Media Loses Vote In LS, Battle On Streets

On the evening of December 27 one should have watched the faces of Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt. The vote to amend the Constitution for Lokpal’s status was just complete and the channels had more or less reported it ‘through’ but frantically seeking a confirmation because there was some ruckus on in parliament. Opposition leader, Sushma Swaraj, then pointed out to the Speaker that the numbers weren’t enough to amend the constitution. Even the speaker looked at the numbers in disbelief. Rahul Gandhi was up from his seat in disbelief. His ‘game-changer’ constitutional status for the Lokpal had just been ground to dust. Both Barkha and Rajdeep looked stunned before finally announcing the inevitable fact that the ruling Congress had lost the vote. As did news anchors on the other channels. One would have thought it’s the media that had lost the vote and not the Congress.

The Game that didnt change

The game hadn’t changed and someone had to pay the price. Someone had to face the wrath of the media. Well, who else could be more handy than Anna Hazare, the man who has tormented the Congress party for nearly nine months now. Anna had already started his protest fast at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai but crowds were low compared to his earlier venture in August at Ramlila. With nothing else to lean on, the media had already declared the protest at MMRDA a fail! On December 28, the Queen was angry and the clown prince had disappeared to the potato fields again. The Lokpal bill was still hanging for approval from the Rajya Sabha. And the media was left debating the low attendance at MMRDA.

Talk about low attendance! A man who read out a written speech in zero hour and heralded his own meaningless idea of ‘constitutional status’ for Lokpal as a ‘game-changer’ was mostly missing from parliament. Except for second hand news Rahul Gandhi had no way of knowing what was going on there. His second appearance in parliament was for the amendment vote. That failed! And he probably didn’t even know why it had failed till someone had pointed out to him the reasons. Bhupendra Chaube of CNN-IBN wailed the best for RG when he asked Jagdambika Pal (Cong): “How could this happen, how can the Congress defeat Rahul Gandhi’s own amendment?” It almost sounded like Chaube and CNN-IBN had faced defeat themselves. Sonia Gandhi, of course, blamed the BJP and later even stated “Cannot trust the BJP”! I couldn’t help laughing at her joke. Since when did she ‘trust’ the opposition to pass silly amendments desired by the ruling party or specifically Rahul Gandhi? 

And to her credit she did ‘debate’ the bill very hard. She breathed fire and ice in the parliament over the Lokpal bill. No? Don’t believe me, believe this pic from The Hindu and the caption below. That’s how the media paints and portrays the queen. The Hindu's caption read: "A TV grab of Congress president Sonia Gandhi participating in a debate on the Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday". If you saw the same pic and caption three years later you’d think she gave the greatest speech in the parliament.

Something had to be done. So the media turned their attention to Anna and MMRDA and by the evening on December 28 they had declared his protest a complete failure. The biggest rant against Anna Hazare came from Shiv Aroor of Headlines Today. Yes, the same journalist who is keen to know Anna’s views on pornography. The others weren’t far behind. A female journalist in her screeching voice asked Anna if “he was against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi or against the Congress”. Such was the curiosity! NDTV played that question over and over again on their channel. Even the best minds at NDTV cannot fathom that people identify the Gandhis and Congress as being the same and therefore Anna’s attack against them on corruption is not entirely misdirected. Another vociferous journalist asked Anna if “BJP was his biggest enemy today”. Unfortunately, Anna’s answer couldn’t have gone down too well with the brokeress when he said “the biggest enemy today is the Congress”.

Since August, the media despite covering Anna’s protests would not have wanted him to succeed. Channels like NDTV and CNN-IBN even showered him and his team with sham awards. Those awards were like knives through hot butter except TeamAnna will realise that only in hindsight. TeamAnna had taken over the turf which the media had considered all of its own and these civil idiots had no business to campaign for any cause. Justice for this, justice for that has to be media monopoly, theatre has to be media monopoly, policy directions are media monopoly, national debates are media monopoly. So, when a daring old village idiot with a few assistants steals their cheese naturally they would be terribly distraught. And the failure of the amendment vote in LS and the lower crowds at MMRDA were perfect for the media to lash out at the failing anti-corruption movement of Anna. For months though the likes of Shekhar Gupta and Tavleen Singh have done their very best to tarnish the movement calling TeamAnna fascists and anarchists. TeamAnna has made many mistakes and they will be learning. But the biggest mistake they made was letting the govt get away when they had them by the scruff of their necks in August. They should have finished the task then and not left it to later. They did not reckon with the cunning ways of the Congress and the govt.

Right now, the Congress and the media are trying very hard to pin the blame on the opposition parties should the Lokpal bill fail in Rajya Sabha. No one, no one has been even sure that the Congress was sincere in passing the Lokpal bill. Ram Jethmalani even went on to say that the Lokpal did not need a constitutional status to be effective or successful. I have to agree that it doesn’t. This nonsensical ploy brought about by the private wet dreams of Rahul Gandhi was a diversion right from the start.

