happen with the girls without any discrimination on the ground of attires. The council wants to clad girl students in ‘modest’ dresses like salwar suits to protect girls from the uncontrollable activities of bad elements.

Most of the women organizations are of the view that it is total infringement of women’s fundamental rights which are enshrined in the constitution of India. Article 15 of the constitution prohibits any one to discriminate any citizen of India on the ground of sex, caste or religion. Article 21 of the constitution gives the rights to everyone to move freely and live life with dignity. The decision of the council does not give a damn to it. It seems that Principles of degree colleges are ignoramus about the constitutional rights of women.

The council has not given any special instruction to boys on dress code. This discrimination is against the constitution. Though, Article 39 of Indian constitution enables the state institutions to take affirmative actions for women empowerment but the institution seems to work against it. Indian government and other non government institutions are fighting for the rights of women because the progress of the nation can not speed up without including the female population, which amount to 48% of the total population. Even after the independence the female literacy ration could not cross 50% though government has implemented special educational schemes for the girls. These discriminatory decisions would discourage girls morally and made them feel second class citizens.

Recently, France President Nicholas Sarkozy has decided that veiling, which is prevalent in Islamic culture, was not welcome in the country because it was no a symbol of religion but sign of subservience for women. Indian intelligencia like professors of Chatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (Kanpur) should learn lessons from the France.

Police administration of the city must ensure the safety of the girls from the bad elements of the society. Banning jeans is not an appropriate solution to put a stop on these wrongdoings. It will rather boost the morale of hooligans. Either college administration should make similar rules for both genders or they should restrain themselves from taking unfair norms. Modesty in college dress is needed. As for as the dress code in the colleges is concerned, not only girls but also boys should follow the self made regulations to maintain the decorum of the educational institutes.

|
2

D for Dynasty

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 18:50:00 in , ,

By Abhishek Pandey

D connotes a bad word in economic capital and Bollywood city Mumbai which resembles Dawood & co. It haunted the city for so many years and has given innumerable wounds to the city. ‘D’ exists in Delhi also but means something else. Here, it means dynasty. It is also bad for the health of Delhi, the political capital of the country.

Indians are not allergic to dynastic politics in the country since independence. Nehru- Gandhi family has ruled the country for so many years. This trend is mushrooming and expanding its tentacles like anything in recent times.  From Kashmir valley to Kanyakumari and from Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal, dynastic politics exist in India. This election is not the exception and has given chance to many political scions from different parties. It is the general idea among the entire ‘intellectual class’ that dynasty hurts democracy. India follows the democratic procedures in the elections but there are doubts about democracy with in the political parties. This is the reason many parties in India has become the family business.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Chennai, Janta Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Akalis and Congress in Punjab, Bhajan Lal and sons’ Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) and former deputy PM of India Devi Lal and family’s Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana, Lalu and family’s Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) in Bihar, Chauvan and Thackeray in Maharashtra are few of the parties dominated by dynasty in the country. These are the example of few families which have ruled the political platform in their respective states.

After this election, DMK chief Karunanidhi has demanded cabinet births for his family members including his niece Dayanidhi Maran, Stalin, M. Azhagiri, and her daughter Kanimozhi. It seems he has prepared his political will for the family. He has offered his son M. Azhagiri and Dayanidhi Maran cabinet births after hard negotiation with the Congress and elevated the stature of his son Stalin by making him deputy chief minister of Tamilnadu. Karunakaran’s family has ruled the Kerala for long. NT Ramarao and his son in law Chandrababu Naidu has enjoyed the power in Andhra Pradesh.  

Mulayam Singh of SP is not an exception. He has given tickets to his family members. His brother, son and nephew have the benefit of special consideration in the party. Shiv Pal Yadav, his brother holds important position in the party. His son has contested from two seats and won both the seats in these Lok Sabha elections. His nephew Dharmendra Yadav has also won from Badaun by defeating DP Yadav, a don turned politician. Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh is the son of former Prime Minister Charan Singh. In Bihar, Lalu has been promoting his wife Rabri, brothers in law Sadhu and Subhash Yadav, Brother Gulab Yadav, sister in law Kunti Devi for long. Though, his brothers in law have separated from the party and joined the congress party.

