Issue out of no issue

http://ngkjrs69.sulekha.com/blog/post/2012/05/issue-out-of-no-issue.htm 

It is not a matter of surprise that our representatives in the Parliament have selective priorities but it is an issue of concern. As if, there is a dearth of issues to be discussed and debated, our MPs chose to make out an issue out of no issue. Yes, I am referring to the recent episode of cartoon involving Ambedkar and the constitution. Not only they made ruckus in the Parliament, they went on to ransack the office of the gentleman who was involved in this issue. As expected no party condemned this violent act while they went berserk on the issue of the cartoon.

Tirumaavalavan, is a MP from Tamilnadu who started a party Tamil Vidutalai Chiruttai (Tamil Liberation Panthers – christened obviously inspired by LTTE, the Liberation Tigers). Even Tirumaavalavan is not sure, from whom and for whom he wants the Tamils to be liberated! He initiated this issue in the Parliament stating that the cartoon is insulting the Great Ambedkar. As all of us are aware, anything pertaining to Dalits and Minorities cannot be left alone and one cannot remain silent on those issues as they are the vote-getting factors, every party jumped in supporting Tirumaavalavan, more interestingly wanted to usurp the issue from him for their gains. 

The objection has no validation if one had seen the cartoon. In no way it is insulting Ambedkar. If at all, it insults Nehru only. The cartoon depicts Ambedkar riding a Snail named Constitution with a whip in his hand and Nehru, in turn, whipping Ambedkar to go fast! Having known that one is riding a snail, how can one expect the journey to be faster? Just by whipping can that happen? This cartoon had clearly expressed that the process of preparing a Constitution will take long time and any sense of urgency is meaningless. Alas! Our present day leaders are not matured enough nor educated enough to understand such things. 

The objection is invalid on following points too: 

• This cartoon was made even when Ambedkar was alive and he never protested it 
• This cartoon was in the NCERT books since six years and an insult to Ambedkar happening suddenly is a question of surprise 
• Everyone in the public service is subject to bouquets and bricks – one cannot be selective 
• There is something called Freedom of Expression The protests by the MPs reflect these: 
• The tolerance levels of those in the Public Service is going down and they cannot digest any views expressed against them – this is a unhealthy sign (even yesterday the speech of Laloo in the House against Anna and Baba Ramdev is a part of such intolerance) 
• If these men made the history of our country (they are not creating it – please read it carefully), obviously there will be no truth or the percentage of truth in the history will be very less 
• These gentlemen who fight for a man who made the Constitution are unaware that in the same Constitution there is an Article 19 that gives every citizen a freedom of expression 
• They are unaware that it’s not Ambedkar alone who prepared this Constitution but a panel of eminent lawyers and Ambedkar was the political face of the panel who chaired it 
• We, Indians, totally lack the sense of humor 

A picture is better than 1000 words. Pages of illustration would not have explained this issue better than this cartoon. If the politicians want to get rid of cartoons, first of all, let us get rid of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Is there a dearth of Cartoons in these Sabhas? Each MP is a cartoon. Shall we get rid of them? 

These incidents reflect the deteriorating quality of Indian politics. The so called leaders are hunting for sensational or emotional issues. They lack the maturity to handle a comment or appraisal. They create demi-Gods out of their leaders and this is worse than idol-worship, yet they preach rationalism. They can even go to the extent of distorting the reality in the name of history that goes against their policies (I don’t know whether the parties have one). Removal of Kondadeo's statue with Shivaji by the Sambhaji group in Pune is an illustration to this.

Why this Hue and Cry - Do we really need this?

http://ngkjrs69.sulekha.com/blog/post/2012/05/why-this-hue-and-cry-do-we-really-need-this.htm 

Sachin Tendulkar is nominated for the Rajya Sabha. One cannot describe whether this is a master stroke played by the Congressmen who were literally seeking some media attention. Of course, Congress was trying hard to draw the attention of media but despite all the bias, it was doing it for different or wrong reasons only. Had Sachin joined Congress, then there is no room for debate. He had accepted to be nominated to the Upper House or the House of Elders. If he is elder, he should have given room for younger ones in the team long ago. He is still continuing playing stating he is enjoying the game. May be, he might be enjoying but he never tried to realize whether the spectators enjoyed it or not. 

