Monday, March 12, 2018

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Hindu Voice

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Are the TV debates worth watching?

Are the TV debates worth watching?
P. Deivamuthu, Editor, Hindu Voice

Recently, there seems to be a competition between Republic TV and Times Now on taking up Hindu causes and speak up openly for Hindus - Basirhat riots, Amarnath Killings, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat ji being falsely implicated in “Saffron Terror”, BJP-RSS workers being brutally killed in Kerala, Pak terrorists being released by the UPA Govt. etc. This is what Hindu Voice has been doing for the last 15+ years. At least it has now dawned on them that Hindutva is Nationalism. Times Now even talked about Islamic Terrorism, although they have so far been holding the view that terrorism has no religion. This is a welcome step.

Generally every nationalist sits before his TV after returning from his work. The preferred timings are between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The preferred news items are the TV debates that is broadcast live between these timings.

But now-a-days one wonders whether it is worth watching these TV debates at all, on any topic. Many times, there is a crowd of panelists, say even 11. Many times two or three people talk together, with the result that the viewers are not able to hear anybody’s views.
Many times, many panelists start giving lectures, not connected to the topics being discussed. Many go on non-stop, with the result that the audio has to be muted sometimes. And viewers are forced to shift from one channel to another, looking for meaningful and purposeful debates.

Another disgusting factor is the pitting up of BJP against all other political parties BSP, SP, CPI, CPM,  MIM, etc. - BJP being their common enemy. It is not a secret that BJP is the largest single party in the country today. It rules 15 states, and about 55% of Indian population and 66% of territory. How can the BJP be equated with these parties which are existing just on paper? They do not represent the people and do not hold power in any states (except CPM). They are being rejected by the people day by day. How can such letter-head parties be given equal status with BJP. Are these TV Channels promoting such non-existent parties, by calling them to participate in the debate and giving them more time than being given to BJP? One BJP spokesperson is being cornered by 5-6 opponents, which is atrocious.

There are some empty vessels (which naturally make much noise) being brought to live debate by TV channels - like Sudhindra Bhadoria of BSP, Ghanshyam Tiwari of SP, Alimuddin Khan (introduced as a political analyst, but fully supporting Congress. This may be a ploy by Congress, as the party has decided to avoid Times Now for exposing Vadra sleazy links and other scandals), Dinesh Varshney of CPI, Suneet Chopra of CPM, Asim Waqar of MIM, and a few others. They do not have any issues to corner BJP - like corruption, nepotism, favouritism, misgovernance, in-fighting, etc - but go on and on giving sermons, non-stop, raking up irrelevant matters during the discussion.  (When the demand for a separate flag for Karnataka was being debated, Alimuddin Khan questioned the separate flag for RSS! Such is their intelligence). They lack the basic decorum of an intellectual debate. It is just disgusting to listen to them.

For example, in the debate “ModiBaitersDefeated” held on 5th October 2017 in Times Now, at 9.00 p.m., both Alimuddin Khan and Ghanshyam Tiwari never allowed Dr. Sambit Patra (of BJP) to answer the anchor’s (Mrs. Navika Kumar) questions. Khan had the audacity to even question the decision of the Gujarat High Court. The moment Patra raised to answer, they both jumped in to the fray. Their intention was clear -  not to allow Dr. Patra to speak, so that BJP’s views do not reach the viewers.  They were intolerant and boisterous. 

Again, in the debate “CongAmethiExodus” held on 9th Oct. 2017 at 9.00 p.m. in Times Now, Shri Ratan Sarda (a RSS ideologue) had to walk out of the show protesting against the persistent provocation by Alimuddin Khan. Shri Sarda even said that in future he will never participate in a debate where Khan is present. After sometime, Shri M.R. Venkatesh (leaning towards BJP) also had to walk out, for the same reason. However, Dr. Sambit Patra held on to the debate, inspite of constant interruption by both Alimuddin Khan and Ghanshyam Tiwari. One needs to appreciate the forbearance of Dr. Patra and his gentleman-like attitude towards these rogues.

It is pathetic for the anchors like Arnab Goswami and Mrs. Navika Kumar/Rahul Shivshankar, to look on helplessly, when such panelists go on a talking spree, reeling out lies and canards. Why can’t they mute the audio, if requests do not help?

This is the attitude of all these persons mentioned above in almost all the debates. They know that they are losing ground to BJP. Their parties have been completely rejected by the electorates. Bereft of any issue to talk about against the BJP, they have become a disgruntled lot. So the next best thing they can do is to shout down the BJP spokesperson, using their lung power. They talk rubbish and enter into a slugfest. 

Knowing their attitude, one wonders why Times Now, Republic TV and other Channels call them at all for the debate. They are a nuisance value. They demean and devalue the nature of the debate.

I happened to watch a TV debate sometime back. The anchor gave 90/120 seconds to a panelist to answer his/her questions without any interruption. At the end of the specified time, the mike automatically goes off. Why can’t the anchors in Times Now, Republic TV, etc. follow this procedure? Is it too much to ask for?

In fact, in all TV debates, the intelligence input for the viewers is almost zero. Hence, they are not worth watching. With almost 4-5 panelists talking at a time along with the anchor, it looks like a fish market and not like a debating forum of intellectuals. A joke going around is that Arnab Goswami of Republic TV is contributing to Noise Pollution in the country! 

