Round The States

New Delhi, 18 September 2014

Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai

GUJARAT & LADAKH POLES APART

By Insaf 

Ahmedabad and Ladakh are sadly going in different directions or rather not speaking the same language. While there was much bonhomie in Gujarat’s city, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing host to Chinese President Xi Jinging, the eastern heights of the latter are facing continuous incursions from the people’s Liberation Army. While the two leaders were busy strolling down Sabarmati riverfront and signing MOUs, the Indian Army was on its feet in a face-off with the PLA. First, the Chinese troops were prevented from building a road right up to Chepzi on the LAC there, and then they were spotted at Chumar and now at Demchok. Worse, the flag meeting between both the Armies have not reached any ‘concrete breakthrough”. Wouldn’t this blur the bonhomie reflected by both the leaders? Surely, it is not enough for Modi so say that he has expressed concern over what has happened on the borders and that we need to solve the issue—early demarcation of the LAC. Prsident Xi has stated that china is determined to settle row. However, there is also a question mark whether the Indian side has spelt out its discomfort over the Chinese views on Arunachal Pradesh. Investment is at one place alright, but the nation’s security is above all. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have cautioned Modi against the border incursions and are sceptical over the strengthening of ties. Is it truly Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai for now?

*                                               *                                               *                                               *

Intolerant MP?

Madhya Pradesh is showing worrisome signs of intolerance. On the one hand, Ujjain University V-C’s office is vandalised over an appeal by him to assist students from Kashmir, and on the other a few BJP MLAs are seeking restrictions on non-Hindus from participating at Garba venues. On Tuesday last, Ujjain University teachers and staff called for a strike in protest against a group of VHP and Bajrang Dal activists ransacking the V-Cs office. The hooligans were demanding he take back his appeal to landlords to show leniency towards Kashmiri students in the backdrop of the calamity in J&K. They were retaliating against stone-pelting of Army personnel in the Valley during rescue operations. Already two BJP MLAs in Bhopal have urged the administration to ask organisers at Garba venues to mark Navratri festivity to insist on identity cards, allow non-Hindu males only if they give an affidavit they have faith in Hinduism or else must be accompanied by their mother, sister or wife! Isn’t it stretching the now infamous ‘love jihad’clamour too far? Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will do well to make a note, of he already hasn’t.

*                                               *                                               *                                               *

Maharashtra Seat Squabble

All eyes are on the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra. The results of the recent byelections, in which the BJP lost seats it held in UP, Rajasthan and Gujarat, have given the Shiv Sena a handle to talk tough. Will the two partners find an amicable seat-sharing formula for the 288-member Assembly polls or part ways as being threatened is a question during the rounds? While the latter seems unlikely given that the two have been together since the past quarter century and did well in the recent General elections winning 42 of the 48 seats, there can be many a slip between the cup and the lip. While the BJP camp wants a bigger share of the pie than last time on the newfound confidence that Modi charisma would do wonders (despite bypoll results), the Shiv Sena has tersely asked it to ‘stop flying high and come back to earth’.  It is willing to part with 120 seats for the BJP (asking for 135) and is willing to contest in 150 (instead of 169 in 2009), with the rest of the seats going to smaller partners. With nominations closing just on September 27 and elections slated for October 15, the two don’t have much time in hand. Bitter squabbling could prove costly.

*                                               *                                               *                                               *

TN No To Hindi

Tamil Nadu continues to say a big no to Hindi. It’s unacceptable and illegal, is how Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa officially reacted to the Centre’s directive to universities to introduce Hindi, along with English, as a main language at the graduate level. The Home Ministry’s official language department had asked varsities across the country to inform the UGC about the action taken viz making Hindi the main language at the graduate level. Tamil and other languages would remain the main languages, followed by English and subjects concerned in the State’s universities, and the Centre cannot impose Hindi on non-Hindi States, reiterated a firm AIADMK supremo. She also quoted the Official Languages Act, 1963 and Rules, 1976 wherein English shall be used for the purposes of communication in States, which have not adopted Hindi as its official language. Will there be a pow-vow or will the UGC accept the argument, is worth a watch.

*                                               *                                               *                                               *

Relief Work In J&K

Calamity-stricken Jammu and Kashmir should not feel alienated any more. Both New Delhi and the Army have proved the adage, a friend in need is a friend indeed, —right. With the State government and political parties invisible and incapable of meeting the challenge of the flood fury, the people of J&K found help from quarters which they have been lambasting for decades. In fact, the real test now lies ahead how to pick up the threads and bring life back to normalcy in devastated Kashmir. With three cheers going the Army’s way, Chief Minister would need to think twice before raking up the revocation of AFSPA again in the State. And of course the separatists stand clearly exposed. It’s now time for relief and rehabilitation. Other than the PM’s relief fund, the Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla has set the ball rolling and pledged Rs 120 crores to reach out and help through its various schemes. This apart, CPM MPs have decided to donate Rs 50 lakhs each from their MPLADS fund for relief measures. This is just the beginning and it will be an uphill task. Till then all energies should be to ensure that the paradise on  earth is restored to its glory.

*                                               *                                               *                                               *

NSCN(I) Illegal Taxation

There’s some good news for transporters in the North-East. After dithering for nearly a year, the Nagaland government has finally got its act together. It has unearthed a network controlled by the NSCN(I) which was taxing commercial and transport vehicles illegally and involved some 17-odd transport and goods companies. The action by the police follows directions of the newly-constituted high-powered committee to investigate illegal taxation in the State, after complaints poured in by NGOs and tribal bodies. Apparently, the racket which runs into crores of rupees was carried out on the Guwahati-Imphal route through Nagaland on the instructions of the NSCN(I). Trucks and other commercial vehicles were being ‘taxed’ with fake challans. While a number of persons have been arrested, the police have shut down offices of some companies indulging in the illegal activity. More should follow. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)