Category Archives: Socio/Political

Gokulashtami = License for sexual harassment?

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Festivals are the most special days of the year as they bring a sense of joy or celebration in our routine life. But festivals like Gokulashtami (Janmashtami) and Ganesh Chaturthi have ceased to rejoice me since many years. Instead, these festivals make me feel ashamed as a Mumbaikar due to the encouragement it provides to hooligans to indulge in eve-teasing and worse, sexual harassment. What is more infuriating is that the police and government are turning a blind eye to it!

Incidents of sexual harassment with a couple of my friends will infuriate anyone who has a woman in his life, be it a mother, sister, wife, friend or a girlfriend. These incidents show that the level of hooliganism has reached insane levels in our city during these festivals. The incidents are as follows: –

— When Miss Y went out to get some groceries today (on the day of Janmashtami) she didn’t know she would experience one of the worst incidents of her life. As she was walking, a large group of Janmashtami enthusiasts tried to touch her and a number of other ladies on the road. Not just that, they passed the filthiest of comments on them.

— Miss Z was returning home after a tiring day in the office. Like every day, she took a bus home after getting down from the train. She didn’t know she would experience the shock of her life when she got the window seat. A truck with Janmashtami enthusiasts was running parallel with the bus. The mawalis started making great efforts to touch my friend from the truck. Even here, they made lots of obscene comments and gestures.

One can feel the fear, shock, humiliation and angst only after one experiences such acts. In both the cases, the victims could do nothing except to let the incident pass. These are just two cases. God knows how many more incidents must have taken place in the city today. In fact, such incidents have become a regular feature during festivals like Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dusshera, etc.

Such festivals are carried out to please Gods. How pleased the God would be seeing such scenes! As such incidents are continuously making a terrible joke of religious festivals, I wonder why there isn’t a single protest shown by groups like VHP, BD or RSS, who consider themselves as custodians of Hindu religion. If they are ‘working’ for the betterment of the religion, why aren’t they showing at least some concern for such grave issues?

It’s high time we make efforts and say a big NO to such incidents, instead of relying on the government or anyone. I have started an online petition against this. Please sign it here and spread it – http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_sexual_harassment_during_festivals_like_Gokulashtami_Ganesh_Chaturthi_etc/?cveddcb

I will also send a letter or an email to the police authorities demanding protection to women from such anti-social elements. Hoping to receive lots of support from fellow Mumbaikars for a cause that needs immediate action!

I still support Anna Hazare but…

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I have always wholeheartedly supported Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption and voluntarily taken part in almost every agitation of his group in Mumbai. Reports and pictures of all major rallies are reported in this blog. However, I have not posted anything about Anna and his team’s decision to enter electoral politics. All these days, I was hoping to get convinced by this decision. Unfortunately, as that hasn’t happened, I think it is time to break my silence and declare – I am against their move of forming a political party! But I would like to make myself clear that I am only against their move and not against them. My support for Anna remains intact.

The manner of announcing the decision was more shocking than the decision itself, not only for me but for a large number of Anna supporters. I would like to explain myself through the following points –

— Ever since the movement started, the government accused team Anna of having a political agenda, which was rubbished off by the former again and again. Mayank Gandhi (head of Mumbai IAC) too rubbished off such accusations in almost every IAC rally in the city.

— Team Anna went on an indefinite fast from July 25, 2012 to compel the government to take action against the 15 tainted ministers and pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. They said innumerable times that they will end the fast protest only after government takes some action.

— On July 27, 2012, Anna said he will not form a political party. Read here.

— On Sunday July 29, 2012, Mayank Gandhi, in Azad Maidan, once again announced that entering politics is not an option for us (team Anna). To stress his point, he gave this example – He used to consider Lalu Prasad Yadav as his hero during Jayaprakash Narayan’s campaign in the 1970s. However, we all know Lalu’s antics after he entered politics.

— On August 1, 2012, Delhi police asked team Anna to get admitted to hospital. This meant that the government was starting to get worried and the agitation was gaining momentum. Even on this day, Kejriwal announced they will end the protest only after getting results. But in Mumbai, Mayanji suddenly put forth the option of team Anna joining politics, which was accepted by a large number of people present at Azad Maidan. It was decided that the option of entering politics will be put forth in front of the core committee.