Generally, when the anchor starts talking, all other panelists should stop. But this is not happening. Why can’t the anchor warn them not to exceed their time limit or not to deflect from the topic? If they do not listen, why can’t their audio be muted? Why give them a free run - in the name of freedom of expression?

Now for the BJP. BJP has decimated almost all other parties in the country, for good reasons, as the party, under Modi’s leadership, is following true nationalism (Hindutva). Hence, more and more people are attracted towards it. No doubt, with Modiji as the PM (and Yogiji as CM of UP, and future PM after Modiji, in 2024) it is going to have a still bright future. Inspite of the lies and canards spread by the opposition and its spokespersons through the TV debates, people understand the good work being done by the Modi government. BJP is not equal but superior to all other parties, including the Congress.

Therefore, one tends to think that the BJP should not send their spokespersons to participate in these worthless debates. It is below the dignity of the BJP’s spokespersons like Sambit Patra, Nalin Kholi, Sudhanshu Trivedi, GVL Narasimha Rao, Gaurav Bhatia, etc. to come to a debate and answer silly and irrelevant questions from these non-entities. By questioning these tall leaders of BJP, these non-entities take false pride in being equal to BJP, which they are not. It is also hurting all sincere BJP supporters who voted for Modi raj, when BJP spokespersons take strenuous efforts to answer questions and objections raised by these nobodies. They are not worth it.

This suggestion of BJP not sending their spokespersons to TV debates may not be liked by the BJP, as it would amount to running away from public debates. In that case, the party must put up a strict condition to the TV Channel that the anchor will give them sufficient time to answer his/her questions, during which time all the other panelists’ audio will be muted. Further, they must demand more time to answer the anchor’s questions, compared to other panelists - say double the time. The TV Channels are bound to agree, as without BJP, the debate will lose its charm. Giving equal time to a National party which has an all-India presence and to a little known entity is grossly unfair.

I wonder whether the TV Channels call these rogue elements purposely. It is possible that they may be enjoying the boisterous debates, and may think that even the viewers too enjoy these free-for-all debates without any restraint. If they think so, they are quite wrong. Once these panelists start their political sermons, many viewers may sift to other channels or even close the TVs, as listening to them is purely a waste of time. People who are watching such debates are an intellectual class and they would not brook any nonsense from these panelists. 

Will the TV Channels make these debates meaningful and entertaining, so that the viewers get satisfaction at the end of the debate? Otherwise, they are likely to lose their TRP.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Those who abuse our Army or Army Chief are traitors

Those who abuse our Army 
or Army Chief are traitors
(Editorial in Hindu Voice, July 2017)

Recently, the Indian Army, especially the Army Chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, has been abused by all and sundry. 63 terrorists have been killed by the Indian army in 38 days. Is this the reason for the secularists to show their anger against the Army and the Army Chief.

Sandeep Dikshit of the Congress party calls the army chief sadak ka gunda (street gangster).  Partha Chatterjee (a person of Indian origin, now in an American academic institution) says the army chief is equivalent of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, the butcher at Jalinawala Bagh in Amritsar. Siddharth Vardarajn (an American citizen and a hard-core Marxist, and whose wife is a leader of the Urban Naxalites in India) considers what Partha is saying has huge merit.  

The CPI(M) Kerala secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has alleged that "The AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland to check terrorism. Women, belonging to minority communities, were subjected to atrocities in these states by the Army.”

“They (army) can do anything to anybody. If they see more than four people standing together, they can shoot them…They can take any woman and rape her, nobody has the right to question them. This is the state wherever the army is,” he said.

Arundhati Roy says that even 70 lakh Indian Army cannot defeat Azadi gang in Kashmir. She also says that Indian army is using rape as a weapon in Kashmir, Manipur.  If it was any other country, people like Arundhati Roy would have probably been in Jail by now serving life term, but since she is in India, she is  happily ranting against our country and our army.

For the human rights terrorists all over the world, the Indian Army’s sole purpose in the Kashmir Valley is to rape women, kill innocent citizens, and create all sorts of mayhem.  For foreign journalists in India, like Annie Gowen of Washington Post, some stray girls coming out to hurl stones at the Indian army, means ALL the girls in Kashmir Valley are throwing stones, etc.

But, for the people of the Kashmir Valley, the Indian army has a different face. Look at the following news:

QUOTE:   As Army Grooms Jammu and Kashmir Students For IIT, General Bipin Rawat Has A Message:

June 14, 2017: For young men and women picking up stones in Kashmir, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has a message: pick up books, not stones. And he has some inspiring stories to share - that of 35 children from Jammu and Kashmir who prepped for engineering schools under the army's 'Super 40' initiative, nine have made it to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) this year. The rest qualified for other engineering schools across the country.

On Tuesday (13.06.2017), the Army Chief came face-to-face with the 35-odd students, a sharp contrast to the ones that the army usually deals with in Jammu and Kashmir.

This group had quietly enrolled for coaching under the army's initiative to give children from the state a better chance to join the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) when their friends were out on the streets.

General Rawat hoped there were more like them in Kashmir.
"They (the youth) should either have a laptop or a book. Whatever time they get they should devote to studies," General Rawat told the young students according to Press Trust of India, his remarks aimed at the youth back home who have been turning up on the streets in Kashmir, often with stones in their hand, to target security forces.

