Demonetization At Midnight - To Outcast The Middle Class

On the evening of 8^th November, 2016 PM Sri Narendra Modi announced the demonetization of Rs 500 and 1000 from the midnight. Some called surgical strike on black money, some called bold move, some called good for the economy, and some called pro-poor and anti-rich move. However, it might have been confusing, none of their views were substantiated with facts that how come it will hit black money hoarders, how it will help the people, and how it will resurrect economy. It was all speculation belying the ground reality in open and the misery of the people to begin. Nobody is sure what it means and what it is aimed at. All are throwing their hats speaking what they want to speak. 

These Rs. 1000 and 500 are no more a valid tender in India.

Amidst all the guess, sermons, claims, chest beating, criticism, and propaganda, some bewildering factual trends emerging out which might have been off guard over looked by the govt or they might have considered it as part of the policy. Nothing is clear as yet – its all speculation and to everybody’s guess that we might have to live for sometime in speculation and guess.

One of my wife’s friend and relatives were on Vaishnab Debi Temple visits and while they were coming back on 8^th evening the demonetization took effect and since then they all had to preserve their smaller currency and rationed for food till they survived the tour and arrived home safely.

 

A man in Mumbai goes to hospital to admit his wife in labour pain and the hospital refused admission because he had only Rs. 500 and 1000 old notes. He came back and left his wife at home and went to exchange the money. When he comes back, his wife had delivered and the baby was dead.

A lady sold her landed property worth Rs. 60, 00,000 and was supposed to buy another property the next day committed suicide because the currency what she had was no more valid.

All across the country, the ATMs of all the banks became dry with Rs. 100 notes within an hour and became non-functional from midnight of 8^th November. From 9^th morning, the queues of the people for exchange, deposit and withdrawal of their own money has been the story of desperation, uncertainty, wait, and mental agony. The queues of the people continue and will continue until they feel their money is safe and they have enough in hand for their expenses.

In the due course, some people waiting in the queue suffered heart attack and left to heavenly abode. Many dead bodies waited for cremation because crematorium refused accepting old 500 and 1000 notes. Several unwanted deaths committed due to non availability of money. Daily labourers and office goers spent time in queues to collect money for their expenses. No earnings for the day for them. The miseries have not ended yet.

Medias were biased, unbiased, and confused lot and calling people to explain the situation. As intimidated and perturbed in shaky situation, hardly any of the people threw light on the negative part of the move.  But the visuals were enough to understand the immediate impact it has created on the common man. And the stories on the social media said the truth. When this was the scenario in cities and township, a visualization of the rural India could be the truth of anybody’s speculation.  A bewildered disbelief has appeared in front of people that a harsh decision could be implemented for the business of government of India.  Is government for business Or welfare of the people?

However, the narratives of the government remained defiant and attacking on the opposition. The mockery and pleading continues to be government’s tactics to manage the poor planning situation of the chaos their decision has created.  The move was rated for the good for the future of the country while the present have been royally ignored and mismanaged. As usual, congress is denounced and chest beating is done for their own bravery. However, their bravery has layers of hidden truth that they may not be able to answer.

While the debate is on – several questions crosses one’s mind and the argument and counter arguments are both in the public domain for consumption. Its our own understanding (that is so complex), intelligence (more of emotional than logical), and belief (rather blind and ill) that will work as pain bam for the time being.

As government claims, no one had idea about this sudden move of the government. Not even the ministers and opposition leaders – anyone. Whereas on twitter, the BJP chief has tweeted the new

Rs 2000 notes on 5^th of Nov 2016. Evidently entire political circle knew about this move that is why so far none of the politicians, Industrialists and so called black money hoarders came to bank rather common man haplessly standing days together to exchange and withdraw their money. That too they can not withdraw whatever they want.  There is no enough cash.  Possibly all Rs.100 notes were taken out by those who are sitting quite in their official bungalows and the mansions. There is no urgency for them because their work is already done and they do not need to panic. Ironically, most of the people got Rs.50, 20 or 10 from the bank. Rs 100 ran out in no time.  I got 4 bundles of Rs.10 notes for the first time in my life from the bank. Question is where are the Rs.100 notes gone?

