Open Forum

New Delhi,  l May,  2024

Intentional Distortions

CONFUSING VOTER FOR POWER

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

Distortion of facts, ‘hate speech’ and even misinterpretation of court judgments,appear to be near normal this general election. It should be a cause concern for the electorate, but unfortunately masses do get swayed with the rhetoric and the hysteria created around, given sheer ignorance and low level of education. Allowing political parties and their star campaigners to play merry havoc with sentiments, particularly veering around religion. 

Prime Minister Modi’s speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara is one such glaring case, among others,which has been written a lot about. Modi, as per fact checking, distorted former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speech in 2009, wherein he has stated that the marginalised had priority in any scheme of redistribution of wealth. However, Modi thought it prudent to give this a religious turn by saying that if the Congress is elected to power, it would do what Singh wanted i.e. give away the wealth of the nation to ‘infiltrators’ and ‘those who have more children meaning Muslims along with the mangalsutras of women. 

The Congress, Left parties and civil society groups complained to the Election Commission of India against Modi's divisive remarks, stating it was a clear violation of the model code of conduct. The complaint observed: “Shri Modi distorted the statement and peddled a lie with a clear objective of creating fear among the Hindus that the opposition Congress Party would give the wealth of the country to Muslims”. Note, Article 39(b) of the Constitution provides that the State should direct its policy towards securing “that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed to subserve the common good”. 

Recall that Vinoba Bhave started the bhoodan movement to urge big landowners to give a part of their landholdings to poor farmers. The sharing of one’s resources with the poorer sections of the community is something that needs to be inculcated amongst the rich and become part of our national policy.  

On its part, the BJP also issued complaints to the Election Commission against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP said that in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Rahul alleged that the prime minister was attacking “our language, history, and tradition” and brining about a north-south divide. It also accused Kharge of violating the model code by claiming that he was not invited to the Ram temple consecration ceremony due to discrimination against SCs and STs.  

Lately, another controversy has erupted regarding inheritance tax. A few countries have this tax and the most important country in this category is the US. Sam Pitroda, chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, said in a recent interview that the inheritance tax in America was “interesting law” and could be an issue that people could debate and discuss. He clearly pointed out the redistribution of wealth entails new policies and programmes that are in the interest of the common people and not in the interest of the super-rich only. Pitroda’s comments gave additional ammunition to Prime Minister Modi, who appears to have relegated ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign to the back seat after the first round of voting and instead playing the Hindu-Muslim polarisation card. 

Modi grabbed the opportunity to accuse the Congress of planning to impose an inheritance tax, raising the slogan “Congress ki loot, zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ki baad bhi”.  This is misleading and moving away from the real issue and a subtle attempt to protect interests of the rich. He said that the late Rajiv Gandhi had abolished the inheritance tax to “save his property” but, in reality, the abolition was effective for deaths after March 16, 1985 – over four months after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, making Rajiv ineligible for its benefits. 

Experts believe that the redistribution of private assets have the potential to solve the problem of widening inequality accompanied by unemployment, poverty and hopelessness that induced 170,000 suicides in India in 2022, 27 percent more than in 2018. At no point in our known history has the proportion of the population experiencing absolute deprivation been as low as it is today. One may mention here that economic growth without grass-root development has no meaning. The point is to broaden the participative base of economic activity as a portion of growth would accrue to those creating it. But the political leadership is not focussing on restoring citizens with rights and dignity and providing adequate and quality education, healthcare and infrastructure, physical as well as financial. 

The other development pertains to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been trying frantically to distort a High Court order and questioning the integrity of judges in scrapping over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching posts. Not just her, but TMC leaders have been quoted saying the judges were working on the advice of the BJP.The court stated: “all appointments granted in the selection processes involved being violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India are declared null and void and cancelled . . . SSC, State and Board have perseveringly non-cooperated so that even the possibility of trying to separate the grain from the chaff could be rendered nugatory.”. 

The order referred to the scam of being one of unprecedented dimension, which obviously cannot be doubted and, as such, the court scrapped the whole panel of 2016. Banerjee stated that the judgment was passed into a “mandir, masjid or gurdwara” but in “BJP’s bicharalaya (court)”. While telling the common people that she wanted to give jobs to the deserving, criticism of the judiciary and insinuation of judges is, no doubt, jarring. Even TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said, “a section of Calcutta HC is in a nexus with the BJP”. A case has been filed against the chief minister. 

