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Ayodhya’s Ram Temple: UP, POLITICAL PARTIES ON ALERT, By Insaf, 26 Dec, 2015 Print E-mail

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?

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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?

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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!

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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? 

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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?

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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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