Punjab is another example of this ill trend. Badal’s are ruling in the state. Prakash Singh Badal as Chief Minister, who is set to transfer his political chair to his son Sukhbhir Singh Badal, Deputy CM of Punjab. Harsimrat Kaur, wife of Sukhbir Singh has also entered in the political arena. Capt. Amrinder Singh of congress has also promoted his son and wife in the politics. In Orissa, Patnayak family has also led the Orissa and still Naveen Patnayak is the chief minister of the state. 

Now, if we look at the recent emergence of new faces from the political families in this General elections then it can scare a true democrat.  Many young turks have got the chance to step in Lok Sabha. It is good news but the sad part of the story is that most of them are from political families. Politics is not their achievement but they have got them from their parents. Rahul Gandhi, Priya Dutt, Nilesh Rane, Milind Deora, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindhia, Jitin Prasad of Congress. The names of theses family born leaders does not stop here. It also includes youngest MP of the India, Hamidullah Sayeed of congress.

This List is not only from Congress party. Manvendra Singh, son of BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh, Supriya Sule of NCP, and Akhilesh Yadav of SP has political background. Agatha Sangma, who became the MP in the last by polls and also won this election, is the daughter of National Congress Party leader and former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. D. Purandeswari of Telgu Desham Party is the daughter of actor turned politician NT Ramarao. The list continues with other leaders of different parties. All these leaders have reached the parliament from their bedroom of their house by holding the finger of their parents. Is this the lot, we want as young leaders?

These leaders may or may not believe that they have got back door entry in politics. They may be under illusion that they did hard to get in the parliament. But, fact remains the same that they opt short cut. We need the young blood in Indian politics but not when others are neglected and have not given chance to represent the people. India is democratic state but it will turn in to a neo-monarchic state, if parties remain to follow the dynastic trails. India needs democracy with in the political parties.

Are we ready for the change ?

 


|
4

The rise of Rahul Gandhi

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 13:05:00 in , ,
By Abhishek Pandey

Rahul Gandhi is the man of the series of Indian Political League (IPL) 2009. Congress performed well and stunned all in the political sphere, even its own people by its magnificent performance in this Lok Sabha elections. And, many political pundits believe that credit goes to Yuvraaj. It is said in media that it was Congress wave across the nation but no one can deny Rahul’s charismatic and innovative campaigning, which brought sweet fruits for the party. A Harvard and St. Stephens’ alma mater Rahul entered in the political arena in March 2004 by declaring to contest from Amethi. His performance is really appreciable with in the five years of his political career.

Rahul started his pan India journey to swung votes in favour of the congress and held maximum number of rallies during canvassing amounting to 106 rallies across the nation. Rahul did not leave any stone unturned and reached every nook and corner to impress every section of the people. He went to university campuses, attended Muslim, Hindu and Sikh worship places; and worked with the labourers under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in Rajasthan. 

In the start of campaigning, political intellects believed that Rahul is a naïve and would be of no use for congress in the elections. Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were adorable for the Aam Aadmi. This love and affection for the dynasty turned in to votes and resulted in congress’ bravura victory in the elections over National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and other political fronts. But, love for the dynasty was not the only reason. Congress performed well in Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) on its development plank.

Youth factor of Rahul worked nicely in the country with more than 200 electorates aged between 18-35. He proposed his idea in congress meetings to give more tickets to young leaders. The effect of this can be seen in the results. India have more young MPs like Rahul, Sachin Pilot, Naveen Jindal, Jiten Prasad, Milind Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Deepender Hooda, Sandeep Dikshit, Ahmad Hamdullah Sayeed, Mausam Noor, Nilesh Rane and Dr. Jyoti Mirdha.

It is expected that Rahul would propose few names to be included in the cabinet or at least for MoS (Minister for State) seats to encourage youths in the politics. But his youth magic was limited to the son and daughters of the politicians. Most of the youth candidates came from political families. It would be more motivating for the youths if he would have thought beyond political families. Whatever, youth factor paid well to Congress party.

Rahul Gandhi went from one village to another village in the far flung areas of UP and MP and dined Dal, Roti and Chatni with Dalits. Despite Mayawati’s claim that Rahul Gandhi washed his hands with a ‘special soap’ and took bath after visiting any Dalit family, Dalits turned in to support the party. Frankly speaking, I don’t know that how accurate she was about Rahul’s bathroom affairs. Her accusations did not seem to work in the state. State registered a swift of Dalit and Muslims votes towards Congress.

