Is India over reacting to SRK episode ?

Ever since the news emanated from US that Bollywood’s icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained at Newark’s airport for questioning on India’s independence day, the both the print and electronic media in India are debating the correctness of the modus applied by US Customs Department on SRK.

The ruling Congress was first to jump into fray, as Union Minister Ambika Soni advocated that the US celebrities to should be reciprocated in the identical manner, so that it will send an appropriate signal to US authorities.

As if this was not enough, India’s MoS for External Affairs ministers Shashi Tharoor, who is an ace diplomat also pooh poohed the attitude of US authorities while dealing with SRK and lamented it in a very severe language.

There were small demonstrations in Delhi too, where the SRK’s fans displayed their idol’s huge posters and condemned the American gesture. On his part, SRK though he initially tried to down play the entire controversy, seems to have developed a second thought, given the interview which he gave to Rajdeep Sardesai’s CNN IBN yesterday night, in which he is reported to have said that US should remember that it’s not the only country in the world to travel but there are more than hundred countries in the world (sic. to travel). He is also believed to have said that he will be having second thought for traveling to US henceforth.

It is bit intriguing that the BJP or other opposition parties have yet to react over this episode. But, the manner in which Congress I spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan was defending Ambika Soni on CNN IBN, it appears that Congress intends to give a sort of ‘religious tint’ if not communal one, to this whole issue, as India’s three premier states (Maharashtra, West Bengal and Punjab) would be going for state assembly elections in the next couple of months.

One was pleasantly surprised to see Times of India in its Monday 17th August, 2009 edition, carrying an article written by Anand Soondas, wherein the writer has indirectly tried to justify the measures taken by US authorities at their airports, thereby eliminating the slightest possible error in allowing any wrong person to enter on their land, who could pose a potential security threat. He even suggested that India should take a cue from such incidences and stop fawning and better start upgrading her security structure.

Lord Meghnad Desai, while participating in CNN IBN programme rightly said that unwarranted controversy was being aired, for an Indian actor getting detained for more than hour, when US is concerned for the lives of thousands of its citizens. Lord Desai even cited an instance of US celebrity Bob Dylan having been ill treated by the local US police, who could not be identified by them. He even went to suggest that it’s all the publicity stunt of SRK, was his forthcoming movie My name is Khan is due to hit the screen very shortly. Well there is definitely substance in it.

One must understand that when it comes to security, the countries abroad like US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. do not hesitate to adopt stringent measures, while letting any foreigner in, if their custom and immigration official has a slightest doubt about the intention of the person to visit, his length of stay, his / her itinerary in that country, how he would be spending the money on their soil, the persons to whom he / she would be meeting on their soil, etc.

When the likes of Al Gore, Ted Kennedy, etc. are not spared at US airports, how do we expect a US Customs & Immigration official to know the CV of SRK and that he should have been let him in with a fanfare. ? This whole controversy has manifested how Chalta Hai attitude in our country has ruined our security apparatus and has made our borders more porous than ever before.

It is openly said that nearly 250 Bangladeshi citizens are illegally entering India per week, thanks to the casual and corrupt attitude of our BSF personnel, who let them in exchange of couple of hundred rupees. Can there be any country in the world like India, which has more than 10 million (Bangladeshi foreign) nationals staying without proper entry permits, visa, etc.?

It is openly said that the next Chief Minister of Assam would not an Indian one, as he could be either Bangladeshi or Nepali. As it is we have been hearing that an MP from Assam is having Nepal origins. When the Congress party has temerity of passing legislation IMDA in early eighties whereby the onus was put on the complainant to prove that the person accused of being foreign national is indeed a foreign national, and not on the accused to prove that he is having local permits, ration card, etc. A strange law that was finally struck down by India’s Apex Court.

This speaks about the volumes of laissez – faire culture developed by our people, which ultimately made the country to be ruled by Moguls for three centuries and then Britons for one hundred and fifty years. Hence, in sum and substance, without taking any lessons over SRK episode, there is no doubt in my mind that our country is over reacting to it.