"Generations have been destroyed due to this. The fear that has set in the mind of people of Kashmir and the youth... (that) a militant or the security forces will come... So you have militants on one side and security forces on the other. How long will we stay in this atmosphere? We have to put an end to it. We wish that peace is restored there and we carry out our daily work without any problem," Gen Rawat told the students who had broken all previous records this year.

An army statement said a record 26 boys and two girls from the state had cracked the IIT-JEE Mains Exam 2017 including nine cleared the IIT Advanced Exam. This was the first batch in which five girls from Kashmir valley were coached. A PTI report said the 'Super 40' students who did not clear the IIT-JEE Mains exam had made it through the state's entrance test for engineering.    UNQUOTE

Further, the Indian Army over the years has established 46 Army Goodwill Schools and rendered assistance to approximately 1900 State Government run schools in remote areas through renovation, construction of additional class rooms, libraries, toilets, playgrounds, sports facilities, provisioning of furniture, computers, educational software packages, stationary, and books. Approximately one lakh students have benefitted in last 15 years wherein they have obtained middle and higher secondary level education.

Thirty-seven years of sacrifice, courage and national service has gone into making an officer like COAS General Bipin Rawat. To call him as sadak ka gunda, or compare him with Gen. Dyer is traitorous. They must be taken to task.

Those who criticize our army should remember that the Indian Army is an Institution and a professional body, least concerned with politics. They may target the Modi govt. for its shortcomings, but should not direct their ire on the army.

All those who abuse Indian Army or the Army Chief should be treated as traitors. They should be declared as persona non grata. Their voting rights and fundamental rights must be forfeited, and they be allowed to just subsist.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Has Chacha Nehru returned in the form of Modi?

Has Chacha Nehru returned 
in the form of Modi?
(Editorial in Hindu Voice, June 2017)

On 16th May 2014, India got its second independence. Shri Narendra Modi took the oath of PMship on 26th May 2014. He has completed three years. No doubt, it is impossible to find another person of his stature to rule this nation. He is sincere, hard-working, dedicated and honest. 

But one tend to think that somewhere he has lost his way. In his mad pursuit for development (no doubt it is important), he seems to ignore some of the very pressing problems facing the nation.

Donald Trump, US President, said: “Development, Business & Jobs are not my priorities. My priority is to eradicate Radical Islamic Terrorism. Because, you can make development, do business and jobs only when you are safe and alive.”

But our Prime Minister Narendra Modi says “the Solution to all the problems lies in development”. 

Can development alone solve all the problems in the country? What about peace and communal harmony in the society? what about internal and external security? what about the safety and security of the common man? what about self-respect of each individual, especially Hindus?

While being the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi used to roar (and rightly so) “In Gujarat there is no minority or majority, or Hindus or Muslims. For me, all are Gujaratis”. Therefore when he became the Prime Minister, we expected him to say the same thing - “...  For me all are Indians”. But that was not so.

His Govt. is following the same minority (read Muslims) appeasement policies being followed by the UPA Govt. Sachchar Committee reports are still being implemented. We hear a lot about new schemes for minorities, from the Minority Ministry. 

The term ‘minority’ itself is flawed. No where in the world, citizens are divided in to ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ on the basis of religion. (Are Hindus/Muslims settled in USA, UK, Canada, etc. called minorities there?) Our Constitution too prohibits the word ‘Religious minority’. In fact, it was a distort by our Nehruvian Congress with vote bank consideration (refer to my editorial in May 2017 issue). We are all Indians, with equal rights and duties.  

While being CM of Gujarat, Modi used to endorse all the statements - like Muslims ghettos are Child producing centres, ‘Hum paanch, humare pachees’, etc. But that was the Modi of Gujarat in 2002. Today, when Sakshi Maharaj talks about Muslim population explosion the BJP distances him. Now Modi says 65% of our population is made of youth that are assets. So, Population control can go to hell.

The Govt. of India is still aiding Madrassas. Why not demand that they get to mainstream education? It’s worse when many of them disrespect our country, our Constitution and even our national anthem.

A Imam from Kolkata declares Jihad against India. He says West Bengal is not within India. Says he will not follow our constitution. In Tamil Nadu, our national flag is being burnt. There is a talk of Tamil Desiyam (Tamil Nationalism) among some politicians. No action is being taken against them.

One lady journalist tweets that “mobs are hunting and killing Muslims across India ...”. Another lady declares that J&K, Hyderabad, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, etc. are not part of India. She insults our nation and abuses our army. Is there any action being contemplated against such traitors.

But what does our Chacha Modi blabber? He goes on to say “Islam is a religion of peace”. In 2001 Modi was the first to accept the term “Islamic terror” in an NDTV show with Rajdeep Sardesai. I recently chanced upon a video of Modiji of 2001. In that video, he has quoted quranic verses and describes how they are spewing hatred and venom against non-Muslims. And today he says Islam is a peaceful religion! 

Some of the important campaign promises Modi made during his 2014 campaign speeches are: (1) Packing up and sending back illegal Bangladeshis, (2) Corrupts should not only be thrown out but also punished.