— On the afternoon of August 2, 2012, team Anna suddenly announces that it will end fast and instead enter electoral politics!!! Less than 24 hours ago, they were hell bent in continuing the agitation until they get the desired results. So what exactly happened in those hours that forced them to take a 360 degree turn? More importantly, why was the option of entering politics considered by Mayankji when just 2 days ago (July 29) we were told we would never enter politics! What happened in those two days?

I read Arvind Kejriwal’s letter, which explains the reason for taking the decision, with great anticipation but even that failed to convince me. (Read it here.) The letter says they were considering about entering politics since last few days before announcing, as per the demands put forth by a majority of supporters. If this was the case, why we never heard about it during those few days? Why they didn’t have any discussions and debates for some days before taking such a humongous decision? Lastly, why did team Anna, on August 1 (a day before announcing the decision) stress on the fact that they will continue the protest until the demands are met?

But leaving all this aside, I think people shouldn’t expect much from the party in the 2014 elections. Considering the large number of people unaware about Anna’s movement, mostly from the interiors of India, overpowering the current government looks like a remote possibility. Having said that, I would be delighted if Anna’s party achieves great success in 2014. As my support for him is firm, it’s needless to say that I will surely vote for his party in the coming elections.

Section 149 for Anna supporters, media silent!

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The Mumbai unit of India Against Corruption held another successful protest rally today at Azad Maidan. Although everything went on smoothly, we the supporters were in for a shock when we were told that Section 149 has been imposed. Due to this, once we were out of the Azad Maidan, we were neither allowed to wear Anna caps and, more shockingly, nor allowed to hold India’s tricolor in the vicinity! That’s all we were told. Someone knowing more about this, please enlighten me! But due to the act of the authorities, one is forced to ask the question whether we are still living under the British? Imagine, not allowed to hold India’s flag in India! And what harm does Anna caps do?As expected, the media is silent about this!

The webcast from Jantar Mantar in Delhi was received with a thunderous applause when Arvind Kejriwal’s doctors proved government doctor’s wrong. According to the doctors at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal and his comrades are doing quite fine and they don’t need to be hospitalized. Reacting to funny man Digvijay Singh’s statement that they will have to force feed team Anna, Kejriwal firmly said he will pluck out needles and won’t chew food if he is forcefully given food after dragging him to the hospital.

Since we have been receiving weird statements from the government, it looks like the fast protest is making an impact. Talking about funny statements, Salman Khurshid, while reacting to team Anna’s fasts, said even he is fasting for the month of Ramazan. Now, even a primary student would know there can’t be any comparison between a Roza fast and a fast unto death. This is another example of how we are been governed by dumb-headed folks.

Pictures from today’s protest rally: –

At the Gateway Of India

At the Gateway Of India

 

Double standards: BEA never asked rowdy political parties to apologize

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Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare apologized to the media after the Broadcast Editors’ Association (BEA) demanded an apology after few incidents of violence and abuse by Anna supporters. Anna did the right thing as such acts are uncalled for in a peaceful movement. However, the way the BEA went up in arms against Anna and the movement, shows the media body’s filthy double standards.

Over the years, there have been numerous incidents where goons of rowdy political parties have smashed offices of various news channels. Apart from the huge monetary losses, their acts also caused injuries to the people working with the channel. Despite such criminal or even terrorizing acts, BEA has never ever till date demanded an apology from any of the political parties. A shining example of their double standards or bias towards a movement, which is trying to save India from corruption.

Just because we (team Anna) are harmless, they condemn our minor acts and demand an apology but when it comes to dealing with the powerful political outfits, they become scary bones! In this way, BEA is indirectly stating that you can’t misbehave or abuse the media but it is perfectly fine if you walk into a media office, destroy its property and injure its employees. Worse, the BEA doesn’t even blink an eyelid when the heads of these political parties laud their acts of violence!

I am sure anyone from the BEA doesn’t have an answer to this.

