Round The States

New Delhi, 20 November 2014

Hisar Stand-Off

LESSON FOR HARYANA GOVT

By Insaf

The Haryana Government can heave a miffed sigh of relief. Its near two-week stand-off with Baba Rampal in Barwala, Hisar did finally come to an end, with the arrest of the “godman”. But not before five women and a child lost their lives in the ashram and hundreds of his supporters injured in the long-drawn battle between his armed men and the police. Undeniably, all eyes were on the new BJP Government and how it dealt with its first test. One could say it fared poorly. While there is no denying that the State police had to take into account the human shield around the ashram and that lives were not lost in its operation, the fact is the Government came across as helpless, at a complete loss for days together. Its police frustration was evident when it ruthlessly lathicharged media persons covering the siege. While an explanation for the miserable handling of the case could be that the Manohar Lal Khattar government is inexperienced, it can be no defence. Rather, it would do well to learn a lesson—to ensure that self-styled godmen are not allowed to become powers of centre. Not just in Haryana, but at least all its ruled States. The rule of law must prevail and no one should be allowed to take it for a ride.  

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Maharashtra Instability Game

Maharashtra’s BJP new government which is having sleepless nights trying to woo its erstwhile partner, the Shiv Sena, may now be getting nightmares. The NCP leadership is the bigger fear. Its leader Sharad Pawar after promising unconditional support to the minority Government has been giving conflicting statements this week. After asking his party workers at a conclave to start preparing for a snap poll, the next day the Maratha leader stated he was not interested in toppling the government. However, in the same breath he warned if the government goes against the people’s interest then the Party is free to take a decision. Add to this, his daughter and former MP Supriya Sule opinion that the decision ‘to back the BJP was wrong’! While the NCP obviously wants to keep its significance alive in the State, Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis needs to tread carefully. His government can ill-afford to exuberate the big brother arrogance in today’s fluid situation. 

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Gujarat Riots Dead Issue?

Is New Delhi in for good news from Gujarat? The Prime Minister’s Office and BJP headquarters should imagine so. After 12 years, the report of the Nanavati Commission on the 2002 Gujarat riots post Godhra is complete and handed to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. Indeed, so far the comments from Justice (retd) G T Nanavati may come as music to Modi and his team. In his interaction with the media, Nanavati has said that the Gujarat government took all necessary steps to control the riots, the riots were “purely communal,” the State police department was short staffed and ill-equipped, etc. Further, he has justified the two-member Commission’s decision of not summoning Modi for a cross-examination stating there was no credible evidence to support the charges. All this put together, should be a pointer that the curtain has more or less come down on the blame game over Gujarat riots. New Delhi indeed will be more than keen that the report is made public at the earliest.

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N-E Corruption Check

Corruption issue appears to be catching up with the north eastern States in a big way too. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has directed the vigilance and anti-corruption department to lay traps against corrupt public servants for cases of bribery under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Importantly, the department does not need to obtain prior permission from the Government for undertaking preliminary or regular inquiry in such a case. It is only after the inquiry is completed would the director need to obtain prosecution sanction. Likewise, in Mizoram, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawala has made public a list of 25 gazetted officers who are being investigated by the vigilance department for various corruption charges. He gave out the names, designation and charges against PWD engineers and police officers, among others, in the State Assembly in response to a question, surprising many. The two cases are indeed a welcome sign of times changing across the country. 

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UP’s Elusive Ram Temple

The Ram Temple issue in Uttar Pradesh appears to be raising its ugly head if one is to go by reports. Top functionaries of the VHP, RSS and the BJP have lately been seeking a resolution of the matter at every opportunity they get. The refrain being that a grand temple must be constructed ‘at any cost’. However, what has led to eyebrows being raised is that even Governor Ram Naik, who was in Ayodhya recently joined the chorus. He told a gathering that he hoped to sort out the issue by talking to both sides and was confident that PM Modi, who is taking care of all issues, would pay attention to the Ram Janambhoomi issue too. Thus, the issue is not dead, as many, particularly in the SP-led government, would think it to be. Rather, the fact that it is being brought up could be a sign of the BJP being wary about its governance starting to lose its shine already.

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Delhi’s “Honour Killings”

Is Delhi going to be clubbed together with the notorious States of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh over “honour killings”? While it’s an obvious assertive no, the shocking killing of a 21-year-old final year student of Sri Venkateswara College in South Delhi, has raised a serious concern. The young girl was allegedly done to death by her family because she secretly married a boy from another caste and region! The girl was a Yadav from Rajasthan and the boy a Punjabi. The girl’s parents had fixed her marriage with another boy, but she went ahead and got married in a temple. The family persuaded her to come back home saying all was forgiven and they would have a “proper wedding”. Instead they tortured her, strangled her and cremated the body in Alwar. The girl’s parents have been arrested. While the investigations will take their course, the horrific incident has put a scar on cosmopolitan Delhi. It’s not a khap killing in remote India, but in the nation’s capital. Where is it heading? --- INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)