Now with Amar Singh of Samajwadi Party entering into fray, the whole controversy has now acquired political overtones. Singh, like Lord Desai too has felt that SRK has embarked on 'Khan' issue, just on the eve of release of his film My name is Khan and has advised him to see for himself, how Amitabh Bachchan reacts when French immigration officials treat him, even as Bachchan is conferred with the highest honour by the French government in the recent past.

It may be recalled that SRK had been almost awarded Congress I ticket of fifteenth Parliamentary polls which ended in May, 2009 and his proximity with Congress is no longer secret.

Now with Amar Singh also giving him an advice of word or two, the whole matter has now been politicized. Needless to say that SRK would be its beneficiary as he is known to thrive on the controversy and his forthcoming film has already become hit, even before its release. !!

Sehwag imbroglio : Blame it on BCCI !

The manner in which the BCCI has come out in defence of Virendra Sehwag’s over his shoulder injury controversy in the wake of ongoing T20 World Cup 2009 does not auger well for the cricket administration in the country.

Sehwag, who had been off the colour during the IPL 2009 held in South Africa a month ago, has been in the news for the wrong reasons, ever since Nitin Naik of Times of India broke the story over the rift between Nabab of Najafgarh and Indian Cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

However, even as the news broke out, hardly any one had inkling about the possible reason or reasons of the rift. Even as Dhoni made his entire team to parade in front of the world media on the following day after the TOI broke the story, to show as if everything was hunky dory in the team, no one was willing to buy the peace in the team. Even after Dhoni’s media briefing hardly any one had a slightest clue about the cause of the discord between the two.

But it is the Indian cricket manager Gary Kirsten has come out openly and has now revealed that it was the shoulder injury of Virendra Sehwag that was the ‘source of discomfort and disquiet’ in the whole team. Now with Sehwag himself admitting that he was suffering it even before the conclusion of the IPL in South Africa, he did not declare himself unfit, as he was under a genuine impression that his soar shoulder would heal in few day’s time.

But that was not to be. Even after missing the practice games against Pakistan and the tournament openers against Bangladesh and the one more game against Ireland, it’s now confirmed that Sehwag is heading back to India.

Here, the moot question arises, why the BCCI did not make the fitness test mandatory after the conclusion of IPL and before the team departed for England for the second T20 World Cup, no matter hardly a week was left in between.

It may be appreciated that the professional teams like Aussies, South Africa, the hosts England are absolutely fitness fanatic and do not take any slightest chance of accommodating a player who is not 100 % fit.

Even after the conclusion of Australia’s five ODIs series against Pakistan at a neutral venue of Abu Dhabi in UAE, the players like Shane Watson and Mike Hussy had to loose their place in the respective sides in the IPL teams, as they were not fully fit. Had they passed the buck over injuries and got their injuries precipitated, that might have proved costly to the Kangaroos in England, as they have to taken England for the ‘Ashes’ series after the conclusion of the second edition of T20 World Cup.

But as is our wont’ we Indians who crave for ‘short cut and cheaper methods’ for the higher monetary gains are finally made to pay finally a price by losing Sehwag’s place in the team, even though the make shift opener Rohit Sharma has been doing an exceedingly good job in the company of Sehwag’s Delhi partner Gautam Gambhir.

Indian media has heavily reacted over the whole issue and is trying to crucify Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the wrong reasons. How he can blamed, if Sehwag had dishonestly hidden his injury from the team.

If some is to be blamed, it’s the BCCI, which has virtually made the cricket as ‘money spinning game’. Now its Media Advisor Rajeev Shukla has come out in defence of Virendra Sehwag, by down playing the whole issue, the image of Indian team in general and the cricket administration in particular has taken huge beating!

There can’t be any compromise over the fitness aspect of the player, or else it will result in premature end to some one’s career, who in his zest to retain his place in the side might adopt dubious and cheaper means to declare himself fit.

Sehwag’s issue is the case in the point!

Over trumpeting of Advani & Modi combine led to BJP's defeat?

The Indian democracy is funny indeed for more ways than one. In short, the people in this country are most unpredictable as ever. After three rounds of elections, the Indian media was agog with the news that the BJP led NDA was slightly ahead of Congress led UPA at the end of that round.