And this is what we get by apologizing to the media – From the live coverage of Jantar Mantar (on the internet); it was noticeable that the venue was flocked with thousands of supporters. However, when ‘The’ Arnab Goswami saw the same scene, he announced on his channel that there are hardly 400-500 people at Jantar Mantar! Need more examples of how media is trying to sabotage the movement? Watch these news channels continuously. Coming back to Arnab, the pictures below reveal the truth.

Excerpts from this article have been sent to the BEA. I know this will not have any effect on their attitude but at least they would know that the people of India won’t take anything lying down! You can mail them too on – broadcast.editors@gmail.com

The crowd is touching the end of Jantar Mantar in both the pictures.

July 29 Rally: Mumbai awakens… yet again!

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A good part of the media tried their level best to portray Team Anna Hazare’s ongoing fast protest (which started from July 25, 2012) as a flop show (for reasons we all know). However, the people of India made sure they don’t succeed in their evil mission by turning up in large numbers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as well as in Mumbai for the massive rally from Andheri to Azad Maidan (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus). Due to this and enormous pressure from we the people, the fourth-pillar of democracy is reporting the truth since today.

Another massive agitation is planned on Wednesday August 1, 2012. Please spread the message across Mumbaikars. To receive updates from Indian Against Corruption – Mumbai, please give a missed call on 02261550789 (you won’t be charged for this).

Here are the pictures from today’s Andheri to CST march. Another laugh in the face for all those who term the movement as flop!

(Click on the pictures from an enlarged version.)

Shri Mayank Gandhi

Mayankji during a powerful interaction with supporters.

Death of freedom fighter almost unnoticed!

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Lakshmi Sahgal aka Captain Lakshmi breathed her last today at the age of 97. She was the Commander of Rani Of Jhansi regiment in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj). She was also the minister for Women’s Affairs in the Azad Hind Government. India has lost a great soul who served the nation selflessly even when in her 90s!

But what is more aggrieving is that hardly anyone seems to know about the sad incident! You can’t blame the people alone for it when our media (especially, the news channels) is hardly giving any footage to the incident. It is disturbing to see them covering all those silly television shows and cheap gossips about film stars while there is almost ignorance on the death of someone who fought for the country and was a part of an important chapter in Indian history.

Last week, there was almost 24/7 footage on the death of India’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna. This continued for the next few days. There is no doubt Khanna was one of the greatest actors of India. Surely his death deserved such importance but that doesn’t mean they give a cold shoulder to someone who fought for our independence! I wouldn’t like to single out Khanna’s death as such has been the case with all celebrity deaths.

This brings us to an all important question – Have film stars and other celebrities become more important to the media than the ones who did all kinds of sacrifices for our country? Judging by the very low key coverage of the death of Captain Lakshmi and other such great souls, the answer is in the affirmative!

May Captain Lakshmi Rest In Peace.

To know about her life story and contribution to India, click here –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi_Sahgal

Read her candid, detailed interview here – http://thecolloquium.net/colloquium/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165%3Are-visiting-history-with-capt-lakshmi&catid=89%3Ainterviews&Itemid=302

Captain Lakshmi with Subhash Chandra Bose. (Picture courtesy – bharat-swabhiman.com)

India vs Pakistan 2012: Why always target cricket?

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As expected, the forthcoming Pakistan tour of India (in 2012) has received flak from a large number of Indians due the Pakistan’s hand in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and their non-cooperation in solving terror issues. The opposition to the series might appear logical to many but not at all to me. I fail to understand why do we always target cricket when it comes to an association between the two nations?

A good number of Pakistani nationals like Atif Aslam, Adnan Sami, Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Veena Malik, etc are working full time in Bollywood. Some of them have also settled in Mumbai. Why not a single opposition to them? We are perfectly fine with their artists settling in our country but we can’t tolerate their cricket team visiting for few days!

In 2010, Shiv Sena was up in arms against Shah Rukh Khan just because he wanted Pakistan players in his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. But not many people know when they were busy protesting against SRK, Amitabh Bachchan was performing poetry with Pakistani poets and that too in Mumbai. It is absolutely fine if you can perform with their artists but if you just express the wish of having their players in your team, you are painted a villain! Another incident where only cricket was targeted!

Last year, few social workers from Pakistan visited anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare at Ralegan Siddhi to get some guidance on fighting corruption in their country. Although I welcomed Anna’s gesture and hospitality, I wondered where those people were who are ready to oppose every Pakistani?

