ISKCON devotees, which is popularly known as Hare Krishna, distributed prasadam in the Prison situated at the Sanish city of Ceuta on 3rd December, 2010.
Peculiarity of this prison is that it is the only prison in the entire European Union which serves a full vegetarian menu at least once in a year to all inmates.
On Friday 3rd December, 2010, a group of ISKCON devotees in the leadership of Krishna Kripa Das and his wife Radhapriya Dasi cooked food for the inmates as well as the guards and other prison staff.
The menu includes:-
Basmati Rice, Mung Dal, Chinease noodles with vegetable mix, vegetable pakoras, Spanish puris, fruit salad etc.
Photograph of food distribution by ISKCON is enclosed in jpg format.
It is worthwhile to mention here that every European country has atleast 2% Hindu population – declared or non declared.
Declared means those who declared themselves as Hindu’s voluntarily in respective country’s census.
Non-declared means those people who born in Christian families but later abandoned Christianity due to recent scandals, and declared themselves as “not aligned to any religion”. But a large percentage of this native populations of the respective country supports Hindu activities due to its simplicity. It is due to this native people Hinduism and Yoga is flourishing in Europe and America .
ISKCON is one of the several organisactions which helped Hinduism to flourish in Europe, America , Australia and Africa .
----------------------------------------------------------
News review
Monday, January 31, 2011
"Congress is Mis-using CBI to frame RSS in blast cases", RSS.
26.01.2011
RSS has launched door-to-door campaigns against “the efforts made by the Congress and investigating agencies to link it to various blast cases in the country, including the Samjhauta Express blast.”
Sources in the RSS said in the around 2,000 workers have joined the campaign. Amrut Kadiwala, head of RSS-Gujarat, said that to enlighten the people of the country several thousand of their workers will carry out door-to-door campaigns. In Gujarat, the campaign started from Saturday and would continue till February 6.
RSS will also organise group meetings in the areas where they carry out door-to-door campaigns, he said adding that special group meetings will be organised for doctors, advocates and professors among others.
“The only intention of RSS is to clarify that the Sangh is not for terrorism in the state. The Congress wants to ban RSS; the Sangh is not afraid of it. In the past, too, efforts were made to ban RSS, but failed. This time also we are ready to fight it out,” Kadiwala said. RSS has not sought BJP’s political support, he claimed.
Terming it a conspiracy against Hindus and RSS, Kadiwala, said that there was an effort to link the organisation to various bomb blasts. “After the Samjhauta blast, the same Congress leadership, had named Safdar Nagori in the matter; now, they are out to link the RSS to the same blast incident,” he said, adding that either Congress was wrong then or it is wrong now.
Central Bureau of Investigation was being misused by the Congress and Gujarat is an example, he said. Pointing out that it was the same CBI which had dropped charges against senior BJP leader L K Advani and others in Ayodhya case, he said, “the party in power was different then.”
RSS has launched door-to-door campaigns against “the efforts made by the Congress and investigating agencies to link it to various blast cases in the country, including the Samjhauta Express blast.”
Sources in the RSS said in the around 2,000 workers have joined the campaign. Amrut Kadiwala, head of RSS-Gujarat, said that to enlighten the people of the country several thousand of their workers will carry out door-to-door campaigns. In Gujarat, the campaign started from Saturday and would continue till February 6.
RSS will also organise group meetings in the areas where they carry out door-to-door campaigns, he said adding that special group meetings will be organised for doctors, advocates and professors among others.
“The only intention of RSS is to clarify that the Sangh is not for terrorism in the state. The Congress wants to ban RSS; the Sangh is not afraid of it. In the past, too, efforts were made to ban RSS, but failed. This time also we are ready to fight it out,” Kadiwala said. RSS has not sought BJP’s political support, he claimed.
Terming it a conspiracy against Hindus and RSS, Kadiwala, said that there was an effort to link the organisation to various bomb blasts. “After the Samjhauta blast, the same Congress leadership, had named Safdar Nagori in the matter; now, they are out to link the RSS to the same blast incident,” he said, adding that either Congress was wrong then or it is wrong now.
Central Bureau of Investigation was being misused by the Congress and Gujarat is an example, he said. Pointing out that it was the same CBI which had dropped charges against senior BJP leader L K Advani and others in Ayodhya case, he said, “the party in power was different then.”
'Hindu terror': India the sole loser
2011-01-28
The desperation to equate Pakistan-sponsored terror with so-called 'Hindu Terror' or 'Saffron Terror' is largely motivated by selfish considerations of very few at the cost of the nation. There can be nothing more misleading than the oft-repeated refrain of some politicians, professional activists and some journalists that all kinds of terror are same.
The truth is that the objective of each type of terror is different. In the case of Pakistan, it is to bleed India to disintegration and death. The Maoist terror is to expand their writ and finally overthrow the government in Delhi. Terrorism in Kashmir has the objective of secession from India.
What is the objective of 'Hindu terror' or 'Saffron terror'?
Is it retributive terror? Why did this phenomenon of retributive terror not come into being between the years 1990 and 2000, when terrorism was confined to Kashmir and had in fact consumed the region? It did not happen even after Kashmiri pandits were evicted from their homes, to lead a miserable life in temporary camps.
If indeed 'retributive terror' on part of 'Saffron outfits' is a reality, it is because the government was seen by the people to be confused, ineffective, and weak in tackling terror. Is it then retributive terrorism or a law and order problem, wherein certain individuals have taken law in their own hands in self-defence? Probably, in their notion such attacks can be precluded by raising the cost and threshold level, which the state has failed to do?
Even, if one were to term it as 'terrorism', the question arises, are proactive and reactive terrorism the same?
The same constituency of India, which takes strong objection to the term 'Islamic Terror' has no qualms about using irresponsible terms like 'Hindu Terror' and 'Saffron Terror'.
How is it that it is the same people, who are supporting the Maoists and Kashmiri separatists, are speaking so vociferously about the phenomenon of 'Hindu Terrorism' or 'Saffron Terrorism'?
A senior politician, presently in no official capacity and two-time chief minister of another state, sharing threat perception with the ATS Chief of Maharashtra is rather intriguing. It amounts to breach of service rules and the Official Secrets Act. Had the Union Home Minister or the State Home Minister been sharing the threat perception, it was understandable and legitimate. Was there an attempt to influence the ATS Chief?
The timing of fabrication of 'Hindu Terror' is significant. Malegaon-2 in 2008 could not pay much dividends after being milked in the 2009 elections. Readers may look into the headlines of some newspapers and dominant theme of some magazines, which were on an overdrive to exaggerate the phenomenon of 'Hindu Terror'. There was a burst of inspired media leaks during that period.
The same phenomenon is being witnessed today. The newspapers and the magazines are the same. Given their financial and political (can be gleaned from the net) control, it is not at all surprising. The timing, too, is not surprising, as the ground is drifting from under the feet of the current dispensation because of price rise and mega scandals.
Both the periods are characterised by a burst of news regarding 'Hindu Terror'. It will further become shrill if the government continues to be haunted and will disappear, if the threat attenuates. Till then, we Indians are condemned to be subjected of bizarre theories and conspiracies.
When narco-tests fail, confessions by "accused" because of change of heart triumph! If at all, it is a genuine change of heart, the entire phenomenon of 'Hindu Terror' should have been completely unraveled. There should be no need of any further interrogation.
The current challenge is to keep the bogey of 'Hindu Terror' alive and this can only be done by linking the terrorist incidents at Malegaon (2), Ajmer Sharif, Mecca Masjid, Samjhuta Express and Malegaon (1). To link these it is a tall order. Malegaon-2 (2008) and Malegaon-1 (2006) cannot be linked because of various reasons.
In Malegaon-1, RDX was used and in Malegaon-2, crude pipe-bombs. After Malegaon-1, the Maharastra ATS had ruled out the involvement of 'Hindu Groups', and maintained that RDX was used only by Islamic terror outfits. It is pertinent to mention that in May 2006, the police had recovered cache of RDX explosives based on information provided by arrested SIMI activists.
It is a little known fact that before Malegaon-2, there was another very low key blast near the same site, which the authorities have conveniently decided not to mention because it does not fit into the script.
On 28 November 2006, the Mumbai Police said that two Pakistani nationals were involved in the explosions and declared: “We have successfully solved the Malegaon case. We are, however, on the lookout for eight more suspects�.
The three accused confessed before a competent authority about their involvement in the conspiracy, but later two of them rescinded in front of a Magistrate on the plea that their confession was not voluntary.
The most bizarre flip-flop by the investigative agencies have been with regard to the blast in Samjhuta Express in February 2007. In July 2009, the US accused Arif Qasmani, of being the Chief Coordinator of LeT for the attack and so did the United Nations. The latter, in fact, named at least four LeT perpetrators.
David Headley's Moroccan wife Outlaha had conveyed to US intelligence authorities about his involvement in the Samjhuta blast and spoke about Headley's links with the LeT. She conveyed to an American official that she “felt she had been used in express train bombing�. Accordingly, as per New York Times, the US officials had informed Islamabad in December 2007.
India Loses
The much touted success of the investigative agencies in linking blasts in Samjhuta Express, Mecca Masjid and other blasts to 'Hindu Terror' or 'Saffron Terror' raises more questions than it answers.
While vote-bank politics of some political outfits may have been served, India has lost. The police and the investigative agencies have been politicised and their credibility stands shattered.
Even the newly formed National Investigative Agency (NIA) has been rendered vulnerable to political manipulation. The inspired leaks of Swami Aseemanand's confession and flip flops over it bear testimony.
In terms of India's security, the damage is incalculable. Pakistan, the perpetrator of terrorism in India is now asking India to share the details of Samjhuta blasts. 26/11 and Samjhuta blasts, much to the gratification of vested interests and anti-nationals, stand equated.
As and when Pakistan unleashes, the next terror attack on India, the Pakistan authorities will deny it and demand that it be first establish whether it was 'Hindu Terror' or 'Islamic Terror'.
India's option of punitive action against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism within the country stands foreclosed.
India is losing the war against terrorism.
RSN Singh is a former military intelligence officer who later served in the Research and Analysis Wing, or R&AW. The author of two books: Asian Strategic and Military Perspective and Military Factor in Pakistan, he is also Associate Editor, Indian Defence Review.
http://www.sify.com/news/hindu-terror-india-the-sole-loser-news-columns-lb1sgGbhdaf.html?scategory=columns
The desperation to equate Pakistan-sponsored terror with so-called 'Hindu Terror' or 'Saffron Terror' is largely motivated by selfish considerations of very few at the cost of the nation. There can be nothing more misleading than the oft-repeated refrain of some politicians, professional activists and some journalists that all kinds of terror are same.
The truth is that the objective of each type of terror is different. In the case of Pakistan, it is to bleed India to disintegration and death. The Maoist terror is to expand their writ and finally overthrow the government in Delhi. Terrorism in Kashmir has the objective of secession from India.
What is the objective of 'Hindu terror' or 'Saffron terror'?
Is it retributive terror? Why did this phenomenon of retributive terror not come into being between the years 1990 and 2000, when terrorism was confined to Kashmir and had in fact consumed the region? It did not happen even after Kashmiri pandits were evicted from their homes, to lead a miserable life in temporary camps.
If indeed 'retributive terror' on part of 'Saffron outfits' is a reality, it is because the government was seen by the people to be confused, ineffective, and weak in tackling terror. Is it then retributive terrorism or a law and order problem, wherein certain individuals have taken law in their own hands in self-defence? Probably, in their notion such attacks can be precluded by raising the cost and threshold level, which the state has failed to do?
Even, if one were to term it as 'terrorism', the question arises, are proactive and reactive terrorism the same?
The same constituency of India, which takes strong objection to the term 'Islamic Terror' has no qualms about using irresponsible terms like 'Hindu Terror' and 'Saffron Terror'.
How is it that it is the same people, who are supporting the Maoists and Kashmiri separatists, are speaking so vociferously about the phenomenon of 'Hindu Terrorism' or 'Saffron Terrorism'?
A senior politician, presently in no official capacity and two-time chief minister of another state, sharing threat perception with the ATS Chief of Maharashtra is rather intriguing. It amounts to breach of service rules and the Official Secrets Act. Had the Union Home Minister or the State Home Minister been sharing the threat perception, it was understandable and legitimate. Was there an attempt to influence the ATS Chief?
The timing of fabrication of 'Hindu Terror' is significant. Malegaon-2 in 2008 could not pay much dividends after being milked in the 2009 elections. Readers may look into the headlines of some newspapers and dominant theme of some magazines, which were on an overdrive to exaggerate the phenomenon of 'Hindu Terror'. There was a burst of inspired media leaks during that period.
The same phenomenon is being witnessed today. The newspapers and the magazines are the same. Given their financial and political (can be gleaned from the net) control, it is not at all surprising. The timing, too, is not surprising, as the ground is drifting from under the feet of the current dispensation because of price rise and mega scandals.
Both the periods are characterised by a burst of news regarding 'Hindu Terror'. It will further become shrill if the government continues to be haunted and will disappear, if the threat attenuates. Till then, we Indians are condemned to be subjected of bizarre theories and conspiracies.
When narco-tests fail, confessions by "accused" because of change of heart triumph! If at all, it is a genuine change of heart, the entire phenomenon of 'Hindu Terror' should have been completely unraveled. There should be no need of any further interrogation.
The current challenge is to keep the bogey of 'Hindu Terror' alive and this can only be done by linking the terrorist incidents at Malegaon (2), Ajmer Sharif, Mecca Masjid, Samjhuta Express and Malegaon (1). To link these it is a tall order. Malegaon-2 (2008) and Malegaon-1 (2006) cannot be linked because of various reasons.
In Malegaon-1, RDX was used and in Malegaon-2, crude pipe-bombs. After Malegaon-1, the Maharastra ATS had ruled out the involvement of 'Hindu Groups', and maintained that RDX was used only by Islamic terror outfits. It is pertinent to mention that in May 2006, the police had recovered cache of RDX explosives based on information provided by arrested SIMI activists.
It is a little known fact that before Malegaon-2, there was another very low key blast near the same site, which the authorities have conveniently decided not to mention because it does not fit into the script.
On 28 November 2006, the Mumbai Police said that two Pakistani nationals were involved in the explosions and declared: “We have successfully solved the Malegaon case. We are, however, on the lookout for eight more suspects�.
The three accused confessed before a competent authority about their involvement in the conspiracy, but later two of them rescinded in front of a Magistrate on the plea that their confession was not voluntary.
The most bizarre flip-flop by the investigative agencies have been with regard to the blast in Samjhuta Express in February 2007. In July 2009, the US accused Arif Qasmani, of being the Chief Coordinator of LeT for the attack and so did the United Nations. The latter, in fact, named at least four LeT perpetrators.
David Headley's Moroccan wife Outlaha had conveyed to US intelligence authorities about his involvement in the Samjhuta blast and spoke about Headley's links with the LeT. She conveyed to an American official that she “felt she had been used in express train bombing�. Accordingly, as per New York Times, the US officials had informed Islamabad in December 2007.
India Loses
The much touted success of the investigative agencies in linking blasts in Samjhuta Express, Mecca Masjid and other blasts to 'Hindu Terror' or 'Saffron Terror' raises more questions than it answers.
While vote-bank politics of some political outfits may have been served, India has lost. The police and the investigative agencies have been politicised and their credibility stands shattered.
Even the newly formed National Investigative Agency (NIA) has been rendered vulnerable to political manipulation. The inspired leaks of Swami Aseemanand's confession and flip flops over it bear testimony.
In terms of India's security, the damage is incalculable. Pakistan, the perpetrator of terrorism in India is now asking India to share the details of Samjhuta blasts. 26/11 and Samjhuta blasts, much to the gratification of vested interests and anti-nationals, stand equated.
As and when Pakistan unleashes, the next terror attack on India, the Pakistan authorities will deny it and demand that it be first establish whether it was 'Hindu Terror' or 'Islamic Terror'.
India's option of punitive action against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism within the country stands foreclosed.
India is losing the war against terrorism.
RSN Singh is a former military intelligence officer who later served in the Research and Analysis Wing, or R&AW. The author of two books: Asian Strategic and Military Perspective and Military Factor in Pakistan, he is also Associate Editor, Indian Defence Review.
http://www.sify.com/news/hindu-terror-india-the-sole-loser-news-columns-lb1sgGbhdaf.html?scategory=columns
Karnataka church attacks: BJP, Sangh Parivar get clean chit
Bangalore: The Justice Somasekhara Commission of Inquiry into a series of attacks on churches in parts of Karnataka in 2008 has given a "clean chit" to the ruling BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits.
"There is no basis to the apprehension of Christian petitioners that politicians, BJP, mainstream Sangh Parivar and state government directly or indirectly are involved in the attacks", the one-man commission said in its final report submitted to the Government today.
According to the report submitted to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, circulation of derogatory literature with "insulting attitude" against Hindus and issues of conversion were the main reasons behind the attacks.
The churches were attacked in the districts of Mangalore, Udupi, Chikamagalur, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bellary and Davangere during September 2008.
The commission found fault with the authority's act of locking the places of worship and preventing devotees from offering prayers as "unprecedented in the history of administrative process and constitutional governance".
Home Minister R Ashok and Law Minister S Suresh Kumar were also present when the report was submitted.
"There is no basis to the apprehension of Christian petitioners that politicians, BJP, mainstream Sangh Parivar and state government directly or indirectly are involved in the attacks", the one-man commission said in its final report submitted to the Government today.
According to the report submitted to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, circulation of derogatory literature with "insulting attitude" against Hindus and issues of conversion were the main reasons behind the attacks.
The churches were attacked in the districts of Mangalore, Udupi, Chikamagalur, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bellary and Davangere during September 2008.
The commission found fault with the authority's act of locking the places of worship and preventing devotees from offering prayers as "unprecedented in the history of administrative process and constitutional governance".
Home Minister R Ashok and Law Minister S Suresh Kumar were also present when the report was submitted.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
A bitter harvest of souls Religious conversion has unhappy consequences
Life term for Dara Singh upheld
J. Venkatesan
Orissa High Court had commuted death sentence awarded by a trial court
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday upheld an Orissa High Court judgment that commuted the death sentence a trial court awarded to Dara Singh to life term. He burnt to death Australian Christian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his minor sons Philip Staines and Timothy Staines on the night of January 22, 1999 at Manoharpur.
Dismissing the Central Bureau of Investigation's plea to enhance the life sentence, a Bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan held that this was not one of the rarest of rare cases in which the death sentence should be awarded to the accused.
The Bench dismissed Dara Singh's appeal also against the life sentence, and confirmed the High Court judgment awarding life term to co-accused Mahendra Hembram and acquitting 11 others for want of evidence.
