Round The States
New
Delhi, 26 December 2015
Ayodhya’s
Ram Temple
UP, POLITICAL
PARTIES ON ALERT
By Insaf
The Ram temple at Ayodhya, in Uttar
Pradesh is back in the spotlight. Stone-laden trucks from Rajasthan and Gujarat
at the VHP workshop, Mandir Nirman Karyashala, in the holy city and sculptors
getting down to give shape to the controversial Mandir early this week, has put
the State government and political parties on the alert. Training their guns at
the BJP and RSS, the Congress, JD(U), BSP among others accused it of attempting
to “communally polarise” the State as part of its strategy for 2017 Assembly
elections. Worse, recent statements from VHP and RSS leaders suggesting that
the Modi Government had signalled the building of the temple now, made them
promptly dismiss the Government’s assurance in the Rajya Sabha that it would
abide by the Court decision and that the stone-carving for the temple construction
has been going on since 1990. However, the ruling Samajwadi Party cannot afford
to take chances and thus has ensured that the Faizabad administration step up security
and top officials monitor the situation 24x7. While the State polls are far
away, will the renewed attention on the Ram
Temple help the BJP in the ensuing
elections particularly in Assam
and West Bengal, is a question. The coming
months will also throw up the bigger question whether apprehensions are
misplaced?
* * * *
Nail
Biting Delhi-Centre Match
Delhi’s big battle with the
Centre is akin to a nail-biting match. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s charges
of corruption against Finance Minister Jaitley have got the latter to file a civil
defamation suit for false statements with damages of Rs 10 crores. Undeterred,
Kejriwal and team have set up a one-member commission of inquiry under former Solicitor
General Gopal Subramanium to probe alleged irregularities in the DDCA. While
all eyes will be on the Commission and the court case, Kejriwal has reason to
cheer. Bihar’s BJP MP Kirti Azad has joined
the big fight and has targeted Jaitley by asking for a probe into alleged
corruption. Expectedly, he has been suspended from the party. But the former
cricketer is unwilling to play ball. “Watch the fun, wait and see what happens
from now on,” says he. At the same time, former Indian Hockey Federation
President KPS Gill has stepped in. He has asked Kejriwal to probe Jaitely’s
role in the national hockey body, wherein he got ‘his daughter as the counsel
for Hockey India’.
Will there be more googlies chucked at the Centre?
* * * *
Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh Upset?
BJP-ruled States of Rajasthan and
Chhattisgarh are left frowning. New
Delhi has sent back their pending anti-conversion
Bills for further clarification, notwithstanding that the Centre has given
signals for an anti-conversion law. The Rajasthan Bill, which seeks five-year
jail term and fine of Rs 50,000 to anyone abetting religious conversion, was
passed by the Assembly in 2008. Likewise, the Dharma Swatantraya Sanshodhan
Vidheyak, 2006, was introduced by Raman Singh’s government in Chhattisgarh and
passed. It sought that if any person wants to return to his ancestor’s religion
shall not be construed as ‘conversion’ and that anyone who wants to convert
will have to inform the DM, who shall be the final authority. Two Governors
denied it clearance and the third Shekhar Dutt sent it to the Centre in 2013. Apparently,
the two States would now need to address the concerns expressed by Ministries
of Culture, Tribal Affairs, Minority Affairs and Women & Child Development.
Till then they can take solace in the fact that at least the Bills haven’t been
rejected!
* * * *
Telangana
Controversial Yagna
Religious rituals rather than
administrative action sadly seem to be Telangana government’s mantra. ‘Ayutha Chandi Maha Yagnam’ is being held
at Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao village farmhouse in Medak district aimed
to appease the gods as 231 mandals, (55% of the State) are facing drought-like
situation due to scanty rainfall and farmers committing suicide. Other than a huge
ornamental tent erected, where 1100 priests chant ‘mantras’ 10,000 times,
security personnel have been deployed, choppers and chartered planes hired to
ferry VIPs, etc, which an angry Opposition alleges would cost the State
exchequer Rs 15 crore. KCR denies. It’s a ‘strictly personal affair’, being
done for Telangana’s benefit and is funded (Rs 5-6 crore) by him and family,
party leaders and well-wishers. Interestingly, KCR had organised a similar
ritual, though on a low key in May 2011, to pray for early formation of
Telangana. Will the Gods oblige KCR this time again and save the State’s
farmers?
* * * *
Women
Toilets In Maharashtra
Women in Maharashtra
have reason to cheer. Giving a lesson or two to the State and corporations on
their paramount duties, the Mumbai High Court directed that safe and decent
toilets be provided for women at all convenient places. Hearing a PIL on
Wednesday last, it stated: “Women have the right to safe and clean toilets
which in a way impacts their right to live with human dignity.” And directed
the municipal corporations across the State to “formulate a comprehensive
scheme for construction/management of toilets/urinals/ restrooms/privies for
women walking on the streets”. The toilets should be made available 24x7 or at
least from morning to night and that the scheme may provide for payment of
charges for their use. Additionally, the court directed that a committee headed
by a civic chief be set up to identify suitable locations for toilets within four
weeks. Will corporations oblige and ensure that the State is able to make a
grand announcement on ‘Women’s Day’ this March 8?
* * * *
Bengal, Kerala
VIP Culture
What does Kerala and West Bengal have in common? This past week both suffered
from the VIP cultural syndrome. In Kolkata, an ambulance carrying a heart
victim was held up by the cops waiting for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s
convoy on an expressway. While it was a question of life and death for the
patient’s family, for Banerjee it was whether to take the highway or fly in a
copter! She eventually chose the latter but only after much heartburn and
anxiety for the family. It was only after repeated pleas, that the policemen
allowed the ambulance to pass but after critical 20 minutes. Likewise, in Kochi, Governor P Sathasivam sought to assert his VIP
status and wanted to board a flight to Delhi,
when the aircraft had already started pushing back. Fortunately, the pilot
refused as the flight was already delayed. A peeved Governor was left behind
much to the chagrin of the passengers. It is reported that the Governor wants
the Air India to apologise. Should it? The two incidents hitting the headlines
would have the citizens seething with anger. When will enough be enough for our
VIPs? ---INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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