Round The States
New Delhi, 17 July
2021
Kanwar
Yatra
WILL SC
TAME YOGI’S UP?
By Insaf
In election mode,
Uttar Pradesh is going all out to reach to its Hindu vote bank. Be it the
Kanwar yatra or the population control policy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appears
to be adamant. The big question is whether he will be defiant of Supreme Court,
which on Friday last, asked his government to reconsider its decision to allow the
yatra amid the pandemic? It’s prima facie view was “that it concerns all of us
and is at the heart of the fundamental right to life. The health of citizens of
India and right to life is paramount, all other sentiments whether being
religious is subservient to this basic fundamental right.” This after, UP had a
day before held it would go ahead with the annual ritual beginning July 25, as
‘it’s a matter of faith and tradition’, its Home department is in touch with
different Kanwar organisations and making all requisite arrangements.Unlike
Yogi, his Uttarakhand counterpart Dhami is going with the adage—a stitch in time saves nine. He
cancelled the yatra saying ‘protection of people's lives comes first for us’. Besides,
an advisory has been issued to people not to arrive at Haridwar and warned
those defying orders shall have their vehicles confiscated and invite legal
action under the DMA. Though it appealed to neighbouring governments such as UP,
Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal, where devotees come from, to stop them, it
shall now keenly watch what big brother does. The SC has given Yogi government time
till Monday to rethink or else it shall pass orders. Importantly, the Centre is
in sync and said given the situation States ‘must not permit’ movement of
Kanwariyas to bring Gangajal from Haridwar to Shiva temples. However, ‘in view
of age-old customs and religious sentiments’, it suggested ‘make it available
through tankers at designated locations.’ Will Yogi pay heed or end up cutting
off nose to spite the face?
* * * * * *
Population Control
Population control
seems to be the buzz word amongst States, but Yogi’s UP takes the lead. Six months before the State goes to the polls,
he unveiled the UP Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021, which
BJP-ruled Assam is similarly echoing. With a population of 220 million, the
largest State aims to reduce its growth rate to 2.1% over next 10 years. The draft
bill invites suggestions till 19 July, but people know Yogi shall get the bill notified as per his thinking. By and large
the motivation and clauses sound reasonable, but the basic provision-- people
having more than two children will be debarred from benefits of
all government-sponsored welfare schemes, cannot contest local polls, shall
be ineligible to apply for government jobs under the State or receiving
any kind of subsidy, cannot get a promotion in a government job,has raised many
an eyebrow. So also the timing of the bill. There is a nagging fear that Yogi,
the new poster boy of Hindutva politics, is seeking to create a Hindu-Muslim
controversy. While there is no denying all communities
are in need of family planning, the challenge shall be for Muslims among whom polygamy
is religiously sanctioned. Clearly, there’s more to the bill than meets the
eye. Will Yogi be stopped in his tracks?
* * * * * *
Blame It On States
Get your act
together, is a firm message to the States from the Centre. Be it shortage of
vaccine or blatant violations of Covid-19 norms, it’s the States to blame as
both Union Home and Health Ministries claim they have done their homework. With
Chief Ministers complaining of shortage of vaccine and media showing maddening
rush at vaccination Centres, new Health Minister Mandaviya in tweets said we
had informed all States mid-June how vaccines would be made available and it
was for them to plan “in a better and effective manner”. Not only are there
unutilised vaccines but the ‘pace is slow.’ His statistics: “On July 1 there
was a cumulative supply at 32.92 crore doses, while on July 14, it was 39.59
crore, which effectively means in 2 weeks 14, 6.67 crore doses were supplied to
States. At daily average of 37.63 lakh vaccinations, this implies over 1 crore
doses remain unutilised with States and private hospitals!” Likewise, North
Block has reminded all Chief Secretaries to ensure strict adherence to
guidelines and relaxation of rules be “carefully calibrated’’, given that Covid
norms being violated in several parts of the country, especially in public
transport and Hill Stations. Make officers concerned personally responsible for
any laxity’ in enforcement of protocol, is its advice.
* * * * * *
Sedition Against
Farmers
Ironic it is! On the
one hand, the Supreme Court questions if the sedition law, “colonial law” is
still need 75 years after independence, on Thursday last and on the other in
pre-dawn raids the Haryana police arrest five among 100-odd protesting farmers
slapped with sedition charges. The action was taken over a protest, which
turned violent,against Haryana Assembly Deputy Speaker in Sirsa district on
July 11. The five were produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.
According to Sirsa SP due procedure has been followed after analysing video
footage of incident – “stones were thrown on our vehicles. Had a stone hit
somebody’s head, he could have died. A policeman was hit with a vehicle.” The
big question is does this amount to seditionSections 124-A? This is non-bailable
provision and makes any speech or expression that “brings or attempts to bring
into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards
the Government established by law in India” a criminal offence punishable with
imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine.Well, the FIR reads: “Harcharan
Singh Panjuana, Parhlad Singh Bharukhera and 90/100 unknown anti-social
elements have revolted against the government by creating obstruction in
government duty, committing murderous attack on public representatives and
damaging government property.” And includes charges under 307 (attempt to
murder) and 120-B (conspiracy). The Samyukta Kisan Morchahas said it shall assist
all farmers in contesting these charges. Perhaps, it would do well to knock on
the doors of the Supreme Court and implead in the case.
* * * * * *
Heady Liquor Policy!
A verdict on Delhi
government’s liquor policy may well turn out heady! Three petitions have been
filed in the Delhi High Court challenging its Excise Policy 2021-22. One, on
grounds it’s been brought into force simply to create ‘a monopoly of big
traders’ and that many small traders would be deprived of their livelihood.
However, the Kejriwal government has debunked these as ‘fanciful’ saying it’s
‘plugging the leaks, minimising corruption, and also giving enough and fair
competition.’ Two, challenging the eligibility for L-1 licences (suppliers) wherein it was said
the condition of ‘minimum 5 years’ experience has been ‘tailor made with
malafide intentions and ulterior motives to give undue benefit to some
entities’. Plus, the court has been petitioned against the rule relating to
grant of ‘licences for home delivery’ of domestic and foreign liquor, arguing
this was in complete disregard to Constitution’s Article 47, which puts a duty
on the State “to improve public health by inter alia reducing consumption of
intoxicating drinks and drugs”. Notices have been issued to the AAP government
and it will be worth a watch how well the argument is pegged! ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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