Writing the judgment, Justice Sathasivam said: “It is clear from various earlier decisions that on conviction under Section 302 of the IPC, the normal rule is to award the punishment of life imprisonment, and the punishment of death should be resorted to only in the rarest of rare cases. In the case on hand, though Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burnt to death while sleeping inside a station wagon at Manoharpur, the intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity. All these aspects have been correctly appreciated by the High Court, which modified the sentence of death to life imprisonment, with which we concur.”
Expressing anguish at intolerance of other religions, the Bench said: “In a country like ours, where discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion is taboo, taking the lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on society at large. It strikes at the very root of the orderly society which the founding fathers of our Constitution dreamt of. Our concept of secularism is that the state will have no religion. The state shall treat all religions and religious groups equally and with equal respect, without, in any manner, interfering on their individual right of religion, faith and worship.”
The Bench noted: “The then President of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan, once said in his address that ‘Indian unity was based on a tradition of tolerance, which is at once a pragmatic concept for living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and goodness in every religion'.”
The Bench hoped that Mahatma Gandhi's vision of religion playing a positive role in bringing the numerous religions and communities into an integrated prosperous nation could be realised by way of equal respect for all religions.
At the same time, it said: “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone's belief by way of ‘use of force,' provocation, conversion, incitement or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other.”
“The analysis of the entire materials clearly shows that the High Court is right in arriving at its conclusion. In the case on hand, there is no material to prove the conspiracy charge against any of the accused,” it said.
Noting the weaknesses and infirmities of the prosecution case insofar as the acquitted accused — all poor tribals — were concerned, the Bench said: “In the absence of a definite assertion from the prosecution side of their specific role and involvement, as rightly observed by the High Court, it is not safe to convict them.”
http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/22/stories/2011012263701600.htm
Conversion has no justification: SC
Life term for Dara upheld; 12 others free
The Supreme Court on Friday held that conversion from one religion to another had no justification in “secular” India as it amounted to interference in religious belief.
“We hope Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of religion playing a positive role in bringing religions and communities together into an integrated prosperous nation will be realised. There is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief through force, conversion or false premise that one religion is better than the other,” the court noted.
It was dealing with an appeal filed by Dara Singh, who was granted life sentence by the Orissa High Court for burning alive Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons 12 years ago.
The court upheld life sentence for Dara Singh, alias Rabindra Kumar Pal, and his accomplice Mahendra Hembram and acquitted the remaining 12 accused, failing to hold any truth in the conspiracy theory suggested by the CBI.
A Bench of Justices P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan noted, “In a country like ours — where discrimination on grounds of caste or religion is a taboo — taking lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on the society at large.” To this extent, it found the two accused guilty of snuffing out three innocent lives.
At the same time, the Bench felt that “conversion” violated the secular spirit of the Constitution. It said, “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief by way of ‘use of force’, provocation, conversion, incitement, or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other.”
Since secularism, according to the court, contained a guarantee that “the State shall treat all religions and religious groups equally and with equal respect without, in any manner, interfering with their individual right to religion, faith and worship.”
Quoting former President KR Narayanan — who said, “Indian unity is based on a tradition of tolerance, which is at once a pragmatic concept for living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and goodness in every religion” — the judgement hinged hope on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi for co-existence of religions as a “positive factor” to realise “equal respect for all religions”.
Going through the facts of the case, the judges felt that a case for death penalty, warranted under the “rarest of rare” circumstances, was not made out. It said, “…The intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity.”
The incident had occurred on the intervening night of January 22-23, 1999 in a remote tribal village of Odisha, Manoharpur. The shocking murders had outraged the nation and sparked a debate on religious tolerance vis-à-vis respect for all religions. This had led the trial court in Odisha to award death penalty to Dara Singh. But the Orissa High Court reversed the finding, sentencing him to life.
Going through the evidence produced by the CBI, the Bench noted that there were some inconsistencies in the statements of eyewitnesses and recorded confessions.
However, these were insufficient to work in favour of the accused. The judgement said, “It is relevant to point out that all eyewitnesses examined by the prosecution consistently stated that during occurrence (of the incident), the miscreants raised slogans in the name of Dara Singh (‘Dara Singh zindabad’),” a fact sufficient to nail his role in the case.
As regards Hembram, three kinds of evidence — confession given in writing, testimony of eyewitnesses and his conduct after the crime (he was absconding) — were crucial evidence to hold him and Singh guilty.
Promoting secular spirit
>Religious conversion has no justification in secular India
>Force, conversion or false premise no basis for such conversion
>Taking lives of persons of another religion bound to have dangerous repercussions
>Gandhi’s vision of religious coexistence a ray of hope
>But case for death penalty for accused unconvincing
http://www.dailypioneer.com/312505/Conversion-has-no-justification-SC.html
A bitter harvest of souls
Religious conversion has unhappy consequences
The Supreme Court’s decision to endorse the Odisha High Court’s judgement against Dara Singh, who has been held guilty of being involved with the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in January 1999, sentencing him to life imprisonment, brings a ghastly incident that shocked India to a closure. Staines and his two young sons died when the station wagon in which they were sleeping was set on fire by a mob; it was an unconscionable misdeed. Dara Singh and his associate, Mahendra Hembram, richly deserve the punishment that has been meted out to them for their role in that crime. However, the Supreme Court’s lengthy verdict is equally, if not more, important for another reason: It provides a context to the crime that was committed in a remote tribal village of Odisha that January night more than a decade ago. As Friday’s judgement puts it, “The intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity.” The judgement is a scathing comment on preachers and pastors engaged in ‘harvesting souls’ through religious conversion, targeting innocent tribals whose poverty and illiteracy makes them vulnerable to the blandishments of crafty missionaries. This is most pronounced in States like Odisha, which was among the first to adopt an anti-conversion law to counter aggressive proselytising activities of missionaries, which have a significant tribal population, leading to social strife and disharmony. Staines was one such missionary whose activities were not restricted to tending to leprosy patients, noble as that vocation may have been, but extended to converting tribal youth to Christianity. This caused resentment among those tribals who felt the missionary was encouraging their fellow tribesmen to abandon their indigenous faith and beliefs. “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief by way of ‘use of force’, provocation, conversion, incitement or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other,” Justice P Sathasivam and Justice BS Chauhan have observed, adding, “In a country like ours where discrimination on the ground of caste or religion is a taboo, taking lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on the society at large ... It strikes at the very root of the orderly society which the founding fathers of our Constitution dreamt of.”
Tragically, the right to freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is interpreted by Christian missionaries and our deracinated Left-liberal commentariat as well as pseudo-secular politicians as the right to convert, more often than not through deceit, fraud and allurement. That this is done by positing one faith as being superior to another is overlooked and those standing up to religious conversion are crudely admonished. It is a reflection of this sad reality that no tears were shed over the brutal slaying of Swami Lakshmanananda who had dedicated his life to tribal welfare and stood up to missionaries looking for souls to harvest at a discounted rate. It is also a telling comment that few have bothered to look at the reasons that led to a virtual tribal uprising in Kandhamal district of Odisha against missionaries and their henchmen in 2008. This is not the first time the courts have wisely warned against the consequences of conversion. But this wisdom has been treated with scorn by missionaries and their patrons. The consequences of this folly are there for all to see.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/312397/A-bitter-harvest-of-souls.html
J. Venkatesan
Orissa High Court had commuted death sentence awarded by a trial court
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday upheld an Orissa High Court judgment that commuted the death sentence a trial court awarded to Dara Singh to life term. He burnt to death Australian Christian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his minor sons Philip Staines and Timothy Staines on the night of January 22, 1999 at Manoharpur.
Dismissing the Central Bureau of Investigation's plea to enhance the life sentence, a Bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan held that this was not one of the rarest of rare cases in which the death sentence should be awarded to the accused.
The Bench dismissed Dara Singh's appeal also against the life sentence, and confirmed the High Court judgment awarding life term to co-accused Mahendra Hembram and acquitting 11 others for want of evidence.
Writing the judgment, Justice Sathasivam said: “It is clear from various earlier decisions that on conviction under Section 302 of the IPC, the normal rule is to award the punishment of life imprisonment, and the punishment of death should be resorted to only in the rarest of rare cases. In the case on hand, though Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burnt to death while sleeping inside a station wagon at Manoharpur, the intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity. All these aspects have been correctly appreciated by the High Court, which modified the sentence of death to life imprisonment, with which we concur.”
Expressing anguish at intolerance of other religions, the Bench said: “In a country like ours, where discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion is taboo, taking the lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on society at large. It strikes at the very root of the orderly society which the founding fathers of our Constitution dreamt of. Our concept of secularism is that the state will have no religion. The state shall treat all religions and religious groups equally and with equal respect, without, in any manner, interfering on their individual right of religion, faith and worship.”
The Bench noted: “The then President of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan, once said in his address that ‘Indian unity was based on a tradition of tolerance, which is at once a pragmatic concept for living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and goodness in every religion'.”
The Bench hoped that Mahatma Gandhi's vision of religion playing a positive role in bringing the numerous religions and communities into an integrated prosperous nation could be realised by way of equal respect for all religions.
At the same time, it said: “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone's belief by way of ‘use of force,' provocation, conversion, incitement or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other.”
“The analysis of the entire materials clearly shows that the High Court is right in arriving at its conclusion. In the case on hand, there is no material to prove the conspiracy charge against any of the accused,” it said.
Noting the weaknesses and infirmities of the prosecution case insofar as the acquitted accused — all poor tribals — were concerned, the Bench said: “In the absence of a definite assertion from the prosecution side of their specific role and involvement, as rightly observed by the High Court, it is not safe to convict them.”
http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/22/stories/2011012263701600.htm
Conversion has no justification: SC
Life term for Dara upheld; 12 others free
The Supreme Court on Friday held that conversion from one religion to another had no justification in “secular” India as it amounted to interference in religious belief.
“We hope Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of religion playing a positive role in bringing religions and communities together into an integrated prosperous nation will be realised. There is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief through force, conversion or false premise that one religion is better than the other,” the court noted.
It was dealing with an appeal filed by Dara Singh, who was granted life sentence by the Orissa High Court for burning alive Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons 12 years ago.
The court upheld life sentence for Dara Singh, alias Rabindra Kumar Pal, and his accomplice Mahendra Hembram and acquitted the remaining 12 accused, failing to hold any truth in the conspiracy theory suggested by the CBI.
A Bench of Justices P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan noted, “In a country like ours — where discrimination on grounds of caste or religion is a taboo — taking lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on the society at large.” To this extent, it found the two accused guilty of snuffing out three innocent lives.
At the same time, the Bench felt that “conversion” violated the secular spirit of the Constitution. It said, “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief by way of ‘use of force’, provocation, conversion, incitement, or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other.”
Since secularism, according to the court, contained a guarantee that “the State shall treat all religions and religious groups equally and with equal respect without, in any manner, interfering with their individual right to religion, faith and worship.”
Quoting former President KR Narayanan — who said, “Indian unity is based on a tradition of tolerance, which is at once a pragmatic concept for living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and goodness in every religion” — the judgement hinged hope on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi for co-existence of religions as a “positive factor” to realise “equal respect for all religions”.
Going through the facts of the case, the judges felt that a case for death penalty, warranted under the “rarest of rare” circumstances, was not made out. It said, “…The intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity.”
The incident had occurred on the intervening night of January 22-23, 1999 in a remote tribal village of Odisha, Manoharpur. The shocking murders had outraged the nation and sparked a debate on religious tolerance vis-à-vis respect for all religions. This had led the trial court in Odisha to award death penalty to Dara Singh. But the Orissa High Court reversed the finding, sentencing him to life.
Going through the evidence produced by the CBI, the Bench noted that there were some inconsistencies in the statements of eyewitnesses and recorded confessions.
However, these were insufficient to work in favour of the accused. The judgement said, “It is relevant to point out that all eyewitnesses examined by the prosecution consistently stated that during occurrence (of the incident), the miscreants raised slogans in the name of Dara Singh (‘Dara Singh zindabad’),” a fact sufficient to nail his role in the case.
As regards Hembram, three kinds of evidence — confession given in writing, testimony of eyewitnesses and his conduct after the crime (he was absconding) — were crucial evidence to hold him and Singh guilty.
Promoting secular spirit
>Religious conversion has no justification in secular India
>Force, conversion or false premise no basis for such conversion
>Taking lives of persons of another religion bound to have dangerous repercussions
>Gandhi’s vision of religious coexistence a ray of hope
>But case for death penalty for accused unconvincing
http://www.dailypioneer.com/312505/Conversion-has-no-justification-SC.html
A bitter harvest of souls
Religious conversion has unhappy consequences
The Supreme Court’s decision to endorse the Odisha High Court’s judgement against Dara Singh, who has been held guilty of being involved with the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in January 1999, sentencing him to life imprisonment, brings a ghastly incident that shocked India to a closure. Staines and his two young sons died when the station wagon in which they were sleeping was set on fire by a mob; it was an unconscionable misdeed. Dara Singh and his associate, Mahendra Hembram, richly deserve the punishment that has been meted out to them for their role in that crime. However, the Supreme Court’s lengthy verdict is equally, if not more, important for another reason: It provides a context to the crime that was committed in a remote tribal village of Odisha that January night more than a decade ago. As Friday’s judgement puts it, “The intention was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity.” The judgement is a scathing comment on preachers and pastors engaged in ‘harvesting souls’ through religious conversion, targeting innocent tribals whose poverty and illiteracy makes them vulnerable to the blandishments of crafty missionaries. This is most pronounced in States like Odisha, which was among the first to adopt an anti-conversion law to counter aggressive proselytising activities of missionaries, which have a significant tribal population, leading to social strife and disharmony. Staines was one such missionary whose activities were not restricted to tending to leprosy patients, noble as that vocation may have been, but extended to converting tribal youth to Christianity. This caused resentment among those tribals who felt the missionary was encouraging their fellow tribesmen to abandon their indigenous faith and beliefs. “It is undisputed that there is no justification for interfering in someone’s belief by way of ‘use of force’, provocation, conversion, incitement or upon a flawed premise that one religion is better than the other,” Justice P Sathasivam and Justice BS Chauhan have observed, adding, “In a country like ours where discrimination on the ground of caste or religion is a taboo, taking lives of persons belonging to another caste or religion is bound to have a dangerous and reactive effect on the society at large ... It strikes at the very root of the orderly society which the founding fathers of our Constitution dreamt of.”
Tragically, the right to freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is interpreted by Christian missionaries and our deracinated Left-liberal commentariat as well as pseudo-secular politicians as the right to convert, more often than not through deceit, fraud and allurement. That this is done by positing one faith as being superior to another is overlooked and those standing up to religious conversion are crudely admonished. It is a reflection of this sad reality that no tears were shed over the brutal slaying of Swami Lakshmanananda who had dedicated his life to tribal welfare and stood up to missionaries looking for souls to harvest at a discounted rate. It is also a telling comment that few have bothered to look at the reasons that led to a virtual tribal uprising in Kandhamal district of Odisha against missionaries and their henchmen in 2008. This is not the first time the courts have wisely warned against the consequences of conversion. But this wisdom has been treated with scorn by missionaries and their patrons. The consequences of this folly are there for all to see.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/312397/A-bitter-harvest-of-souls.html
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
VHP President Singhal charges Sonia Gandhi of spoiling Hindu culture
VHP President Singhal charges Sonia Gandhi of spoiling Hindu culture
Sat Dec 25 2010 16:02:33 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time) by ANI
Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Dec 25 (ANI): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Ashok Singhal has accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of spoiling the Hindu culture and creating differences of among religions in the country.
“Sonia ji has come here, a foreign woman, who came here by becoming wife of Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister), but she has come to India to resolve some purpose. She came here to create differences in religion of the country,” Singhal said at a rally organised by the VHP here on Friday.
Scores of Hindu activists took part in Friday’s rally to pressurize the Central Government into clearing hurdles in the construction of the temple.
Speaking on the occasion, Singhal also slammed Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks on Hindu terror released by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.
“When it has been said (by Rahul Gandhi) that saffron terrorism is there in the country, I would say people wearing saffron cloths are symbol of sacrifice, love, peace and harmony. They are symbol of world peace. It is really sad to hear that these kinds of holy men were insulted,” he said.
According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, Rahul Gandhi was asked by the US ambassador about LeT’s activities in the region and immediate threat to India, to which he said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India’s indigenous Muslim community, the cable notes.
“However, Gandhi warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community,” the cable says. (ANI)
Sat Dec 25 2010 16:02:33 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time) by ANI
Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Dec 25 (ANI): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Ashok Singhal has accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of spoiling the Hindu culture and creating differences of among religions in the country.
“Sonia ji has come here, a foreign woman, who came here by becoming wife of Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister), but she has come to India to resolve some purpose. She came here to create differences in religion of the country,” Singhal said at a rally organised by the VHP here on Friday.
Scores of Hindu activists took part in Friday’s rally to pressurize the Central Government into clearing hurdles in the construction of the temple.
Speaking on the occasion, Singhal also slammed Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks on Hindu terror released by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.
“When it has been said (by Rahul Gandhi) that saffron terrorism is there in the country, I would say people wearing saffron cloths are symbol of sacrifice, love, peace and harmony. They are symbol of world peace. It is really sad to hear that these kinds of holy men were insulted,” he said.
According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, Rahul Gandhi was asked by the US ambassador about LeT’s activities in the region and immediate threat to India, to which he said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India’s indigenous Muslim community, the cable notes.
“However, Gandhi warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community,” the cable says. (ANI)
Vishwa Sangh Shibir 2010
A feature: Vishwa Sangh Shibir 2010: An exposure to global, confident Hindutva
By Virag Pachpore
"THE turn of the century saw Hindus claiming their rightful place on the world stage. Hindu brethren all over the world rose to prominence by their merit and prowess. A resurgent Bharat achieved spectacular growth in industry, research and economy, and has truly become global player. Synergy between achievements of Hindu diaspora and that of Bharat has brought about growing recognition and attraction of Hindu philosophy, values and practices—a sign of rising Hindu soft power.”
This rise of the Hindu power on the world scenario was very much visible at every step and at every moment at the five-day Vishwa Sangh Shibir 2010 that concluded on a very positive note at Pune on January 2, 2011 heralding the coming of and era of peace, harmony, progress and welfare of the entire humanity based on Hindu ethos and life values. The theme song Navshatabde Kaliyugabde Hindu Dharmo Vijayatam presented at the concluding function underlined the need for the world to follow and imbibe Hindu world view if humanity were to survive in this conflict-torn world of today. And when the RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat said in his speech at the grand valedictory function that Hindu Dharmo Vijayatam was not the need of Bharat only but of the entire humanity, he was only echoing the subtle, subconscious feelings of the thousands of Hindus who gathered to witness that historic event at Balewadi stadium in Pune on January 2, 2011.