After fourth round, senior Congressman and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh talking to Karan Thaper's Devil's Advocate programme broadcast on CNN – IBN had went to the extent of indicating that if the situation demanded then Congress would prefer to sit in opposition, suffice to say that it would not seek the support of Communist parties Third Front or from the State oriented parties like RJD, LJP, SP, etc. to form the government.

On this backdrop, the NDA's rally at Ludhiana (Punjab) was billed as huge success, as NDA was able to secure the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and so TRS Chief K Raj Shekhar Reddy' too joining the jamboree, which led many pundits to believe that NDA was finally taking up its shape.

However, the opinion polls at the end of fifth and final rounds, in which entire Tamil Nadu was put on hustings, started giving pleasant signals to the ruling Congress led UPA and some anxious moments to the BJP led NDA.

Now with the poll results are out, there is definitely pall of gloom at 11, Ashoka Road, Delhi, BJP's national headquarter and with the resignation of Lal Krishna Advani, as the leader of Opposition, the BJP is likely to be thrown in some kind of confusion, if not in chaos, until its fact finding mission comes out with the reasons for unpredictable and unassuming debacle.

Blessing in disguise for Congress: -

There is no single reason that can be attributed for the unexpected success and spurt in the rise of Congress tally. In fact, when the polls were just announced initial rallies conducted by Rahul Gandhi in Amethi had not attracted even ten thousand people. Even his election rallies in Vidharbha region of Maharashtra too did not have a desirable impact.

In fact, the media had started virtually writing off Congress not only in Maharashtra, where Congress rules in conjunction with NCP, but also in other parts of the country as well, as the projection of Mr. Narendra Modi as 'PM for 2014' started gathering momentum.

Congress which had fared very badly and relegated to fourth position in the wake of 2004 Parliamentary polls, was doubtful starter in Uttar Pradesh which is having of eighty (80) the largest from any state in the Indian Parliament.

Even in Andhra Pradesh, people had started writing off Congress, as Raj Shekhar Reddy government was hardly making its presence felt and farmers' suicide were as high as that of neighboring Maharashtra. The impromptu entry of Chiranjeevi in AP state politics was hotly debated in the media, and so also 'the 'return of TDP'. But, alas, the results have shown otherwise. Even Congress has done relatively well in the assembly elections as well in that state, though its new government might not be so comfortable in terms of majority.

The success of Congress in Maharashtra too is equally amazing, as according to media reports the 'anti incumbency factor' was strongly emphasized by all and sundry as the performance of Congress – NCP alliance has hardly shown any positive work during the last five years and in all for the last ten years. Electricity shortage, water shortage, unemployment, law & order in the waked of 26/11 Mumbai bombings, were all supposed to work against Congress.

However, a maiden electoral venture by Raj Thackeray led MNS (Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena) has significantly contributed to the success of Congress at least in city of Mumbai, where it could garner five sets out of seven. Thanks to one hundred thousand votes secured by MNS in each of these five segments.

Congress too has done relatively better in Gujarat, which makes one wonder, what happened to Modi's charisma? Is it waning? Or has it stagnated? Or is it illusionary?

Though Congress has not done well in Bihar, it has maintained its momentum in Rajasthan, which it had secured after the debacle of Vasundhara Raje's in assembly elections few months ago and it securing seven out of seven seats in national capital, has astounded many.

As a matter of fact, in one stroke, it has ended notoriety of likes of Mayawati in UP and that Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswant in Bihar and have in the process decimated their parties.

All in all, one feels its not because of Congress wave, but its traditional voters from Muslim and Dalit communities have opted for it, instead of banking upon the regional parties like BSP, SP, RJD, LJD, etc. after the BJP started trumpeting the duo of Advani & Modi put together.

Perhaps, a wrong message might have been sent in the process that could have made both Muslims and Dalits to go for perennial savior Congress, rather than any other outfits.

Once the constituency wise minute statistical details are out, perhaps some more light can be thrown it.

Will it now work?