More news from the bankers suggests that they had ideas of Rs. 2000 coming in circulation but the time was not announced. Around 15 days ago the calibration and programming for vending Rs.2000 notes were done in leading banks ATM. However, still it was a short time to complete the job in all ATMs of all the banks. That is why few ATMs could dispense this currency in couple of days time.

I came across a labouerer who got Rs.2000 in exchange from the bank yet he could not buy his food for two days because no one was ready to give him change until he buys Rs 1600 worth food. At last, a good Samaritan offered him a free meal for the day.

India is a cash rich economy and we do not transact until necessary through the bank. Bank is only used to keep extra cash which is not in use. The farmers, the small traders, and the small venders all depend on the cash transactions.  It’s a big hit for them and they might be the bigger losers with the move. In fact, they are the largest tax payers group too. Farmers have been committing suicide for non-payment of their loans and this misery will suck them dry.

Imaging a cashless economy without ample arrangements is a utopian dream. But our FM is more pragmatic and he wants India to beat even US economy.

The argument that runs positively is curbing counterfeit notes. Counterfeit notes have always been in circulation and no sooner the new notes will be in the market it will have counterfeits too may be little later. However, largely the counterfeit notes have been denied by traders, business owners and banks because of the new checks and mechanism of identifying the fake ones.  Hence, how far this argument holds good is anybody’s guess.

Again, how good will it be to reintroduce Rs.500 back and a higher denomination of Rs.2000 in the market. Later on Rs.1000 may come back too.  Will there not be any accumulation of black money?  Will it not increase more corruption?

If you listen to the experts on black money front, some economists say the move will have a limited impact as people will simply begin to accumulate black money in the new currency as soon as that becomes available.


But the government hopes this will bring cash worth billions of dollars in unaccounted wealth back into the economy. The two notes accounted for more than four fifths of the currency in circulation. However, the demonetization economics is complex and the collateral damage is likely to far outstrip the benefits.


Prof Basu, who was chief economic adviser to the previous Congress government, said – “This "demonetization" just witnessed in India is at best, a one-time flushing out of the system and the return of black money is likely if not inevitable.” Many economists also say the costs of such a one-time "flush" will be huge.


PM said –“Honest and poor people are happily sleeping and rich and black money hoarded looking for the sleeping pill.”  This rhetoric is brilliant to create a divide between poor and the people which have got little more money and might or might not fall into rich category, but certainly may not fall in super rich category. This is real psychotic pill and negative move to make poor be his voter because he has attacked the rich with demonetization. But the super rich and the political class remains his friend. This is the tactics Indira Gandhi had adopted and so she ruled for so long. He is also aiming to position himself for long innings.

What looks more obvious with the move of surprising demonetization of Rs 500 and 100 is that BJP has finally decided to move away from its core vote bank which kept them floated for nearly 6 decades. The traders, business owners, professionals and working class are the ones who have witnessed stripped in open. The poor and marginalized people have been suffers, while the rich and one who are in power corridors are taken care. The 2014 parliament election in reality was also the upsurge of this middle class (upper and lower) young, old, committed and educated voters that ascertained Modi to be PM of India. The vote of the lower class was bought by the false hope and promises that anyways he will continue doing.

The current demonetization is clearly a move towards squeezing more tax from the middle class.  It’s the class who pays tax and getting forced to pay more tax in future too. The faulty taxation system of India is screwing middle class to its maximum.

Further decoding the fact reveals BJP has positioned itself as cash rich political party with cash rich funding business houses what Congress earlier used to be and they consider poor and marginalized to be their vote banks that turn in large numbers to cast vote irrespective of any situation and no apprehension whatsoever. This shows one class who will fund the election and another who will vote for them. Congress sustained on this principle for 7 decades. So, PM and BJP is following congress to be in power and they used middle class as steps to climb the power stairs.  And now, they do not need them any more – used and dumped – a surgical strike to outcast middle class.