The fifth Vishwa Sangh Shibir which was held from December 29, 2010 to January 3, 2011 at Rani Laxmibai Girls’ Military School run by Maharashtra Education Society in Pirungut near Pune, saw participation of 517 swayamsevaks including 122 sevikas and 35 children from 35 countries across the globe. The most notable presence was of the youths—over 300 of them belonging to the age group of 25-65 years. Besides, 34 were below the age of 14 years, and 117 were above 65 years of age. The first swayamsevak to start shakha outside Bharat, Shri Jagadish Sharada Shastri’s presence was electrifying and inspiring for the younger ones at the camp. Equally inspiring was the presence of senior Sangh Pracharaks, Shri K Suryanarayan Rao and Shri Ranga Hari besides the host of Sangh Adhikaris from Bharat and abroad. Moving on their respective wheelchairs, both Shastriji and Suriji (as Suryanarayan Raoji is fondly called) were seen interacting with the swayamsevaks and their family members braving the biting cold weather and chilly winds at camp site nestled in the lap of Sahyadri mountain ranges.
The participating swayamsevaks came from USA, Canada, Carribean countries, Hong Kong, UK, Sweden,. Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Bulgaria. Swayamsevaks from Bharat were also there.
It was a unique experience to be in the midst of these swayamsevaks from across the globe who looked to Bharat for inspiration and strength every five years. This was the fifth such camp. Earlier, similar camps were held at Bangalore in 1990 where 200 swayamsevaks from 20 countries participated; at Vadodara in 1995 where 350 from 28 countries attended; at Mumbai in 2000 which saw participation of 570 swayamsevaks from 38 countries and at Gandhinagar in 2005 where 520 swayamsevaks had gathered from 32 countries.
Outside Bharat the Sangh shakha began on a deck of a boat when Shri Jagadish Sharada Shastri, a swayamsevak from Punjab who was going to Kenya, decided to hoist the Bhagwadhwaj and recite Sangh Prarthana. He was joined by another swayamsevak and soon their number increased by the time they reached Kenya. So, Kenya was the first country outside Bharat to have started the Shakha of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) in 1947. Today, the HSS work has spread to 33 countries with a network of 530 shakhas and a lot of sewa and educational activities.
“For Hindus there is no defeat. Neither there is destruction for them. The world has to acquire Hindu values to survive. We must work with this confidence. We have to develop our own Hindu strength to save the world and humanity,” said Shri Mohan Bhagwat. When Shri Bhagwat uttered these words in front of the swayamsevaks, he was only expressing their inner feelings and sentiments to take the Hindu values and world view to every nook and corner of the globe in order to usher in an era of lasting peace, brotherhood and progress.
“A Hindu alone can think of the welfare of the humanity because he experiences the innate oneness in all living beings. Some time ago the world leaders were talking of global village and that they converted into a global market. We are here to transform that global village into global family and not market,” Shri Bhagwat said indicating without any doubt that the coming millennium would definitely belong to the Hindu thought, values and world view.
Balgokulam is another important activity of the HSS which has become very popular amongst children in countries like USA, Canada, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, UK etc. Through this programme the HSS workers train the children of Hindu community in these countries and inculcate in them good moral and cultural values. This has become a very prominent feature of the HSS work at present. Besides, yogasanas, celebrating Hindu festivals of Rakshabandhan, Deepawali or Holi also become instrumental in organising the Hindu society and also to develop relationship with the local communities of those countries.
As the swayamsevaks started pouring in at the camp site, they were welcomed with traditional Maharashtrain style by tying the headgear. Prabandhaks with smiling faces received them and guided them to their respective boarding places in the campus. Exactly at 4 pm the inauguration celebration began with a colourful shobhayatra in presence of RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh Shri Madan Das Devi, In-charge of the VSS Dr Bajranglal Gupt, Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s Chief Vandaniya Pramilatai Medhe and Vishwa Vibhag Sanyojak Dr Shankarrao Tatvawadi, Sahsanyojak Dr Sadanand Sapre and others. Students from the school attired in traditional Maharashtrian attire, riding horses and playing traditional instruments like dholak (drum), tutari (trumpets) and mridanga marched to the open space in front of Takshasheela building where the formal opening ceremony was held in the evening of Decemebr 29, 2010.
The inaugural programme was attended by VHP President Shri Ashok Singhal, Shri Shrikant Joshi, Shri Indresh Kumar, Dr Tatwavadi, Shri Ranga Hari, Shri Suryanarayanrao, USA Sanghachalak Dr Ved Prakash Nanda, UK Sanghachalak Shri Dheerajbhai Shah and others.
The daily routine of the camp began from 5.30 in the morning till 10.30 in the night. It included Ish Chintan, Yogasanas, games, physical programmes, shakha and of course bauddhik programmes. Entertainment programmes were also arranged for the swayamsevaks. The participants were divided into three categories viz. Karyakarta, Yuva and Swakeeya i.e. associates. The bauddhik programmes were conducted fulfilling the requirements of these categories.
Senior RSS Pracharak Shri Krishnappa explained the need of strengthening the family institution to save the Hindu society from impending danger of withering of families and life values. In the evening bauddhik session Shri Ranga Hari elaborated the essence of Hinduness and its all encompassing nature and scope to achieve welfare of total humanity. The very personality or identity of Hindu people is Hinduness and it is different from Hinduism which can well be described as collective noun for a commonwealth of religions born in Hindusthan. It has the power of assimilation and accommodation and harps on the principle of brotherhood. This philosophy will alone save the humanity from all the dangers in future, he said.
The next day Swami Vigyananada of VHP, Shri Sitaram Kedilai of Sewa Bharati, and Shri Ram Lal of BJP informed the swayamsevaks about the sewa activities, VHP activities and BJP’s position in Bharatiya polity in details. In the evening bauddhik varg UK Sanghchalak Shri Dheerajbahi Shah explained the importance of saving the Hindu family in foreign lands.
Geo-political situation in the world and condition of Hindus in different countries was discussed threadbare the next day. It was informed that the Hindus living in Muslim countries of Middle-East or Bangladesh have to face more stringent laws and they have no freedom to practice or profess their religious activities. Hindus in Bangladesh are still economically poor. There are six Hindu MPs in Bangladesh Parliament but only one MP talks on their behalf. In Nepal the presence of Maoists is a major threat while in Sri Lanka rehabilitation of 90,000 young war widows and over a lakh disabled people poses a great challenge to the Hindus. The problem of conversion is being faced by Hindus all over the world.
Sanghachalak of USA Dr Ved Prakash Nanda spoke on geo-political situation and stressed that Hindus will have to assert themselves if they were to play a decisive role in days to come to shape the future of mankind based on Hindu life values and ethos. Cultural impact of Hindus is still visible in various countries of the world and that can be used as a stepping stone for spreading the influence of Hindu way of life, he said.
Shri Balkrishna Naik, Vice-President of VHP discussed the possibility and ways and means of striking a better coordination amongst the Dharma-based cultures to create a greater constituency of takers of Hindu ethos and world view.
Addressing the valedictory function noted industrialist Shri Abhay Firodiya expressed satisfaction over Sangh teaching values in this changing atmosphere to the young ones. These life values are our strength, he said.
Shri Mohan Bhagwat expressed that Hindus contributed to the development of the country wherever they went and settled. But they have no respect in Bharat which is reflected in insult heaped on them across the globe. Even Hindus are insulted in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.
Dr Hedgewar established RSS to create a self-esteemed Hindu society proud of their dharma and culture and because he knew that this was the need of the world. His global vision was visible in the resolutions he placed before the All India Congress Committee session in 1920 at Nagpur, Shri Bhagwat said adding that the RSS was working for last 85 years towards fulfillment of that global vision of its founder.
The RSS Chief did not spare the critics of Sangh who, mostly out of the fear of losing their political clout, made the RSS a whipping boy. Even Pakistan could not dare to call Hindus as terrorist but our own politicians have the audacity to call them terrorists. Hinduism and terrorism are oxymoron, they can’t co-exist, Shri Bhagwat said warning the selfish politicians not to stretch things too far lest they would have to pay heavily for doing so.
Later addressing the participants at the camp Shri Bhagwat exhorted them to understand the Sangh and imbibe the core values of the organisation to achieve the dream of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.
Shri Badrinath Murthy and his team of prabandhaks made the stay of the swayamsevaks pleasant one at the camp. One swayamsevak from Australia confessed that he had learnt enough from the prabandhaks who were always available with smiling faces to help them at the camp.
By Virag Pachpore
"THE turn of the century saw Hindus claiming their rightful place on the world stage. Hindu brethren all over the world rose to prominence by their merit and prowess. A resurgent Bharat achieved spectacular growth in industry, research and economy, and has truly become global player. Synergy between achievements of Hindu diaspora and that of Bharat has brought about growing recognition and attraction of Hindu philosophy, values and practices—a sign of rising Hindu soft power.”
This rise of the Hindu power on the world scenario was very much visible at every step and at every moment at the five-day Vishwa Sangh Shibir 2010 that concluded on a very positive note at Pune on January 2, 2011 heralding the coming of and era of peace, harmony, progress and welfare of the entire humanity based on Hindu ethos and life values. The theme song Navshatabde Kaliyugabde Hindu Dharmo Vijayatam presented at the concluding function underlined the need for the world to follow and imbibe Hindu world view if humanity were to survive in this conflict-torn world of today. And when the RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat said in his speech at the grand valedictory function that Hindu Dharmo Vijayatam was not the need of Bharat only but of the entire humanity, he was only echoing the subtle, subconscious feelings of the thousands of Hindus who gathered to witness that historic event at Balewadi stadium in Pune on January 2, 2011.
The fifth Vishwa Sangh Shibir which was held from December 29, 2010 to January 3, 2011 at Rani Laxmibai Girls’ Military School run by Maharashtra Education Society in Pirungut near Pune, saw participation of 517 swayamsevaks including 122 sevikas and 35 children from 35 countries across the globe. The most notable presence was of the youths—over 300 of them belonging to the age group of 25-65 years. Besides, 34 were below the age of 14 years, and 117 were above 65 years of age. The first swayamsevak to start shakha outside Bharat, Shri Jagadish Sharada Shastri’s presence was electrifying and inspiring for the younger ones at the camp. Equally inspiring was the presence of senior Sangh Pracharaks, Shri K Suryanarayan Rao and Shri Ranga Hari besides the host of Sangh Adhikaris from Bharat and abroad. Moving on their respective wheelchairs, both Shastriji and Suriji (as Suryanarayan Raoji is fondly called) were seen interacting with the swayamsevaks and their family members braving the biting cold weather and chilly winds at camp site nestled in the lap of Sahyadri mountain ranges.
The participating swayamsevaks came from USA, Canada, Carribean countries, Hong Kong, UK, Sweden,. Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Bulgaria. Swayamsevaks from Bharat were also there.
It was a unique experience to be in the midst of these swayamsevaks from across the globe who looked to Bharat for inspiration and strength every five years. This was the fifth such camp. Earlier, similar camps were held at Bangalore in 1990 where 200 swayamsevaks from 20 countries participated; at Vadodara in 1995 where 350 from 28 countries attended; at Mumbai in 2000 which saw participation of 570 swayamsevaks from 38 countries and at Gandhinagar in 2005 where 520 swayamsevaks had gathered from 32 countries.
Outside Bharat the Sangh shakha began on a deck of a boat when Shri Jagadish Sharada Shastri, a swayamsevak from Punjab who was going to Kenya, decided to hoist the Bhagwadhwaj and recite Sangh Prarthana. He was joined by another swayamsevak and soon their number increased by the time they reached Kenya. So, Kenya was the first country outside Bharat to have started the Shakha of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) in 1947. Today, the HSS work has spread to 33 countries with a network of 530 shakhas and a lot of sewa and educational activities.
“For Hindus there is no defeat. Neither there is destruction for them. The world has to acquire Hindu values to survive. We must work with this confidence. We have to develop our own Hindu strength to save the world and humanity,” said Shri Mohan Bhagwat. When Shri Bhagwat uttered these words in front of the swayamsevaks, he was only expressing their inner feelings and sentiments to take the Hindu values and world view to every nook and corner of the globe in order to usher in an era of lasting peace, brotherhood and progress.
“A Hindu alone can think of the welfare of the humanity because he experiences the innate oneness in all living beings. Some time ago the world leaders were talking of global village and that they converted into a global market. We are here to transform that global village into global family and not market,” Shri Bhagwat said indicating without any doubt that the coming millennium would definitely belong to the Hindu thought, values and world view.
Balgokulam is another important activity of the HSS which has become very popular amongst children in countries like USA, Canada, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, UK etc. Through this programme the HSS workers train the children of Hindu community in these countries and inculcate in them good moral and cultural values. This has become a very prominent feature of the HSS work at present. Besides, yogasanas, celebrating Hindu festivals of Rakshabandhan, Deepawali or Holi also become instrumental in organising the Hindu society and also to develop relationship with the local communities of those countries.
As the swayamsevaks started pouring in at the camp site, they were welcomed with traditional Maharashtrain style by tying the headgear. Prabandhaks with smiling faces received them and guided them to their respective boarding places in the campus. Exactly at 4 pm the inauguration celebration began with a colourful shobhayatra in presence of RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh Shri Madan Das Devi, In-charge of the VSS Dr Bajranglal Gupt, Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s Chief Vandaniya Pramilatai Medhe and Vishwa Vibhag Sanyojak Dr Shankarrao Tatvawadi, Sahsanyojak Dr Sadanand Sapre and others. Students from the school attired in traditional Maharashtrian attire, riding horses and playing traditional instruments like dholak (drum), tutari (trumpets) and mridanga marched to the open space in front of Takshasheela building where the formal opening ceremony was held in the evening of Decemebr 29, 2010.
The inaugural programme was attended by VHP President Shri Ashok Singhal, Shri Shrikant Joshi, Shri Indresh Kumar, Dr Tatwavadi, Shri Ranga Hari, Shri Suryanarayanrao, USA Sanghachalak Dr Ved Prakash Nanda, UK Sanghachalak Shri Dheerajbhai Shah and others.
The daily routine of the camp began from 5.30 in the morning till 10.30 in the night. It included Ish Chintan, Yogasanas, games, physical programmes, shakha and of course bauddhik programmes. Entertainment programmes were also arranged for the swayamsevaks. The participants were divided into three categories viz. Karyakarta, Yuva and Swakeeya i.e. associates. The bauddhik programmes were conducted fulfilling the requirements of these categories.
Senior RSS Pracharak Shri Krishnappa explained the need of strengthening the family institution to save the Hindu society from impending danger of withering of families and life values. In the evening bauddhik session Shri Ranga Hari elaborated the essence of Hinduness and its all encompassing nature and scope to achieve welfare of total humanity. The very personality or identity of Hindu people is Hinduness and it is different from Hinduism which can well be described as collective noun for a commonwealth of religions born in Hindusthan. It has the power of assimilation and accommodation and harps on the principle of brotherhood. This philosophy will alone save the humanity from all the dangers in future, he said.
The next day Swami Vigyananada of VHP, Shri Sitaram Kedilai of Sewa Bharati, and Shri Ram Lal of BJP informed the swayamsevaks about the sewa activities, VHP activities and BJP’s position in Bharatiya polity in details. In the evening bauddhik varg UK Sanghchalak Shri Dheerajbahi Shah explained the importance of saving the Hindu family in foreign lands.
Geo-political situation in the world and condition of Hindus in different countries was discussed threadbare the next day. It was informed that the Hindus living in Muslim countries of Middle-East or Bangladesh have to face more stringent laws and they have no freedom to practice or profess their religious activities. Hindus in Bangladesh are still economically poor. There are six Hindu MPs in Bangladesh Parliament but only one MP talks on their behalf. In Nepal the presence of Maoists is a major threat while in Sri Lanka rehabilitation of 90,000 young war widows and over a lakh disabled people poses a great challenge to the Hindus. The problem of conversion is being faced by Hindus all over the world.
Sanghachalak of USA Dr Ved Prakash Nanda spoke on geo-political situation and stressed that Hindus will have to assert themselves if they were to play a decisive role in days to come to shape the future of mankind based on Hindu life values and ethos. Cultural impact of Hindus is still visible in various countries of the world and that can be used as a stepping stone for spreading the influence of Hindu way of life, he said.
Shri Balkrishna Naik, Vice-President of VHP discussed the possibility and ways and means of striking a better coordination amongst the Dharma-based cultures to create a greater constituency of takers of Hindu ethos and world view.
Addressing the valedictory function noted industrialist Shri Abhay Firodiya expressed satisfaction over Sangh teaching values in this changing atmosphere to the young ones. These life values are our strength, he said.
Shri Mohan Bhagwat expressed that Hindus contributed to the development of the country wherever they went and settled. But they have no respect in Bharat which is reflected in insult heaped on them across the globe. Even Hindus are insulted in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.
Dr Hedgewar established RSS to create a self-esteemed Hindu society proud of their dharma and culture and because he knew that this was the need of the world. His global vision was visible in the resolutions he placed before the All India Congress Committee session in 1920 at Nagpur, Shri Bhagwat said adding that the RSS was working for last 85 years towards fulfillment of that global vision of its founder.
The RSS Chief did not spare the critics of Sangh who, mostly out of the fear of losing their political clout, made the RSS a whipping boy. Even Pakistan could not dare to call Hindus as terrorist but our own politicians have the audacity to call them terrorists. Hinduism and terrorism are oxymoron, they can’t co-exist, Shri Bhagwat said warning the selfish politicians not to stretch things too far lest they would have to pay heavily for doing so.
Later addressing the participants at the camp Shri Bhagwat exhorted them to understand the Sangh and imbibe the core values of the organisation to achieve the dream of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.
Shri Badrinath Murthy and his team of prabandhaks made the stay of the swayamsevaks pleasant one at the camp. One swayamsevak from Australia confessed that he had learnt enough from the prabandhaks who were always available with smiling faces to help them at the camp.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Stand up to Maoists
Stand up to Maoists
Joginder Singh
January 10, 2011
It's absurd to sympathise with Binayak Sen who helped Maoists under the garb of helping tribals
One fails to understand the reason behind such an uproar against the conviction of Binayak Sen, who is actually a front man, courier and a supporter of Maoists. Just because he is a paediatrician by profession and has worked for tribals does not mean he cannot commit any wrong. The lower court, which has sentenced him to life imprisonment along with two others after an open, two-and-half-year trial, must have found him guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit sedition. Everyone expresses full faith in the judiciary as long the judgement, be it acquittal or conviction, is in favour. The moment a verdict is contrary to one’s expectation, the fairness of the judiciary is questioned.
Rights activists, Left sympathisers and members of the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha held a rally and staged a sit-in to protest against the verdict. Such ceremonial protests by activists, who call themselves the custodians of civil and human rights and believe in making irresponsible statements, go on to show that they want to have all the benefits and rights of a democracy but none of the responsibilities of protecting the nation from those who threaten to destroy it. What surprises one is that a former Chief Justice has called the judgement “nonsensical” and “unacceptable” and that he feels “ashamed to belong to a judiciary that delivered such a ridiculous judgement.”