Rahul decided to go alone in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand after its allies offer them a few seats to contest in these states. Rahul’s political intuition was right and congress performed very well in Uttar Pradesh by doubling its figures. The fair weather friends of Congress had to repent for their mistake to not go with Congress. Lalu Prasad Yadav of Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) accepted his blunder after the declaration of the results. It was the victory of Rahul over the big political mascots.

Rahul gave some controversial statements including about Babri Mosque demolition and division of Pakistan. He said "if anyone from the Gandhi-Nehru family had been active in politics then, the Babri Masjid would not have fallen". His statement was offensive to many congress men and also demeaned then Prime Minister Narshima Rao. He came in to controversy when he ignorantly uttered politically incorrect statement on Pakistan division, “Gandhi family decides on something, it makes sure that is accomplished - whether it is throwing out the British, breaking up Pakistan or taking India into the 21st century.”

His statement about Pakistan’s braking up was unacceptable for many diplomats and also angered Bangladeshis. It raised eyebrows of political stalwarts with in and outside the congress.  His name was dragged in to a controversy of Sukanya Devi gang rape case on the unconfirmed articles on Internet. This was not confirmed by any main stream media or any government institutions.

His love affair with Spanish girlfriend Veronique, an architect whom he met in England, make us remember the clamour on her mothers’ foreign origin. Some website reported and also published the pictures of Rahul with, as called in media, Juanita, a Venezuelan or Colombian waitress. His educational profile was also doubted by some main stream media houses. He has proved his calibre and political competence by swinging votes in favour of United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Kuch bhi ho, Jo jeeta wohi Sikandar. 

Amidst the demands from his supporters to see him on higher profile in the party, Rahul was appointed a general secretary of the All India Congress Committee on 24 September 2007. He was also given charge of the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India. Despite Manmohan Singh’s offer to any cabinet post for him, he chose to strengthen the party. This might be the indication that he is not interested in cabinet post or he has the aspiration to become the PM.

Rahul Gandhi is the ‘successor’ of political lineage of Gandhis. Since, Priyanka Gandhi has humbly refused to come in to active politics, at least not now. It is anticipated that Manmohan Singh would set aside after two or more years as PM, may be by citing health reasons, and Rahul Gandhi would become the Prime Minister of India. 


|
1

Why Congress won, BJP lost?

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 16:02:00 in ,

By Abhishek Pandey

Speculations are over with the counting of votes. People of India have given the clear mandate for the stable government at the center by saying no to hung parliament. Indian National Congress (INC) has emerged as the largest single party. Congress has come back to power at center with the startling victory on 206 seats in the 15th Lok Sabha elections.

After people’s verdict, many political and poll analyst dropped their jaws and their eyes widened to see the caricature of the next government drawn by the electorates.  Even, Congress party men and spoke person were not anticipating the victory on 206 seats by their party on its own. Congress has helped UPA to touch the tally of 262 seats and is very near to the magic number of 272 needed to form the government. This is the congress’s notable performance in last two decades since 1989.

BJP lost the elections in many states, even in its strongholds. BJP is limited to 116 seats in this General Election, which is less than its 2004 performance, 138 seats. BJP performed badly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Right wing Party has gained little in Bihar, Karnataka and Gujarat, where they wee expecting a clean sweep. Though, its ally in Bihar, Janta Dal (United), has done a very good job by winning 20 seats out of 40 seats.

Not only BJP but its allies also performed poorly in many states except JD (U). Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) decreased from 8 to 4 seats. In Punjab, ‘weak prime minister’ tag to Manmohan Singh cost dearly to BJP and its ally SAD in Sikh dominated Punjab. Contradicting BJP’s view about a Sikh prime ministerial candidate Manmohan Singh, Indian National Congress secretary general Rahul Gandhi coined a term ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ for him which possibly swung the votes in the favour of the party in the state.

In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena and BJP alliance came down from 25 seats in 2004 to 20 seats in 2009.  Metropolitan cities Mumbai and Delhi was swept by Congress party, despite BJP’s strong Internet campaigning. BJP’s campaigning on the Internet to do ‘Obama’ in India was a failure because Internet penetration in India is just 5%. BJP did not think that most netizens would not go to vote in the scorching heat of April-May.