Govindachamy, The rapist of Soumya, acquitted of murder by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Of India yet again delivered a justice which could be seen by law makers and even as a citizen of this country as most controversial judgment just on the basis of hearsay and denying a evidence of rape and murder committed by Govondachamy, a Tamilian beggar. SC Court refused to confirm capital punishment to Govindachamy but upheld his life sentence in the rape and murder case of 23-year-old Soumya, an incident that shook the conscience of Kerala and exposed the vulnerability of women venturing out for their livelihood. 

Rapist Govindachamy alias Charly Thomas

Soumya was assaulted by Govindachamy in the empty ladies coach of a moving train and subsequently raped after she was allegedly pushed off the train -the last detail was disputed by the Supreme Court and resulted in dropping capital punishment pronounced by a trial court and the Kerala High Court. The apex court acquitted him from the murder charge and convicted him only for committing rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment.


A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Prafulla C Pant and U U Lalit said that there was no conclusive evidence that Soumya was thrown out of the train by the convict. It relied on “the oral evidence of two passengers of the adjacent compartment who heard that the girl had jumped out of the train”.

Soumya had boarded the Ernakulam – Shoranur passenger train on February 1, 2011, at about 5.30 pm from Ernakulam Town railway station to go to her home at Shoranur for her betrothal ceremony the following day.

Seeing that there were no other passengers in the ladies compartment, the convict entered the coach and assaulted Soumya by repeatedly hitting her head on the walls of the compartment. According to the prosecution, the victim was pushed by the convict from the running train to the track, after which he also jumped down from the other side of the running train. The police contended that Govindachamy , a habitual offender, then sexually assaulted Soumya.

The judgment of the Supreme Court in this case clearly shows the fact that the judges purely depended on the arguments of the counsels rather than use their own knowledge and logics. Even the basic knowledge of the law in this case seems to be flaunted as a retired Justice Katju claims in his blog.  

Justice Katju says. “Govindachamy was guilty of murder, since he repeatedly hit Saumya's head on the wall of the compartment, which was sufficient in the ordinary course to cause death. The head is a vital part of the body, hitting her head against a wall is sufficient in the ordinary course to cause death. This was a case clearly covered by the Third Part of section 300.”

However, the Supreme Court held in paragraph 16 that it cannot be held that the accused pushed Saumya off the train, and she may have jumped off it herself. Futher Justice Katju explains, “That the statements of PW 4 and PW 40 were hearsay evidence. PW4 and PW 40 do not say that they themselves saw Saumya jumping off the train. And “hearsay evidence is inadmissible in evidence vide section 60 of the Indian Evidence Act”, except in certain limited circumstances e.g. a dying declaration or opinion of an expert. None of those limited circumstances existed in this case. So how could the Court rely on this hearsay evidence?”

He terms this as a grave error in the judgment, and surprised to note from the judges who had been in the legal world for decades. This also goes against the elementary principle that hearsay evidence is inadmissible. 

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy blames the LDF government for “serious lapses” in the Soumya murder case in the Supreme Court. “The SC verdict has shocked entire Kerala. The short comings in effectively intervening in the course of the conduct of the case have been pointed out as the reason for such a verdict,’’ he said, while also insisting that the government should take immediate corrective measures. “The death sentence awarded to the accused… was the result of five years of hard work and sense of justice, which guided the probe team and the counsel.”

While pressured from the different quarters and severe criticism for neglecting the case, the state government has decided to file a review or curative petition and is on the look-out for a senior counsel to initiate further proceedings in the Supreme Court in the Soumya rape-murder case. Legal experts, though, said the success rate of review petition and curative petition was extremely low. There will be no Open Court hearing. Only after verifying documents, the court decides whether it is to be heard in Open Court or not. It will be the same Bench, which pronounced the judgment that considers these petitions.

In the light of the judgment it also exposes the dilemma of ruling govt. in Kerala which is against the capital punishment and wants it to be scrapped as law from the constitution. 