The sole objective of these Maoists is to browbeat the security forces and civilians so that their illegal activities like kidnapping for ransom, extortion and protection racket remain unchallenged. What is most disturbing is that they are doing all this and more in the guise of helping tribals and uplifting their lot. An estimate puts their earnings from illegal activities at `1,500 crore. They impose their reign of terror by killing innocent people and men in uniform. Between 2005 and May 2010, they have taken the lives of 10,268 people. While 2,372 deaths were reported in 2009 as many as 1,769 people died in 2008 and 1,737 in 2007. In one of the worst Maoist attacks, 55 civilians were killed, 40 injured and 125 kidnapped at Dantewada on February 28, 2006. And more recently in April 2010, 76 CRPF personnel were massacred in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
It irks to see that there is not a word of sympathy from these so-called civil rights activists for the innocent people slaughtered in cold blood by Maoists. But they are up in arms when a conspirator is convicted by a court of law. They are least bothered about Maoist crimes and large-scale corruption. All they want is cheap publicity and this casts doubts on their sincerity.
The Union Minister for Finance, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is right in slamming the argument that Maoist violence is an offshoot of lack of development as “more imaginary than actual”. The Minister, reacting to the ‘root-cause theorists’ who routinely peddle the ‘lack of development’ theory to justify the spread of Maoism, said the Maoists are engaged in a political project to capture power by using guns. In his words: “Development is needed. Lack of development may swell Maoist cadre. But they do not run charitable institutions ... They are political elements and want to capture power.”
The Union Minister for Home Affairs, Mr P Chidambaram, has been equally candid. He said in unequivocal terms that intellectual and material support to Maoists from various quarters was making the Government’s task to curb the menace all the more difficult. He has been equally critical of the liberal media for giving these murderers respectability. According to him, Maoists seduce the media by making false charges in court to generate sympathy. “Maoists believe in violence which has no place in a democracy. A strong head, a stronger heart and staying power is required to tackle them,” he said.
That the Maoists have been creating mayhem in the country for the past few years is common knowledge. They account for the top five worst attacks on men in uniform anywhere in India, including Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. The following instances serve to underscore the threat they pose:
March 15, 2007: 55 killed in an armed attack and bombings at Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.
June 29, 2008: 31 policemen, mostly from anti-Maoist Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh, and four paramilitary personnel killed in an attack on a motor boat at Malkangiri in Odisha.
April 8, 2004: 19 Jharkhand Armed Police personnel and nine CRPF men killed by landmines at Chaibasa in Jharkhand.
July 9, 2007: 16 CRPF men, eight policemen from Chhattisgarh and one civilian killed in Maoist attack at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.
February 15, 2010: At least 24 personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles killed in an attack on the EFR camp at Silda in West Bengal.
April 2010: 76 CRPF men killed in an ambush at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.
The prophetic warning of Mr Chidambaram needs to be drilled into the heads of civil rights activists: “There can be no half-way approach. Most people still think there could be a compromise or some kind of median approach. This is immature and foolish ... This (Maoist violence) is expected because as long as we did not engage them, they were happy and expanding. They will continue to expand unless we challenge them.”
The rights activists would do well to advise their Maoist friends on the futility of killing innocent and poor people. In fact, that would be of help in dealing with what the Prime Minister describes as “the most serious threat to India’s internal security”. Despite the Prime Minister’s deep concern over the “virtual collapse of law and order in view of extortion demands, display of arms, encroachments on public property and the militant rhetoric of Maoist leaders at rallies and meetings”, the situation remains unchanged. It is high time for every right-thinking person to come to the aid of the Government. On its part, the Government needs to change the law to encourage people to come forward and depose before a court of law, as nobody, except a foolhardy person, would do so when an atmosphere of fear and terror prevails.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/309402/Stand-up-to-Maoists.html
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Zero tolerance, secret billions
Zero tolerance, secret billions
S Gurumurthy
02 Jan 2011
What was Rajiv Gandhi’s fatal error in politics? It does not need a seer to say that it was his claim to honesty — branding himself as ‘Mr Clean’ — that proved fatal to him. Indira Gandhi was his contrast. Asked about corruption in her government, she said nonchalantly, ‘it was a global phenomenon’. This was in 1983. An honest Delhi High Court judge even lamented how could corruption be controlled when someone holding such a high position had almost rationalised it. The result, no one could ever charge Indira Gandhi with corruption, because she never claimed to be clean. But, ambitious to look ideal, Rajiv proclaimed honesty and so provoked scrutiny; in contrast, Indira, opting to be practical, immunised herself against scrutiny. Eventually, Rajiv’s claim to honesty became the very cross on which he was crucified in the 1989 elections when the Bofors gun shot the Congress out of power. The lesson to the political class was: don’t claim to be honest, if you really are not so. The hard lesson seems forgotten now by the Gandhi family itself. Sonia Gandhi, instead of following Indira’s safe path, is wrongly caught on Rajiv’s risky steps. The consequences seem to be ominous. Will the politics of 1987 to 1989 repeat?
Following Rajiv and forgetting Indira, Sonia Gandhi proclaimed ‘zero tolerance’ to corruption at a party rally in Allahabad in November 2010. She repeated it at the Congress plenary in Delhi weeks later. Asking the cadre to take the corrupt head on, she said that her party was ‘prompt’ in acting against the corrupt; ‘never spared the corrupt’ because corruption impedes development’. This was almost how Rajiv Gandhi spoke in the Congress centenary in Mumbai 25 years ago. Two crucial differences marked Rajiv away from Sonia. First, when Rajiv claimed to be ‘Mr Clean’, he had no scams to defend against. But, Sonia claims to be honest amidst huge and continuing scams — CWG, Adarsh, 2G Spectrum allocation scam…. Next, Rajiv had a clean slate to begin with, with no known skeletons in his cupboard till the Bofors scam smashed his ‘Mr Clean’ image. In contrast, Sonia’s slate is full of credible exposures of bribes and pay-offs in billions of dollars secreted in Swiss bank accounts, not counting Quattrocchi’s millions from Bofors. To make it worse, for almost two decades now, she has not dared to deny the exposures or sue the famous Swiss magazine or the Russian investigative journalist who had put out evidence of bribe against the Sonia family. Seen against this background, Sonia’s vow to act against the corrupt seems like a suspect hooting ‘catch the thief’ and scooting away. This is the main story that unfolds here.
$2.2 billions to 11 billions!
A stunning exposure on Sonia Gandhi’s secret billions in Swiss banks came, surprisingly, from Switzerland itself, where the world’s corrupt stash away their booty. In its issue of November 19, 1991, Schweizer Illustrierte, the most popular magazine of Switzerland, did an exposé of over a dozen politicians of the third world, including Rajiv Gandhi, who had stashed away their bribe monies in Swiss banks. Schweizer Illustrierte, not a rag, sells some 2,15,000 copies and has a readership of 9,17,000 — almost a sixth of Swiss adult population. Citing the newly opened KGB records, the magazine reported ‘that Sonia Gandhi the widow of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was controlling secret account with 2.5 billion Swiss Francs (equal to $2.2 billion) in her minor son’s name’. The $2.2 billion account must have existed from before June 1988 when Rahul Gandhi attained majority. The loot in today’s rupee value equals almost Rs 10,000 crore. Swiss banks invest and multiply the clients’ monies, not keep them buried. Had it been invested in safe long-term securities, the $.2.2 billion bribe would have multiplied to $9.41 billion (Rs 42,345 crore) by 2009. If it had been put in US stocks, it would have swelled to $12.97 billion (Rs 58,365 crore). If, as most likely, it were invested in long-term bonds and stocks as 50:50, it would have grown to $11.19 billion (Rs 50,355 crore). Before the global financial meltdown in 2008, the $2.2 billion bribes in stocks would have peaked at $18.66 billion (Rs 83,900 crore). By any calculation the present size of the $2.2 billion secret funds of the family in Swiss banks seems huge — anywhere between Rs 43,000 plus to some Rs 84,000 crore!
KGB papers
The second exposé, emanating from the archives of the Russian spy outfit KGB, is far more serious. It says that the Gandhi family has accepted political pay-offs from the KGB — a clear case of treason besides bribe. In her book The State Within a State: The KGB and its Hold on Russia-Past, Present, and Future, Yevgenia Albats, an acclaimed investigative journalist, says: “A letter signed by Victor Chebrikov, who replaced Andropov as the KGB head in 1982 noted: ‘the USSR KGB maintains contact with the son of the Premier Minister Rajiv Gandhi (of India). R Gandhi expresses deep gratitude for the benefits accruing to the Prime Minister’s family from the commercial dealings of the firm he controls in co-operation with the Soviet foreign trade organisations. R Gandhi reports confidentially that a substantial portion of the funds obtained through this channel are used to support the party of R Gandhi’.” (p.223). Albats has also disclosed that, in December 2005, KGB chief Victor Chebrikov had asked for authorisation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, “to make payments in US dollars to the family members of Rajiv Gandhi, namely Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ms Paola Maino, mother of Sonia Gandhi.” And even before Albats’ book came out the Russian media had leaked out the details of the pay-offs. Based on the leaks, on July 4, 1992, The Hindu had reported: “the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service admits the possibility that the KGB could have been involved in arranging profitable Soviet contract for the company controlled by Rajiv Gandhi family”.
Indian media
Rajiv Gandhi’s sad demise delayed the Swiss and Russian exposé on Sonia being picked up here. But Indian media’s interest in it actually coincided with Sonia Gandhi assuming leadership of the Congress. A G Noorani, a well-known columnist, had reported on both Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats’ exposés in Statesman (December 31, 1988). Subramanian Swamy had put out the photocopies of the pages of Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats’ book in his website along with the mail of the Swiss magazine dated February 23, 2002 confirming that in its article of November 1991 it had named Rajiv Gandhi with a total of Swiss Franc 2.5 billion ($2.2 billion) in secret account; it had also offered to supply a original copy of the magazine to Swamy. (See: http://www.janataparty.org/annexures/ann10p43.html) These facts were again recalled in my article in The New Indian Express (April 29, 2009) written in response to Sonia Gandhi speech at Mangalore (April 27, 2009) declaring that, “the Congress was taking steps to address the issue of untaxed Indian money in Swiss banks”. The article had questioned her about her family’s corrupt wealth in Swiss banks in the context of her vow to bring back the monies stashed away abroad. Rajinder Puri, a reputed journalist, has also earlier written on the KGB disclosures in his column on August 15, 2006. Recently, in India Today (December 27, 2010) the redoubtable Ram Jethmalani has referred to the Swiss exposé, asking where is that money now? So the Indian media too has repeatedly published the details of the secret billions of the Gandhi family investigated by the Swiss and Russian journalists. Amal Datta (CPI(M)) had raised the $2.2 billion issue in Parliament on December 7, 1991, but Speaker Shivraj Patil expunged the Gandhi name from the proceedings!
Self-incriminating
But, what has been the response of Sonia or Rahul, major after June 1988, to the investigation by Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats and to the Indian media’s repeated references to their investigation? It can be summed up in one word: Silence. Thus, apart from the exposés, the deafening silence of the Gandhis itself constitutes the most damaging and self-incriminating evidence of the family’s guilt. When Schweizer Illustrierte alleged that Sonia had held Rajiv Gandhi’s bribes in Rahul’s name in Swiss banks, neither she nor the son, protested, or sued the magazine, then or later; nor did they sue A G Noorani or Statesman when they repeated it in 1998, or later; nor would they sue Subramanian Swamy when he put it on his website in 2002; neither did they sue me, or the Express when the article was carried in April 2009. When major papers, The Hindu and The Times of India included, had carried the expose on KGB payments in the year 1992 itself adding that the Russian government was embarrassed by the disclosures, neither of the Gandhis challenged or sued them; nor did they sue Yevgenia Albats when she wrote about KGB payments to Rajiv Gandhi in 1994. Neither did they act against Swamy when he put Albats’ book pages on his website or when Rajinder Puri, a well-known journalist, wrote about it in his column on August 15, 2006. However, a feeble but proxy suit was filed by Sonia loyalists to defend her reputation when Albats’ exposé was made part of the full-page advertisement in The New York Times in 2007 issued by some NRIs to ‘unmask’ Sonia to the US audience, as they claimed. The suit was promptly dismissed by a US court because Sonia herself did not dare file the suit. Shockingly even that suit did not challenge the $2.2 billion Swiss account at all!
Imagine that the report in Schweizer Illustrierte or in Albats book was false and Sonia Gandhi did not have those billions in secret accounts in Rahul Gandhi’s name or the family was not paid for its service to the KGB as alleged. How would they, as honest and outraged people, have reacted? Like how Morarji Desai, then retired and old at 87, responded in anger when, Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, had mentioned in his book that Morarji Desai was a ‘paid’ CIA mole in the Indian Cabinet. Morarji Desai forthwith filed a libel suit. Commenting in The American Spectator, Rael Jean Isaac wrote in 2004, five years after Morarji Desai had passed away, that Hersh habitually indulged in character assassination; and in his attempt to do down Henry Kissinger, Morarji Desai became the victim. Isaac added that Desai, 87, calling it a “sheer mad story”, reacted in outrage with a libel suit seeking $50 million in damages. When the suit came up, as Desai, 93, was too ill to travel to US, Kissinger testified on Desai’s behalf, flatly contradicted Hersh’s charge and stated that Desai had no connection to the CIA. That is how even retired and old persons, honest and so offended and outraged, would act. But see the self-incriminating contrast, the complete absence of such outrage, in Sonia, who is reigning as the chairperson of the UPA now, neither retired or tired like the nonagenarian Morarji Desai, being just 41 when the story broke out in Schweizer Illustrierte. Imagine, not Sonia or Rahul, but Advani or Modi had figured in the exposés of Schweizer Illustrierte or Albats. What would the media not have done to nail them? What would the government of Sonia not have done to fix them?
Rs 20.80 lakh-crore loot
The billions of the Gandhi family being both bribes and monies stashed away in Swiss banks, they are inextricably linked to the larger issue of bringing back the huge national wealth stashed abroad. All world nations, except India, are mad after their black wealth secreted in Swiss and like banks. But India has shown little enthusiasm to track the illicit funds of Indians in Swiss and other banks. Why such reticence?
When during the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leader L K Advani promised to bringing back, if voted to power, Indian monies estimated between $500 billion and $1.4 trillion stashed abroad, the Congress first denied that there was such Indian money outside. But when the issue began gathering momentum, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi had to do damage control and promise that the Congress too would bring back the national wealth secreted abroad. Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a non-profit institution working against global black funds, has recently estimated that the Indian wealth secreted away is about $462 billion, approximately equal to Rs 20.80 lakh-crore. The GFI says that more than two-thirds of it was looted away under the liberalisation regime. This is what the GFI says about the character of the loot: “From 1948 through 2008, India lost a total of $213 billion in illicit financial flows (or illegal capital flight)” through “tax evasion, corruption, bribery and kickbacks, and criminal activities”. Does one need a seer to say under what head would the $2.2 billion in Sonia family’s secret account (which would have grown to $9 to $13 billion by now) fall? But accretions, if any, from the loot in 2G and CWG where the numbers are even bigger are not still accounted. Now comes the more critical, yet practical issue. When the Sonia Gandhi family is among the suspects who have secreted away monies abroad, how will it affect the efforts to bring back the wealth stashed away by others?
Looters safe
Just a couple of examples will demonstrate how the government is unwilling to go after Indian money secreted abroad. As early as February 2008 the German authorities had collected information about illegal money kept by citizens of different countries in Lichtenstein bank. The German finance minister offered to provide the names of the account holders to any government interested in the names of its citizens. There were media reports that some 250 Indian names were found in the Lichtenstein Bank list. Yet, despite the open offer from Germany to provide the details, the UPA-II government has never showed interest in the Indian accounts in Lichtenstein Bank. The Times of India reported that “the ministry of finance and PMO have, however, not shown much interest in finding out about those who have their lockers on the secret banks of Liechtenstein which prides itself in its banking system”. But under mounting pressure the Indian government asked for details not under the open offer but strategically under India’s tax treaty with Germany. What is the difference? Under the tax treaty the information received would have to be kept confidential; but, if it were received openly, it can be disclosed to the public. Is any further evidence needed to prove that the government is keen to see that the names of Indians who had secreted monies abroad are not disclosed?
The second is the sensational case of Hasan Ali, the alleged horse-breeder of Pune, who was found to have operated Swiss accounts involving over Rs 1.5 lakh-crore. The income tax department has levied a tax of Rs 71,848 crore on him for concealing Indian income secreted in Swiss accounts. This case is being buried now. The request sent to the Swiss government was deliberately made faulty to ensure that the Swiss would not provide details. Some big names in the ruling circles are reportedly linked to Hasan Ali. That explains why the government would not deepen the probe. It is Hasan Alis and the like who transport through hawala the bribes of the corrupt from India. If Hasan Ali is exposed, the corrupt will stand naked. This is how the hawala trader and the corrupt in India are mixed-up.
Is it too much to conclude that thanks to Sonia family’s suspected billions in Swiss accounts the system cannot freely probe the $462 billion looted from India at all? Tail-pieces: The total wealth of both Gandhis, as per their election returns, is just Rs 363 lakh, Sonia owning no car. Sonia lamented on November 19, 2010, that graft and greed are on the rise in India!! Rahul said on December 19, 2010, that severe punishment should be given to the corrupt!!! Amen.
comment@gurumurthy.net
http://expressbuzz.com/opinion/columnists/zero-tolerance-secret-billions/236261.html
S Gurumurthy
02 Jan 2011
What was Rajiv Gandhi’s fatal error in politics? It does not need a seer to say that it was his claim to honesty — branding himself as ‘Mr Clean’ — that proved fatal to him. Indira Gandhi was his contrast. Asked about corruption in her government, she said nonchalantly, ‘it was a global phenomenon’. This was in 1983. An honest Delhi High Court judge even lamented how could corruption be controlled when someone holding such a high position had almost rationalised it. The result, no one could ever charge Indira Gandhi with corruption, because she never claimed to be clean. But, ambitious to look ideal, Rajiv proclaimed honesty and so provoked scrutiny; in contrast, Indira, opting to be practical, immunised herself against scrutiny. Eventually, Rajiv’s claim to honesty became the very cross on which he was crucified in the 1989 elections when the Bofors gun shot the Congress out of power. The lesson to the political class was: don’t claim to be honest, if you really are not so. The hard lesson seems forgotten now by the Gandhi family itself. Sonia Gandhi, instead of following Indira’s safe path, is wrongly caught on Rajiv’s risky steps. The consequences seem to be ominous. Will the politics of 1987 to 1989 repeat?