Although, Congress led UPA government completed successfully five year term, many were finding it difficult to say that the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was in full control and command of his government as many a times, it was openly said that real power lies with UPA Chairperson Italian born Madam Sonia Gandhi. ! It was she who called the shots and Dr. Singh is merely reduced to puppet and often described as a 'lame duck prime minister'.

Here was an uncharismatic man who was not even a member of lower house of Parliament (Lok Sabha), but he could drag on, even after passing through a heart ailment.

Now, though Dr. Singh is tipped to be the next Prime Minister (second after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to be sworn in after completing five years in office), one wonders' he would show some more determination in tackling scores of issues as he would no longer be dependent on whims and fancies of left parties, this time. Though Lalu and Mulayam can cause a tantrum or two, they can be ignored at times, when the national interest would be supreme.

I for the one feel that Congress led UPA was on very sticky wicket, while handling the terrorism in its last rule and as the state like Maharashtra too would be facing assembly elections in five months time from now, it would again go slow on the hanging of Afzhal Guru, lest it antagonizes minority votes.

Delicate areas to trade with:

Though having a comfortable majority now, the Congress might still be cornered on two fronts, as it has readied SP's support, as the latter will be always for Mayawati's dismissal and also her prosecution through CBI till end.

Also, the DMK is another delicate area, which Congress will have to trade with. With the situation in Sri Lankan war is reaching its peak, Congress will have to get prepared for the tantrums of DMK Chief Karunanidhi.

The situation might become worst, if the rumor of endgame of LTTE's Chief V. Prabhakaran is true. DMK though in power in TN and part of ruling alliance at Delhi, might be tempted to take such step, which would cause a huge embracement to New Delhi in terms of international relations with Sri Lanka are concerned.

Apart from SP & DMK, Congress will have to do tight rope walking on two more fronts. The two things which have persistently beset Congress since its inception. 'Dynasty' or 'personality cult' and minoritism, whether its Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was ruling. With Rahul Gandhi all set to join the Union Cabinet (presumably as the Deputy Prime Minister with External Ministry portfolio with an independent charge!), the Congress this time too, would come under pressure and would compromise on several things, where the interest of minorities or any other caste is involved.

How many of you remember that the first thing which Congress I led UPA did last time after coming into power 2004 was to repeal POTA at the cost of nation's interest. How it turned out to be detrimental to India's security, we are all aware of it.

Hence, the return of 'sycophancy culture' and an 'appeasement of minorities' would continue to beset Congress, which would be akin to pre – 1977 situation.

It’s a vicious circle that has been created by Congress in which its still reeling.

However, be that as it may, let's give Congress led UPA government some breathing time to settle down, instead of getting involved in speculation business and merely criticizing it!

December – 2009 would be ideal time limit to have a fresh look at its policies and to take stock taking of its performance, as by that time Maharashtra legislative assembly elections would also be over!

Sharad Pawar - Ct. PC, B: Sonia = 0 !

The shifting of IPL out of India to the venues abroad would ensure smooth and peaceful Parliamentary elections as the police authorities would be able to concentrate in better manner and also in better number on the law & order and other related issues.

The hosting of IPL was made a big prestigious issue by NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, whose political fortunes were interlinked with the success of IPL tournament. But the Congress I, which was terribly upset over Maratha politician's political ambitions of leading the nation, punctured all his dreams in one stroke by raising the bogey of security aspect. It was Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, who vehemently opposed the hosting of IPL during the election schedule.

All in all, even before the first ball of the second IPL edition is bowled, Sharad Pawar is Ct. P Chidambaram Bowled Sonia for a nought ! What a beginning to the hustings and for the IPL too !

Wooing young Indian voters, an onerous task!

As announcement of the election schedule of country’s fifteenth Parliamentary polls is barely two days away, various political parties have begun their most excruciating exercise of wooing the voters by numerous means. While some have started traditional ways and means of ‘personal contact’ with the voters by physically stepping at the voter’s door step, those who believe in the sophisticated and time saving means have resorted to modern day tactics of sending the text messages (SMS), e-mails, web chatting, etc. .

As India has taken a giant leap in science and technology in the last two decades, country’s internet savvy population has already reached 20 Mn (2 crores) by now, which is very toll order.