CPM Politburo member M A Baby, a staunch opponent of capital punishment, stated that the Left was against the death penalty. “In general, the Left is opposed to capital punishment and we feel it should be removed from our system and Constitution through legislation.”

“The Left believes that capital punishment is highly primitive and should be done away with,” said Baby. “This is not a specific stance for Govindachamy alone. We would have held the same view even if Nathuram Vinayak Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi, was on trial today.”

However, a damage control is on the way to safeguard the image of ruling govt and Rejecting Baby’s view, Kerala’s Law Minister and CPM Central Committee member A K Balan said: “We will approach the court seeking maximum punishment under Section 302 (murder). There is no point in going for life imprisonment for Govindachamy, as he has already been sentenced for a life term once.” 

Despite their opposite views, both Baby and Balan have reiterated that there was no contradiction in the stance of the party and the Kerala government on the issue. Balan added that the party and the government are seeking death for Govindachamy considering the grave crime he committed. Since capital punishment is only for rarest of rare offences, the government’s attempt will be to ensure the court awards punishment to Govindachamy for murder, too.

Amidst the shock of judgment from the Supreme Court of India and heartache by the people of Kerala and elsewhere, there is one point that is missing largely as how come a beggar Govindachamy could afford a team of heavily paid lawyers to represent him in High Court and then in Supreme Court.

A 30-year -old Govindachamy alias Charly was represented by high-profile criminal lawyer, BA Aloor, appeared along with two other lawyers to defend him. Aloor also represented Govindachamy in the Supreme Court, as part of a team of four lawyers that got his sentence commuted from a death sentence to seven years’ imprisonment.

While Govindachamy or any other accused is free to hire any lawyer of their choice, what is surprising that Aloor, originally named Biju Antony, is a criminal lawyer based in Mumbai, and has appeared in a string of high-profile cases during his career. How could Govindachamy, a petty thief and a ‘beggar’ afford a lawyer like Aloor?

“How is that anyone’s concern? I charge Rs 5 lakh per criminal case and my duty is only to represent my client. Since I have represented him in three courts, the charges have exceeded Rs 15 lakhs, but that is not of anyone's concern,” Aloor told The News Minute after the SC judgment came.

When asked who approached him to represent Govindachamy, he was elusive. “There are certain people who wanted to help him. People, who have been accused along with him in other cases had approached me,” he says.

When asked why the media should not be concerned that a petty criminal could afford a good lawyer and crush a case, Aloor retorted, “When crores were spent for Achutanandan in the Supreme Court, did the media question that? Why question this now?”

He, however, defends saying that the ‘mafia connection’ is a media creation.

When Aloor’s appearance on behalf of Govindachamy gained media attention, the lawyer reportedly created more controversy when he revealed that he had appeared in the case after being engaged by “a network of criminals from Tamil Nadu with links to the Mumbai underground activities.”

Among the clients Aloor has represented are Devinder Singh alias Bunty Chor, reported to have committed 500 burglaries across the country. He is currently representing the men arrested for murdering rationalist and thinker Narendra Dabholkar.

At the time he was representing Govindachamy in the Kerala High Court, Aloor was also fighting another high profile rape and murder, representing one of the men accused in the death of Nayana Poojari, a software engineer, in Pune.

Most recently, Aloor caused a minor stir when it was reported that the lawyer will reportedly represent Ameerul Islam in the Jisha rape and murder case. Previously, Aloor had also claimed that he would represent Ajmal Kasab, convicted and hanged for the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.

But its noteworthy that Govindachamy was arrested in February 2011 and is simultaneously serving sentences in cases of robbery and assaulting a jail convict. This man had almost eight cases against him in Tamil Nadu, and he was known as Charley Thomas in TN police records. However, his earlier character and police record was ignored by the apex court and it purely made the judgement on the intensification of the witnesses which arguably quite controversial. More over these witnesses who gave statements of the hearsay could be bought over people. 