About packing up and sending back illegal Bangladeshis, the less said is better. No action has been taken on this count. On the contrary, more and more Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have come into our country and have occupied places in J&K, Hyderabad, Delhi, etc. While Hindus have been driven away from J&K, how come Rohingya Muslims are allowed to settle there?

As far as corrupt politicians are concerned, not a single one has been punished so far. Maran, PC, Vadra, etc. are all roaming free. There was a CBI raid on PC’s residence on the 16th of this month. Why there was a delay of nearly 3 years. Would PC still retain all the incriminating documents? It is like locking the stable after the horses have bolted.

Hindus are driven out of Kashmir, UP, West Bengal and Kerala. Many Hindus have been brutally killed in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, etc. Some of them are even BJP members. In West Bengal, BJP office was attacked and BJP workers were seriously injured. 

We do not hear anything from Modiji about these brutal killings of Hindus. (But he had the audacity to call Gau Rakshaks as criminals.) 

Our Jawans are being killed and their bodies mutilated by Pak army. They are being humiliated by the Pak-supported terrorists in Srinagar. Thousands of our security personnel have been injured by stone-pelters in Srinagar. Recently, a young army man  Lieutenant Umer Fayaz, 22, had been killed by terrorists in Srinagar. What is the response of the Govt. of India, except kadi nindha (strong condemnation). Pakistan is violating cease-fire almost every day. They fire from across the border, killing our innocent civilians. Pakistan army men attack our security installations inside our territory. If our security forces themselves are not safe, what about the common man?

Why provide Security to the Kashmiri Separatist leaders, at govt. expenses, who receive money from ISI? Why the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan?

Recent reports show that the ISIS is spreading its wings in India. What is the Home Ministry doing? Should it wait for sting operations by a private TV channel, to know the facts? In olden days, our intelligence personnel would infiltrate into dubious organisations and send secret reports to the Govt. about their nefarious activities. Is anything of that sort being followed now? How Maoists are thriving and are killing our CRPF jawans at will?

Surprisingly, all these anti-India forces are being supported by our ‘so called’ intellectuals, ensconced in various political parties, media, human rights organisations, academic institutions, etc. The so-called intellectuals have a soft corner for the terrorist and anti-India forces.  And they go scot free.

Abolishing of Article 370, Banning of Cow Slaughter, Uniform Civil Code, Ram Mandir, etc. are not at all even talked about.

The comparison with Trump is apt because he is clear about his conviction. Chacha Modi has lost his way in trying to be mad with his development agenda and in trying to be too goody to every body, neglecting  all other equally important areas.

In my letter addressed to the PM dated 28th May 2014 (also published in Hindu Voice June 2014 issue), I had requested the PM as under
:
“Bring a new law to declare any one as persona non grata, who intentionally - insults our National Anthem;  refuses to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’; shouts Pakistan Jindabad; insults our security forces; burns our National flag; spews venom in the name of religion and castes; talks of dividing India; supports giving away any part of India; talks of human rights for terrorists; etc. Their voting rights and fundamental rights must be forfeited, and they be allowed to just subsist.”

The PM is just sleeping, whereas anti-national and anti-social forces are having a gay day. We definitely did not elect Modiji for this type of soft approach towards anti-socials, anti-Indians and traitors. He has failed to show his 56” towards them. Paritranaya sadhunam is OK. But what about Vinashaya cha dushkritam (annihilating the wicked). This makes one wonder whether Chacha Nehru has returned in the form of Modi?

Thursday, May 04, 2017

Are Muslims and Christians minorities? Our Constitution says ‘No’.

Are Muslims and Christians minorities? 
Our Constitution says ‘No’.

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, May 2017)

The word ‘Minorities” is now-a-days being used very often - whether it is the Telangana Govt.’s decision to give 12% reservation to minorities, or  discussions on triple talaq and Uniform Civil Code,  or the refusal to sing Vande Mataram, etc.. But whenever this word ‘minority’ is used, one invariably thinks that it refers to Muslims and Christians. But, does our constitution says so? A big NO. Let us see what our constitution says about minorities.

Article 29 (1) of our Constitution titled ‘Protection of interests of minorities’ says: “Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same”. The Article does not talk about ‘Muslims’ or ‘Christians’ or religion, but only about ‘language, script or culture’. So, the question of ‘religious minority’ does not arise at all. 

I am a Tamilian and am settled in Mumbai since January 1970. Article 29 (1) gives me the right to conserve my ‘language, script or culture’. Looking at the diversity of our nation (with different castes, languages, scripts, life styles, etc), the framers of our Constitution have prudently inserted Article 29 (1), with a view to strengthening national integration. 

However, this Article 29 (1) meant for protecting the ‘language, script or culture’ has been distorted to give it a religious (read communal) colour, by the earlier Nehruvian dispensation. The Article is twisted to mean only Muslims and Christians, against the intention of our Constitution framers. The term ‘language, script or culture’ is given a go by and the term ‘religious minorities’ has taken its place.

Further this right to conserve the ‘language, script or culture’ is denied to those who have settled in J&K, Nagaland, Mizoram, etc. from other parts of our country, by the majority community there. On the contrary, the majority in these states (Muslims and Christians) are still treated as a minority.
This is a subversion of our Constitution by the continuous governments at the Centre and in the States, with an intention to polarize votes in their favour.