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Personally, I find it illogical to oppose everyone from Pakistan. I and some of my friends have internet friends in Pakistan and we have always received high respect from them. One college friend of mine had been to Pakistan for a cultural program and is still cherishing the memories of her visit due to the warmth she received there. My ex-professor had been to Pakistan and he too had a similar experience.

One of my friend’s friend had been there too in 2003 when India toured Pakistan. He witnessed two one-day internationals at Lahore and was highly surprised to see not a single Pakistani supporter mouthing anti-India slogans or making fun of team India. In fact, during the same series, a number of shop owners in Pakistan gave discounts to Indians. Likewise, there are numerous examples of the common public of Pakistan having high regard for Indians.

I have tremendous hatred for the chaps coming from there and attacking my country. I am also against their government for taking poor measures to combat terrorism (which I expressed here). However, that doesn’t mean I hate each and every one from across the border! Those doing this have had no experience with Pakistanis.

But even if you hate everyone from Pakistan, where does your hatred disappear when you hear an Atif Aslam song or watch an Ali Zafar movie? Why it is that only the game of cricket triggers your hatred towards Pakistanis and reminds of you of 26/11?

Let’s treat cricket as a game… just like we have been treating movies and music. Excitedly awaiting Pakistan’s tour of India. May the better team win!

Satyameva Jayate: God’s interpretation on human division

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By: Keyur Seta

Time and again we keep saying India has developed over the decades. To justify our statement, we give examples of the emergence of malls, multiplexes, technological brilliance (laptops, smart phones, etc), skyscrapers, rail metros, high paying jobs in cities, etc. However, when it comes to equality and humanism, I am sorry to say India is one of the most underdeveloped nations. This is exactly what I thought after watching yesterday’s (July 8) episode of Aamir Khan’s Satyameva Jayate, which showed how inequality on the basis of caste is still prevalent in India in the most inhuman of levels!

No matter how much we develop in terms of science, technology and urbanization, we can never be called developed in the true sense as long as this cruel differentiation among the same species continues. In order to be called one, we need to develop a mindset similar to Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari. He is the real hero of India who proudly revealed on the show how he has discarded all identities born out of biological accidents (religion and caste).

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Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari

Following is my fictional interpretation of God’s reaction to this mindless man-made division amongst humans: –

One day, God was sitting with an expression of worry and disappointment. Seeing this, his disciple asked him, “Why are you looking so dejected?” God looked up to him and said, “I feel this way every time I look at humans living on earth. Thousands of years ago, I created humans, hoping them to be the most intelligent of all animals. But today when I look down, I am hardly able to find any humans. All I can see is Hindus, Muslims, Brahmins, Shudras, Kshatriyas, Christians, Parsis and what not!

“When I created them, I took special care in creating everyone physically and emotionally alike. Yet, they have created this division amongst them. If I have not created any difference between them, who are they to do so? Are they trying to show they are superior and more intelligent than me? What’s worse is, they have killed millions of people from their own species on the basis of the differentiation which they themselves have created! I feel insulted by my own creation!

“Well, like every time, I would now like to concentrate on other animals. They make me feel much better although they are unable to speak and are not as intelligent as humans. At least, they have preserved the identity which I gave them and have not divided themselves mindlessly.”

Social worker Bezwada Wilson provided a very interesting and easy method of degenerating caste system – inter-caste marriage. He rightly criticized those parents who strictly wish to get their child or children marry someone from their own caste. According to me, such parents are indirectly giving fuel to the inhuman caste system and encouraging the so-called superior castes to oppress the wrongly titled lower castes.

Many might argue that they are just following traditions and some religious books. But what’s the need to follow those traditions and religious books which divide humans and oppress innocents? To hell with such traditions and so-called religious books! After blindly following something so terrible, it’s high time the word caste is reduced to ashes!

Watch the eye-opening episode of Satyameva Jayate on caste system and untouchability: –

Satyameva Jayate: No to alcoholism, yes to life!