The single biggest bone of contention in Lokpal was the status of CBI on whether it should be under Lokpal or not. Ordinary people believe, as do many leaders, that corruption cases are used, misused and buried at the convenience of the party in power with the manipulation of CBI. If the CBI were truly independent or out of govt control even many media broking houses may have seen a fair bit of trouble. Media has to even thank the opposition leader Sushma Swaraj for keeping them out of the Lokpal. What happens in Rajya Sabha today will unravel in due course of the day. But the media, more than the Congress, behaves as if it has been defeated in Loksabha on the constitution amendment bill. That would be terrible then, Congress being beaten in LS and being beaten on the streets by Anna & Co. As a last resort Congress could call on Rajdeep and Barkha to broker a deal with the BJP.

Sense & Senility

“If a poor child does not have any means for education, then how will Lokpal bill help? If a poor man needs help for medical services then he will call up a politician. How will the Lokpal bill help”? That is a statement attributed to Kapil Sibal (TOI April 12). That is profound wisdom for you! I cannot fathom how the Lokpal bill is in any way connected to education or medical services. More, what stops the government from ensuring education for the poor is free and medical services are made available too. The real Gandhi would rot in hell if he sees the state of affairs of the present Congress. And there cannot be any further doubt that Sibal and some more Congressmen have not only lost their senses but are now bordering senility.

Anna Hazare’s campaign has been called a comic revolution (Manu Joseph of Open magazine) and ‘rule of the unelected’ by many media persons. Nothing wrong with the first statement. Every revolution has a comic side to it. How else does one explain the presence of Swami Agnivesh in this campaign?  Hazare had made it clear that no politician will share the stage with him. Agnivesh was, is and will be a politician. There’s the irony. And then like most stupid politicians even after his victory Hazare goes around giving interviews to the media. The man hasn’t learnt in all of his 71 years that the media exists to destroy and poke holes into every action and word of any leader. So the question the media now happily raises: ‘Is this rule by the unelected’.

The answer to the question of ‘rule by the unelected’ can partly be answered by another constitution, one of the USA. The second amendment of the US constitution allows people to bear arms. The words in that amendment have been interpreted in many forms but here is a very common interpretation: “The Constitution aside, bearing arms is a fundamental human right. It is the only means the American people have to reclaim control of their government, should it one day become irredeemably corrupt”. Arms aside, it is the duty of the unelected to reclaim their government should it become irredeemably corrupt. Is our government irredeemably corrupt? Make a wild guess!

Now, there is this lot in the Maharashtra Assembly which has moved a privilege motion against actor Anupam Kher for supposedly stating “throw out the constitution”. Kher, of course, has denied making that statement and there is no evidence that he has. But what even if he did make that statement. What is so damn wrong about that? Why don’t these same people move a posthumous privilege motion against Babasaheb Ambedkar? He is known as the architect of the constitution and he himself is on record stating he would be the first one to burn it.(Read the post Ambedkar wanted to burnthe constitution.. And he should have ! ) Again a case of the Congress+NCP losing its senses. After all, Sharad Pawar was accused by Hazare as the most corrupt in the Lokpal bill draft committee. And the NCP is the protector of the constitution. If anything, politicians have subverted the constitution many times over. Does that make sense?

Senility is now spreading across the Congress. Just the other day Sonia Gandhi was reported to seek votes for the LDF in Kerala. That’s the alliance the Congress is fighting the elections against. Well, it might just be a slip of tongue, but she sought votes for the LDF more than once. And who do they blame? The speech writers. That’s a good one. Even a badly written speech is always dealt with skilfully by a speaker with presence of mind. That says a lot for Sonia Gandhi’s general awareness levels. I wonder who will hang for her silly mistake now.

Finally, I couldn’t resist responding to my favourite politician – Rahul ‘The Duh’ Gandhi! Whenever he opens his mouth there is bound to be at least one great gem of wisdom. He finally seems to have got basic arithmetic right and learnt to count. Achutanandan, the CM of Kerala, would be 93 he said if he finishes another term in power. Hmmmm! He is 87, so plus 5 makes it 93 according to Rahul Gandhi. And then Abhishek Manu Singhvi cries and complains at Rahul being called an ‘Amul baby’ by Achutanandan. That’s more comedy for you. The Congress’ TN alliance chief, Karunanidhi, is almost 90. Manmohan Singh will be into his eighties and Rahul Gandhi, the sage, will be 400 before he becomes PM. The ghost who walks! That’s Congress sense and senility for everyone.