The use of internet has become almost like a ritual to many Indians, whether he or she is working person or student, businessman, entrepreneur, etc... It has undoubtedly revolutionized the very concept or mode of communication having reach in any part of the globe, within a fraction of seconds.

Therefore, it would be just and appropriate on the part of any political party to resort to make the use of internet technology to its fullest extent in disseminating its ideology, philosophy, belief, convictions, traditions, thoughts, paths, objectives, desires, goals, etc. across the spectrum of young voters, who glue to the internet for minimum one hour in a day.

The BJP, which is known for resorting to many innovative ways and means in its zest to spread across its message, (thanks to late Pramod Mahajan ji, who was indeed pioneer in these experiments) has now come out with many new ideas, on the backdrop of lot of modernization that has taken place in communication technology in the last five years.

There is no gain in denying the fact, that ‘Friends of BJP’ is an offshoot of those who believe in the ideologies of late Shama Prasad Mukharjee, late Deen Dayal Upadhaya of the older generation and that of Atalji, Adavaniji and to some extent of Mahajanji’s as well.

Though a belated exercise, just when the elections are barely 50 to 60 days away, it would enable the party to reach the wider youth segment all over the country through the medium of internet which is having an ability to get an instantaneous feedback, should the targeted reader develops an urge to write back.

Going by the events that have unfolded ever since Congress (I) led UPA government came into power, the political outfit like the BJP, which takes pride in describing itself as ‘a party with a difference’ has got enormous opportunity to compare the performance of UPA vis-à-vis NDA government for which Net is the best medium to make use of.

Never before in the history of India, has the country looked so fragile in terms of security, then ever before. India’s neighbours are grappling with serious terror related problems like in Pakistan, Sri Lanka on hand and massive poverty, agricultural short fall, malnutrition, etc. on the other in the countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, etc.

Corruption - India’s main enemy

The internal security has gone to the winds, with the police atrocities have become the order of the day. Though the UPA government has taken credit of introducing the ‘Right to Information Act’ after coming into power, this law, has turned out to be non – starter due to various reasons. Sadly, the people in our country, more so even the intellectual / educated class, is least responsive to this legislation, (many don’t know that Govt. is duty to provide any information under the Sun under this law, barring some reasonable exceptions) which if used properly can really result in a responsible governance at all levels, including at Grampanchayat level and it would help in some way to reduce the corruption, which has virtually eaten up our country.

It would not be out of place, if it is said that India faces more danger from the corruption within the system, than terrorism perpetrated from across the border. But for corruption, RDX would not have landed on the shores of Shekhadi (Murud, Alibag District of Maharashtra) which was used in 1993 Mumbai blasts. It is but for this corruption, ten indoctrinated youths not have dared to give land at Cuffe Parade in Mumbai on the evening of 26/11, to cause, the deadliest terror attack to have ever happened on the Indian soil, as our security agencies inspite of advance alerts by the IB and RAW, took them quite routine in the typical casual manner.

Corruption has assumed so gigantic dimension, that words would beggar description. According to a conservative estimate, an estimated figure of Rs. 2,10,68,00,00,000 (US $ 4.68 Bn.) crores is paid to the bureaucrats in India at various levels in the government establishments, as a ‘bribe’ per annum, which shows the enormity of the corruption in our country, which is 1/3 of country’ defence budget. This figure has been released by none other than Berlin (Germany) based ‘Transparency International’ which is regarded as the premier agency in keeping tab on the government administration of UN member countries in the world. Sadly, but truly, India’s corruption index is increasing with every passing year and hence as a result of which, India’s global rating is gradually dropping down.

India's directionless youth

One wonders, whether our today’s youth is aware of what is the life stored before him? What challenges, he will have confront in his life, What is his job security? What is his social security, What is his individual security, so and so forth. If today’s youth is asked as to ‘What is meant by country or nation to him’? he would barely tell the geographical limits from Kashmir to Kanyakumari & from Veraval to Guwahati. Bound that he will have very little idea, as to what is the meaning of the country? How far he /she owe it to Motherland? What vision or things he should aim for? How best can he can attend these objectives, etc?

