My Opinion

It looks like Pakistan cancelled the Commonwealth parliamentary conference under pressure because many countries other than India have also expressed their concerns. Actually, Jammu and Kashmir Speaker was being invited in all the previous conferences. Pakistan quietly participated in all the conferences. But this time the conference was to be held in Islamabad. If Jammu and Kashmir’s Speaker was to be invited there, it would have created a problem for Nawaz Sharif. He had to answer many questions. Hence, this issue was raised.

One thing is clear, Pakistan uses Hurriyat leaders whenever it needs. Due to its internal politics, it is important for Pakistan to raise Kashmir issue. There is pressure on Nawaz Sharif from the Army. This is why Hurriyat leaders are used to raise the issue of Kashmir publicly. Hurriyat leaders are familiar to this but they fear to raise their voice.

There’s nothing wrong in FTII director’s decision to expel students enrolled since 2008, who have even failed to submit their project so far. However, if the government had not appointed a chairman, who is not acceptable to students, then there would not have been any controversy and his decision were welcomed by all.

21-year-old Hardik Patel managed to gather four lakh people in Surat and claims to gather another 20 lakh to join his rally in Ahmedabad. Patel community MPs of both BJP and Congress are with this young man. His popularity is going northward with every passing day. He rose the issue which appeals to the people and that is why he is a major cause of concern for the Government.

One thing is crystal clear that Lalu Prasad Yadav is a worried man after PM Modi’s speech in Bihar. Modi had already set Bihar’s election agenda with his master stroke in the state. Now everyone including Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav and Rahul Gandhi is saying that Modi has done a re-packaging. But BJP is laying emphasis on only one number that is Rs 1.25 crore. The party will ensure that people of Bihar do not forget this magic figure.

Arvind Kejriwal won Delhi assembly elections following his campaign against corruption. Now, he will campaign for Nitish Kumar in the upcoming Bihar elections. Nitish’s poll alliance is with corruption tainted Lalu Yadav in Bihar. He is a convict. That is why he is not contesting elections this time. It would be interesting to see how Kejriwal will campaign for this alliance? Will he ask people to vote only on 100 seats for Nitish Kumar, and avoid Lalu’s candidates or will ask people to vote on all the seats for the alliance.

Government will be answerable if they still continue NSA level talks with PakistanPakistan has once again invited Hurriyat leaders just before the NSA level meet with India, as it did last year, following which India had refused to talk with the neighbouring nation. If government does not stand with their decision taken last year and go ahead with the talks, they will be answerable to the country? What could have changed in a year’s time that even after Pakistan decided to host and serve dinner to hurriyat leaders, the talks are still on schedule?

Many schools in Jammu and Kashmir do not have the tradition of singing National Anthem. After 15th August this year, children were asked to sing “Jana Gana Mana” but the teachers asked students not to do so. This is a serious concern. If terrorist threats are behind the decision of school teachers then this is going to be a serious challenge for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Kanwal Sibbal says that Pakistan’s approach is negative towards the talks. It seems that Narendra Modi is in trouble for trusting Nawaz Sharif. Sharif, during Ufa meet, insisted that talks should continue between the two nations, and promised that they will neither invite Hurriyat nor bring the Kashmir issue during the discussion. Only terrorism will be discussed. But Pakistan inviting separatists, just before the talks, once again established their double standards towards the talks. Seems Sharif want to give a message back home that they only want to discuss Kashmir issue with India. Either Pakistan is not willing to have talks or Nawaz Sharif do not have control over his men. People of India, however, will surely demand an answer from Narendra Modi.

Mulayam Singh Yadav usually raises questions publicly on the hooliganism of politicians in Uttar Pradesh. He rebukes the political leaders, questions the CM, and for all this he is equally applauded. However, whenever there is a mention of any untoward occurrence in Uttar Pradesh or when his government is accused for some mishappening, the politician says something controversial, which is least expected from him. He is a senior and a reputed leader; he should be careful while speaking on sensitive issues like rape.

Rahul did not say anything new in Amethi but he repeated one thing so many times that the effect of the same could be seen on Narendra Modi. If you remember, while giving speech at Red Fort, Narendra Modi mentioned poor and needy people several times. He also talked about labourers and farmers. Even in his speech in Dubai, poor people and labourers remained his focus, so the credit of this change of tone goes to Rahul Gandhi.

One Rank, One Pension will be implemented, this is confirmed. Now, the government has two options – One, that it may take the pension of 2011 as base to implement OROP. This means the pension that an officer who retired in the year 2011 received, will be given to all the officers of that rank. The government has to shell out additional Rs 4000 crore for the same.
Second option is that the pension given in 2013 may be taken as the base. If the government chooses this option then it will be burdened with Rs 8000 crore. We should hope that the government will fulfil its promise, and as said it will take a decision within 10 days. During the given time frame the government should make the announcement otherwise the retired officers will intensify their agitation. We hope that within this time frame there will be some solution to OROP demand.