This is the victory of Rahul Gandhi. Aam Aadmi has accepted Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and possibly, Manmohan Singh as their leaders. BJP’s poll plank and the tag ‘weak PM’ gifted to Manmohan Singh proved to be a disaster for the party. Negative campaigning backfired BJP badly in the elections. They talked more about terrorism, failures of UPA government; black money in Swiss banks, Bofforse scam and Ram Temple instead of any development plans in the future. But nothing worked for them and party seemed to be confused on its agenda. Electorate also could not understand that what BJP would do for them after coming to power.

Youth factor of Rahul Gandhi worked for Congress in this lection. Rahul Gandhi’s canvassing in slums, villages and in tribal areas brought fruits for the grand old party. His canvassing and ability to mix up with the youths in the universities campuses and in his rallies worked well. Uttar Pradesh, which has given six prime ministers to the country, is known for caste based politics. But voters voted for congress and it shattered Mayawati’s dream to become the prime minister of the country. Dalits, who constituted approx 23% of the state population, get attracted in large numbers to the Congress. It seems that they have also fed up by seeing Mayawati’s statue and memorials on almost every cross-road and park.

Mayawati was expecting a big swell in her seat share in the state but congress maimed her party by attracting Muslims and Dalits to its court. Not going with Samajwadi party in the election helped Congress to increase its seat share from 9 in 2004 to 21 seats in 2009. Samajwadi party (SP), Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) repented for not going with Congress in the last general elections. Congress wave across the nation crushed the ambitions of many parties.

It was the wrong notion among the political intellects that Narendra Modi can swing votes any where in the country with his unbeatable vibrant Gujarat dream for every state. Actually, Narendra Modi’s charisma did not work in any pocket of the country. In Bihar, where he did not campaign because JD (U) did not want to annoy its Muslim voters, BJP and JD (U) performed well by winning 32 seats in comparison to 11 seats in 2004 elections. Modi proved to be ineffective in cowbelt also. Varun Gandhi, a new Hindutava face of the right wing party did not do any benefit to the saffron party, not even in Uttar Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh was also hopeless for the BJP and party’s number dwindled from 25 seats in 2004 to 16 seats in 2009. They did not get the expected gain in Karnataka and Gujarat and gained marginally by one seat and touched the tally of 19 seats and 16 seats respectively. BJP got worst news from Rajasthan and came down to 4 seats from its 21 seats’ tally in 2004. Congress swept Uttarakhand by winning all the five states, where BJP is ruling in the state.

Congress and UPA have significantly improved their performance in many states. Congress have challenged the regional parties like Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Telgu Desham Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Left parties in their strongholds. Congress with its allies has done a good job in West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Punjab, J&K and Maharashtra. Kerala and West Bengal results have threatened the red brigade. Trinmool congress (TC) won 19 seats in west Bengal. Congress restrained Left parties to a low score of 4 seats in Kerala.

Left parties and BJP conceded its victory and stated that they failed to convey their message to the electorates effectively. This election has brought many changes for many parties. LK Advani has been rejected as the prime minister of the country. BJP has to think about the acceptable candidate for the higher post in the party. Since, Advani is not in the mood to lead the party anymore. It is the right time for senior BJP leaders to replace him and choose someone else as the opposition leader of the party in the lower house. Left should also think about their stand on economical and development issues, which cause their defeat in their strongholds.

The election has also given a message to the next government that the people of India have shown their faith in stability by not giving fractured mandate. But, It is still uncertain that did they vote for the dynasty or for development? 


|
1

Train to Delhi

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 19:03:00 in , ,


By Abhishek Pandey

Train to Delhi has started its journey and May 16 would reveal who would reach the parliament through which route. Uttar Pradesh has been always a major junction for all the trains which have reached Delhi. This trend is going to sever this time as there are more than four parties are sharing the big chunk of seats of UP in this general elections. And all of them are having different leanings. Elections for the world’s largest democracy have started and results would be out on May 16. Each and every big party is trying to get the maximum fuel to their engine to reach Delhi.  

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has started a pan India train journey through a special election express train to cover general elections. More than 50 reporters are filing the stories in 12 languages to BBC news service. So it’s a good start to cover a train journey through train. Train journey in India and India political ride are like roller coaster ride for the common people. This time, Train to Delhi would go through potholed tracks or reach their smoothly, no one knows. Because, there is not one but several deciding factors in the form of regional players have emerged. Whatever, government is likely to be a coalition government. And, it is quite difficult to handle for the driver and to appease all the travelers. 