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Sharia

Yesterday (March 7) there were protests in New York over a controversial hearing to be conducted by American Congressman Peter King. The hearings are about the radicalisation of the muslim community in the US. While it may appear to be singling out the muslim community Peter King has stated that “if Al Qaeda were recruiting any other group -- be they Jews, Hindus or Irish Catholics -- he would have the "same hearings for those groups." The truth is that it’s mainly members of the muslim community that have been indulging in terrorist acts in the US, demanding extraordinary privileges and then there are some who have gone to the extreme of wanting Islamic law in the US. Some states like Oklahoma have even passed legislation to outlaw Sharia law and there are debates on whether such legislation is actually needed.

The protests in NY have been covered extensively by our online media. Yet, when it comes to the outrages by members of the muslim community our media slips those under the carpet. Our liberatti sheds tears for the likes of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti but there were no serious protests or reports over a Bangalore newspaper being attacked for carrying an article by Taslima Nasreen or the Statesman’s editors being attacked and dragged to court for reprint of an article about Mohammad. Those who attacked Taslima at a Hyderabad meeting roam free. The new dean of Darul-Uloom, Ghulam Vastanvi was attacked by his own community for suggesting that muslims are also progressing in Gujarat. This was twisted to infer that he supported Narendra Modi, when in reality he had made no statement endorsing Modi.

The uprisings in some countries in the middle east and north Africa have had our media gloating over how the protestors have revolted against dictators in the desire for freedom, liberty and democracy. The uprisings are justified and dictators should be thrown out. But what’s going to replace them? Secular democracy? It would be a rare mullah or Imam in the Islamic community who hasn’t strongly endorsed Sharia as the replacement. Tunisia is almost on the way to Islamic Sharia rule. Time will tell what happens in Egypt, Libya and other nations. The Muslim Brotherhood makes no secret of desiring Sharia law.

Omar Ahmed, the founder of CAIR (Council on American-Islam relations) is reported to have made it clear: "If you choose to live here (in America) ... you have a responsibility to deliver the message of Islam...Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant...The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth”. Though he later denied making the statement, the reporter stood by the report. CAIR is also linked to Hamas, the notified terrorist group. ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) has also encouraged Islamic law. The very idea of overthrowing the constitution of the USA and replacing it with Sharia law is a favourite idea of many Imam’s and muslim leaders. This, coupled with the number of terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic groups, does seem to justify the hearings that Peter King has proposed to conduct on radicalisation of muslims in America.

The problem is many Imams and muslim leaders abuse the very freedoms that democracies allow them. Anjem Choudary, recently promised a march to the White House to demand overthrow of the US constitution and its replacement by Sharia law. (Later cancelled due to ‘overwhelming support’!) Now, Anjem Choudary is not even an American citizen. He is British, the judge of a Sharia Court in Britain and is a champion of the concept of an Islamic UK and USA. Yes, Britain has over 85 Sharia courts. Some of his previous organisations have been banned in the UK. And yet no serious Muslim leader questions this man. I seriously doubt any muslim leader or prominent citizen in India would protest the desire for Sharia law to replace our own Indian constitution. The Imam Bukhari of Delhi is on record stating ‘Islam will rule India again’. There can be no denying the freedom to express such views. But this is a clash of ideologies that will eventually lead to a serious war, civil or world. Events in the Mideast and Africa have the potential to generate permanent conflicts. The ones cheering the uprisings the most aren’t those who value democracy. They are the ones who see the opportunity for an Islamic Caliphate.

'The White Masjid' - sharia4usa.com

If some Hindu jerk were to strongly suggest that our constitution be replaced by the ‘Panchatantra’ I would be revolting at the idea and would be strongly protesting. Yes, I would have a good laugh too! Yet, the idea of Sharia law in major democracies through the overthrow of highly cherished and valued constitutions does not seem to evoke any strong protests from muslims. And I doubt if there is any muslim leader who does not desire Sharia law in India too. Time will tell if they speak up. The pic here from Sharia4USA.com says it all. The site desires a ‘White Masjid’!

That multiculturalism has failed has now been accepted by many European leaders. The problem lies mainly with the muslim community. Two things seem to dictate this problem. Terror and Money. The Libyan and Saudi funding of many prominent universities in the UK has had many heads rolling. (Libya and the LSE: Large Arab gifts to universities lead to 'hostile' teaching) It is a matter of speculation but one wonders how many media and other outfits in India are being similarly funded by Islamic money. If not money, the extremists will use terror tactics of the kind that killed Salman Taseer, Shahbaz Bhatti, Theo Van Gogh, and continue to threaten the lives of many others who question or criticise Islamic practices. While protesting the hearings of Peter King, muslims would do well to question why their community is under the spotlight. It is the consequence of their own community members’ doings and not of others. They are not the victims here.

