Why ONLY Lokpal?

After the brouhaha, and as is usual in such cases, some responsible people have started looking at other routes to tackle corruption. The concept of Lokpal is all very good, but in a system where there is no plethora of laws, but only of enforcement, the institution of the Lokpal would only have added to the number of existing laws without adding anything to the manner of enforcing the same. Add to that the fact that the Lokpal is pushing for the ability to call on the Prime Minister (the highest power in a Westminister democracy), it is a sure way to twist the arm of the PM, which is simply not allowable.

Though I cannot with any finality claim that the steps detailed by Mr. Athale are better than the concept of the Lokpal, the fact that another workable possibility to counter corruption has evolved, speaks much for the maturity of our nation.

Double standards?

Siva Sena MP Sanjay Raut has hit out against Shahrukh Khan for speaking Baba Ramdev's proposed hunger strike. Why don't you practise what you preach Mr. MP?

Dear Shiv Sena-ists,

I fully agree that those who are called to one profession should stick to that profession. I frankly don't think Shahrukh Khan had any business talking about Baba Ramdev.

But equally so, I believe Baba Ramdev has no business meddling in politics and government. His domain is yoga. He should seriously sincerely stick to that.

Your tough stand against Shahrukh is commendable, but unfortunately it shows up your hypocrisy when you soo lap up Baba Ramdev.

We are all against corruption. But equally so we are all for freedom of expression too. Don't take the aam aadmi for a fool.

Godhra on the eve of elections

The Supreme Court has finally got down to getting justice for the Gujrat carnage vicims.

On Monday (Apr 27, 2009), it directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is headed by the CBI ex-Director Mr. R K Raghavan, to probe the alleged role of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and his administration in aiding and abetting the 2002 riots.

This is the first time that Modi, has come under the scanner for one of the worst riots in recent years. Often in the past, accusing fingers have been repeatedly pointed at him, his cabinet colleagues and top state officials for their alleged complicity. Mayaben Kodnani, who was a minister in his cabinet, is already under arrest for the Naroda Patya carnage.

This, at a time, when he is being projected as the BJP’s future prime ministerial candidate. Though it remains to be seen whether he will work it to his advantage or not. The aura that once surrounded him following the pogrom in 2002 may be diminishing, however, there is no denying that he is still a force to reckon with in Gujrat politics.

If the SIT is able to crucially dent the image of Mr. Modi, that will put paid to his wishes to be the PM of India. For all his anti-minority rhetoric, that may be a good thing. But if his development of Gujrat is anything to go by, that seems to be a bad option!

But this way or other, it is absolutely essential that his tacit, covert or overt complicity on the Gujrat carnage needs to be comprehensively investigated. He may either be acquitted or convicted. Which ever way the pendulum swings, Modi will need to open his mouth and speak up for the whole of Gujrat. His silence on the matter is too suspicious for anybody's (least of all the nation's) good.

One doesn't really want to pronounce judgement on Mr. Modi. But if his body language is any barometer, then he is bloody guilty as hell.

Anyway, jai ho!

STOP Human Rights Abuse in Chinese TIBET

Truth shall prevail

The noose is ever so slowly tightening.

Under arrest:
1. DSP K G Erda

On the Run
1. Inspector V S Gohil

Anticipatory Bail
1. Gujarat Education Minister Mayaben Kodnani
2. Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaideep Patel

It is time that Mr. Modi becomes answerable to a few pertinent questions.

1. Does he believe in the Indian constitution and consequently the judiciary? (Y/N)
2. If NO, does he have the mandated authority to occupy the high office of Gujarat Chief Ministership that he has for so long adorned, and adorned rather fabulously well.
3. If YES, what is his reply to the findings of the Gujarat High Court which has ruled that the Godhra incident, which killed 59, was not an act of terror.

The court on Thursday, Feb 12, 2009, upheld the POTA review committee's findings, which concluded there was no planned conspiracy in Godhra and that the incident was the result of the sudden provocation between passengers and vendors.

The court has categorically stated that it finds "the incident falling short of an act of terror."