Further, the Govt. of India has enacted a law - National Commission for  Minorities Act, 1992, without defining the word ‘minority’. However, under this act, the Govt. has declared five religious communities - Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Bhuddists and Parsis - as minorities.  Now Jains are also included.

Article 15 (1) of our constitution says: “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them”.

When the constitution prohibits any discrimination of the citizens on the basis of religion, how can a law be enacted discriminating people on the basis of religion? Hence, the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 is unconstitutional.

First, the Govt. of India has snatched away the rights available to a linguistic minority and has wrongly conferred it on religious minorities, i.e. Muslims and Christians, violating Article 29 (1) of our Constitution.

Second, by enacting a law - National Commission for  Minorities Act, 1992 - the Govt. of India has violated Article 15 (1) of the Constitution.

Explaining these points, I wrote a letter (1) on 18th November 2013 to The Chief Justice of India Supreme Court, New Delhi. I requested the CJI to treat my letter as a PIL, (2) on 17th November 2014 to Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Prime Minister of India, and (3) on 18th December 2014, to Dr. Najma Heptulla, the then Union Minister of Minority Affairs Government of India, New Delhi, saying that “Your Ministry is unconstitutional”. 

Surprisingly, none of the above three replied to me, not even an acknowledgment was received, making me wonder whether my interpretation of our constitution is wrong. But look at this:

In reply to an RTI query by a Hindu Voice reader, the CPIO and Under Secretary to the Govt. of India, vide his letter dated 31st October 2013, has written as follows:

“The Constitution of India used the word ‘minorities’ or its plural form in some Article 29 to 30 and 350A to 350B. But does not define it anywhere. Article 29 has the word ‘minorities’ in its marginal heading but speaks of ‘any section of citizens .... Having a distinct language, script or culture.’ This may be whole community generally seen as a minority or group within a majority community. Article 30 speaks specifically of two categories of minorities - religious and linguistic. The remaining two articles - 350A & 350B relate to linguistic minorities only.”

(Article 30 ‘Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions’ says “All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.”)

Secularism means non-interference of the state in the religious affairs of its citizen. In a multi-religious country like ours, we can say secularism means ‘respecting all religions and treating them equally’. But the Govts. - past and present - are tomtoming about secularism and at the same time are providing special privileges to a section of the people purely on the basis of religion. This is just oxymoron, apart from being unconstitutional. Also, discrimination on the basis of religion is against the canons of Justice, Equality and Fraternity as enshrined in the Preamble to our Constitution. This is also against  Article 51A (e) - Fundamental Duties - “to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India ...”

It is time that this distortion of the word ‘minority’ is stopped. Will the Modi govt. consider all these facts and declare that the word “religious minority” is unconstitutional?  Otherwise 
they must prove me wrong. 

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

BJP in a winning spree

BJP in a winning spree

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, April 2017)

Ten municipal Corporations of Maharashtra - Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Nasik, Pune, Ulhasnagar, Thane and Mumbai - went to polls on 21st February 2017. BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP all fought the elections separately. The BJP captured eight of the ten corporations. The Sena won in Thane.

In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the BJP got 82 seats whereas the Shiv Sena got 84. And with the help of BJP, Shiv Sena  has captured BMC.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, who was the face of the BJP campaign, emerged as the unequivocal man of the match in this election.

Thus, Maharashtra is now a uniquely saffron state in that the BJP and the Sena have emerged as the two poles of the state politics. The Congress has been made redundant in Maharashtra politics.

Similarly, in Orisha too, the BJP has done very well in the Panchayat polls. Out of 853 seats, the BJP has won in 306 seats (an increase of 8.5 times as compared with its tally of just 36 seats in 2012), as against 460 won by BJD. It has not just made major inroads into the areas of dominance of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's BJD but it has also become the main opposition party, pushing Congress to the third position with just 66 seats.
BJP's performance has been equally impressive in the zila parishads (ZPs) in Odisha. Of the total 30 zila parishads, BJP has won eight. It did not have any zila parishad in its kitty in the 2012 election.

In continuation of its winning spree, the BJP secured an unprecedented victory in the elections to four out of the five state Assemblies - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, Goa - held in February-March 2017.

It has got a massive 312+ seats in UP and 57 in Uttarakhand, more than three fourth of the seats in both the states.

Further, it has captured power in Goa and Manipur (where it did not have single MLA in the last assembly), with the help of other parties and independents.

In other words, except Punjab, the BJP has wretched power from other parties in UP, Uttarakhand and Manipur and has retained its position in Goa.

In UP, the Left front, consisting of six parties, had contested 140 seats out of 403 in UP. But they secured merely 0.2 per cent votes, inspite of binging in the notorious Kanhaiya Kumar of JNU, who addressed in 8 constituencies, campaigning for Communists.

In UP, the Congress has just got 7 seats. (A joke going on in the Social Media is that Lalu Prasad Yadav has more kids than the number of seats won by Congress in UP).

In Goa, the AAP had fielded 39 candidates (out of 40 seats). All the candidates, except one, lost their deposits. In Punjab it has got 20 seats, way behind  the Congress which got 77. It should be remembered  that in both the states - Goa and Punjab - the AAP was day-dreaming to come to power. Thus, their dream of becoming a national party stands shattered.