Politics has undoubtedly reached a new low with leaders intentionally distorting facts to gain political mileage. Sadly, they do not feel the need to get down to basic issues which matter to the common man. Principles and ideologies are being sacrificed at the altar of politics and leaders’wealth is surging ahead. Such mischief has unfortunately been continuing and civil society is not strong enough to thwart such intent. Both at the Central and state levels, the spirit of dissent has been broken by authoritarian tendencies. This has been clearly highlighted by Western media, which is increasingly doubting India as a true democracy. 

Free and fair elections are bedrock of democracy. The electorate must be able to make a well-informed decision and be given the confidence that his vote will help bring a government which cares for its well-being. And it is the Election Commission which too must play its role and be above board. Distortion of facts and confusing the voter defeats the entire exercise, and it must actively step in and call out the guilty leaders, whichever party it may be. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Political Diary

New Delhi, 30 April 2024

Slander Is Now Virtue

MORE VULGAR THE BETTER!

By Poonam I Kaushish 

In this theekha-masaledar Lok Sabha electioneering season our netagan are reveling in neech under-the-belt vitriolic language, putrid entertainment swaying to the heady tinkle of money, cheap thrills and seetees, whereby the lines between a political opponent and sworn enemy have got blurred. In the hope this will bring them political tripti! 

Nothing epitomizes this better than the brazen slanderous ongoing campaigning which has trashed basic courtesies and decencies, ended camaraderie, bonhomie and respect among healthy rivals. Underscoring, slander, sensation, smear, sully and smirch are the new political dialogues and flavour of the time. With the devil taking the hindmost!

Everyone and everything has become game: From desh bhakts to desh drohis. For the Congress, confused about its support base, devoid of a vote plank and desperate about stopping BJP from returning to power, it has fallen back to its tried and tested formula --- abuse and blatant casteism. For the Saffron Sangh it is a do-or-die battle for its ‘Gujju’ poster boy Prime Minister Modi to ensure he continues his 10-years rule.

All hell broke loose when Congress filed a complaint with Election Commission requesting action against Modi for misguiding people by stating “We planning to redistribute wealth and women’s mangalsutra to infiltrators read Muslims and calling our manifesto ‘Muslim League imprint.’ This is neither written in the Constitution nor mentioned in our manifesto anywhere.” 

It accused its rival of distorting a leader’s remark on inheritance tax, with Modi trashing it as Opposition Party's mantra to “loot” people “zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi.” Adding, “Modi talks so much. He says he has a 56-inch chest. What will we do with a 56-inch chest? Tell us what you did for stomach? What are you giving us for meals? Today, price rise is an issue worrying poor people.”

The BJP countered by accusing Congress “shehzada” Rahul Gandhi of persistently perpetuating a division between North and South India based on language and region, along-with planning religion-based reservation to appease Muslims for vote bank politics. Karnataka Congress Government has given part of OBC reservation to Muslims, it thundered.

It took potshots at Rahul saying he is “Moorkhon aur jhooton ka Sardar” who calls himself an “accidental Hindu”….. He does not have proper knowledge of India's history and geography. Alongside falsely asserting increase in poverty in the nation and called on EC to take action against him. Rahul shot back “PM matlab Panauti Modi aur jebkatra.”

TMC’s Mamta calls Modi, “paapi” while NCP’s Sharad Pawar named him “shameless,” Shiv Sena- Uddhav Thackeray said a vote for Modi was a “vote for destruction”, BSP dubbed BJP-led NDA “terrorist Government.” While a CPM leader said, “Was Rahul born into Nehru-Gandhi family? I have doubts … his DNA should be examined.” AIMM Owaisi took the cake, “Koi maee ka lal pedha nahi hua jo mujhe rok sake…Modi RSS ka peelu hai…. ishara kar diya toh dorana padhega.”

Obviously, the blame lies squarely with Parties whereby the EC’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has become the most potent missile in the arsenal of political rivals and jaani dushmans. With none caring a damn for its seven Dos and Don’ts about general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booth observers and Party in power.

Quick to complain, all shy from demanding the same discipline for crude and repulsive swipes at rivals. Every Party has raised allegations of causing hatred and division based on religion, caste, community or language. A helpless EC only expresses its “displeasure”, invoking Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act and holds Party Presidents responsible, as a first step to reign in star campaigners.

“Parties will have to take primary responsibility for conduct of their candidates, star campaigners in particular. Campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more serious consequences,” said EC. Barring a warning or ban on electioneering for two-three days, the EC’s action against hate speeches totals a mere rap on the knuckles.

Big deal! Aren’t we accustomed to gutter-sniping and vitriolic tu-tu-mein-mein between political opponents and Parties? Isn’t it part and parcel of political discourse? Of dirty linen being increasingly washed in public serenaded by frenzied audiences more vulgar the better, dil maange more!