Even if some of these questions he is able to short list does he see any solution to these problems? Wonder not! Thanks to Western culture, MTV, FTV, Zoom, Colors, Vh1, etc. beauty pageants, idols, etc, which has considerably eroded his mind to think about India’s past, its rich ancient history, glorious traditions, customs, etc., which are still relevant and even useful or beneficial even today.

Suffice to say, that today’s youth is travelling by a ship which has virtually directionless and managed by a sailor who has lost his compass to know in which direction it is drifting.

Significance youth power

Sad, that country could not generate a sensible, matured, committed, determined and visionary political leadership ever since we got independence six decades ago. All that we got are the politicians in thousands, but we have yet to a get statesman from this great Indian land.

Indian democracy is at its cross roads, thanks to the criminalization of politics, which has virtually dominated our political scenario more particularly since last two decades or so, when the likes of Laloo Yadavs, Mulayam Singhs, Mayawatis, etc made forays in the politics. As a result of this, a common man has lost his faith in the entire political system, which includes youths, which is a very vital component of democracy.

Due to this, the young generation is not inclined to cast their votes for the Parliamentary and / or State assembly elections. This has tremendously benefitted the Congress party which has nurtured and ultimately thrived on the ‘criminalization of politics’ notion all over the country.

Today, if the Indian democracy is to survive, then the people should be encouraged to cast their votes, to whichever the party or the person, on whom they want to put their faith. But lower turn out during the polls, would definitely benefit Congress party, which has become the order of the day and the sensible and responsible party like the BJP suffers quite a lot in the process.

Congress – scourge of India.

Though the voting day is still eight to ten weeks away, the BJP can reach India’s youth, which accounts country’s 55 % population can definitely tilt the scales, if it is respected, taken into confidence, assured and felt comfortable with the ideology of the party. At the same time, the Indian youth should also be cautioned and forewarned about the perils of the Congress, which has brought only miseries to the people not in the last five years rule, but over all 45 years, as it has enjoyed the power unabashedly. Thanks to dynastic rule! In fact, Congress has usurped country’s economy, natural resources, neglected, if not destroyed India’s ancient culture in systematic manner and what not?

Does any one who do not belong to Nehru and / or Gandhi family can not have an ability to rule the country? What is so special in these families? Or has they benefitted from illiteracy amongst th Indians, which still hovers around 50% even for six decades after getting independence? Has any one given a serious thought, as to why Uttar Pradesh is still the poorest State in the country, which has produced as many as eight prime ministers?

It is the Congress that has benefitted by keeping the people illiterate, so that they do not derive the power to distinguish between good and bad? One has to give a very serious though to it.

One is not able to pinpoint any isolated thing which has helped the country, due to Congress rule! In fact, it has ruined the country from top to bottom and fairly and squarely.

Indian youth needs to be told, that India’s destiny lies in his hand, only he / she has to decide which path to follow. Things can change, if one has a burning desire to change and also if you are determined to change, then nothing is impossible to the world.

What is required is awakening, that was exactly contemplated by Swami Vivekananda almost 120 years ago. It was not just electoral awakening, but even social awakening as well. The BJP has an onerous task of instilling the patriotic spirit in the younger generation and further encourage it to participate in the democratic process by making it case its invaluable vote.

It also needs to be warned that, its reluctance to exercise the franchise, would ultimately benefit those very forces which are determined to disintegrate, ruin, split, this great nation called Bharat for the sake of power.

Oh Indian youth, come on, it’s high time for you to rise within and be part of the country’s future!!

Unruly lawyers , a blot on legal profession

Advocates practising in Madras High Court have caused huge disgrace to themselves by taking law in their own hands. Whatever their feelings about Sri Lakan Tamils might be , how can they throw eggs, stones, in the High Court premises merely because action against Subramaniyam Swami was not taken on the earlier day.

Obviously Mr. Swamy who had come to Wednesday in Madras High Court with a request to implead himself as a party Respondent in one Devashtnam matter. He had not violated any law by doing so. His strongest views against LTTE are well known for more than two decades. For what he should be booked in first place?