Colotics (Coalition-politics) is really not cup of tea of even experts, this time. Many allies are breaking their bonds with their traditional alliance. Left has clearly stated that they will support the non-BJP and non-Congress government. Third front led by Left parties is also flexing its muscles and expecting that it would be able to woo other parties to their bandwagon. Lalu-Paswan-Mulayam has made another front within the UPA. BJD has broken 11 years long relations with the BJP led NDA.

Colotics is awfully fiddly this time. In recent times, power-shift to regional players has made the situation difficult. No one can take lamb and lion in the same coach of the same train. Bihar coach is a typical example of this trend. Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad can not board on the same coach. In UP, Mulayam and Mayawati can not get on the same train. In Tamilnadu, Jayalalita and Karunanidhi can not come together. Mamta Banerjee’s Trinmool Congress and CPI (M) are allergic to each other in West Bengal.

There are many parties which can not go with NDA o UPA because of the fear of losing vote bank. Samajwadi Party (SP) can not go with NDA and Akalis can not go with congress led UPA for the same reason of losing their traditional vote bank of a particular community. The trend is also true in the case of personal hostility with the individuals. UP chief minister Mayawati, who came to power by raising the issues of Dalits, marginalized sections and criminalization of politics, have given the tickets to crorepatis, turncoats and criminals. 

One of them Arun Kumar Shukla alias Anna Shukla, BSP candidate from Unnao, is the main accused of attack on her in state guest house in Lucknow in June 1995. The list does not stop here. It includes Mukhtar Ansari, Dhananjay Singh, DP Yadav, Kadir Rana, Rakesh Pandey, and Rizwan Zahir. All of them have serious criminal cases against them. Dhananjay Singh is allegedly behind the murder of Indian Justice Party Dalit candidate Bahadur Lal Sonekar, who was found hanging from a tree. She is not the only victim of this ill trend. All the parties have set the influential candidates to win the maximum number of seats and have say in post poll scenario.

NDA and UPA both alliances have declared their prime ministerial candidates but both are not sure of post-poll picture. It is possible that big parties may have to compromise with their ideological stance to form a government. The scenario would change its face when results are out. Political tantrums of the parties have started. Mulayam Singh is saying that he would support the government which would dismiss Mayawati’s government. Mamta Banerjee has said in the response of Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Left Support that she would not join hands with Congress if they welcome Left Parties in the UPA. The hunt for the allies is on for the NDA and UPA. Both the alliances are remaining their doors open for the allies. Everything seems uncertain. 

All the parties and big fish are waiting for the May 16. It is also sure after the alliance is decided to rule the country the war would start for choosing the right candidate for the driver of the train (Prime Minister). The power sharing would be decided on the basis of the seats won by the parties with in the coalition though both the major alliance NDA and UPA have declared their prime ministerial candidate.

At the time when all our neighbours including Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are facing menace of braking down, India needs a stable and decisive government. We must hope that train to Delhi would reach on time and there would be no separate compartments for the different class of people. All of us expect that Indians would enjoy the bump less journey for five years without halting on unknown junction. 



|
1

A struggle for justice by wrong means

Posted by Abhishek Pandey on 16:36:00 in , ,
By Abhishek Pandey

Villupillai Prabhakaran started the violent movement against Sri Lankan government for demanding equal rights for the Tamilians in 1972 by founding LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). He would have not thought that his efforts would not bring any fruit for Tamilians. As we all know, LTTE is on the verge of dying. V. Prabhakaran, the chief of LTTE is trying to escape from the No Fire Zone (NFZ). A 30 year old war seems to be ending in Sri Lanka with the death of LTTE militants and thousands of civilians. If sources are to be believed then 300,000 Tamils are sandwiched between the LTTE and Sri Lankan Armed forces.

The matter of concern is that civilians are on the chopping bloc in the war between government and LTTE. Many innocent civilians are forced to live in the camps and many are starving and genocide is waiting to take place. Why, we Indians should care about it. Indian should care about them as it is happening in our neighbor country. Indians should care because it is inhuman atrocities. Sri Lankan Government is not in the mood to step back and also mocked on the call of LTTE’s demand of cease fire. It is expected that with in few days, the war against LTTE would be over.