After all, how would their art of double-speak succeed if preachers of morality were to start practicing it? Polls mean scoring brownie points against rivals, forget EC reading the riot act under MCC. Ends matter not the means.

Will this mud-raking stop? No. All are tarred by the same brush: Congress, BJP or X,Y,Z Party. Alas, none wants to address critical questions: Why are politicians’ discourses becoming more and more venomous and noxious? Can such language and conduct be condoned? In Delhi the BJP stands accused of calling AAP’s Kejriwal “a dog” and its woman candidate “a prostitute” alongside casteist slurs.

Frankly, I am neither surprised as our netagan are only showing their girgit true colours throwing all public decency and decorum to winds! Gone are the days when jibes and trolls were funny, sarcastic and netas took them in their strides.

Accentuating bankruptcy that is manifest in our system wherein leaders have perfected the art of cultivating low morality and high greed made more malignant by our fragmented politics. Resulting in immorality becoming a way of life, what damn difference does one more slanderous attack make?

Sadly, through this diatribe one thing emerges crystal clear: political skullduggery indulged in mirrors the harsh and horrendous reality of our polity. Where there is no dividing line between what is correct and incorrect. A harsh reflection on the depth of political depravation we have come to. A nouvelle vote-catching mantra in the hope that this cesspit sniping would bring them power. Consequently, the idea of democracy has been vitiated.

Alas, it is not this election alone, the story is the same every election wherein EC is grappling with the same questions. And by the time it arrives at an answer, votes have been cast. So what happens to violations of the MCC? Zilch. They die a natural death.

It is simply stupid to lament about falling standards of morality in politics in these bad times. As India votes we must not allow ourselves to be taken for granted any more. We must demand statements which are unwarranted and unhealthy for our democracy not be used along-with insisting electoral reforms be implemented soon to make our democracy truly representative. Stop voting for shameless, self-serving netas who put a premium on immorality.

Clearly, it is time our politicians realize profligacy, immorality cannot be the bedrock of democracy. Our polity needs to tone down divisive and personal attacks, engage each other on issues affecting people and nation, not personalities to put electioneering back on rails of dignified debate adopting zero-tolerance stand on offensive language.

The aim: raise bar on public discourse because if you point one slanderous finger at another, four other slanderous fingers will point back at you! How long will we suffer the stampede for sensation and slur? Can a nation be bare and bereft of all sense of shame and morality? ---- INFA

(Copyright India News & Feature Alliance)

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 29 April 2024

New GovtMust Cut I-T

REBOOT PSUS FOR JOBS

By Shivai Sarkar 

Despite it being too early to discuss the Union budget to be presented in July, it is certain whichever combination comes back to power it would have to majorly review the February interim budget in view of the debates generated during the course of elections. 

The election is veering round more on economic issues than religion or the Ram temple, though in certain regions these remain potent issues and so too the brand Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. A larger section is concerned of the core economy, unemployment, farmers issues, irrationally high prices, medical and health care costs, school and university fees, shooting costs of houses, high toll-jacked inflation and similar other issues. 

Even showcasing of Indian economy as the fifth largest economy is not being accepted as reality by a large section. The farmers and citizens wonder while cars and tractors are allowed to run for 40 years like aircraft across the world, why a pro-people government should in a tearing hurry to send these to junkyards in India, particularly when household debts are skyrocketing. The rural wisdom calls it weird and tries to locate the linkages of government functionaries with the car makers. 

Questions are also raised on the Rs 16.87 lakh crore debt repayment in 2024-25 budget. This effectively cuts the actual budget of Rs 47.65 lakh crore to about Rs 31 lakh crore. Repayment burden in 2025 is slated to be higher. The Opposition sharp angling on core economic issues is being rebutted by ruling combine by charging that if the opposition gets to power it would sell “mangalsutras” and delve into divisive politics. The Election Commission has issued warnings to the ruling party for its wry comments. 

Low voting in 190 constituencies in major states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra raise concern among all parties. The voter is apathetic despite many moves by the Election Commission. Is that a reflection on governance? 

This has not put the issues on the backburner. According to RBI, inflation rise at 5.5 percent a year has shot beyond 55 percent in compounded terms causing huge rise in the prices. Nobody has got such a raise in their salaries, not even government employees. The new government would have to take drastic steps to bring down the prices of edible oil, food grains, vegetables, potato and onion as also school fees and expensive health care, milk and other commodities.People are unwilling to buy the argument that inflation is built into the system. They rather equate it with corporate electoral bond doles to parties. The government accepting the petrol prices are high, cut it by Rs 2 just before the polls. It has no impact on the voters’ psyche. 