If one asked whether Sachin deserved this post, then anybody can answer in negative. Till date, Sachin has never expressed an opinion in open with regard to the affairs of Cricket let alone the affairs of India! He always projected a personality of non-controversial one. He has not displayed any administrative skill till date nor had he got an opportunity. The timing, perhaps, is wrong. He is still playing cricket and the party should have waited till his retirement. But Congress is in urgency, needed some edge and had played this game. 

At the outset, do we really need the Upper House? The Upper House is literally useless to the common public but useful to the politicians who can use this as a back-door entry to ministerial berths. The provision of 12 nominated members is another joke indeed. They were supposed to be specialists in their respective fields and are expected to serve the Government in that field by remaining neutral. However, this is not happening. Those who are nominated never remain neutral. The worst choice till date was Lata Mangeshkar. It would not be an exaggerated statement if we said that she literally insulted the Upper House by not attending a single session. Leave aside delivering something to the field she represented. If she knew she cannot contribute why agree for nomination. I would not be surprised if Sachin too followed the Lata way as he is busy playing games and shooting ads! 

The history of nominated members proves this. Their attendance used to be hardly 50 ~ 70%. Very few nominated members take part in debates and pose questions. It is another story that nominated members and independent members do not get priority in posing questions. Anu Aga is another choice. There are women who are more successful than her but she is chosen for her anti-Modi stand. She is rewarded. One is not sure whether Rekha is chosen only to humiliate Jaya Bacchan? I am not sure. Then why people agree to be nominated members? 

The Sops you get as an MP and the pension amount for life time. The people’s money is squandered like this. If the Govt wanted to represent someone from Sports, there are lot many choices better than Sachin. Retired players and administrators would have been the real choice. The ICC too did not invite Sachin to deliver a speech but Rahul Dravid and Sangakkara. Sachin may be an exceptional player but certainly does not deserve to be an MP. 

Worse is, the choice of Sachin for Bharat Ratna. Sachin unabashedly expressed that his profession is acting as to avoid additional tax on the brand-ambassador incomes. He has not paid tax for his Ferrari and his new house has got complications with BMC. How can such a citizen be called a Bharat Ratna who does not pay the dues to the Government on time? Cricket craze in India is well known and it is more than a religion and Sachin is God. Congress party, which is looking for some image-boost, had gone for this option expecting crores of his fans to vote for the party. Will it happen or not is not known but the choice of Sachin representing the Upper House is a wrong choice. 

Same is the case with President’s office. Ever Since VV Giri occupied this post, this Chair has lost its respect. Fakruddin Ali Ahmed was rewarded for allowing Bangladeshis to vote in Parpetta constituency to make Congress win. R.Venkatraman read out the message of Rajiv Gandhi in Moscow although he was the First Citizen then and I am still perplexed under which protocol RV did that. Perhaps, the loyalty fact. The list is endless. SD Sharma, KR Narayan, Zail Singh – all of them were chosen just to reward for their loyalty to the family. The choice of Pratibha Patil was a real joke and only Jayalalitaa had the guts to say so in public. She occupied the chair after Kalam who brought some shine to it but Patil worked hard to bring all disgrace to this post. Even this post is not escaping the caste / religion game. Karunanidhi, the great rationalist wants a woman, preferably from Muslim to be the next Prez, Congress wants a woman from Dalit Community or someone from Minority. The irony is, no party is selecting a candidate based on the right qualifications. President in India had never been apolitical. With hung Parliament expected next year, every party wants a rubber stamp who can favor them irrespective of numbers. With such choices, the posts are brought only disgrace. 

Just like Bharat Ratna lost its sheen, the Padma Awards were doled out as consolation for supporting the Governments, the Upper House and even the President Office is treated like this. Rather than doing like this, Why can’t we get rid of Presidents, Governors and Upper houses that only incurs expenses and do nothing to the common public or to the progress of our country?