My Opinion

With PV Sindhu’s win today, India is now assured of a silver medal in Badminton. She defeated her Japanese opponent Nozomi Okuhara who put up a spirited fight, in straight sets. Nothing can stop Sindhu from winning silver but the whole country is hoping that she wins the gold by defeating Spain’s Carolina Marin in the finals. Given the way Sindhu has been performing, there is a high chance that she can win. Nothing can be more proud than two daughters of India winning laurels for the country especially on a day like Rakshabandhan!

States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat have banned the Chinese ‘manja’ or the kite string. The Delhi Government has been repeatedly clamouring for a similar ban…a PIL is also pending in High Court. The Court had asked the Government to implement the ban before August 15 but the Delhi Government had petitioned that the ban could not be implemented in haste. Now with three people having died, the Delhi Government has today issued a notification imposing the ban. Had the government acted earlier, perhaps the tragedies could have been avoided. It is well known that during holidays like Independence Day or Rakshabandhan, kite flying becomes very popular and the dangerous Chinese manja is sold in high numbers. The question that the Delhi Government will have to answer is why despite a young man having lost his life last year and fifteen people having been injured, there were delays in implementing a ban.

It seems that those who raised anti India slogans at the programme organised by Amnesty International in Bengaluru are the same people who raised such slogans in JNU in February this year. They are a handful of 10-12 people who have perhaps now travelled to Bengaluru to create an impression that people across the country are concerned about Kashmir. The Government must identify these people and take strict action against them.

The Congress party may allege that Balochistan is Pakistan’s internal matter and any reference would only complicate matters in Kashmir. Pakistan has always been in denial and has never allowed any Baloch leader to even enter the country. However there has been a huge development with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech which seems to have unsettled Pakistan. The country has now extended an invite to Baloch leaders in exile for talks.

It is worth noting that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took prompt action when he received a letter from a young girl seeking his help. However it is not possible for every victim to approach the CM or even muster the courage and write a letter and it is equally not possible for the Chief Minister to read every letter and take immediate action. It is necessary to therefore change the system, take corrective measures and make the police aware of their responsibilities. The police and the government will have to come together to improve the system.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel’s photographs and selfies with players at the Rio Olympics have been doing the rounds in social media . Perhaps his aides were unaware of the rules and inadvertently entered restricted areas in the games arena. It could be a case of misunderstanding. However Vijay Goel is no ordinary citizen…he is a Minister in the Central Government. He would have to abide by the laws of the land. Even if a gaffe was made, there is no harm in owning up and besides Vijay Goel has not been implicated directly. Those who are accompanying him are in the spotlight…they need to be disciplined.

Shahrukh Khan is large hearted enough to have taken his detention in the US very lightly. He has never expressed his anger but the truth is the actor has often been at the receiving end and each time an apology is tendered. The name Khan is what sets alarm bells ringing amongst the security. Another similar incident has come to the forefront. Sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s visa for the United Kingdom also got rejected. The Maestro who was supposed to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in September said he has been performing in the UK every year for the past forty years but this year he has been denied a valid visa. He has complained to the Indian HC in UK and to the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. One can hope this matter will soon be resolved.

Nitish Kumar was lauded by all when prohibition was imposed in Bihar. However the manner in which the law is being implemented with many cases coming to the forefront, it has invited lot of criticisms. If caught, not just the offender but his family and the entire village would be held responsible as per the provisions of the act and a hefty fine of Rupees Five Thousand to be imposed on such poor families. Incase of any irregularities found in any area, the officer in-charge of the police station would be suspended and would not get any posting in any police station for the next ten years. Such draconian sections have been condemned by people but the Bihar Chief Minister maintains that there are vested interests who are bent upon misinforming people. In that case how does one justify the entire village being held culpable? Or under what provisions have ten cops been suspended?

All political parties have today unanimously said that Kashmir is an integral part of India and Kashmiris have equal right on the land they live and the right to enjoy their freedom like the rest of the country. A solution would have to be worked out keeping this is mind. It is therefore important to engage with the youth of Kashmir inorder to resolve the crisis.

By raising the Kashmir issue, it is worth noting that the Prime Minister instead of his advisors, has decided to take over the reins. He has realised it is important to engage with the people of Kashmir. To deal with terrorists, weapons are needed but when civilians start taking to the streets, when the youth start picking up stones, it is necessary to work out a solution through discourse. Incase people are doubtful of the government’s intentions or are mislead by a few, the Government is equipped with the biggest machinery – Mehbooba Mufti’s support. The entire valley will reap the benefits for a long time if the Government is able to take them into confidence.

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul’s death is hard to believe especially for a man whose life was fraught with struggle, a man who faced obstacles right from his childhood and despite all hardships managed to triumph…it is indeed beyond belief. There should be a proper probe on his death and the truth must come out.

16 years ago when ten people had died in an encounter with the security forces, Irom Sharmila had started her hunger strike. She had adopted a democratic approach to protest thereby garnering support from people all across the globe. She came to be known as the ‘iron lady’. People of Manipur have a high regard for her. Political parties are now extending invitations to her since they are well aware that if she joins politics, there could be a major turnaround in Manipur’s political scene.