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Round The States
New Delhi, 22 July 2023
Manipur Shamed
CENTRE’S APATHY UNACCEPTABLE
By Insaf
‘New India’ must hang its head in shame and not Manipur
alone. The Centre particularly cannot absolve itself of the apathy it has shown
in handling the crisis under its Biren Singh government. Worse, it has taken a
horrific and revolting video of two women from the Kuki-Zomi community being
paraded naked, sexually assaulted by a mob and one of them allegedly gang raped
in Kangpokpi district, for Prime Minister Modi to break his silence--nearly
three months since the N-E State got engulfed in hate violence and ‘ethnic cleansing’.
Addressing media outside Parliament House on its first day of monsoon session, he
said his ‘heart is full of pain and anger’, the ‘incident shameful for any
civilised nation’ and assured ‘no guilty would be spared’. Too little and too
late! For the incident dates back to May 4; a zero FIR was registered on May 18,
but the police got cracking only after the video went viral on social media on
Wednesday last. Over two months no arrests were made! And lo and behold Biren
Singh’s response: the culprits deserve ‘capital punishment’; an FIR is filed
and one person arrested. By late evening it was three more. If this was to
soothe anger or suggest competency, there wouldn’t be many takers. For the pain,
humiliation, anger and fear amongst the minority tribal community must shake the
conscience of every citizen.
Importantly, the video touched a chord even within the
highest court of the land. Taking suo moto notice of it, CJI Chandrachud said “We
are very deeply disturbed by the videos… I think it’s time that the government
really steps in and takes action because this is simply unacceptable.” And viewing the incident as “the grossest of
constitutional and human rights violations”, he warned the government to act
“otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground.” The top court’s
outrage and anguish is appreciated, and so too the Opposition’s demand in both
Houses of Parliament that all business be stalled, the Prime Minister make a
statement on Manipur and a discussion taken place. But an adamant government
insists its willing to discuss only on Monday. What follows is expected: ruckus
and Parliament proceedings stalled. The Centre must consider the option of
doing away with Biren Singh as demanded by the Opposition. In these three
months his leadership has shown a lack of capability of handling the crisis as
it no longer inspires confidence. Replace him or consider President’s rule. New
Delhi needs to act in interest of the people and not politics.
* * * * * *
Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh Riled
Sadly, pointing fingers at others seems to be a trait
the polity cannot disengage with -- even when dealing with Manipur’s tragedy.
While requesting all Chief Ministers to strengthen law and order in their
respective States, especially to protect women, Modi made a reference to
incidents in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Predictably evoking a
terse reaction. Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot tweeted: “Nothing is more
important to us than safety and dignity of women. After the gruesome gang rape
in Jodhpur, the three accused were arrested in just two hours. Whereas BJP took
77 days to nab just one accused in the shameful incident of Manipur. Time to
answer on crime: Congress — two hours, BJP — 77 days.” His counterpart in Chhattisgarh
Baghel told media: “Manipur has been burning for past three months, but Prime
Ministerji didn’t speak about it even once…Hedidn’t speak a word on crimes
occurring on UP courts’ premises and hospitals, nor treatment of tribals in
Madhya Pradesh,” and added Modi hasn’t visited Manipur even once and instead
“he went on foreign visits and campaigned here and Karnataka. He’s comparing
Manipur to a peaceful state. He should stop lying and throwing phrases.” The
anguish for Manipur gets drowned in one-upmanship syndrome!
* * * * * *
NDA Vs INDIA
Delhi meet keeps pace with Bengaluru or should it be
said does one better. Going by sheer numbers, the 38-party led NDA meeting in
the national capital was ahead of the 26-party INDIA meet in the southern
capital of Karnataka, which of course is encouraged by recently booting out the
BJP. However, it’s not simple, but an onerous task ahead. The numbers game for
2024 not only involves mathematics but what the States and regional partners—big
or small have to offer. The Opposition combine’s strength as of now in Lok
Sabha is about 150 seats as against over 330 of NDA, and the big challenge is
whether INDIA will be able to find ways to unite and do away with rivalry in
States such as Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, J&K and Delhi and put-up common
candidates. Likewise, will the NDA, which has reached out for the first time to
its allies since 2019, gain by the small parties it has tied up with, to add
numbers. Of the 37 parties,10 didn’t participate in the last general elections
and of the remaining 23 that contested, only eight managed to win at least a
seat. However, the fact that Modi’s speech sounded an election speech rather
than hearing his partners and that he sought to make amends with regional
allies which had been alienated, reveals the NDA has a contest to worry about.
At same time, INDIA can’t afford to sound too confident as ‘Jeetega Bharat’is
a tall order. The ensuing Assembly elections hopefully should help both
strategize rather than train guns alone.
* * * * * *
Assam Delimitation Drill
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court being petitioned against
Election Commission’s draft proposal for delimitation of Assam’s 126 Assembly and
14 Lok Sabha constituencies, Nirvachan Sadan is determined to carry on. On
Wednesday last, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar the 3-member panel began its 3-day visit
to hold public hearings in Guwahati, after receiving 780 representations to its
draft proposals. The ‘suggestions and objection’ include the exercise be
undertaken by a Delimitation Commission instead; be based on 2011 census after publishing
of final NRC; be deferred till 2026 or be scrapped. In sync with 10 State Opposition
leaders belonging to 9 parties petition on Monday last in SC i.e. the exercise
is ‘arbitrary, opaque apart from being discriminatory to Assam’; that
delimitation for rest of country (including J&K) has been conducted by a
high-powered body headed by a retired SC Judge; the EC quoting Section 8A of
RPA, 1950 as being the authority to conduct the process discriminates against
Assam and 3 North-Eastern States; and worse referring to Chief Minister Sarma’s
statement that the drill will benefit BJP and damage Opposition. The court is already
seized of two PILs relating to delimitation of the 4 NE States. Will the EC
exercise be futile, or will it have the last laugh?
* * * * * *
Tomato Millionaire
Wonders never seize. A farmer has become a crorepati
(millionaire) thanks to his tomato yield.
With social media having a field day with jokes on the exorbitant prices
of tomatoes, the Centre has had to step in and sell the prized commodity for Rs
80-90 per kg at outlets instead of Rs 200 per kg that severely pinched the
common man. But for farmer Ishwar Gaykar of Pachghar village in Pune district,
his bountiful yield has helped him make a killing, earning Rs 3 crore in just
over a month! This, despite having to dump a large
quantity of tomatoes a month earlier at Rs 50 per crate rate (Rs 2.50 per kg)
and in 2021 bearing a loss of Rs 15 lakhs. He took the gamble to continue with
the crop on his 12-acre farm and ended up selling 18000 crates (20 kgs each)
which fetched him instead Rs 770 per crate (Rs 37 to Rs 38 per kg) on June 11
and on July 18, Rs 2,200 per crate (Rs 110 per kg), at the APMC. His entire
cultivation cost, including transportation was Rs 40 lakh. While many would say
he’s lucky as such a boom in the tomato market hasn’t been seen, Ishwar gives
the credit to his perseverance and commitment. It does pays off. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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