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People indulging in harmful activities or habits doesn’t shock me anymore. What shocks me is when they raise their eyebrows after knowing that I have always kept away from a harmful habit. The habit I am referring to is drinking alcohol. People give strange reactions when they come to know that I have never tasted alcohol or any type of liquor ever in my life. In fact, some even feel offended! At times, this makes me speechless but since my beliefs and morals are super strong, it never affected me.

Yesterday’s (July 1) episode of Satyameva Jayate threw light on the terrible effects of alcoholism. After listening to the shockingly tragic tales of the victims of alcoholism, I am proud to have never tasted that thing and my belief has become even stronger. Let’s look at the experiences shared in the episode.

A youngster Vijay Simha ventured into journalism and tasted enormous success in no time. Nothing could have brought him down but yet he had to spend nine months on the roads of Delhi. His body deteriorated in such a way that he should consider himself lucky that he didn’t die! A journalist at the peak of success was reduced to a mere beggar! Reason for such a devastating downfall? Alcohol!

In another case, a man from a poor family, Lakshman spent Rs 20 lakh in consuming alcohol and another Rs 20 lakh in getting treated for alcoholism for which he was admitted 80-100 times! If he hadn’t tasted liquor ever, his life would have been completely different.

But the case of the death of Curran Anand at the age of just 15 turned out to be the most heart-wrenching one. Just sitting in a car driven by a reckless drunkard cost him his life and his parents, a non-curable grief! Such is the cruel effect of alcohol that it can be fatal even for those who don’t drink!

People can argue they drink only a small quantity but as Javed Akhtar, the guest on the show, pointed out liquor has a tendency to be addictive which can prove terrible.

Therefore, what is so strange in me totally avoiding something which can be fatal for me and devastating for my whole family? I know there is no harm in trying it just sometimes but my point is, if something has the potential to ruin everything I have, why should I try it even once? By the way, according to psychiatrist Dr Vivek Benegal, 50% of liquor-drinking population of India, drink more than what is considered normal (four pegs)! More reasons to stay away from the bottle!

Few youngsters proudly revealed on the show the reason why they drink. A guy said he drinks as it helps him forget everything and enjoy due to the sensation it creates in the brain. According to a girl, drinking helps her dance properly while another one said it is ‘cool’ to drink.

All I can say is I feel terribly sorry for them. Have they become so weak that they need alcohol to forget problems instead of facing and solving them? If drinking helps you dance properly, all great dancers of India should have finished thousands of bottles in their lives! And what is so ‘cool’ in spending your parents’ hard earned money in something that can mess up your life and ruin your family’s image?

A rather sensible reason given by a guy was that he has to oblige his seniors and colleagues by giving them company to drink. Well, I have been in such situations where people have even been adamant in making me drink. However, if you are totally firm as I have been, nobody can put that bloody thing in your mouth!

Watch the July 1 episode of Satyameva Jayate below and if the discussions in the show don’t shake you against alcoholism, nothing else would!

Will Jindal become next Kasab?

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As expected, Pakistan has denied terrorist Abu Jindal, who was captured by India from Saudi Arabia for masterminding the 26/11 attacks, to be a national of their country and have even rubbished off all the proofs that India has against him. BJP leader Yashwant Sinha rightly said that even if you feed proofs in Pakistan’s mouth, still they will not accept it.

What is more surprising is the way Pakistan keeps on denying all terror evidences that India provides against their countrymen while our government fails to do much. For a long time, they even denied Ajmal Kasab being from Pakistan. As this is been happening since years, can’t we resort to some stricter methods while dealing with Pakistan when it comes to terrorism? But all we get is mere statements from the government.

But the bigger question is – Even if Jindal is proven guilty, will he ever be punished? His dear friend and co-terrorist Kasab was seen carrying out terrorist activities by everyone and was even proved guilty but instead of punishing him ASAP, we have kept him as our guest.

Last year the US entered Pakistan by hook or by crook and killed the person who attacked their country – Osama Bin Laden. On the other hand, we have not been able to do any harm to Kasab despite him being in our custody! I won’t be surprised if Jindal becomes India’s yet another special guest after Kasab, even if it indirectly means mocking the 26/11 victims and the people of India!

(This post is against terrorists from Pakistan and the government of that country. I have respect for the common people of Pakistan, some of whom are also my internet friends.)