Arguably, if Govindachamy could mange the  Four high profile lawyers to contest his case, he could even mange the witnesses, is of any one's guess. How can the court shut their eyes on these facts? Its time that our apex court should start looking at the case beyond the evidence and use human logic based on the character and conduct of the offenders in a sensitive case of rape and murder like this. Otherwise, no sooner the credibility of SC be questioned. Normally to file a review petition is a clear criticism of the judgement. 

Now, the bigger question, prosecution knew about this habitual offender and a hard core criminal called Govindachamy who might have lost his arm in a gang war or some attack. And when not of any use the group with whom he was associated would have left him fend for his fate and in turn he was a beggar of circumstances.

It is interesting to note that which is this group who wants to spend lakhs of rupees to defend an accused in a rape-murder case? This could have been immediately sensed by the state machinery and investigating agency when a Criminal Lawyer like Aloor appeared first for him.

How did it not wake them up to get more information about this hard core criminal? Secondly, why the apex court has not shown any sincere effort to see through the open windows? In how many rape and murder cases, Lawyer like Aloor appears? Its all through, a most disturbing and alarming case for the public to note when state machinery and Court make mockery of public sentiment.

But, there is definitely more to Govindachamy’s story than just the case of a ‘one-handed beggar’? Is he part of a bigger, powerful syndicate? The very fact that Govindachamy has been enjoying support from a faceless, cash-rich group itself is reason enough to believe that the case isn’t confined to the brutal act of a one-handed beggar on a helpless girl.

Will Govindachamy case be open freshly by the state to throw some more light and find beyond the obvious issue of justice to Soumya? Certainly, it appears to have hidden connections that point to a larger scheme of challenging the govt and upholding the supremacy of mafia world as has been in numerous cases earlier.  If only the investigations and inquiry done with sincerity and honesty we might see some light through the tunnel. Otherwise, once more the public voice would be gagged by mafia influencing law and the court by proving the inefficiency of our govt.

Fish Thrown Away on The Beach By Sea Waves

On 2^nd of February 2014, during early evening hours, a rare incident was witnessed on the sea beach of Kadapara, at Kasaragod district of Kerala. This beach is situated on the Arabian Sea in the west coast of India.

At around 4 O’clock in the early evening hours, a huge quantity of fish were thrown on the Kadapara beach by the recurrent rising high tide waves. According to the estimation, not less than a ton (i.e.,1000 Kgs) of fish might have been thrown on the 1 KM beach of Kadapra. The fish were alive after splashing out of the sea and spread on the beach. It was an unexpected bonanza for the people strolling on the beach to grab handful of fish as gift from the sea.

Fishermen hamlet rose getting the news and ran for the effortless prize from the sea. They stacked fish in their gunny bags, baskets and whatever they can to collect as much as until the last fish was fished out of the beach.  Eventually, this was a rarest of the rare incident that had witnessed large quantity of fish thrown out of the sea.

On earlier occasion fishermen had witnessed collecting dead fish after the high tides left them behind on the beaches. However, this rare incident happened first time on Kadapara beach.

Almost all the fish were of the same sizes. That indicates these were from a large shoal that were probably schooling near the beach and a part of the shoal got carried away by the waves and thrown on the beach. The aggregations of fish that gathers together in same locality in an interactive, social way are referred to as shoal of fish. Whereas, the shoal becomes more tightly organized with the fish synchronising with their swimming. So, they all move at the same speed and in the same direction. This is called schooling of fish.

A fish shoal area can be as large as 500 meter, length, breadth and depth. Generally, these kinds of fish shoals are seen under water in the high sea.  In this case, a shoal moving closer to the beach could be the exceptional one. But one can not deny this kind of incident happening elsewhere too. It might just be the lack of evidence or scientific reference that does not site them in research record. 

However, the reporting of this kind of incidence definitely becomes a study point for the marine biologist to study the exceptional social behaviour of the fish shoal and their schooling pattern that attracts them so close to the beaches. Until then this remains rarest of the rare incidence. Yet, it could be the interest of the marine biologist to take a note and ponder upon.