The voter is not happy with the so-called demonstrative developments like demolition and construction of large office buildings, rail stations, rampant construction of roads or metro. Constructions devastate the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand and the NorthEast. Kisans who became millionaires overnight with acquisition of their land for roads are not happy for losing their livelihood. And most villagers rue the roads that divide their habitats and relationships for a road they can’t use without paying toll. It is a serious issue because the kisan also pays Rs 30 per litre petrol cess toll introduced with the promise of ending the toll. All these benefit bulk profiteers and least of jobs.

A new government has to initiate drastic changes and reorient policies. A major reason of the joblessness is attributed to ad hoc decisions. Such constructions erode government finance and build little asset. Southeast Asia tried it in late 1990s and got into trouble in 1997. It would be wise on the part of the new government to revive PSUs and ask the private sector to compete with them. It would create jobs, add to national economy and create a fair playground. 

People question rationale of parting a part of Indian Oil to a private giant or giving out ports to private players. At least one such port has become notorious for being smugglers’ den.The universities, IITs and government institutions have been given a mandate to raise tuition fees every year. The private ones hike far more. Schools and universities need financing by the government and education cost must be cut down. Congress promises apprenticeship to every graduate. Looks good but it is not practical. The scheme has failed a number of times. 

India’s overall exports fell by 8.1 per cent and exports to its free trade partners shrank by 18 percent in the first half of 2023. The country’s trade deficit ballooned to $78.2 billion in the last financial year. India’s export values across all commodities declined to $351 billion during April-January from $366 billion a year ago, underlining the impact of global economic slowdown and tightening of interest rates in Western countries. 

These numbers have emerged amid India’s push to sign free trade deals with the UK and the European Union. The International Monetary Fund says that global slowdown is on. Howsoever India projects its march to $5 trillion economy, it is not easy. The West becomes more protectionist and keen on imposing carbon tax. The West needs to protect its own bread. 

Lower productivity can result in reduced job creation within the manufacturing sector, leading to unemployment or underemployment. The International Labour Organisation finds low pay and wages as serious challenges.When productivity declines, the incentives for firms to invest in research and development or adopt new technologies diminish, leading to a slower pace of the manufacturing sector. 

But the challenge of rising household debt and falling savingscould weigh on long-term growth sustainability.The FDI flow is low at $ 17.96 billion. Despite a supposed buzzing market it has not risen much.The new government also has the challenge to cut personal income-tax rates from 39 percent to 22 percent in tune with the corporate tax. High taxations hit the purchasing capacity and concomitant market problems. 

In short, the new government has to stress on issues regarding taxes, education, health, livelihood, low tolls and better deal to farmers. Both manifestos of BJP and Congress speak of too many doles and caste related benefits. If the government can address the basic issues and make it one of the most affordable economies, India’s journey would be smooth.  It is a dream, if comes true it would be the most liveable country.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 27 April 2024                   Banswara ‘Hate Speech’

EC NOTICE TO NADDA, NOT MODI!

By Insaf 

As Rajasthan goes to the polls among 13 States for 89 seats in the second phase of the 2024 battle, Banswara may go down in electoral history. Prime Minister Modi’s campaign speech in the city viewed as ‘malicious’, ‘divisive’, targeting a particular religious community, going  viral on social media, hitting headlines and editorials saying ‘No, Prime Minister’ et al, did get the Election Commission to break its silence, but its action remains hushed. Importantly, while it's for the first time it took cognisance of a complaint against a Prime Minister for violating the MCC, it’s also a first when it changes the rules of the game. It doesn’t issue a notice to Modi but to BJP President Nadda, seeking his response by Monday. The so-called blow is softened as it simultaneously issues a notice to Congress President Kharge on complaint filed by BJP alleging violation by him and Rahul Gandhi, for ‘creating linguistic and cultural divide.’ While it justifies its directives saying the party Presidents must bring to the notice of all his party star campaigners to set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of MCC in letter and spirit and that campaign speeches made by those holding high positions have more serious consequences, there are few takers. Of course, Congress has given it a thumbs down saying the step is reflective of the ‘inhibition’ and ‘fear’ on Nirvachan Sadan’s part to act against the PM. 