According to the filtered news coming from Sri Lanka, the political headquarter of LTTE, Kilionchchi, is not in control of the organisation. And the organization has been limited to 8 square kilometer area or less. Anytime, the chief of LTTE can be arrested or killed. Indian supports the cause of LTTE but not the method. Even, the Priyanka Gandhi, daughter of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed in suicide bomb attack orchestrated by LTTE, understands the problems of Tamils in Sri Lanka but she is against any type of killings.

The issues of Tamilians have been politicized in Tamilnadu to earn votes in the elections. Tamil Politicians love LTTE’s cause but not its methodology. But they have done nothing to negotiate with the LTTE or Sri Lankan government to solve the issue. As one saying in Hindi goes, ‘Saanp bhi mar jaye aur Lathi bhi na tute’ (Get the advantage without paying anything). It is true in the case of Tamil politicians. In this election also, Jayalaita, Muthuvel Karunanidhi and Vaiko have extended their support for the Tamil Cause through lip service and demanded for a ceasefire to save innocent Tamil Civilians in Sri Lanka from the army attacks.

A Website supporting Tamil cause, Tamil Guardian writes, it is often forgotten that the demand for an independent Tamil Eelam emerged and was democratically endorsed by the Tamils several years before the LTTE's first major attack. After the independence from the British Rule in Feb 4 1948, Sri Lanka - then known as Ceylon - had majority of Sinhala speaking people with more than 70% of population. But during the British rule Tamils, which constituted about 15% of the population were on most of the civil posts because of their command over English. After the independence Tamil speaking populace were deprived of their basic rights in the island. ‘Sinhala only’ act also caused a stir in the nation for implementing Singhalese as national and official language of the country. Many Tamil officials in the administration had to resign because of their unawareness to the Singhalese language. Tamilians can not forget the Galoya riots of 1956 when several Tamilians were killed by the Sinhala hoodlums.

According to an article ‘A struggle for Justice’ published by a LTTE publication in 1997, in the early sixties, many Tamilians adopted Gandhi’s Ahimsa formula to raise their voice against the state. The Sinhala Government crushed the non-violent peaceful campaigns of the Tamils by using military power. Article further explains that the event that broke the limits of the state oppression against the Tamils was the new Republican constitution of 1972 which was a deliberate attempt to legalize and institutionalize Sinhala chauvinism at the cost of alienating the minorities from the politics. And, this was the time when the political struggle of Tamilians took a u-turn and started violent movement under the umbrella of militant organisation named LTTE.

As the supporters of the Tamil cause say that the birth of the LTTE is the result of injustice with the minority Tamilians in the region. As the saying goes, One man’s terrorists is another man’s freedom fighter’ may be justified in this case also. Sri Lankan government and Indian government have banned LTTE for its terrorist activities.

Whatever, the way LTTE choose to bring peace for the Tamilians who are living in north-eastern provinces of the island has been proved a catastrophe for the common people. Thousands of them, including women and children, have been killed in the ending combat. Will this war would end with the arrest of Prabhakaran or demise of the LTTE. It is doubtable because any community or group can not be suppressed for long. Sri Lankan government must take this in consideration and should give the minority population a platform to raise their voice in the democracy. It is up to government that they don’t leave any stone unturned to give birth to any other Prabhakaran. Justice should be done to the Tamilians.

The death of LTTE is not the solution to bring peace among the Singhalese and Tamilians. It would erect a wall of hatred and divide the two groups unless justice is done to the both parties. Killing of the people can not be justified whether it is done by the Sri Lankan Army men or by the LTTE. The struggler for justice started by LTTE and then retaliated by Sri Lankan government has not done justice to common people and humanity. Justice must be done but with non-violent and democratic means. The end of the LTTE is not the end of the war in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan government must give fundamental rights to all the citizens of the country. If it is done then there would be no Prabhakaran in the coming future because the militants would not be supported by the common people by invoking ethnic sentiments. This is the right time to welcome the Tamilians in the Sri Lanka to the mainstream. This move would bring long-awaited peace in the region. Not only Indian government but also International community should interfere to stop the killings of innocent people.

|

    • Popular
    • Categories
    • Archives