Following Rajiv and forgetting Indira, Sonia Gandhi proclaimed ‘zero tolerance’ to corruption at a party rally in Allahabad in November 2010. She repeated it at the Congress plenary in Delhi weeks later. Asking the cadre to take the corrupt head on, she said that her party was ‘prompt’ in acting against the corrupt; ‘never spared the corrupt’ because corruption impedes development’. This was almost how Rajiv Gandhi spoke in the Congress centenary in Mumbai 25 years ago. Two crucial differences marked Rajiv away from Sonia. First, when Rajiv claimed to be ‘Mr Clean’, he had no scams to defend against. But, Sonia claims to be honest amidst huge and continuing scams — CWG, Adarsh, 2G Spectrum allocation scam…. Next, Rajiv had a clean slate to begin with, with no known skeletons in his cupboard till the Bofors scam smashed his ‘Mr Clean’ image. In contrast, Sonia’s slate is full of credible exposures of bribes and pay-offs in billions of dollars secreted in Swiss bank accounts, not counting Quattrocchi’s millions from Bofors. To make it worse, for almost two decades now, she has not dared to deny the exposures or sue the famous Swiss magazine or the Russian investigative journalist who had put out evidence of bribe against the Sonia family. Seen against this background, Sonia’s vow to act against the corrupt seems like a suspect hooting ‘catch the thief’ and scooting away. This is the main story that unfolds here.
$2.2 billions to 11 billions!
A stunning exposure on Sonia Gandhi’s secret billions in Swiss banks came, surprisingly, from Switzerland itself, where the world’s corrupt stash away their booty. In its issue of November 19, 1991, Schweizer Illustrierte, the most popular magazine of Switzerland, did an exposé of over a dozen politicians of the third world, including Rajiv Gandhi, who had stashed away their bribe monies in Swiss banks. Schweizer Illustrierte, not a rag, sells some 2,15,000 copies and has a readership of 9,17,000 — almost a sixth of Swiss adult population. Citing the newly opened KGB records, the magazine reported ‘that Sonia Gandhi the widow of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was controlling secret account with 2.5 billion Swiss Francs (equal to $2.2 billion) in her minor son’s name’. The $2.2 billion account must have existed from before June 1988 when Rahul Gandhi attained majority. The loot in today’s rupee value equals almost Rs 10,000 crore. Swiss banks invest and multiply the clients’ monies, not keep them buried. Had it been invested in safe long-term securities, the $.2.2 billion bribe would have multiplied to $9.41 billion (Rs 42,345 crore) by 2009. If it had been put in US stocks, it would have swelled to $12.97 billion (Rs 58,365 crore). If, as most likely, it were invested in long-term bonds and stocks as 50:50, it would have grown to $11.19 billion (Rs 50,355 crore). Before the global financial meltdown in 2008, the $2.2 billion bribes in stocks would have peaked at $18.66 billion (Rs 83,900 crore). By any calculation the present size of the $2.2 billion secret funds of the family in Swiss banks seems huge — anywhere between Rs 43,000 plus to some Rs 84,000 crore!
KGB papers
The second exposé, emanating from the archives of the Russian spy outfit KGB, is far more serious. It says that the Gandhi family has accepted political pay-offs from the KGB — a clear case of treason besides bribe. In her book The State Within a State: The KGB and its Hold on Russia-Past, Present, and Future, Yevgenia Albats, an acclaimed investigative journalist, says: “A letter signed by Victor Chebrikov, who replaced Andropov as the KGB head in 1982 noted: ‘the USSR KGB maintains contact with the son of the Premier Minister Rajiv Gandhi (of India). R Gandhi expresses deep gratitude for the benefits accruing to the Prime Minister’s family from the commercial dealings of the firm he controls in co-operation with the Soviet foreign trade organisations. R Gandhi reports confidentially that a substantial portion of the funds obtained through this channel are used to support the party of R Gandhi’.” (p.223). Albats has also disclosed that, in December 2005, KGB chief Victor Chebrikov had asked for authorisation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, “to make payments in US dollars to the family members of Rajiv Gandhi, namely Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ms Paola Maino, mother of Sonia Gandhi.” And even before Albats’ book came out the Russian media had leaked out the details of the pay-offs. Based on the leaks, on July 4, 1992, The Hindu had reported: “the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service admits the possibility that the KGB could have been involved in arranging profitable Soviet contract for the company controlled by Rajiv Gandhi family”.
Indian media
Rajiv Gandhi’s sad demise delayed the Swiss and Russian exposé on Sonia being picked up here. But Indian media’s interest in it actually coincided with Sonia Gandhi assuming leadership of the Congress. A G Noorani, a well-known columnist, had reported on both Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats’ exposés in Statesman (December 31, 1988). Subramanian Swamy had put out the photocopies of the pages of Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats’ book in his website along with the mail of the Swiss magazine dated February 23, 2002 confirming that in its article of November 1991 it had named Rajiv Gandhi with a total of Swiss Franc 2.5 billion ($2.2 billion) in secret account; it had also offered to supply a original copy of the magazine to Swamy. (See: http://www.janataparty.org/annexures/ann10p43.html) These facts were again recalled in my article in The New Indian Express (April 29, 2009) written in response to Sonia Gandhi speech at Mangalore (April 27, 2009) declaring that, “the Congress was taking steps to address the issue of untaxed Indian money in Swiss banks”. The article had questioned her about her family’s corrupt wealth in Swiss banks in the context of her vow to bring back the monies stashed away abroad. Rajinder Puri, a reputed journalist, has also earlier written on the KGB disclosures in his column on August 15, 2006. Recently, in India Today (December 27, 2010) the redoubtable Ram Jethmalani has referred to the Swiss exposé, asking where is that money now? So the Indian media too has repeatedly published the details of the secret billions of the Gandhi family investigated by the Swiss and Russian journalists. Amal Datta (CPI(M)) had raised the $2.2 billion issue in Parliament on December 7, 1991, but Speaker Shivraj Patil expunged the Gandhi name from the proceedings!
Self-incriminating
But, what has been the response of Sonia or Rahul, major after June 1988, to the investigation by Schweizer Illustrierte and Albats and to the Indian media’s repeated references to their investigation? It can be summed up in one word: Silence. Thus, apart from the exposés, the deafening silence of the Gandhis itself constitutes the most damaging and self-incriminating evidence of the family’s guilt. When Schweizer Illustrierte alleged that Sonia had held Rajiv Gandhi’s bribes in Rahul’s name in Swiss banks, neither she nor the son, protested, or sued the magazine, then or later; nor did they sue A G Noorani or Statesman when they repeated it in 1998, or later; nor would they sue Subramanian Swamy when he put it on his website in 2002; neither did they sue me, or the Express when the article was carried in April 2009. When major papers, The Hindu and The Times of India included, had carried the expose on KGB payments in the year 1992 itself adding that the Russian government was embarrassed by the disclosures, neither of the Gandhis challenged or sued them; nor did they sue Yevgenia Albats when she wrote about KGB payments to Rajiv Gandhi in 1994. Neither did they act against Swamy when he put Albats’ book pages on his website or when Rajinder Puri, a well-known journalist, wrote about it in his column on August 15, 2006. However, a feeble but proxy suit was filed by Sonia loyalists to defend her reputation when Albats’ exposé was made part of the full-page advertisement in The New York Times in 2007 issued by some NRIs to ‘unmask’ Sonia to the US audience, as they claimed. The suit was promptly dismissed by a US court because Sonia herself did not dare file the suit. Shockingly even that suit did not challenge the $2.2 billion Swiss account at all!
Imagine that the report in Schweizer Illustrierte or in Albats book was false and Sonia Gandhi did not have those billions in secret accounts in Rahul Gandhi’s name or the family was not paid for its service to the KGB as alleged. How would they, as honest and outraged people, have reacted? Like how Morarji Desai, then retired and old at 87, responded in anger when, Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, had mentioned in his book that Morarji Desai was a ‘paid’ CIA mole in the Indian Cabinet. Morarji Desai forthwith filed a libel suit. Commenting in The American Spectator, Rael Jean Isaac wrote in 2004, five years after Morarji Desai had passed away, that Hersh habitually indulged in character assassination; and in his attempt to do down Henry Kissinger, Morarji Desai became the victim. Isaac added that Desai, 87, calling it a “sheer mad story”, reacted in outrage with a libel suit seeking $50 million in damages. When the suit came up, as Desai, 93, was too ill to travel to US, Kissinger testified on Desai’s behalf, flatly contradicted Hersh’s charge and stated that Desai had no connection to the CIA. That is how even retired and old persons, honest and so offended and outraged, would act. But see the self-incriminating contrast, the complete absence of such outrage, in Sonia, who is reigning as the chairperson of the UPA now, neither retired or tired like the nonagenarian Morarji Desai, being just 41 when the story broke out in Schweizer Illustrierte. Imagine, not Sonia or Rahul, but Advani or Modi had figured in the exposés of Schweizer Illustrierte or Albats. What would the media not have done to nail them? What would the government of Sonia not have done to fix them?
Rs 20.80 lakh-crore loot
The billions of the Gandhi family being both bribes and monies stashed away in Swiss banks, they are inextricably linked to the larger issue of bringing back the huge national wealth stashed abroad. All world nations, except India, are mad after their black wealth secreted in Swiss and like banks. But India has shown little enthusiasm to track the illicit funds of Indians in Swiss and other banks. Why such reticence?
When during the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leader L K Advani promised to bringing back, if voted to power, Indian monies estimated between $500 billion and $1.4 trillion stashed abroad, the Congress first denied that there was such Indian money outside. But when the issue began gathering momentum, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi had to do damage control and promise that the Congress too would bring back the national wealth secreted abroad. Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a non-profit institution working against global black funds, has recently estimated that the Indian wealth secreted away is about $462 billion, approximately equal to Rs 20.80 lakh-crore. The GFI says that more than two-thirds of it was looted away under the liberalisation regime. This is what the GFI says about the character of the loot: “From 1948 through 2008, India lost a total of $213 billion in illicit financial flows (or illegal capital flight)” through “tax evasion, corruption, bribery and kickbacks, and criminal activities”. Does one need a seer to say under what head would the $2.2 billion in Sonia family’s secret account (which would have grown to $9 to $13 billion by now) fall? But accretions, if any, from the loot in 2G and CWG where the numbers are even bigger are not still accounted. Now comes the more critical, yet practical issue. When the Sonia Gandhi family is among the suspects who have secreted away monies abroad, how will it affect the efforts to bring back the wealth stashed away by others?
Looters safe
Just a couple of examples will demonstrate how the government is unwilling to go after Indian money secreted abroad. As early as February 2008 the German authorities had collected information about illegal money kept by citizens of different countries in Lichtenstein bank. The German finance minister offered to provide the names of the account holders to any government interested in the names of its citizens. There were media reports that some 250 Indian names were found in the Lichtenstein Bank list. Yet, despite the open offer from Germany to provide the details, the UPA-II government has never showed interest in the Indian accounts in Lichtenstein Bank. The Times of India reported that “the ministry of finance and PMO have, however, not shown much interest in finding out about those who have their lockers on the secret banks of Liechtenstein which prides itself in its banking system”. But under mounting pressure the Indian government asked for details not under the open offer but strategically under India’s tax treaty with Germany. What is the difference? Under the tax treaty the information received would have to be kept confidential; but, if it were received openly, it can be disclosed to the public. Is any further evidence needed to prove that the government is keen to see that the names of Indians who had secreted monies abroad are not disclosed?
The second is the sensational case of Hasan Ali, the alleged horse-breeder of Pune, who was found to have operated Swiss accounts involving over Rs 1.5 lakh-crore. The income tax department has levied a tax of Rs 71,848 crore on him for concealing Indian income secreted in Swiss accounts. This case is being buried now. The request sent to the Swiss government was deliberately made faulty to ensure that the Swiss would not provide details. Some big names in the ruling circles are reportedly linked to Hasan Ali. That explains why the government would not deepen the probe. It is Hasan Alis and the like who transport through hawala the bribes of the corrupt from India. If Hasan Ali is exposed, the corrupt will stand naked. This is how the hawala trader and the corrupt in India are mixed-up.
Is it too much to conclude that thanks to Sonia family’s suspected billions in Swiss accounts the system cannot freely probe the $462 billion looted from India at all? Tail-pieces: The total wealth of both Gandhis, as per their election returns, is just Rs 363 lakh, Sonia owning no car. Sonia lamented on November 19, 2010, that graft and greed are on the rise in India!! Rahul said on December 19, 2010, that severe punishment should be given to the corrupt!!! Amen.
comment@gurumurthy.net
http://expressbuzz.com/opinion/columnists/zero-tolerance-secret-billions/236261.html
Hindu and terrorism are contradictory words: RSS chief
Hindu and terrorism are contradictory words: RSS chief
TNN, Jan 2, 2011,
PUNE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has strongly criticised the tendencies among the Congress-led dispensation at the centre for targeting the Sangh by associating it with terrorism to divert public attention from corruption and scams.
"Those ruling the country find it convenient to make a scapegoat out of the RSS when they are themselves unable to deal with a situation of their own making," Bhagwat said at the concluding ceremony of the fifth Vishwa Sangh Shivir 2010 a grand conclave that is organised after every five years by the Sangh's international arm, the Hind Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) at Balewadi here on Sunday.
The HSS has a network of 750 shakhas' (branches) in 35 countries including the US, UK, France and the Scandinavian countries. Over 517 HSS activists from these countries participated in the five-day international conclave, which focused on Hinduism, the Sangh and its social work, the youth and promotion of cultural studies, among other issues.
Bhagwat also called upon Hindus in India to organise themselves in a way that they are viewed as model citizens by Hindus settled abroad. "Unless the Hindus in India are respected, how can we expect the Hindus across the world to be respected?" he asked.
According to Bhagwat, "A Hindu can never harm any person from another religion. Even the most illiterate of Hindus knows this, because it is ingrained in his/her culture. Unfortunately, we have to keep reminding this, off late, because of the selfish strategies of leaders from our own country to paint the Hindus in a bad picture in an attempt to stick to power."
He said, "Hindu and terrorism are two contradictory words. Even people in Pakistan haven't dared so far to make any reference about Hindu Terrorism', but leaders in our own country are coining new terms every other moment, talking about saffron terrorism' and more recently majority terrorism'. Why bring a bad name to our own people?"
Bhagwat said, "Equating a couple of incidents here and there with the sort of activities normally associated with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and involving the Sangh's name has become a convenient ruse. Whereas, the fact remains that the ruling alliance fears the growing mass base of the values promoted by the Sangh. Every time, they see a threat to their power, the RSS bogey is raised."
"Martyrs are being humiliated in our own country and our own leaders are bent on reducing India's stature internationally," said Bhagwat. "It is often the case that the evil person always desires to test the tolerance of the good human being, unmindful of the fact that there will be consequences at some point of time," he said.
Earlier, industrialist Abhay Firodia, who presided over the ceremony, spoke about the need for people to build apt pressure against corruption and scams and seek greater transparency in public life.
Shankarrao Tatwavadi, who heads the HSS international activities, provided an overview about the HSS work. Senior Sangh leaders including Madan Das Devi, former RSS chief K S Sudarshan, Rashtriya Sevika Samiti head Pramiltai Medhe, Bajranglal Gupta, RSS Pune city chief Mohan Ghaisas were among those present.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7207253.cms?prtpage=1
TNN, Jan 2, 2011,
PUNE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has strongly criticised the tendencies among the Congress-led dispensation at the centre for targeting the Sangh by associating it with terrorism to divert public attention from corruption and scams.
"Those ruling the country find it convenient to make a scapegoat out of the RSS when they are themselves unable to deal with a situation of their own making," Bhagwat said at the concluding ceremony of the fifth Vishwa Sangh Shivir 2010 a grand conclave that is organised after every five years by the Sangh's international arm, the Hind Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) at Balewadi here on Sunday.
The HSS has a network of 750 shakhas' (branches) in 35 countries including the US, UK, France and the Scandinavian countries. Over 517 HSS activists from these countries participated in the five-day international conclave, which focused on Hinduism, the Sangh and its social work, the youth and promotion of cultural studies, among other issues.
Bhagwat also called upon Hindus in India to organise themselves in a way that they are viewed as model citizens by Hindus settled abroad. "Unless the Hindus in India are respected, how can we expect the Hindus across the world to be respected?" he asked.
According to Bhagwat, "A Hindu can never harm any person from another religion. Even the most illiterate of Hindus knows this, because it is ingrained in his/her culture. Unfortunately, we have to keep reminding this, off late, because of the selfish strategies of leaders from our own country to paint the Hindus in a bad picture in an attempt to stick to power."
He said, "Hindu and terrorism are two contradictory words. Even people in Pakistan haven't dared so far to make any reference about Hindu Terrorism', but leaders in our own country are coining new terms every other moment, talking about saffron terrorism' and more recently majority terrorism'. Why bring a bad name to our own people?"
Bhagwat said, "Equating a couple of incidents here and there with the sort of activities normally associated with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and involving the Sangh's name has become a convenient ruse. Whereas, the fact remains that the ruling alliance fears the growing mass base of the values promoted by the Sangh. Every time, they see a threat to their power, the RSS bogey is raised."
"Martyrs are being humiliated in our own country and our own leaders are bent on reducing India's stature internationally," said Bhagwat. "It is often the case that the evil person always desires to test the tolerance of the good human being, unmindful of the fact that there will be consequences at some point of time," he said.
Earlier, industrialist Abhay Firodia, who presided over the ceremony, spoke about the need for people to build apt pressure against corruption and scams and seek greater transparency in public life.
Shankarrao Tatwavadi, who heads the HSS international activities, provided an overview about the HSS work. Senior Sangh leaders including Madan Das Devi, former RSS chief K S Sudarshan, Rashtriya Sevika Samiti head Pramiltai Medhe, Bajranglal Gupta, RSS Pune city chief Mohan Ghaisas were among those present.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7207253.cms?prtpage=1
Diggy Raja, UPA Ministers Brand Ambassador
Minister Digvijay Singh and several other companies, brand ambassador for ... ... Diggy Raja, UPA Ministers Brand Ambassador
As everyone knows, all your ads for some well-known companies - the brand ambassador Girami individuals that make their products well-Biken and made them a special identity in the market .... According to marketing gurus, has a Positive is Branding and Branding Negative ... Positive Branding the advertiser about the personality traits of your product offers, the company's only product of the negative traits Branding Ginti but a negative in Background such as placing the image ... "Binani Simeno Bhukamaprodhi will work to build houses", the Binani Simeno products, but through which the villain earthquake Derackar customers have been asked to buy Binani Simeno ... dental decay "Derau villain" so salt Colgate with which it is the product ... many advertisements are negative Branding Campaign ...