Those lawyers who indulged in such heinous act of spoiling the sanctity of court premises must be hauled up for committing a contempt of court. If this trend is not arrested and dealt with seriously then lawyers elsewhere in the country would emulate their Chennai brethren.

As deterrent measure, those lawyers who would be found guilty after the enquiry should be debarred from donning a black coat for one year not only in TN, but elsewhere in India as well. They should thank UPA that POTA is not in force. Or else, these lawyers could have been easily booked for sympathising with the LTTE which has been proscribed as terror outfit under that law.

Antulay controversy would test Sonia's mettle !

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Janab Abdul Rehman Antulay has needlessly kicked off a controversy, by raising doubts over the killing of former ATS Chief Mr. Hemant Karkare, on the dreadful night of 26/11 in Mumbai, which was the most horrendous carnage to have happened any body in any part of the world, at the hands of the terrorists.

Participating in the debate over the two separate bills introduced by the UPA government for the establishment of NIA (National Investigation Agency), Mr. Antulay created a ruckus in Parliament on Wednesday by unwarrantedly raising this issue, without having any slightest proof of it.

In fact, there is no controversy at all, on this point that the troika of Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar all were killed by Kasab and his associate terrorist Imran on the backside entrance of Cama Hospital, which is at a stone throw's distance from CST Railway Station, where the terror duo had mercilessly killed nearly 60 innocent persons few minutes earlier.

It is an entirely separate issue whether Karkare, Kamte & Salaskar ought to have gone through the same vehicle (Toyota Qualis) belonging to a local police station, by giving up or getting down from their own respective vehicles, in pursuit of terrorists on the basis of sketchy information, who had alighted from the foot over bridge close to the Times of India building & Anjuman Islam High School. Or whether Karkare ought to have sent his subordinates in their chase first and that he should have remained as their back up. etc. This is an endless debate and if we go on churning it, the lives of three precious police officers of Maharashtra Police won't be restored.

At that time, the situation was such that there was no time at all to plan out a strategy or to ponder over the ways and means to tackle ultras. It was an unprecedented situation of its kind, which no police officer in any part of the world would have ever experienced. Mr. Karkare arrived at the scene within few minutes, after he got the news of bullet spree started by the due at CST Railway Station after he had dropped into his ATS Office (few Kms. away from CST Railway Stations) after meeting then Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil.

In fact, many were watching live on numerous the television channels of Mr. Karkare getting down from his white TATA Indigo vehicle, putting on his helmet while wearing his blue colour executive shirt. Then putting on the 'so called' bullet proof jacket, which was barely able to withstand incidents of stone throwing, etc.

The terrorists who were unlikely to have the knowledge of the minute details of the lanes and by - lanes on the back side of TOI & Anjuman Islam High School, were also not knowing to whom they were firing at when the vehicle driven by PI Vijay Salaskar came in front of them on the backside of Cama Hospital. Presumably, after seeing the blinking amber light on the top of the vehicle, the Kasab & his deceased colleague, went on firing police vehicle after noticing that it was a police vehicle coming to chase them. The original driver vehicle of Jadhav, who was asked to sit on the back side by the deceased troika was the only man to get escaped from the firing, as he must have presumably ducked, when the bullet sprees were showered on the police vehicle from the front.

After killing the troika, Kasab and his colleague threw out the bodies of the three officers (of Salaskar from the front seat & that of Karkare & Kamte from the back seat). Whereas, the driver Jadhav, who pretended to be dead was also thrown out of the vehicle by them from rear side, before they could hijack the vehicle towards Metro Cinema.

All this happening was being seen by many people from the 5th & 6th floor of Cama Hospital and many claimed to have seen Inspector Vijay Salakar lying in the pool of blood and was desperately requiring medical help. But none could risk their lives to come to his aid, with the fear that they too might face the same fate, if any other terrorists could be hanging around.

Therefore, the presence of any other person or persons (apart from Kasab & Imran), who could have probably targeted Karkare, is out of question. In fact, all these three officers got killed, even before they could exchange any fire with Kasab & his associate. It happened in so fraction of seconds that even a minute is too large in that matter.