Indeed, the Commission doesn’t name Modi, but its letter to Nadda contains the complaints filed by Congress, Left parties and civil society groups. So, the public needs to join the dots. What is of concern is a clear shift in EC’s standard response; it used to take up complaints against individuals, even ‘star campaigners’ and leaders. A former Election Commissioner is quoted to have said, the EC’s move is fraught. “If you issue a notice to a party for comments of a leader, how much of a room do you have to act against the leader?” And the next question would be if the party gives an unsatisfactory reply, what action will the Commission take against the party? The Opposition sees the EC’s stand as weak, taken under ‘public pressure’. But EC insists ‘it has taken a view that while individual star campaigners would continue to remain responsible for speeches made by them, the Commission will address party chiefs ‘on a case-to-case basis.’ Will it make BJP’s ‘star campaigner’ responsible, or let the dust settle down in the Banswara case? No need for a guessing game.

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Delhi’s New Victim

Delhi’s ongoing political tussle in an outside Tihar jail has a new victim. Elections to MCD’s posts of mayor and deputy mayor, to be held on Friday stand deferred. Lt Governor V K Saxena in a letter to Chief Secretary a day before said “These are peculiar and unprecedented circumstances where the serving Chief Minister (Arvind Kejriwal) is under judicial custody as an undertrial prisoner involving a corruption case and therefore cannot discharge his constitutionally obligated functions.” The appointment of a ‘presiding officer, he added couldn’t be made in the absence of inputs from CM, who is lodged in Tihar Jail, ‘coupled with the factum that the minister is making wild and baseless allegations…’ Therefore, incumbent Mayor and Dy Mayor will continue to hold their positions till elections can be held in terms of legal provisions. AAP predictably says it’s at ‘BJP’s behest, which doesn’t want a Dalit mayor; the Centre was hatching a conspiracy to halt these polls and oust AAP from MCD.’ In fact, it may be more than meets the eye— a step towards the big question whether a CM can constitutionally continue to run the government from jail!

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Surat Outcry

BJP’s Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal, being declared elected unopposed has raised a hornet’s nest. While the BJP sees it as first victory towards its goal of 400 plus seats, Congress and AAP who have an alliance in Gujarat have termed it as ‘match fixing’ The sequence of events are telling: Congress candidate’s  nomination is declared void as the four proposers names are said to be forged, the party’s ‘substitute’ candidate’s papers are invalidated and four  Independents, three from smaller parties and BSP candidate withdraw their nominations! “Our elections, our democracy, Ambedkar’s Constitution -- all are under a generational threat,” said a livid Congress and complained to EC alleging it was done by exerting “wrong and undue influence”. It demanded the poll process in that seat be restarted. It’s partner, AAP which did not put up a candidate put its demand that EC register a case against Congress candidate: either he be booked on charges of forgery or his proposers be booked for giving false declaration on oath. This would help to get to the bottom of this electoral scam. Sooner the better.   

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WB Gets On Offensive

A belligerent West Bengal government takes pot shots at the judiciary. “Illegal, gross injustice, a ploy by the BJP…”, are words chosen by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her reaction to the Calcutta High Court’s Monday order declaring ‘null and void’ all (25,753) appointments of teachers and non-teaching staff through State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in government-sponsored and aided schools, and directing them to return their salaries with interest as well as asking state School Service Commission to initiate a fresh recruitment process. The division bench, set up on Supreme Court’s instructions, also ordered CBI to further probe the appointment process and submit a report within 3 months. Recall, former state education minister Partha Chatterjee and some functionaries, were arrested by CBI for alleged anomalies in recruitment, wherein over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the test for 24,640 vacant posts. While the petitioners were thrilled, TMC leader Abhishek trashed the order saying “Just as we've heard of match-fixing in cricket, what is happening now is ‘fixing of orders’, a collaboration between a certain section of judiciary and BJP to inflict suffering on people…’ The government has petitioned the top court and even said it will continue to give wages to the staff till its verdict! Guess, TMC believes in the idiom: best defence is a good offense!

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Voting Akin to Attending Wedding!

Turning polling day into something like attending a wedding is Haryana’s way, among others to enthuse voters. The idea is of state CEO whose office shall be sending out an ‘invitation’, designed like a wedding card, to every family urging the voter not to forget to cast his/her vote. The invites, 50-lakh odd, will also have a voter slip and guidelines and booth level officials will receive the voters. Other measures include: posters at schools wherein kids are given a pamphlet to encourage their parents, neighbours to vote and a link on its website for successful kids to later upload selfies with parents; an c-VIGIL mobile app to keep a close watch on MCC violations and voters complaints shall be resolved in 100 minutes; an app ‘Voters-in-Queue’, shall provide information about the queue at polling centres so that they can go to vote as the crowd thins out. Will the concept get 75% voter turnout instead of 70.36% five years ago? Well, the CEO, like the bride’s family, will be waiting anxiously on d-day, May 25 for the baratis! ---INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)