Since last few days, Digvijay Singh and Hindus against union rhetoric is introduced, only a few companies are Baँchean bloom, they sat - Bithaye, Fokat have found a negative brand .... Recently center - Fresh Acampaklal Shah, CEO of the company said that soon we Chyuinggum Panchalhin new brand which will market Utareange ... "Senatar - Eat Fresh, mouth rot shove ..." by journalists seeking to tell the reason in detail Shah said the "open mouth when Digvijay Singh, the pungent odor Hindus face ..." Therefore, the major Hindu Hindustan our market view of the Chyuinggum Bhuteare are likely to be successful. Fresh Senatar Chorget company's advertising agency - Khamolive company says that "through the Panchalhin we eliminate odor from the mouth of the product will capture market ... the Diggee" king "are also so they will not have any money, ... we will not show his picture in the ad ... His name is enough only for Hindus. Mouth to stop the rot at the Dhaansu ad Digvijay Singh made the copy protection will, in future even if Rahul Gandhi can go to like this ad .... " Well trusted source also points out that Rahul Gandhi to make the brand ambassador pulls the two companies are getting is the first "Bornavita" (committed to developing children's physical and mental) and Mentos (burn to give light to mind ...) in this case, the company boasts strong track Bornavita comes because he's 40 years for such new product launch is Adheroan whose mental development has not been well.
However, the company's Fresh Senatar disclose these plans after a car perfumes Company "Mbipyoar" Digvijay Singh also has its brand ambassador declared. Company managing director Ssugandhilal Sharma told a press conference yesterday that we Chorget - Khamolive impressed with this ad, and we tie each other up - to have decided. Since the product of two separate companies - are different so we will not be a business conflict, the Shah Center Fresh Acampaklal company has put its seal .... In the future when the Digvijay Singh will press conference anywhere, so close to his microphone Center - Fresh will be placed in the packet (a statement he'll eat two shot), and one reporter in each hall - a "spray Mbipyoar" The pouch can be provided. Diggee King Press Kanfzrens will start soon, the company's representative in the Hall of Mbipyoar 3 liter bottle will spray .... We would like Digvijay Singh from Kashmir to Kanyakumari at least 300 journalists and Hindus talks Failaan against the stench, so the smell come out of the hall through newspapers, millions of cars and buses and trains spread ... then Mbipyoar Let Jamaat capture the perfumes market will not take long ...
This particular reporter is known that many other advertising companies impressed by the Congress leaders are different. Binani Simeno afraid of the earthquake, showing the type of business are similarly JP Simeno Ashok Chavan members have decided to make the brand Ambassador. JP Singh Ahoela company's advertising chief, Dr. Rock said of the sacks we Simeno Ashok Chavan on one side and the other side of the ideal society of the vast building Chhapaange picture ... all the people know that despite the 5-7 storey building permit The building became the 23rd floor ... so that the strength of the Simeno your - you have set up ... Ashok Chavan images will remain the client satisfaction and confidence ....
Meanwhile in Chennai Shoe Company Adiadass Mr. Charandas Maran, the company's board also considered that the recently concluded meeting Suresh Kalmadi, making the brand ambassador was seriously considered. Since "Kalmadi and sports goods" has the image of each other fairly Guँth, Saina Nehwal in a situation like we brand new girl shoes can create ambassador. Charandas Minister further said that we will also provide special discounts to clients Adiadass individual wearer's shoe company, the Kalmadi Adiadass the only new - old shoe Fenkate If no one his whole family - a pair of shoes free will be given, whether the targets were or were not, ie the double benefit of customers, "Mango Mango, kernels prices" ... While Kalmadi to make the brand ambassador with Adiadass Fevikol company also operates pulls, Fevikol release by the company's marketing manager said that the Kalmadi such disputes, despite impressions are glued to my chair, so to Fevikol brand ambassador will not get better than them ... now it will be interesting to see which of Fevikol Adiadass or company Kalmadi to setting the right sits.
Digvijay Singh, in just about perfect information currently received, other ministers of the UPA government is negotiating with various companies. Sharad Pawar, the longer the money is not an obsession so they social service at the request of the Indian Medical Association has decided, Sharad Pawar soon "come together Prevent Diabetes ..." come look at the Jnsevi ad. Association said that expressions of sugar and sugar Pawar to lobby the "sweet relationship" given the general public aware of diabetes Neayega important role in the ad. That sounds sore throat opener, erasing pill "Vicks Halls" Mamata Banerjee's plan to take in the ad, so they shout their time in congregations that use bullets. A king, even if the Cabinet are given out, advertising companies market their demand remains strong, Tata, Vodafone and Reliance Communications is engaged in the race to make him the brand ambassador, reported that between Tata and Ambani agreement is that Artonlal Tata, the Ambani A. King, Neera Aradia will make its brand ambassador.
Implies that in the long run if you TV screen, Dhoni, Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan instead of "true Jansevak" Chauankiyega not appear so ... it's new marketing strategy advertising companies ... the very "deadly" will prove.
Walking - walking - a breaking news right now - just received the folk culture of India Sonia Gandhi Board appointed its brand ambassador ... they in rural India "puppetry" will campaign to save from extinction. EC, CVC, Prime Minister and the President as four - four puppets act together their special skills in view of the great revival of folk art and its future to be bright Prospects are abundant.
English New Year's greetings to all the slaves ... not even in the new year
As everyone knows, all your ads for some well-known companies - the brand ambassador Girami individuals that make their products well-Biken and made them a special identity in the market .... According to marketing gurus, has a Positive is Branding and Branding Negative ... Positive Branding the advertiser about the personality traits of your product offers, the company's only product of the negative traits Branding Ginti but a negative in Background such as placing the image ... "Binani Simeno Bhukamaprodhi will work to build houses", the Binani Simeno products, but through which the villain earthquake Derackar customers have been asked to buy Binani Simeno ... dental decay "Derau villain" so salt Colgate with which it is the product ... many advertisements are negative Branding Campaign ...
Since last few days, Digvijay Singh and Hindus against union rhetoric is introduced, only a few companies are Baँchean bloom, they sat - Bithaye, Fokat have found a negative brand .... Recently center - Fresh Acampaklal Shah, CEO of the company said that soon we Chyuinggum Panchalhin new brand which will market Utareange ... "Senatar - Eat Fresh, mouth rot shove ..." by journalists seeking to tell the reason in detail Shah said the "open mouth when Digvijay Singh, the pungent odor Hindus face ..." Therefore, the major Hindu Hindustan our market view of the Chyuinggum Bhuteare are likely to be successful. Fresh Senatar Chorget company's advertising agency - Khamolive company says that "through the Panchalhin we eliminate odor from the mouth of the product will capture market ... the Diggee" king "are also so they will not have any money, ... we will not show his picture in the ad ... His name is enough only for Hindus. Mouth to stop the rot at the Dhaansu ad Digvijay Singh made the copy protection will, in future even if Rahul Gandhi can go to like this ad .... " Well trusted source also points out that Rahul Gandhi to make the brand ambassador pulls the two companies are getting is the first "Bornavita" (committed to developing children's physical and mental) and Mentos (burn to give light to mind ...) in this case, the company boasts strong track Bornavita comes because he's 40 years for such new product launch is Adheroan whose mental development has not been well.
However, the company's Fresh Senatar disclose these plans after a car perfumes Company "Mbipyoar" Digvijay Singh also has its brand ambassador declared. Company managing director Ssugandhilal Sharma told a press conference yesterday that we Chorget - Khamolive impressed with this ad, and we tie each other up - to have decided. Since the product of two separate companies - are different so we will not be a business conflict, the Shah Center Fresh Acampaklal company has put its seal .... In the future when the Digvijay Singh will press conference anywhere, so close to his microphone Center - Fresh will be placed in the packet (a statement he'll eat two shot), and one reporter in each hall - a "spray Mbipyoar" The pouch can be provided. Diggee King Press Kanfzrens will start soon, the company's representative in the Hall of Mbipyoar 3 liter bottle will spray .... We would like Digvijay Singh from Kashmir to Kanyakumari at least 300 journalists and Hindus talks Failaan against the stench, so the smell come out of the hall through newspapers, millions of cars and buses and trains spread ... then Mbipyoar Let Jamaat capture the perfumes market will not take long ...
This particular reporter is known that many other advertising companies impressed by the Congress leaders are different. Binani Simeno afraid of the earthquake, showing the type of business are similarly JP Simeno Ashok Chavan members have decided to make the brand Ambassador. JP Singh Ahoela company's advertising chief, Dr. Rock said of the sacks we Simeno Ashok Chavan on one side and the other side of the ideal society of the vast building Chhapaange picture ... all the people know that despite the 5-7 storey building permit The building became the 23rd floor ... so that the strength of the Simeno your - you have set up ... Ashok Chavan images will remain the client satisfaction and confidence ....
Meanwhile in Chennai Shoe Company Adiadass Mr. Charandas Maran, the company's board also considered that the recently concluded meeting Suresh Kalmadi, making the brand ambassador was seriously considered. Since "Kalmadi and sports goods" has the image of each other fairly Guँth, Saina Nehwal in a situation like we brand new girl shoes can create ambassador. Charandas Minister further said that we will also provide special discounts to clients Adiadass individual wearer's shoe company, the Kalmadi Adiadass the only new - old shoe Fenkate If no one his whole family - a pair of shoes free will be given, whether the targets were or were not, ie the double benefit of customers, "Mango Mango, kernels prices" ... While Kalmadi to make the brand ambassador with Adiadass Fevikol company also operates pulls, Fevikol release by the company's marketing manager said that the Kalmadi such disputes, despite impressions are glued to my chair, so to Fevikol brand ambassador will not get better than them ... now it will be interesting to see which of Fevikol Adiadass or company Kalmadi to setting the right sits.
Digvijay Singh, in just about perfect information currently received, other ministers of the UPA government is negotiating with various companies. Sharad Pawar, the longer the money is not an obsession so they social service at the request of the Indian Medical Association has decided, Sharad Pawar soon "come together Prevent Diabetes ..." come look at the Jnsevi ad. Association said that expressions of sugar and sugar Pawar to lobby the "sweet relationship" given the general public aware of diabetes Neayega important role in the ad. That sounds sore throat opener, erasing pill "Vicks Halls" Mamata Banerjee's plan to take in the ad, so they shout their time in congregations that use bullets. A king, even if the Cabinet are given out, advertising companies market their demand remains strong, Tata, Vodafone and Reliance Communications is engaged in the race to make him the brand ambassador, reported that between Tata and Ambani agreement is that Artonlal Tata, the Ambani A. King, Neera Aradia will make its brand ambassador.
Implies that in the long run if you TV screen, Dhoni, Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan instead of "true Jansevak" Chauankiyega not appear so ... it's new marketing strategy advertising companies ... the very "deadly" will prove.
Walking - walking - a breaking news right now - just received the folk culture of India Sonia Gandhi Board appointed its brand ambassador ... they in rural India "puppetry" will campaign to save from extinction. EC, CVC, Prime Minister and the President as four - four puppets act together their special skills in view of the great revival of folk art and its future to be bright Prospects are abundant.
English New Year's greetings to all the slaves ... not even in the new year
Pakistani Hindu spiritual leader
On 21st December, 2010, 82 year old Pakistani Hindu spiritual leader, Mr. Lakki Chand Garji was abducted in Kalat area, near Quetta. He was on his to attend a wedding function.
Pakistan is becoming a lawless country, not only for minority Hindu’s and Christians but also for the majority Muslims. Government’s at Federal as well as Provincial levels, have lost their authority, and Pakistan – except some big cities are controlled by kidnapper’s and terrorists.
Abduction of Hindu businessmen is becoming a regular feature in Pakistan.
For more on the abduction of 82 year old Hindu spiritual leader, please click the link given below, to Express Tribune, Pakistan.
Pakistan is becoming a lawless country, not only for minority Hindu’s and Christians but also for the majority Muslims. Government’s at Federal as well as Provincial levels, have lost their authority, and Pakistan – except some big cities are controlled by kidnapper’s and terrorists.
Abduction of Hindu businessmen is becoming a regular feature in Pakistan.
For more on the abduction of 82 year old Hindu spiritual leader, please click the link given below, to Express Tribune, Pakistan.
Translated the Bhagawad Gita and parts of the Vedas to Portuguese.
Gloria Arieira, a Brazilian and an authority in Sanskrit has translated the Bhagawad Gita and parts of the Vedas to Portuguese. So, if you are seeking spirituality in the holiday resort of Copacabana, Rio, then you will find it at Vidya Mandir, a school of Vedanta studies founded and run by Gloria. Gloria, who is visiting Kalady, with a group of 28 students, has been to Kerala before. A disciple of Swami Chinmayananda and of Swami Dayananda, Gloria's entry into the world of spirituality was after she heard Swami Chinmayananda's talk on Vedanta in Rio. That was in 1973. Gloria felt that her search for the greater meaning to life was answered. Dissatisfied with her search in other philosophies, she was drawn towards Vedic ways. Gloria learnt Sanskrit because it was the only way she could reach the depths of knowledge that she was seeking. The Bhagvad Gita and the Upanishads had to be read in the language they were written in. Gloria dresses like an Indian. Gloria, 57, is married and has three children, a lawyer, an engineer and one studying social sciences. Her husband is a yoga teacher. Does her family practise her way of life? She says that there is no compulsion to change. "The Vedic dharma does not ask for conversion. But the understanding of the Vedas changes life completely." Her children are proud of her work and value the Vedic tradition. Has her Indian-inspired spirituality taken her away from Brazil? "How can it? I am a Brazilian except that I see the logic, the higher order behind my learning Vedanta and teaching it to students in Brazil", she says. Based on a report by Smt Priyadershini. S in THE HINDU (Kochi) , September 8, 2010 .
60 YEARS OF OUR CONSTITUTION : THE ROAD AHEAD
January 5th, 2011, 2:43 pm
60 YEARS OF OUR CONSTITUTION : THE ROAD AHEAD
By Justice Parvat Rao, Hyderabad:-
Though our Constitution was adopted on 26th November, 1949, it commenced fully on 26thth January, 2010. January, 1950. How our Constitution came to be framed and how it evolved during this period will be a timely study now that 60 years will be completed by 26
The Background:
Deliberations for the British leaving India started soon after the Second World War ended in 1945. Clement Attlee became the Prime Minister of England on 16th July, 1945 with the Labour party winning the election. The Cabinet Mission plan of 16th May, 1946 initiated the steps for the formation of the Constituent Assembly for drawing the Constitution of India rejecting the claim of the Muslim League for a separate sovereign State of Pakistan though no agreement for United India could be reached. M.A. Jinnah advocated the two nation theory in his Presidential address at the Lahore session of the Muslim League on 23rd March, 1940 itself on the following thesis:
“They (Islam and Hinduism) are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are, in fact, different and distinct social orders, and it is a dream that the Hindus and Muslims can ever evolve a common nationality, and this misconception of one Indian nation has gone far beyond the limits… The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, literatures…..they belong to two different civilizations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions. Their outlooks on life and of life are different…. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent and final destruction……”
The Congress was yet hoping that they would agree for United India presumably, on the basis that most of the Muslims were converted Hindus.
The Cabinet Mission, in order to avoid delay in the formulation of a new Constitution, adopted a practical course of utilizing the then recently elected Provincial Legislative Assemblies in British India as the electing bodies for election of members of the Constituent Assembly. Each Provincial Legislative Assembly was to elect a specified number of representatives-each part of the Legislative Assembly (General, Muslim or Sikh) electing its own representatives by the method of proportional representation with single transferable vote. Provinces were divided into three sections: Section A included Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar, Central Provinces and Orissa; Section B included Punjab, North West Frontier Province and Sind; and Section C including Bengal and Assam. The total number of members for British India was fixed at 292 and the Princely Indian States were to choose a maximum of 93 members-the selection by them had to be determined by consultation. The election of the members from the Provinces in British India was held in July, 1946 and thereafter the Constituent Assembly was summoned on 9th December, 1946. The Muslim League started direct action demanding for Pakistan on 16th August, 1946 itself; and on learning about the summoning of the Constituent Assembly on 9th December, Jinnah gave a statement that no representative of the Muslim League would participate in the Constituent Assembly. In the first session of the Constituent Assembly of India on 17th December 1946, when the resolution ‘in the nature of pledge’ relating to Aims and Objects of the Constitution to be drafted was being considered, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar observed:
“I know today we are divided politically, socially and economically. We are a group of warring camps and I may go even to the extent of confessing that I am probably one of the leaders of such a camp. But, Sir, with all this, I am quite convinced that given time and circumstances nothing in the world will prevent this country from becoming one. With all our castes and creeds, I have not the slightest hesitation that we shall in some form be a united people. I have no hesitation in saying that notwithstanding the agitation of the Muslim League for the partition of India some day enough light would dawn upon the Muslims themselves and they too will begin to think that a United India is better even for them”.
On 22nd January, 1947 the Constituent Assembly adopted the resolution regarding Aims and Objects unanimously. Some of the Aims and Objects are:
“(1) This Constituent Assembly declares its firm and solemn resolve to proclaim India as an Independent Sovereign Republic and to draw up for her future governance a Constitution;
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(4) WHEREIN all power and authority of the Sovereign Independent India, its constituent parts and organs of government, are derived from the people; and
(5) WHEREIN shall be guaranteed and secured to all the people of India justice, social, economic, and political; equality of status, of opportunity, and before the law; freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action, subject to law and public morality; and
(6) WHEREIN adequate safeguards shall be provided for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed and other backward classes; and
(7) WHEREBY shall be maintained the integrity of the territory of the Republic and its sovereign rights on land, sea and air according to justice and the law of civilized nations; and
(8) this ancient land attain its rightful and honoured place in the world and make its full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and the welfare or mankind”.
As the Muslim League stuck to its demand for a separate Muslim nation, on 3rd June, 1947 a plan was finally settled and the British Cabinet announced that Partition of India would be made according to that plan. As per that plan Bengal and Punjab Legislative Assemblies decided to join the new Constituent Assembly to be formed for Pakistan. The non-muslim majority areas in Bengal decided for partition and that West Bengal should join the existing Constituent Assembly; and non-muslim majority areas in Punjab decided in favour of partition and for joining the existing Constituent Assembly. Sind, North West Frontier Provinces, Beluchistan and Sylhet (In Assam) decided to join Pakistan. Thereafter the British Parliament enacted the Indian Independence Act on 18th July, 1947 under which two independent dominions of India and Pakistan were constituted with effect from 15th August, 1947. The Act also gave full power on the Constituent Assembly of each dominion to frame and adopt respective Constitutions and to supersede the Indian Independence Act.
