My Opinion

Before the elections, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised that his government would work for the masses and would be one of them. He had said that his MLAs would lead lives of the ordinary and would not waste money unnecessarily. However much seems to have changed since then. From a ‘no security’, ‘no beacon’, ‘no bungalows’ promise, a committee constituted by the Delhi government has now proposed a whopping four-fold increase in MLA salaries. It is anything but ‘aam admi’!

The arrest of these fishermen by Pakistan, is a sad testament of how they are repeatedly at the receiving end while trying to eke out a subsistence. And there is no proper demarcation of the border in the oceans which makes it even more difficult. Instead of arresting them blindly and throwing them into prison, a proper solution would have to be found so that the fishermen are well aware of the limits in the territorial waters and do not cross over unknowingly. And even if they do, one would have to be magnanimous enough to forgive them.

The violence in Varanasi over the issue of idol immersion has turned ugly. The violent clash between the police and the seers has left many injured. While the police cite the Allahabad HC order banning immersion, the sadhus say it is their customary right. Traditionally in Varanasi, the city intellectuals have always played an important role and this time too had they come forward, the situation could have been brought under control and settled amicably.

Azam Khan is well aware that every action begets a reaction. He will keep making such inflammatory statements which in turn will trigger off vitriolic reactions from leaders like Yogi Adityanath and Sakshi Maharaj. Instead of indulging in hate politics and further polarising people, he could do well to take lessons from someone much younger – the UP Chief Minister, on what to say and how to react in such situations!

Lalu’s statement that even Hindus have beef has created a political storm. It has given the BJP a much needed ammunition to hit out against him. Such controversial statements could cost Lalu the crucial Yadav vote. Nitish Kumar has chosen to maintain a silence over this issue while Congress is trying to distance itself. It has even forced Lalu to clarify himself. No one seems to care about the humble cow in the midst of such political power play!

UP Minister Azam Khan should refrain from raising the Dadri issue at the United Nations. He should realise that the conditions of Muslims here are far better as compared to other countries. It is these inflammatory statements made by such leaders which are proving to be a real threat to the country. Instead of instigating the masses, leaders like Azam Khan, Sadhvi Prachi or Sangeet Som could do well by lying low for a while.

Despite Ikhlaq’s brother’s appeal to all political parties not to create unnecessary tensions in the area, Dadri has seen a flurry of politicians trying to pose as well wishers of the family. Today finally Ikhlaq’s family met the district administration to stop all politicians from visiting them. They are in no mood to reopen their wounds again and again.

It must be most heart wrenching video for any parent to watch…the most painful words for any parent to listen to – the last message that of 15 year old Santosh before he committed a suicide for the humiliation he felt for not being able to pay his school fees. It is not about just one Santosh…it is about the drought stricken farmers in Telangana who are being forced to take such extreme steps. The state government must take cognizance of the gravity of the situation. The Chief Minister will have to assure the people that he is with them and that all steps are being taken to help them.

This is one of the most crucial elections where political parties are working overtime to chalk out strategies and are adopting every tactic that is available. For Nitish and Lalu it is about their political survival and for the BJP it is about their political prestige and aura. With stakes so high, it would not be wrong to say that the Bihar Assembly elections will impact the course of national politics. And political campaigning has just about begun. One would have to wait and watch how this electoral battle shapes up in the days to come

RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav may tone down his electoral promises after having been served a show cause notice by the EC for having repeatedly made casteist remarks. However it would be incorrect to say that Lalu will not refer to the issue of reservation anymore after all his entire political campaign is pegged on caste.

At the UNGA, Pakistan leaves no stone unturned in trying to corner India every year with its Kashmir rhetoric. It has always wanted a third party intervention but till date it has been unsuccessful. Pakistan has always demanded a demilitarisation of Kashmir and Siachen. Governments change, different parties come to power and yet there is nothing new that Pakistan has to offer….every Pakistani PM has repeatedly raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN.

The real truth of the Dadri incident must be unearthed. India TV’s correspondent has learnt that the identity of those boys who got the priest to make that fateful announcement and attack Ikhlaq and his family is well known to the villagers. One can hope that the police is able to punish the miscreants and send them to jail at the earliest. Instead of stoking the flames, political leaders could well ensure that communal harmony is maintained in the area especially leaders like Yogi Adityanath and Azam Khan who should refrain from making inflammatory speeches.