"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the American ‘Declaration of Independence’ and considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. And these words represent the inalienable rights of humans (Wikipedia). But if Anjem Choudary and many like him have their way,  the constitution would have a new preamble : ‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of Sharia’. I don’t think I want that, do you?

Madras Univ Wrong In Denying Rahul Gandhi Permission....

According to reports the Madras University has denied Rahul Gandhi permission to use their auditorium to address Congress workers and students. Obviously this smacks of political malice. No matter how much I disagree with Rahul Gandhi and find his statements and utterances childish and moronic  I have to condemn the action of Madras University.

Freedom of assembly, speech and expression is the first fundamental right in a democracy. It implies freedom of thought. Indian constitution does not guarantee us that right in its proper form but selective practices of denying freedom of speech and assembly further erode it.

If the constitution or rules of the Madras University do not permit political speeches then they should have allowed permission to Rahul Gandhi with the condition that he cannot indulge in speeches that violate their rules. That would have been proper. To prejudge his speech deserves condemnation.

This is the same Madras University that indulges in political activity of a different kind. Two years ago in September 2008 the organisation conferred an honorary doctorate on Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi. What for? Sonia Gandhi is not even a proper graduate, has not written any kind of literature, hasn’t done any noteworthy research or published any papers. If this University can confer such a degree on her, the motives are nothing but political. And I dare say, the university is quite likely to have allowed its auditorium for similar political functions in the past although I am not searching for its records.

If there has to be a stringent policy then Universities must stop conferring awards on political figures, ban political activity on their premises and ban student unions that are affiliated to political parties or are supported by political outfits. All of these happen day in and out at any university in India.

Instead of promoting greater freedom of speech most Indian institutions are politically motivated to curb it. While abusing freedom of speech is a common feature among public figures the constitution needs to be amended to allow complete freedom of speech to citizens. Articles which penalise causing hurt to communities, groups or religious sentiments are absolute balderdash. It’s nothing short of an insult to freedom itself.  Frequent banning of books is another blot on this freedom. Banning books on Shivaji, or Islam or plays on Gandhi etc. should not be tolerated in a mature democracy. Even  Hussain’s paintings should not be protested as much as Mohammad cartoons should not be banned. You must have the freedom to even question God and religion. When you don’t,  you are denying this freedom to atheists and agnostics. They are as much citizens of this democracy as anyone else.

The Madras University is perhaps being forced to act by political compulsions of the DMK government and owes an apology to Rahul Gandhi.

Ambedkar wanted to burn the constitution.. And he should have !

It should be evident to anyone following politics that our constitution, although well-intentioned, severely lacked in prudence and an even more severely lacked  foresight. If the parliamentarians today lack any concern for propriety or sense of justice then our founding fathers and those who framed the constitution are equally to blame for it.  Starting with Nehru right down to Rajiv Gandhi our constitution has been manipulated very frequently. Over 100 amendments in about 60 years. In contrast the US Constitution in over 200 years has undergone around 27 amendments.

In the episode from a Rajya Sabha discussion of 1953 it is clear Ambedkar wanted more powers to Governors. If he were alive today he would have burnt those "words" as well as the constitution of which he is supposedly the architect.


I am quoting below some excerpts from an article by Arun Shourie (The Manu of our times - 
http://shourie.bhara​tvani.org/articles/a​mbedkar.htm)
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From Rajya Sabha September 2, 1953

"Now, Sir," the member said, "we have inherited a tradition. People always keep saying to me : 'Oh, you are the maker of the Constitution.' "My answer is I was a hack. What I was asked to do, I did much against my will."

He ridiculed the "notions of democracy" the country had acquired because of its hatred of the British, like the notion that to leave any discretionary powers with the Governor is undemocratic. "We have inherited the idea that the Governor must have no power at all, that he must be a rubber-stamp," the member explained. "If a minister, however scoundrelly he may be, if he puts up a proposal before the Governor, he has to ditto it. That is the kind of conception about democracy which we have developed in this country," he continued.

"But you defended it," interjected a member from Rajasthan.
"We lawyers defend many things....," said the member. Several members were on their feet protesting.

He proceeded to ask the Home Minister : were our Constitution to give discretionary powers to Governors on the lines of the Canadian Constitution, how would it become undemocratic ? The Home Minister said his answer was that the member had been responsible for drafting the Constitution. The member shot back, "You want to accuse me of your blemishes?"

He returned to the point a little later in his speech : "Sir," he said, "my friends tell me that I have made the Constitution. But I am quite prepared to say that I shall be the first person to burn it out. I do not want it. It does not suit anybody...."

The member ? B.R. Ambedkar, of course!
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If the conduct of H.R. Bharadwaj in the recent Karnataka assembly incidents and many such governors is any indication Ambedkar would have had to eat his words all over again. I am convinced Ambedkar would have indeed burnt this present constitution of ours and sought a complete rewrite all over again.