Before the midnight of August 14th/15th , the Constituent Assembly of India held the historic meeting when at the stroke of midnight hour India i.e., Bharat woke up to freedom and the Constituent Assembly assumed full sovereign powers for the governance of India. President of the Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad in his address at that meeting before that midnight hour prophesied: “India has a great part to play in the shaping and moulding of the future of a War-distracted World”, even while expressing his sorrow “that the country which was made by God and Nature to be one stands divided today”. He assured:
“To all the minorities in India we give the assurance that they will receive fair and just treatment and there will be no discrimination in any form against them. Their religion, their culture and their language are safe and they will enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship, and will be expected in their turn to render loyalty to the country in which they live and to its constitution. To all we give the assurance that it will be our endeavour to end poverty and squalor and its companions, hunger and disease; to abolish distinctions and exploitation and to ensure decent conditions of living”.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his memorable ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech moved the resolution for all members of the Constituent Assembly to take the following pledge after the last stroke of the midnight:
“At this solemn moment when the people of India, through suffering and sacrifice, have secured freedom, I……….. do dedicate myself in all humility to the service of India and her people to the end that this ancient land attain her rightful place in the world and make her full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind”.
He elaborated:
“That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we might fulfill the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.
And so we have to labour and to work and work hard to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for any one of them to imagine that it can live apart.”
Dr.Radhakrishnan was the only other member who spoke before that midnight. While pointing out the weaknesses, he also warned about the dangers ahead if the people failed in their responsibilities and in correcting themselves, and called for self examination. He exhorted:
“Should we not now correct our national faults of character, our domestic despotism, our intolerance which has assumed the different forms of obscurantism, of narrow-mindedness, of superstitious bigotry? Others were able to play on our weakness because we had them. I would like therefore to take this opportunity to call for self-examination, for a searching of hearts. We have gained but we have not gained in the manner we wished to gain and if we have not done so, the responsibility is our own. And when this pledge says that we have to serve our country, we can best serve our country by removing these fundamental defects which have prevented us from gaining the objective of a free and united India…………..
Our opportunities are great but let me warn you that when power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days. We should develop competence and ability which would help us to utilize the opportunities which are now open to us. From tomorrow morning – from midnight today – we cannot throw the blame on the Britisher. We have to assume the responsibility ourselves for what we do. A free India will be judged by the way in which it will serve the interests of the common man in the matter of food, clothing, shelter and the social services. Unless we destroy corruption in high places, root out every trace of nepotism, love of power, profiteering and black-marketing which have spoiled the good name of this great country in recent times, we will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency in administration as well as in the production and distribution of the necessary goods of life.
That was the background for the framing of our Constitution. The Aims and Objects adopted by the Constituent Assembly virtually got reflected in the Preamble to the Constitution.
The First Decades -Jawaharlal Nehru:
During these 60 years, our Constitution did not remain the same; it underwent many changes both by amendments and also because of the changing content given to its various provisions by interpretation by the Constitutional Courts-mainly the Supreme Court. There were as many as 94 amendments to the Constitution, the last being on 12th June, 2006. During the first two decades, most of the amendments related to securing the Constitutional validity of Zamindary Abolition Laws, Land Reform Laws, restrictions on property rights State’s power of compulsory acquisition and requisitioning of private property. The Constitution (1st Amendment) Act was enacted on 18th June, 1951. It amended Articles 15 and 19, among others, and inserted Articles 31A and 31B and Schedule -9. This amendment was made by the Constituent Assembly itself which was continuing then as Union Legislature after the Commencement of the Constitution.
During the first decade after independence, the problems faced by the country were diverse and critical. Immediately after the partition and the formation of the two Nations there were wholesale migrations of population: Hindus from Pakistan to Bharat and Muslims from Bharat to Pakistan. There were talks about exchange of populations. Jinnah was agreeable and Patel was inclined, but Gandhi and Nehru did not agree. The communal disturbances which started with the direct action call of Jinnah continued even after partition. It was not known how democracy with adult franchise would work in a country afflicted by illiteracy, unemployment and poverty. [Now the age for voting rights was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Amendment Act of 28th March, 1989] The country mainly depended on agricultural and there were no industries to talk about. Most of the people lived in villages and communications were inadequate. There was the Jammu and Kashmir problem and within a month after independence in the guise of tribes, Pakistans army marched into Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to make it a part of Pakistan and they succeeded in part – the problem is continuing as a festering sore even today. The society itself was fractured with regional, caste and class differences. There were the neglected Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be attended and relieved from untouchability and accepted as equals in every respect. Untouchability was abolished on paper but it still continues to a degree and will continue till it is erased totally from the hearts and minds of all sections of the people including the Scheduled Castes.
Fortunately the problem of Princely States was settled by the indefatigable effort of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Only Jammu and Kashmir remains a problem – if only Patel had his way that would not have been there. In the Privy Purses case Chief Justice Hidayatullah described how the territories of the Princely States became part of Bharath: 216 princely states merged in the adjoining provinces ; 61 princely states were converted into centrally administered areas ; and 275 princely states formed Unions and signed instruments of accession; only three retained there integrity – Hyderabad, Mysore and Jammu and Kashmir. He also observed that the Indian princely states covered about 48% of the area of the Indian dominion and their total population was 28% of the total population of the dominion. The regional and linguistic feelings subsided apparently with the re-organization of the states mostly on linguistic basis and abolition of class A, B, C and D States in 1956 and subsequently also.
Providentially there was no break in the governance because more than half a decade of the freedom struggle brought out eminent men as great and popular leaders of the nation who gave inspiration and direction to the nation to start with and to continue with the governance and face new problems. There was no military rule at any time unlike in the neighboring countries. However, emergency was declared under Article 352 during the wars started by Pakistan and China; and President’s rule was imposed in some States from time to time under Article 356.
Personal laws applicable to ‘Hindus’ were codified and made uniform in the fifties. Reservations were provided for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes in Government employment and in educational institutions run by the government or with government support and are being continued with vigour (76thst August, 1994 to enable continuation of 69% reservation in Tamilnadu by including the relevant Act under the 9th Schedule; 77thth June 1995 to protect reservation to SC/ST employees in promotions; 81st Amendment of 9th June, 2000 to protect SC/ST reservations in filling backlog of vacancies; 82nd Amendment of 8th September, 2000 to permit relaxation of qualifying marks and other criteria in reservation and in promotion for SC/ST candidates; 85th Amendment of 4th January, 2002 to protect seniority in case of promotions of SC/ST employees; and 93rd Amendment of 20th January, 2006 to enable provision of reservation for OBC’s in Government as well as Private Educational Institutions. The 77th, 81st , 82nd and 85thrd Amendment Act has been upheld so far it relates to the State maintained institutions and aided educational institutions, but as regard private unaided educational institutions the question has been left open by the majority with Bhandari, J holding that it is invalid in its application to them). By the 65th Amendment of 12th March, 1992 National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was formed with specified statutory powers and by 89thth September, 2003 separate National Commissions-one for Schedule Castes and another Scheduled Tribes-were formed by bifurcation; and Article 338 was suitably amended and a new Article 338A was inserted. Reservation for SC/ST and nomination of Anglo-Indian members in Parliament and State Assemblies was extended from time to time by 10 years each time by the 8th, 23rd, 45th, 62nd, and 79th Amendments, from the original 10 years to 60 years i.e., up to 2010. The economic progress and industrialization through five years plans took shape. Amendment Act was enacted on 31 Amendment of 17 Amendment Acts have been upheld in M.Nagaraj vs Union Of India [ 2006 (8) SCC 212]. In Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs Union Of India [ 2008 (6) SCC 1] the 93 Amendment of 28
The Congress led by Nehru dominated during the fifties and the big question was ‘After Nehru Who?’ Nehru’s dream of ‘China India bhai bhai’ and peace were shattered by China suddenly attacking India in October 1962 and capturing several posts in NEFA even while holding India’s hand and singing Panchasheel. Unfortunately Nehru did not foresee this even when China blatantly occupied Tibet in 1950 and crushed the Tibetan revolt against the Chinese occupied forces in 1959 and immediately started fortifying it militarily. The question of who after Nehru, was resolved when Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister after Nehru and after him Indira Gandhi.
Nehru was Prime Minister from 15th August, 1947 to 27th May, 1964. After him Lal Bahadur Shastri was Prime Minister for 1 ½ years; and after his sudden demise Indira Gandhi was the next Prime Minister from 24-1-1966 and continued till she was defeated in 1977. Thus from 1950 till 1977, Congress was in power for nearly 27 years continuously; and, in all, nearly 46 years till now.
Indira Gandhi – Emergency:
It was during the seven years of seventies when Indira Gandhi was in power that India faced the first and only threat to its democracy and the people faced threat to their freedoms when she imposed Emergencies.
Indira Gandhi was the choice of a coterie of elder leaders of the day called ‘Syndicate’ led by Kamaraj. Her selection was questioned by Morarji Desai and he contested for the leadership of Congress Parliamentary party. In a secret ballot election Indira Gandhi won overwhelmingly and became prime minister in January 1966. Gradually she started asserting her self. In the fourth general elections held in February 1967 for Parliament and the States, though the Congress won in Parliamentary elections with much reduced majority, it lost in eight major States and in most of the States the Coalition governments were formed by non congress parties. The climax came when President Zakir Hussain died in 1969. The syndicate opted for N. Sanjeeva Reddy for presdentship and made Indira Gandhi propose him. There after she set up V.V. Giri for predentship and got him elected and he became President in August 1969. This led to a split in Congress for the first time into Congress(O) led by the Syndicate and Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi. There after she fully asserted herself and started personal rule with no holds barred.
Meanwhile on 19th July, 1969 an Ordinance was promulgated nationalizing fourteen named commercial banks the deposits of which exceeded Rs.50 crores each and corresponding new Nationalised banks were established. This Ordinance was questioned by way of Writ Petitions under Article 32 before the Supreme Court. Thereafter on 9th August, 1969 the Ordinance was replaced by an Act, bringing it into force retrospectively from the date of the Ordinance. The Writ Petitions were heard by a Bench of eleven Judges. The Act was struck down by a majority of ten Judges with Ray, J dissenting, on 10th February, 1970 (R.C.Cooper vs. Union of India 1970 (1) SCC 248).
On 6th September, 1970 the President issued orders in respect of each of the Rulers of former Indian States directing that with immediate effect they would cease to be recognized as Rulers to their respective States, in purported exercise of the powers vested under Article 366(22) of the Constitution which resulted in the stoppage of payment of their privy purses and the continuance of their personal privileges. This was questioned by some of the Rulers under Article 32 by way of Writ Petitions and they were heard by a eleven Judges Bench of the Supreme Court. By judgment dated 15th December, 1970 a majority of nine Judges (with Mitter and Ray JJ. Dissenting) allowed those Writ Petitions and the orders of the President derecognizing the Rulers, were held to be illegal and inoperative (Madhava Rao Scindia vs. Union of India 1971 (1) SCC 85). It was contended on behalf of the Union of India that in issuing the impugned orders the President exercised his political power in the nature of sovereign power and therefore they could not be questioned in a Court of Law. The majority held that there was no sovereign or political power in the executive and that our Constitution recognized only three powers – the legislative, the judicial and the executive powers and that in our country the legal sovereignty vested with the Constitution and the political sovereignty with the people and that the executive possessed no sovereignty. It is interesting to note that the procedure of the President passing orders in respect of each of the Rulers derecognizing them was adopted after the Constitution (24th Amendment) Bill, 1970 for omitting Articles 291, 362 and 366 (22) relating to privy purses, and rights and privileges of Rulers of Indian States, failed to receive the requisite majority in the Rajya Sabha.
On 27th December, 1970 the Lok Sabha was dissolved one year and two months ahead and mid-term elections (the 5th General Election) were held in March, 1971 and Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi won 360 seats out of 518 and continued to be in power with two thirds majority. Thereafter by Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 1971 (enacted on 28-12-1971) the privy purses were abolished.
Earlier, Constitution (24th Amendment) Act was enacted on 5th November, 1971 amending Articles 13 and 368 enabling the Parliament to amend the fundamental rights and making ineffective the decision of the Supreme Court in Golak Nath (AIR 1967 SC 1643) wherein a nine Judges Bench of the Supreme Court held by a majority of six that Constitution Amendment Acts also would be attracted by Article 13 and that therefore they would have to be consistent with the provisions of Part III. The 24th Amendment Act along with the 25th (restricting property rights and compensation for acquisition of property, by amending article 31, 26th and 29th (placing land reform Acts and amendments to these Acts in Schedule) Amendment Acts were questioned in several Writ Petitions under Article 32 and they were heard by a thirteen Judges Bench of the Supreme Court. By judgment dated 24th April, 1973 the Supreme Court partly allowed those Writ Petitions (Kesavananda Bharathi Vs. State of Kerala 1973 (4) SCC 225). The Supreme Court disagreed with the view taken in Golak Nath as regards the interpretation of the expression ‘law’ in Article 13 of the Constitution, and the majority held that the enactments under Article 368 were in exercise of the Constituent power and that therefore they were not attracted by Article 13. The view of the majority signed by nine Judges is: decision in Golak Nath is not correct; Article 368 does not enable Parliament to alter the basic structure or frame work of the Constitution; the 24th Amendment is valid; Clauses (a) and (b) of Section 2 of the 25th Amendment are valid ; the first part of Section 3 of the 25th Amendment is valid but the second part, namely, “and no law containing a declaration that it is for giving effect to such policy shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it does not give effect to such policy” is invalid; the 29th Amendment is valid; the validity of the 26th Amendment should be determined by the Constitutional bench in accordance with law. By an innovative and far reaching construction of Article 368, reading the Constitution as a whole, the Supreme Court for the first time enunciated the basic structure/features concept of the Constitution and held that the amending power of the Parliament under that Article did not extend to altering the basic structure or features of the Constitution. What falls within the basic structure/features has to be decided by the Constitutional Courts. Thus Kesavananda Bharathi has given a new direction to the nation in Constitutional Governance – the inalienable Dharma of the Constitution concerning governance and Constitutionalism has been laid. By virtue of this decision whatever falls within the basic features of our Constitution cannot be amended under Article 368 of the Constitution. In Minerva Mills Ltd vs Union of India [1980 (3) SCC 625] a five Judges Bench of the Supreme Court has held (by a majority of four Judges) that a limited amending power is one of the basic features of our Constitution and that therefore the limitations of that power cannot be destroyed and that: “Parts III and IV together constitute the core of commitment to social revolution and they, together, are the conscience of the Constitution is to be traced to a deep understanding of the scheme of the Indian Constitution…….To give absolute primacy to one over the other is to disturb the harmony of the Constitution. This harmony and balance between fundamental rights and directive principles is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution.” and that, “Three Articles of our Constitution, and only three, stand between the heaven of freedom into which Tagore wanted his country to awake and the abyss of unrestrained power. They are Articles 14, 19 and 21.”
In I.R.Coelho vs. State of Tamilnadu [2007 (2) SCC 1] a nine Judges Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously has held that all Constitutional amendments made on or after 24th April, 1973 (date of the judgment in Kesavananda Bharathi) by which Schedule-9 was amended shall have to be tested on the touchstone of basic structure doctrine and any law placed in Schedule 9 has to satisfy that doctrine because laws included in Schedule 9 do not become part of the Constitution. The nine Judges Bench also referred with approval to the following observations of a five Judges Bench in its unanimous judgment in M.Nagaraj vs. Union of India [2006(8) SCC 212]:
“It is a fallacy to regard fundamental rights as a gift from the State to its citizens. Individuals possess basic human rights independently of any Constitution by reason of the basic fact that they are members of the human race. These fundamental rights are important as they possess intrinsic value. Part III of the Constitution does not confer fundamental rights. It confirms their existence and gives them protection……A right becomes a fundamental right because it has foundational value……After three decades, the Supreme Court overruled its previous decision in A.K. Gopalan and held in its landmark judgment in Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India that the procedure contemplated by Article 21 must answer the test of reasonableness. The Court further held that the procedure should also be in conformity with the principles of natural justice. This example is given to demonstrate an instance of expansive interpretation of a fundamental right. The expression ‘life’ in Article 21 does not connote merely physical or animal existence. The right to life includes right to live with human dignity”.
The nine Judges Bench also observed: “The principle of constitutionalism is now a legal principle which requires control over the exercise of governmental power to ensure that it does not destroy the democratic principles upon which it is based. These democratic principles include the protection of fundamental rights. The principle of constitutionalism advocates a check and balance model of the separation of powers; it requires a diffusion of powers, necessitating different independent centres of decision-making”.
After the Judgment of Kesavanada Bharathi was delivered on 24-4-1973, when Chief Justice S.M.Sikri retired on 25-4-1973, three senior most judges of the Supreme Court were over looked ( JM Shelat, KS Hegde and AM Grover JJ)and they resigned on 30-4-1973. After Justice H.R. Khanna gave his famous dissenting Judgment on 28th April, 1976 in ADM Jabalpur Vs. Shivakant Shukla [1976(2) SCC 521], even though he was the senior most puisne Judge , he was also overlooked when Chief Justice A.N.Ray retired on 28-1-1977. That was the time when the Congress in power wanted committed Judges, committed not to the constitution but to the policies of the ruling party.
Due to the dictatorial governance of Indira Gandhi and the ruthless manner in which the people were suppressed and due to deteriorating economy with food shortages and rising prices, there was widespread unrest; there were major agitations mainly in Gujrat and Bihar. Loknaik Jaipraksh Narayan took leadership of Bihar agitation and under his inspiration a country wide movement was started in which Sri Morarji Desai and several eminent personalities joined from various walks of life.
On 12th June, 1975 the Allahabad High Court delivered judgment invalidating the election of Smt Indira Gandhi to the Parliament. Then internal emergency was declared on 25thrd December, 1971 when the Indo-Pakistan war broke out, was kept continuing even after the war was over. Even before the emergency came into effect, midnight arrests began and all the leaders including JP, Morarji Desai and Jan Sangh Party Leaders including A.B. Vajpayee and L.K. Advani were arrested in the preceding night. These arrests continued for several days and several RSS swayamsevaks and elders were arrested. June, 1975 even when the national emergency which was proclaimed on 3
During the pendency of her appeal in the Supreme Court, Parliament passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 1975 amending the Election Laws retrospectively which in effect validated her election. Thereafter on 10th August, 1975 the 39th Amendment Act was enacted substituting Article 71 by a new Article 71, and amending Article 329, and inserting Article 329A, and included certain enactments in the 9th Schedule. The new Article 71 took election disputes relating to election of President and Vice President out of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and enabled the Parliament to make law in respect of the same. The new Article 329A provided for special provisions in respect of election for Parliament in the case of Prime Minister and Speaker and Article 329 was amended making it subject to Article 329A. This was obviously with a view to get over the judgment of Allahabad High Court invalidating her election. After this 42nd Amendment Act was enacted on 18-12-1976 amending a number of articles and inserting several articles.