There was reasons for AAP to fight Goa and Punjab elections and not in other states. In Goa, being a predominantly Christian states, it was expecting support from Missionaries (Vatican?) and Christians. Similarly in Punjab, it was expecting the support of Khalistanis. Kejriwal began pandering to the affluent NRI Punjabis of Canada, US and rest of the world. The NRIs (mostly Sikhs) not only donated large amounts of money but also came in droves to campaign for the party. But in both the states, the patriotic voters decided to dump the specious AAP and vote for nationalist parties.

Ironically, the people of Punjab have voted for the Congress, a party whose leaders massacred thousands of Sikhs in 1984. In a way, it is good for the nation. They have preferred a corrupt Congress to an anarchist and anti-national like Arvind Kejriwal.
In Manipur, Irom Sharmila, who was on a “fast” for 16 years protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), contested from the  Thoubal constituency and secured just 90 votes. Just see the disconnect between the anti-India narrative and the local sentiment.

In UP, which has given a massive mandate to BJP, the 44-year old Sanyasi, Yogi Adityanath, has taken over as the Chief Minister. Yogi is a Hindutva icon. He is the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple which has millions of followers. He is frank in nature, hard-working, bold and decisive. He is a known protestor against religious conversion, cow slaughter and Love jihad. He is the founder of Hindu Yuva Vahini.

At the age of 26 Yogi entered Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur constituency, which he retained for five consecutive terms, winning with increased margins every time. That shows his popularity. He is a ground level politician. Under his Chief Ministership, UP will surely become Uttam Pradesh, as  Hindutva and development go hand in hand.

It is a matter of great pride for every Hindu that Hindutva, which was considered as some kind of pariah by all other parties, is flourishing. Why should someone who is proud of his Hindu identity, be deprived of a prized post? One has to appreciate the BJP leadership for taking this bold step of appointing Yogi Adityanath as the CM of Uttar Pradesh.

 The divisive template built by the Left and aped by Congress is cracking. Election results will no longer be hostage to caste and religious divide. National security, pride, coupled with inclusive development will be the deciding factors in elections in future.

The BJP, holding all the above factors dearer, is in a winning spree, ‘Hinduising politics’ as desired by Veer Savarkar. May this trend continue, bringing in Ram Rajya.

Monday, January 09, 2017

Demonetization : The blatant lies by Congress Leaders

Demonetization : The blatant lies by Congress Leaders

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, January 2017)

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh termed in the Rajya Sabha on November 24, 2016 the demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes an “organised loot and legalised plunder.” He also said that a “monumental mismanagement has taken place.”
This is nothing but an idiotic statement from Dr. Singh. Looted by and from whom - Dr. Singh should explain.


In fact, the nation was looted during his term as the Prime Minister. Scams like 2G, CWG, Coalgate, Augusta, etc. etc. did take place during his tenure as the Prime Minister. While the nation was being looted, he was just looking the other way. Dr. Singh and others should have been tried for these plunders, but somehow the Modi govt. has not prosecuted them.
In spite of these scams, he has the audacity to say that the demonetization of 500 and 1000 rupee notes is an “organised loot”. If this is not a blatant lie, what  it is?


Rahul Gandhi on 23rd December 2016 said the note ban decision is not a fight against black money or corruption but is an "economic robbery". Robbed by and from whom - Rahul should explain.


Rahul has also accused the PM of snatching the money from the poor and giving it away to Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi. It is a blatant lie. Moneys were loaned to Mallya and Lalit Modi during the UPA regime. PM Modi has nothing to do with these lendings. How can he blame PM Modi for this?


Rahul said that he is not allowed to talk in parliament. Again this is a lie. In fact, it was the Congress which interrupted parliament, making the entire winter session a washout. He said if he is allowed to talk in parliament, there will be an earthquake. He further said that Modi is terrified of him. These are just lose talks.


While he has used Sahara vehicle for his election campaign during 2014 elections, he has the audacity to accuse Modi of taking bribe from Sahara.
The following statements from different Congress leaders give the reporting card of the UPA Govt. It is a self-appraisal.


1. Manmohan Singh : More than 50% of the population is poor, they don't have bank accounts.
2. Rahul Gandhi : More than 40% of the population is illiterate, how can you expect them to do digital transactions.
3. Manishankar Ayyar : There is huge unemployment in the country.
4. P. Chidambaram : More than 50% of the villages still don't have electricity.
5. Manish Tewari: People don't have basic needs like food and clothing.


For all the above problems existing in our society, the Congress party is wholly and solely responsible, having ruled the country for more than 60 years. Instead of owing responsibility for the undergrowth of our economy, they start accusing Modi government which has come to power only 21/2 years ago.


In Venezuela, which is a much smaller economy, demonetisation created chaos, street riots and the economy collapsed. Nothing like this happened in India. On the contrary, Demonetisation has become a 'Game Changer' of India. It is a major 'Pro Poor' step.
The adage is "Kill Two Birds In One Stone". But Demonetisation has killed many birds in India.