Hence, where is question of some one targeting Karkare ? Why he decided to go into Cama Hospital lane, instead of going to Taj & Trident-Oberoi could have been answered by any of the troika had they been alive today. Perhaps, escaped driver Mr. Jadhav can throw some light on it.

By creating a controversy over the Karkare's killing, Mr. Antulay, who though being a Union Minister has always remained away from the media glare in the last four and half years after UPA government came into power. Politically, he is no heavy weight in the Maharashtra State politics. Seems by creating a flutter, he intends to come back into reckoning and wishes to hog into limelight and enhance his political image.

Mr. Antulay's comments on Karkare's death would be definitely used by Pakistan to lessen the gravity of the entire probe and also to claim that no Pakistani national was involved in the Mumbai carnage.

It is heartening to note that Congress was quick to disassociate itself from Mr. Antulay's remarks and tried to wash off its hands from the controversy, as much as it could. But in the end, Mr. Antulay is nearing eighty, a union cabinet minister. But the responsibility of UPA in general and that of Congress I in particular merely do not end, by distancing itself from the controversy fomented by him.

Though the Opposition parties were after Mr. Antulay's blood over his mischievous remarks and sought his immediate dismissal from the government, it is unlikely that Madam Sonia Gandhi would take any prompt and drastic action against Mr. Antulay, when the Parliamentary polls are just few months away. Ultimately, Mr. Antulay is a member of minority community and Sonia Gandhi would not like to do anything, which could be having political and / or electoral bearing.

However, if Mr. Antulay is finally made to resign, then that would give Pakistan an opportunity to comment, that he was removed from the cabinet only because he spoke the truth. !!

Therefore, the Antulay affair has thrown Congress in 'Catch 22' situation. Barring the Margaret Alva episode, one doesn't recollect Congress party acting swiftly, as a matter of discipline on any issue. It did act in Alva's case, though she did belong to a minority community and once a close associate of Madam Sonia Gandhi.

However, if Mr. Antulay he is sacked from the cabinet, then he would try to pose himself as a martyr.

Therefore, the best way for Congress to get out from the Antulay controversy is to ask him to tender an unconditional apology not only to the country, but to the members of the Karkare's family. But, as the clever man he is, he would ultimately try to say that 'I was misunderstood by all'.

Now he has no opportunity to say that ' I was quoted out of context' as the millions of people watched Mr. Antulay's charges over Karkare's death during the Parliament debate on television.

Mr. Antulay is such a politician, who is always in the news for the wrong reasons. It was he who had once dreamed of becoming India's first 'Minority Prime Minister'. When he was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, some booklets calling him as the 'Messiah of Indian Muslims' were published and distributed in early eighties after he returned from the Middle East trip.

Mr. Antulay has a dubious past and had got a reprieve in Vadkhal Naka incident, when his vehicle allegedly carrying some smuggled goods was intercepted by Customs Department in middle of seventies, when he was a junior minister in Vasantrao Naik ministry. However, he was exonerated for want of sufficient evidence.

After becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1981, he had created a huge kickback controversy, over the 'Indira Gandhi Pratibha Prathisthan Trust', which he had formed without the consent of Madam Indira Gandhi and had started collecting huge donations for this trust in her name.

However, Mrs. Indira Gandhi got the wind of it and after serious exposes by the Indian media in general and by Arun Shourie's then Indian Express, Madam Gandhi (Sr) showed him the door.

The moot question is, will Sonia Gandhi would show same resolve while tackling Mr. Antulay?

It is interesting to note that some of the Muslim organizations too, have decried Antulay over the controversy created by him. If Sonia Gandhi retains him in the cabinet, then it would give the BJP and its allies like Shiv Sena a big boost to lodge a campaign against Congress of 'minority appeasement'. Suffice to say that Antulay affair would test Sonia's mettle!

Seems that the stars of the Congress do not appear to be good, despite the fact that it was prompt enough in introducing two anti-terror law bills in Parliament (on the lines of POTA) in the wake of Mumbai mayhem, which was reluctant to bring any such legislation after it came into power in April, 2004.