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Apr 28, 2009

http://avkoshy.blogspot.com/2009/04/godhra-on-eve-of-elections.html

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Feb 27, 2011

http://avkoshy.blogspot.com/2011/02/godhra-potboiler.html

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Apr 22, 2011

1. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1718407.ece?homepage=true

2. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/what-did-modi-say-at-the-feb-27-2002-meet/149944-3.html

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"Maryada Thekedars"

I strongly oppose the morality brigade that is out to keep a check on the moral code of people who live in independent, democratic, republic of India and petition the Government of Karnataka to take the strictest action action against these hooligans.

India has always been a pluralistic state that has welcomed everybody with open arms. The Jews, the Christians, the Muslims, the Zoroastrians, the Parsis, the Baha'is, they all have been welcomed and they have shown their gratitude by seamlessly integrating themselves in the pluralistic fabric of India in the best manner possible.

Of course, it has not been a complete assimilation. However, that has only proved to be a thing of beauty than otherwise.

The government of the day is voted in to pursue and implement political policies that do good to the populace. They have a legal framework and an executive to ensure that the laws that they frame are honoured by the population. Nobody, absolutely nobody, has the right to take law into his own hands and dispense justice as s/he feels fit.

The Mangalore incident is an absolutely abhorrent act that I condemn in the strongest manner possible. I, as a citizen of this country, hereby requests the courts to take suo moto action against these moronic hooligans and not to let them go to jail. Instead they should be asked to work on any socially relevant cause and the proceeds of the same should be disbursed to the ladies who had to go through that horrific incidents.

If the perpetrators of the crime are made to go to jail, it will only add to their sense of pseudo-causeism. Instead they should be made to pay for their misdemeanours in a manner that thrusts into their meagre brains the fact that their conduct was not only foolish but also at a great cost to themselves.

In addition to the litany of charges that can be filed against them, I also propose the following:
1. Complete debarment of holding any public office.
2. Complete and comprehensive withholding / revoking of driving license.
3. 1 year compulsory duty at an old-age home.

Democracy as a victim

It is unfortunate that we as a country are becoming an extremely intolerant society. While it is true that the three officers who were part of the ATS were actually killed by the terrorists, what Mr. Antulay is asking needs to be heard out. If he is alleging that the officers were NOT killed by the terrorists who came from the sea, I think he needs to be unequivocally and IMMEDIATELY be sacked from all posts that he is currently holding on Govt pleasure. On the other hand, if he is asking as to why these three officers were going towards the Cama Hospital, where there were relatively less "happening" than at Taj, Oberoi or the Nariman House, then I think he needs to be listened to.

Who send these officers there? I remember that on the day this carnage occurred, there were some dimwits who suspected these three officers of playing to the gallery by posing for photographers in their bullet proof vests before joining the hunt for these terrorists. They had obviously already received news of the attack. The question that Mr. Antulay is asking is, "Why Cama Hospital"

I am absolutely sure that there could be a perfectly reasonable answer for the same.

But does that mean that the minister cannot phrase a question that begs asking, at least as of today, without having the "mobocracy" descend on him asking for his scalp?

There does not seem to be a reason for this rabid mongering except the fact that he is a minister, a Muslim, and part of the UPA establishment. Which is a pity.

What right, brother, do you have to tell me not to say that Jesus is the only way?

Hi Dheeraj,

But of course Jesus is the only way. And I, though I am no "evangelist" will continue to say it. You are fully free not to hear it or to ascribe me and and my supposed rantings as that of a mad man.

But the beauty of living in this absolutely wonderful, great and free country is that I can propagate what I believe in.

But were I to go around offering inducements to my fellow citizens, to convert to my religion for a "fee", you could cheerfully kick the shit out me and I wouldn't complain.

All monotheistic religions are built on that fundamental pillar. Dont ask them to stop believing it. Conversely, you have all the right in the world to continue in your religion or to convert to one that you choose. Is not that what democracy is all about?

When you pontificate that "one should not say Jesus is the only way, only God and so on..." you are no better than the one you are preaching to?

To preach from a moral high ground, you need to create one.