The characteristics of cash like anonymity, portability, liquidity, and wide acceptance makes it the enabler of crime and provides the fertile ground for it. Black economy directly or indirectly promotes riots, kidnappings, petty crimes, smuggling, poverty, reduced wages, separatists movements, conversions, bandhs, terrorism, espionage, propaganda, colour revolutions, weakening of state, emboldening of foreign powers, hawala operations, corruption, drug trade, tax evasion, human trafficking, informal employment, weak law and order, extortion, naxalism, fake currency and many such trends. An abrupt ending of stone pelting in Kashmir valley and the surrender of several Naxals immediately after demonetisation is a clear example of how cash could be misused. 


According to Mr. Jagdish Bhagwati the well-known professor of economics from Columbia University, Demonetisation is a major 'Pro Poor' step. It has reduced the disparity between the Rich and poor by about 30% .


In spite of their best efforts by most of the opposition parties, the people of this country have welcomed this historic step by Modi. 


The victory of the BJP in by polls in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and recently in Chandigarh proves that PM has made significant inroads to the voters and voters by large have welcomed the move. This in turn makes the PM stronger to take even more strong steps and part of it would be reflected in 2019 elections as well. 


I repeat what I wrote in my last month’s editorial:


“It is proved beyond doubt that the people of this country have absolute faith in Narendra Modi, after seeing his work as the Prime Minister for the last 21/2 years. This is also confirmed by the recent election results from many states. With his sincerity, hard work, honesty and dedication, people might think that, if it is not Modi, no other person could take this type of drastic step to curb black money. Thus Modiji has created a niche for himself in the heart of every Indian. Because, no one was complaining about demonetizations or any inconvenience. The people have understood well that this is a short-term pain for long-term gain.”


We wish him all success in his demonetization efforts and in governing the nation.
May Bharat become a Super Power under his leadership.

The Surgical Strike on Black Money

The Surgical Strike on Black Money

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, December 2016)

The Surgical Strike on Black Money, announced by the Prime Mimister on the 8th of November 2016, making 500 and 1000 rupee notes no more legal tender, has shaken the entire country. While more than 90% of the people have welcomed it,  about 10% make a lot of hue and cry about the demonetization.

Look at the salutary effects of the demonetization:
 

1. In one stroke 100% fake currency made out of circulation. This is probably one of the greatest change that is taking place. This is exactly the reason behind this uproar, this madness from media and politicians, of course they are supported and backed by anti Indian forces.
 

2. Cash lying with terrorists, maoists, naxalites, Jihadis, etc. to create chaos and terror have gone waste!. Criminal activities have also come done.
 

3. Hawala sources dried up for funding of terrorists, maoists, naxalites, conversion lobby and Jihadis. As we know there is a considerable decrease of violence in Kashmir after this decision. Once the funding stopped, there wont be any riots in the valley and we are already witnessing the live effect!
 

4. Kashmir back to normal, schools are opened, normalcy in the valley, no schools burnt, you wont find any stone pelters these days!
 

5. Jan Dhan accounts are fulled with money, Government started this scheme for financial inclusion purpose, but people were reluctant to keep money in the bank, but after demonetization started, citizens are ready to come back to the banking network and thereby our banking system strengthened, citizens will be the beneficiaries of financial inclusion!
 

6. According to reports, nearly 5 lakh crore money, already deposited in the banks!
 

7. All business men are depositing cash lying with them as current year income with Advance Tax.

8. All jewellers are being issued forms to declare their GOLD stock on day to day basis!
 

9. Defaulters of bank, property tax, electricity bills, telecom bills are clearing their long pending bills.

10. Defaulters of all kind of taxes are clearing their dues!


11. Small vendors started going digital and already using APPS, digital forms of transactions and digital wallets!


12. Business men are declaring their black money as income and paying advance tax, we have seen many such examples in the recent days as many of them are coming forward and declaring cash lying with them as black money and paying taxes!


13. Price level is expected to lower due to moderation of demand. In consumer goods, prices are expected to fall marginally. However, for real estate and property, the prices are largely expected to fall, especially in sale of properties where major part of transaction is done in cash.


These are the immediate benefits of currency demonetization. There are many other benefits but we focused on some important immediate effects! 


But there are some flaws in the implementation of the scheme. First and foremost, why should I am being asked to go to the bank personally with ID proof, to withdraw money from my own account? What was the need for it now? I have been sending my assistant to withdraw cash for the last many years. The same procedure could have been continued even now. The bank is having all my personal details.


This new procedure of asking the actual account holder to come to the bank personally with ID proof to withdraw cash has caused many serious problems, especially to the senior citizens. Had this new procedure not implemented - and the old one is followed - I am sure the death of some of the senior citizens during standing in the queue could have been avoided.


Similarly, while depositing cash also, personal appearance of the account holder could have been avoided, and in their place, their relatives/assistants could have deposited the amount. The bank is having the entire details of the account holder, including their IDs. Hence they need not worry about the depositors.


But what is indeed surprising is that inspite of such a drastic action affecting almost every citizen of this country, there is no riot or fight, during queuing up before banks. The extraordinary patience shown by the people must be commended. This is inspite of the fact that some of the politicians like Kejriwal, Mamta and Yetchury, wanted to create riot-like situation in the country, so as to compel the Govt. to roll back the scheme. 


Even our Supreme Court did not lag behind. Why was it necessary for the CJI to suggest that riots could happen? Is this not a malicious statement? One can expect such an irresponsible statement from an ‘anarchist’ like Kejriwal, but coming as it is from the Supreme Court, is indeed shocking.