General elections were declared in March 1977 and Internal Emergency was lifted. Even before that, Janata Party was formed on 23rd January, 1977 under the guidance of Shri Loknayak Jayaprakash Narain. After this, Shri Jagjeevan Ram and several other eminent personalities joined opposing Indira Gandhi. Mammoth meetings were held under their leadership through out the country and people were aroused .In the 6th general election Congress (I) was defeated, Smt Indira Gandhi herself losing the election-this was the first time that Congress lost power. Shri Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister on 24th March, 1977.
The Janata government withdrew National Emergency on 27th March, 1977. The 43rd and 44th Amendment Acts were enacted on 13-4-1978 and 30-4-1979 respectively repealing the objectionable amendments made by the 39th and 42nd Amendment Acts and also providing for human rights safeguards and mechanisms to prevent the abuse of executive and legislative authority. Some of the amendments made by the 42nd Amendment Act were retained–like the insertion of Part IV A, Clause (f) in Article 39, Article 39A, Article 43A, Article 48A etc.
The defeat of Smt Indira Gandhi in 1977 when she was in full power and even though two emergencies were in force, established the potential of our people and the resilience of democracy even in extreme adversity. It was providential that she decided to test herself in a general election and that Lok Nayak and other eminent leaders could join and give lead to defeat her. She brought down by a political gimmick of successfully enticing Shri Charan Singh to come out of Janata government and take over as Prime Minister only to bring him down after 23 days; and this led to dissolution of Lok Sabha by President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy on his own without exploring any alternatives. In the 7th general election Smt Indira Gandhi rebounded back to power as Prime Minister with a thumping majority. Congress rule under her continued till her assassination on 31-10-1984 and immediately Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister. He continued till 1-12-1989. It was during this period that the judiciary was subordinated and filled with yes-men. Even permanent posts came to be filed with additional judges for a period of two or three years which was being extended at the will of the political executive. Judges were being transferred at the will of political executive.
The Judiciary:
There was a period of uncertainty from 2-12-1989 to 21-6-1991 when Shri P.V. Narsimha Rao came to power and continued for almost 5 years. And then again there was uncertainty from 16-5-1996 to 18-3-1998. All this was a period of coalition governments with no Prime Minister having a firm voice as in the past with Shri Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt Indira Gandhi at the helm. It was in this uncertain period that the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association and Others vs. Union of India [1993 (4) SCC 441] came up before the Supreme Court by way of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions for filling up vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts. As the earlier decision in S.P. Gupta’s case (1981 Supp SCC 87) was questioned and doubted it finally came up for hearing before a nine Judges Bench and was decided on 6-10-1993. A majority of seven judges (A.M.Ahmadi and M.M.Punchhi JJ dissenting) has held that the opinion of the Chief Justice of India(CJI) has primacy in the matter of all appointments of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts reversing the decision in S.P.Gupta’s case. Subsequently on President’s Reference in Special Reference No.1 of 1998, Re [1998 (7) SCC 739] the Supreme Court held that consultation with CJI implied consultation with a plurality of judges in the formation of opinion of the CJI. After these judgments the appointment of the judges of the High Court became the responsibility of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
There are instances which establish that recommendations were made for appointment as judges of High Courts and even of Supreme Court without full verification of the antecedents, qualifications and character of the persons recommended. There is the case of Shri K.N. Srivastava. His name was cleared for appointment as permanent judge of Gauhati High Court by the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Governor of Mizoram and Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Government of India and Chief Justice of India on the basis that he was a judicial officer and was qualified to be so appointed. A warrant dtd. 15th October, 1991 was also issued by the President for his appointment as permanent judge . At that stage a Writ Petition was filed in Gauhati High Court by an advocate questioning his selection on the ground that he was not qualified for such appointment. By the time the matter came up for admission, the warrant of appointment of Srivastava was already received by the High Court. After noticing the points raised by the petitioners the Division Bench of the High Court observed that it was doubtful that Srivastava was qualified and restrained him from taking the oath until further orders. Srivastava filed Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court against the order of the High Court and also for transfer of the matter to the Supreme Court. The matter was finally heard by a three Judges Bench of the Supreme Court (Sri Kumar Padma Prasad vs Union of India 1992 (2) SCC 428) The writ petition was allowed holding that Srivastava was not qualified to be appointed as a judge of the High Court as he did not hold any judicial office observing:
“It is for the first time in the post-independent era that this Court is seized of a situation where it has to perform the painful duty of determining the eligibility of a person who has been appointed a Judge of High court by the President of India and who is awaiting to enter upon his office……We are at a loss to understand as to how the bio-data of Srivastava escaped the scrutiny of the authorities…..A cursory look at the bio-data would have disclosed that Srivastava was not qualified…..Needless to say that the independence, efficiency and integrity of the judiciary can only be maintained by selecting the best persons in accordance with the procedure provided under the Constitution. These objectives enshrined under the Constitution of India cannot be achieved unless the functionaries accountable for making appointments act with meticulous care and utmost responsibility”.
There was also the case of Justice V. Ramaswamy who became judge of the Supreme Court in October, 1989 and on allegations of financial improprieties and irregularities while he was Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, motion for his removal was moved in the Lok Sabha for removing him from office which was admitted. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha constituted a Committee under Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 and the report was also submitted by the Committee. It is another matter that the Congress party decided to abstain from voting, with the result the motion did not get the requisite majority . Then there is the case of Chief Justice A.M.Bhattacharjee who was forced to resign on an agitation by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, Bombay Bar Association and the Advocate’s Association of Western India on the alleged ground that he was being paid a disproportionate royalty for overseas publication rights of his two books. The question as to how Advocates should deal with such issues without affecting judicial independence was considered in a public interest litigation under Article 32 in C.Ravichandran Iyer vs. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee [1995 (5) SCC 457]. There are also the cases of Justice Soumitra Sen of Calcutta High Court elevated as permanent judge in December, 2003 and Chief Justice P.D.Dinakaran of Karnataka High Court (made Chief Justice of that Court from 8th August, 2008)- proceedings for their removal are pending consideration in the Parliament.
The method of appointment devised by the Supreme Court on an extended interpretation of the Constitutional provisions is under debate and the matter is of great importance because of pre-eminent position of the Constitutional Courts. Already a debate has been initiated by two senior and eminent advocates of the Supreme Court, Shri Anil Divan and Shri T.R. Andhyarugina by their centre page articles in the Hindu of 17th and 18th December, 2009. Earlier in 2008 Sri Anil Divan said“ the final word in appointments to the higher judiciary can never be safely entrusted to fractious coalition government–weak on governance, soft on terrorism and high on corruption. Each coalition partner will demand quotas on High Bench as well as the High Courts-on occasions threatening withdrawal of support. An increasing politicization of judges indebted to political factions is not a result ‘devoutly to be wished’”. Though he now suggests a separate commission referring to reforms which took place in UK and South Africa, Sri T.R.Andhyarugina wisely questions“ Would such commissions be successful in India? There are justifiable doubts about finding independent and competent members who would not be influenced in their decisions. This raises the vexed question whether the present system with suitable modifications should be continued or judicial commissions be introduced in India.”
The reforms in the judiciary are already taking place and some more are on the anvil. A totally inadequate judicial strength is sought to be rectified- the number of puisne judges of the Supreme Court Judges has already been increased to 30 from 25. Recently the Chief Justice of India pointed out that 35,000 subordinate courts would be needed to tackle the pendency and the new cases, and that though 16,000 subordinate courts are sanctioned at present only 14,000 are functional. The law minister announced that he would be introducing the Judges (Standard and Accountability) Bill in the Parliament soon. At the recent meeting of the Chief Ministers and the Chief Justices in August 2009, it was agreed in principle that an All India Judicial Service should be created and that before giving effect to its formation comprehensive deliberations should be held. In view of the fact that all the large and medium States are having National Law Universities it would be necessary to set up such a service without any delay to attract talent to the judiciary. Justice Krishna Iyer has suggested that what is required is not merely increase in number of courts but also attracting the ablest and training them. Filling up of vacancies has also to be streamlined to avoid inordinate delays. The National Law University, Delhi has started a post graduate diploma course on judging and court management designed to meet the needs of law graduates who are interested in entering the judiciary. Other National Law Universities also can start such diploma courses. National Judicial Academies also have been started in many States. Under the circumstances it not impossible for higher judiciary to be provided with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate proper selection of candidates for appointment as High Court Judges and Supreme Court Judges after through enquiry of their antecedents, character integrity, ability, independence and commitment to the judiciary. If All India Judicial Services is set up, recruitment from the cadre of district judges to the High Court can be increased up to even 60 percent or more. How transparency and openness in the selection process can be achieved has to be widely debated
Secularism under our Constitution :
In S.R. Bommai and Others vs. Union of India [1994(3) SCC 1] a nine Judges Bench of the Supreme Court has held that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution and that it meant religious tolerance and equal treatment of all religions. Sawant and Kuldip Singh, JJ, with Pandian J concurring, held as follows:
“When the State allows citizens to practice and profess their religions, it does not either explicitly or implicitly allow them to introduce religion into non-religious and secular activities of the State. The freedom and tolerance of religion is only to the extent of permitting pursuit of spiritual life which is different from the secular life. The latter falls in the exclusive domain of the affairs of the State”.
In M.P.Gopalakrishnan Nair vs. State of Kerala [2005(11) SCC 45] a two Judges Bench of the Supreme Court has held that it is now well settled that:
“(i) Constitution prohibits the establishment of a theocratic State;
(ii) State is not only prohibited to establish any religion of its own but is also prohibited to identify itself with or favouring any particular religion;
(iii) The secularism under the Indian Constitution does not mean constitution of an atheist society but it merely means equal status of all religions without any preference in favour of or discrimination against any one of them.”
In Aruna Roy vs. Union of India [2002(7) SCC 368] it was contended that teaching Sanskrit to school children is against secularism. A three Judges Bench has held in that case that teaching of Sanskrit as an optional subject does not offend secularism. Shah J observed:
“None can also dispute that the past five decades have witnessed a constant erosion of the essential social, moral and spiritual values and increase in cynicism at all levels. We are heading for a materialistic society disregarding the entire value-based social system. None can also dispute that in a secular society, moral values are of utmost importance. A society where there are no moral values, there would neither be social order nor secularism. Bereft of moral values secular society or democracy may not survive. As observed by the committee, values are virtues in an individual and if these values deteriorate, it will hasten or accelerate the breakdown of the family, society and the nation as a whole.”
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“….Further are we trying to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all people of India believing in different religions? It appears that we have not taken necessary steps for such a purpose. Similarly, uptil now instead of protecting and improving the natural environment, we have damaged it. There is widespread deforestation; lakes are being used for constructing buildings and we are losing compassion for living creatures including human beings. Why is that so? Let it be discussed by experts. May be that basics of all religions may help in achieving the objects behind fundamental duties.”
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Dharmadhikari, J. in his separate Judgment observed as follows:
“….. The lives of Indian people have been enriched by integration of various religions and that is the strength of this nation. Whatever kind of people came to India either for shelter or as aggressors, India has tried to accept the best part of their religions. As a result, a composite culture gradually developed in India and enriched the lives of Indians. This happened in India because of the capacity of Indians to assimilate the thoughts of different religions. This process should continue for the betterment of a multi-religious society which is India.
In a pluralistic society like India which accepts secularism as the basic ideology to govern its secular activities, education can include study based on ‘religious pluralism’. ‘Religious pluralism’ is opposed to exclusivism and encourages inclusivism.”
“…..The attainment of constitutional ideals is possible only if side by side with sharpening intellect, the moral character of children, is also developed to make them good citizens.”
“…Democracy cannot survive and the Constitution cannot work unless Indian citizens are not only learned and intelligent, but they are also of moral character and imbibe the inherent virtues of the human being such as truth, love and compassion”
Education under our Constitution:
In Unni Krishnan vs. State of A.P [1993(1) SCC 645] a five Judges Bench of the Supreme Court has held that right to education is a fundamental right and that it is implicit and flows from the right to life guaranteed under Article 21. Construing Article 21 in the light of Articles 41, 45 and 46 it has been held that every child citizen upto the age of 14 years has fundamental right to free education. Subsequently by 86th Amendment Act of 12th January, 2002 Article 21A was inserted in Part III providing that “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as a State may by law determine” and also added an additional fundamental duty in Article 51A as follows: “(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of 6 and 14 years”. In Avinash Mehrotra vs. Union of India [2009(6) SCC 398] a two Judges Bench of the Supreme Court has held:
“Education today remains liberation-a tool for the betterment of our civil institutions, the protection of our civil liberties, and the path to an informed and questioning citizenry. Then as now, we recognize education’s “transcendental importance” in the lives of individuals and in the very survival of our Constitution and Republic.
Education remains essential to the life of the individual, as much as health and dignity, and the State must provide it, comprehensively and completely, in order to satisfy its highest duty to citizens.”
The court also held that “in view of the importance of Article 21A, it is imperative that the education which is provided to children in the primary schools should be in the environment of safety”. In that case (PIL) the petitioner prayed for a direction to bring about safer school conditions. He narrated how a fire in a school in Kumbakonam District in Tamilnadu killed more than 90 children. The school building had a thatched roof with a single entrance and a narrow stair case with windowless classrooms and housed more than 900 students. The ventilation was also very poor. The fire from the kitchen in the building caused the thatched roof to catch fire and it fell on the children. Safety measures were totally neglected. The court gave notices to all the States and directed them to provide information about the condition of the schools and what precautions were being taken to see that the schools had proper and safe accommodation. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court.
Though fundamental right in article 21A required the State to provide free and compulsory education to all the children in 2002 itself, comprehensive steps have not yet been taken in this regard by the States or the Union-now education is in the concurrent list. An educated, informed and dedicated citizenry with character is a must for the proper functioning of the institutions under our Constitution, and will form a strong foundation for our democracy.
Minorities and Uniform Civil Court:
In Bal Patil vs. Union of India [2005 (6) SCC 690] a three Judges Bench of the Supreme Court traced the history of the struggle for Independence and the need for engrafting Articles 25 to 30 in the Constitution and observed:
“The minorities initially recognized were based on religion and on a national level e.g. Muslims, Christians, Anglo-Indians and Parsis. Muslims constituted the largest religious minority because the Mughal period of rule in India was the longest followed by the British Rule during which many Indians had adopted Muslim and Christian religions.
Ideal of a democratic society, which has adopted right to equality as its fundamental creed, should be elimination of majority and minority and so-called forward and backward classes. The Constitution has accepted one common citizen ship for every Indian regardless of his religion, language, culture or faith. The only qualification for citizenship is a person’s birth in India. We have to develop such enlightened citizenship where each citizen of whatever religion or language is more concerned about his duties and responsibilities to protect rights of the other group than asserting his own rights. The constitutional goal is to develop citizenship in which everyone enjoys full fundamental freedoms of religion, faith and worship and no one is apprehensive of encroachment of his rights by others in minority or majority.
The constitutional ideal, which can be gathered from the group of articles in the Constitution under the chapters of fundamental rights and fundamental duties, is to create social conditions where there remains no necessity to shield or protect rights of a minority or majority.
Hindu society being based on caste, is itself divided into various minority groups. Each caste claims to be separate from the other. In a caste-ridden Indian society, no section or distinct group of people can claim to be in majority. All are minorities amongst Hindus.
It is unfortunate that though Article 44 in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) requires that the State shall endeavour to secure for its citizens a uniform civil code through out the territory of India, no effort has been made in that directions in these 60 years and even to prepare the Muslim citizens towards that, even though Dr. Tahir Mohmmed in his book ‘Muslim Personal Law’ observed “in pursuance of the goal of secularism, the State must stop administering religion based personal laws.” He further appealed to the Muslim community:
“Instead of wasting their energies in exerting theological and political pressure in order to secure an “immunity” for their traditional personal law from the State’s legislative jurisdiction, the Muslims will do well to begin exploring and demonstrating how the true Islamic laws, purged of their time-worn and anachronistic interpretations, can enrich the common civil code of India.”
Chief Justice Chandrachud in Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum [1985(2) SCC 556] pointed out in his Judgment speaking for the five Judges Bench that it was unfortunate that there was no official activity for framing a common civil code for the country and observed: “We understand the difficulties involved in bringing persons of different faiths and persuasions on a common platform. But, a beginning has to be made if the Constitution is to have any meaning…it is beyond the endurance of sensitive minds to allow injustice to be suffered when it is so palpable.”
In John Vallamatton vs. Union of India [2003(6)SCC 611] Chief Justice V. N. K hare in his judgment observed:
“Before I part with the case, I would like to state that Article 44 provides that the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. The aforesaid provision is based on the premise that there is no necessary connection between religions and personal law in civilized society. Article 25 of the Constitution confers freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practice and propagation of religion. The aforesaid two provisions viz. Articles 25 and 44 show that the former guarantees religious freedom whereas the latter divests religion from social relations and personal law. It is no matter of doubt that marriage, succession and the like matters of a secular character cannot be brought within the guarantee enshrined under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution…In Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India it was held that marriage, succession and like matters of secular character cannot be brought within the guarantee enshrined under Articles 25 and 26 of the constitution. It is a matter of regret that Article 44 of the Constitution has not been given effect to…A common civil code will help the cause of national integration by removing the contradictions based on the ideologies.”
Kuldeep Singh, J. emphatically expressed in Sarla Mudugal’s case (1995 (3) SCC 635) as follows:
“Those who preferred to remain in India after the partition, fully knew that the Indian leaders did not believe in two nation theory, or three nation theory and that in the Indian Republic there was to be only one nation- Indian nation- and no community could claim to remain a separate entity on the basis of religion.”
The interpretations of the constitutional provisions by the Supreme Court become part of the Constitution. Constitution achieves fulfillment through its institutions and institutions function through their personnel. We find a gradual deterioration in the functioning of the legislatures including parliament and executive. Recently it was brought out that the number of parliamentary sittings has come down from an average 140 a year in the past to 102 in 1988 and 74 sittings in 2004. Even those sittings do not transact much work and no purposeful debates are allowed because of the uproars created and adjournments which has become very common now and even important Bills are passed without any debate. The executive has also become weak and ineffective. Politics has become a business and source of ill gotten income running into thousands of crores. Though these are becoming more common and obvious as recent happenings in AP and Karnataka have shown. There is no popular uproar or resentment. There are no corrective measures in sight. Abuse of rural employment and other welfare schemes have become so common that people accept them without even a whimper. Ultimately it is the society which has to awaken itself and take up this stupendous task of correcting the malise. Let us hope that during the coming decades we will be able to realise the hopes and dreams of the framers of the Constitution – of what they expressed on that midnight when Bharat gained Swaraj. Akhila Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad should take the lead in this direction by awaking and educating the people. (http://www.adhivaktaparishad.org/?p=100)
author Justice Parvat Rao along with Dr. Mohan Rao Bhagwat at a function in Bangalore
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