Round The
States
New Delhi, 6 February
2021
Democratic Rights
BESIEGED IN BIHAR, U’KHAND?
By Insaf
Two States have put a
big question mark on the citizens’ democratic rights. In Bihar and Uttarakhand
these appear to have come under severe threat. Police authorities, under these
two governments have issued fresh orders, which should have civil rights
activists up in arms. In JD (U)-BJP ruled Bihar, the police have warned that
persons indulging in criminal activities during law and order incidents,
protest demonstrations, chakka jaam (disruption
of road traffic) and are further named in a chargesheet, would find it
difficult to get “passports, government jobs, financial grants by the State, or
even bank loans.” The warning: people should be ready for grave consequences
once police verification takes place. In BJP’s Uttarakhand, the police has gone
a step further and plans to monitor and take note of comments made by persons even
on social media, which could be labelled “anti-national” or “anti-social” posts
and a record will be maintained. FIRs will be on a rising spree, putting the
citizen’s character certificate in jeopardy. A close watch needs to be kept as
a right to protest is a rule and not an exception in any democratic society.
* * * *
State
Might Vs Farmers
Fighting a State
power is difficult, is the belief. But not among the protesting farmers. Will
they prove it wrong? The ongoing battle between the farmers and powers-that-be
is turning ugly, to say the least. The intense baracading by security forces at
the Ghazipur border shocked 15 MPs from 10 Opposition parties, including SAD, NCP,
DMK, TMC, NC, RSP and IUML. The team was not allowed to reach the border and
was stopped by the police. What made matters worse was what they saw. The fortress-like
concrete barriers, barbed wire fencing and metal spikes on the roads, were
simply revolting. The andaata, they said were being treated as ‘enemies’ and
denied ‘basic rights’, drinking water, toilets, sanitation, electricity and
internet service. A similar situation at Singhu and Tikri borders too. Sharing
their concern, they raised their voice in Parliament’s ongoing Budget session
demanding the government stop making it a ‘prestige issue’ and withdraw the
bills. Be that as it may, the government must see the writing on the wall or
convince the protestors. It must note that the agitation has found new grounds
in Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh with protests spreading to various
districts. The brutal State power is instead stirring the farmers’ resolve
further!
* * * *
Regional
Vs National Parties
The ruling BJP and
allies in Assam have reason to worry and the Congress-led Grand Alliance to
have hope. With an eye on the ensuing Assembly election, two regional
parties spearheading the anti-CAA
protests -- the Assam Jatiya Parishad, led by AASU former leaders and the Raijor
Dal, formed by supporters of activist Akhil Gogoi, in jail for over a year on
sedition charges, decided on Thursday last to contest together. Though they
have made it amply clear they will not join the Grand Alliance, the Congress shouldn’t
be disheartened. Predictably, this tie up is expected to cut into BJP’s vote
and shall benefit the Alliance of the Congress, minority-based AIUDF and the
Left parties. While the AJP-RD claim this election it shall be a two-front
contest—regional parties versus the national, observers feel it will go three
way—the BJP and allies such as AGP and UPPL, the Grand alliance and these
regional parties, which may cut into the AGP vote bank plus get tribal votes
and those from the tea gardens. With AIUDF joining the Alliance this poll, the
anti-BJP should not split. Be that as it may, the big question is whether the
BJP alliance can make a comeback, and show no signs of nervousness.
* * * *
Kerala’s
Poll Churnings
Election fever rises
in God’s own country. Preparations are on a war-footing with churnings across
the political spectrum. One, to dent the Congress vote, the CPM-led government in
Kerala on Wednesday last decided to finally accord OBC reservation to the Nadar
Christian community, as per the State Commission for Backward Classes. The new
benefit won’t affect the benefits already given to Hindu Nadar and
SIUC-Christian Nadar segments in education and jobs, but is hoped to impact the
pro-Congress Thiruvananthapuram district. Two, a constituent of NDA, Bharath
Dharma Jana Sena, suffered a split, with a group of its leaders forming the
Bharathiya Jana Sena, and decided to work with the Congress-led UDF. Plus, it
has accused the BJP of working in cahoots with the ruling LDF government, which
hurt Hindu sentiments by allowing women of menstruating age to enter the
Sabarimala Temple. Three, IUML leader Kunhalikutty resigned from the Lok Sabha
to lead his party’s campaign and join the UDF’s state-wide ‘Aishwarya Yatra.’
It is anybody’s guess how many more calculated moves are in the offing and
whether these will bear fruit as anticipated by the players in the big battle,
beginning April-May.
* * * *
Karnataka’s
Numbers Game
The numbers’ game
plays out in Karnataka again. On Thursday last, Council Chairman K P Shetty submitted
his resignation to Deputy Chairman, following the understanding between BJP and
the JD(S) to install their joint candidate finally. The BJP had moved a no-confidence
motion against the Congress MLC with JD(S) extending support, saying it’s
‘conditional and not on all issues’. The duality in JD(S) stand—on the one hand
it opposes the BJP on the farmers’ issue, but chooses to side with it on this,
does raise questions of proprietary and integrity. No, some would say given
that gaining seat of power, hook or by crook is done thing. A quid pro quo was
agreed, with the deal being that its MLC Basavaraj will be in the Chairman’s
chair after election process. The JD(S) had in return ensured the BJP got its
MLC elected earlier as Deputy Chairman with its support. So what if Shetty was
its candidate for the post in 2018 when the Congress-JD(S) alliance was in
power. With the Congressman out and the numbers game tilted in its favour, the
BJP can ensure getting key bills passed. How long will this alliance last is
anybody’s guess? After all, this southern State is infamous for playing musical
chairs!
* * * *
Memorable
Moments
Catch that
unforgettable moment of your life, is Rajasthan’s bait to all those set to tie
the knot. Jaipur’s historical monuments and museums shall be an ideal backdrop
for those pre and post-wedding shoots, so long as one is willing to pay the
price. The Art, Literature, Culture and Archaeology Department passed orders on
Tuesday last announcing a new policy wherein interested parties can get ‘exclusive’
access to the much in demand pink city’s monuments such as Amber Palace, Albert
Hall, Isarlat, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. This, after officials realised
that though such shoots took place in the normal ticketing system, people prefer
to avoid the crowd. Accordingly, those wanting pre and post wedding shoots will
have to pay Rs 5,000 for every two hours if its during office hours and Rs
15000 if the shoots are before or after. However, the parties will need to
exercise caution for approval: follow all guidelines, ensure no antiques are
damaged and mustn’t engage in acts or shoot such films which “may hurt the
sentiments of the public, be it their religious sentiments.” Does the last
proviso make the grand picture hazy? ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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