Some of the media persons, such as Ravish Kumar and Rajdeep Sardesai, who asked provoking questions to persons standing in the queue, to incite violence,  got a good slap.


It is proved beyond doubt that the people of this country have absolute faith in Narendra Modi, after seeing his work as the Prime Minister for the last 21/2 years. This is also confirmed by the recent election results from many states. With his sincerity, hard work, honesty and dedication, people might think that, if it is not Modi, no other person could take this type of drastic step to curb black money. Thus Modiji has created a niche for himself in the heart of every Indian. Because, no one was complaining about demonetizations or any inconvenience. The people have understood well that this is a short-term pain for long-term gain.


We can now say that the people of this country have become mature enough to understand the good intention of the government. They will not get provoked by the selfish politicians, the irresponsible Supreme Court and the ‘Paid’ media. Thus, we can proudly say that India has become a mature democracy and is on the path
to become the Vishwa Guru.

The Surgical Strike - To whom should the credit go?

The Surgical Strike - To whom should the credit go?

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, November 2016)

Up in the skies and beyond the range of enemy radars, 30 Indian commandos armed with Kalashnikovs, Tavors, rocket-propelled guns and thermobaric weapons deploy parachutes on a dark, cold moonless night for a rare military insertion to ambush terror assets on the rugged Himalayan terrain of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

No audio devices on the ground are able to pick any sound either as they plummet down from a freezing height of 35,000 feet.


Simultaneously, seven other crews of the Indian army's dauntless Special Forces walk, crawl and slither through Pakistani barricades across the Line of Control.


All eight teams of the deadly warriors reach their targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir without detection, and annihilate them with a sudden thunder of explosions, smoke bombs and gunfire.


This is what happened on the midnight of 28th September 2016 - Operation Surgical Strikes. Yes, our brave army entered into about 3 kms into the PoK and destroyed terrorist camps. The operation which started around midnight on 28th Sept. ended in the early morning of 29th Sept. 2016. 


What is remarkable is that none of our Army Men were martyred or even wounded. They all came back unscathed, after finishing their jobs.


Every Indian is proud of the achievements of our Army. They also congratulate the Prime Minister for taking this bold step to teach a lesson to Pakistan which has been sending terrorists into India and killing our armymen.


But look at what the opposition say. Arvind Kejriwal and some other leaders want proof of the Surgical Strike. The Pakistani media had hailed Kejriwal as a 'hero' for questioning the government's claim about successful surgical strikes across the LoC. One Congress leader even said that the surgical strike was ‘fake’. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Khoon Ki Dalali’.


In no other country, you will hear such non-sense statements from the opposition. By their statements, they have insulted the entire nation and its army.


Some leaders have come out with the statements that such Surgical Strikes have taken place many times earlier too. The previous cross-LoC attacks have been of the nature of a local level revenge for an action by the Pakistan’s army. Any of these specific attack was not sanctioned by the government.


This time the strike was approved by the government, and the army was informed that they will handle the international fallout, if any. 


When the attack was announced by the government, this was done by the army and not the government. If the government wanted to go into jingoism, a minister could have read the statement that the DGMO did. The government clearly wanted the army to get the credit.
The statement also clearly stated the limits of the present action. It was against the terrorists and not the Pakistani army.  There is no jingoism in the statement.


It was only when the opponents, both political and in the media, started to question the veracity of the surgical attack, the government stepped in. 


When the political opponents started to say that when they were in power, they had also done the surgical strikes. This is jingoism, and an attempt to trivalise the September 29 strike as a trivial matter.


This trivalisation was also indulged in by many in the English media. Even before the political parties tried to take credit for the previous strikes, there were some in the English media who said that such strikes had happened before. 


Some of the ex-army people had, within a day or two of the Sept 29 strike, had said that the previous strikes were qualitatively different from the present one.  They mentioned that there was a political will this time, which did not exist earlier. Yet, the opponents, both political and in the media, continued to equate the earlier strikes with the present ones. As said earlier, the objective was to trivalise the present strike.


The BJP  has been accused of using the army by showing the interview of Gen Bikram Singh, the previous army chief. In this interview, Gen Singh mentions about the political will many times, and also made it clear that the previous strikes were like a local level revenge. There is nothing wrong in the BJP using the interview, because of the vicious attempts made by the opponents to trivalise the Sept 29 strike.


The people of the country appreciate that the government has acted in a deliberate and focused manner in handling the post-Uri events. The people are also disgusted by the way the opponents of the government are behaving and have allowed themselves to be used by the Pakistani propaganda,  that there were no surgical strikes.


There are reports that people in PoK are out in the streets protesting the terrorist camps near their towns, and saying that this is creating problems in the areas.  This too  is the effect of the surgical strike.


In politics, it is quite legitimate for the government to take credit for things they did right. Just as the opposition tried to blame the government of the day for any failures. 


The Congress took credit for the victory in the Bangladesh war. The credit for the nuclear explosion in 1974, and then in 1998, is also given to the respective prime  ministers. So also Nehru is said to have built the temples of modern India, while Rajiv Gandhi is said to have brought in the computer revolution in India. In all these cases, the credit is given to them because they took the administrative decisions, and not because they were scientists who actually did the tasks.


Similarly, in the case of the recent Surgical Strike, the full credit should go to our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.