Unpredictable Indian Voters

In 65 years of Indian democracy, Indians have exercised their adult franchise many a times yet their mood and sense to select a electoral representative for Lok Sabha and Assembly always seems to be far from reality and logical sense. They always seem to be fantasizing in the dream world to elect a macho person who would find the solution of their problem magically. They treat their representative to be a super hero as they have seen in the bollywood movies. Not surprisingly the result of the 2014 Lok sabha election has surpassed all poll predictions and given a clear mandate to the BJP and Mr. Narendra Modi.

There are few things which has been special in this elections are the large turn-out of voters to exercise their voting rights for electing the candidates, secondly the number of young voters formed the large chunk of electoral battle. The third and the major factor which led the NDA achieve this major hall mark of seats were the anger of the people because of the price rise, inflation, corruption, scams and un-responsive attitude of incumbent government towards the common people.

Apart from this, the mega marketing style of Mr. Narendra Modi which supposedly costed  5000 crores,  also created a great euphoria among the large section of the society that culminated into votes. Although, critiques does not endorsed all the poll promises of Mr. Modi or the BJP, it was the marketing style which influenced the individual voters to believe the promises to be really becoming true if Mr. Modi comes to power. When the election campaign of Mr. Modi started it had a lot to say about the development model of Gujarat and rescuing country from misdeeds of congress’s government but at the end of the campaign there were instances of wooing caste and religion too for the votes.

Now that the massive victory of BJP is out in the middle, it is very difficult to understand the mindset of the Indian voters. The poll pundits and analysts speculations have time and gain gone wrong in the recent past except  during Lok Sabha election of 1977, which was speculated to be clearly against the then Indira Gandhi Government. This time too there was a clear wave against congress yet the clear majority of BJP was not clearly written on the wall. As a result, all that has happened is quite surprising.

At a time when BJP is happy about this result and forming government in the center, its time for the opposition to understand as to how they could gear-up against the ruling party on the road ahead. Because in the coming assembly elections in few states the winning factor of BJP would definitely edge them over the opposition.  The real challenge is to be a strong opposition now to the ruling BJP in the center and be a strong contender of the assembly election in the states. Now, how the opposition look at their poll debacle in this concluded Lok Sabha election and introspect various mistakes they committed, will lead them to use their wisdom to look ahead fighting assembly elections.  

Assembly elections are largely fought on the basis of the local issues yet the policies of the center does play a greater role. Whether the coming assembly elections results would also be surprising or will it be on the line of BJP way is to be seen again. But the Indian voters would remain unpredictable for sure. 

Kejariwal's Off-Shoot Footage – Fodder for Fire

The off-shoot footage of Arvind Kejariwal engaged in an interview with Punya Prasoon Bajpayee was   posted on youtube and made it public on another social medias to let people know the collusive interview of AAP leader with AaJ Tak journalist.  Surely, this kind of off-shoot footage is deliberate attempt to show Kejariwal in bad light. At first place, to show this footage in social media by particular journalist or the concern media house is in very bad taste. It throws open the ethics of media as a whole, that too at a time when media is already in the heated debate over being polarized and heavily funded to support certain political parties in the coming election.

The intention of this footage making it public is a very well interpreted tactics and participation of the channel concern is undoubtedly to be believed what it tries to gain out of this leakage. On the wrong side, it certainly maligns the image of Arvind Kejariwal in public but on the other side, justifies his image as tall as one who is a PM contender. Otherwise, the question in the public space remains unanswered who will gain much out of this.

Not many thought this is a good news to play it on their channel and rightly so. But Rajdeep Sirdesai took interest to address this issue with utmost sincerity. He rightly understood that this kind of journalism is not defined in the media sphere and it is going to question the credibility of media. It will not bother much to those media houses which have already declared themselves to be the mouthpiece of a certain political party, but would certainly question the image of a media being independent. As discussion is already there in public space about the media being biased, Rajdeep tried to clear the air and he justified that the particular clip of interview of Kejariwal was already aired live and off-shoot footage is only a casual discussion what a common journalist does usually before and after the interview.  Even in cases when the interview has to go live journalist brief the person about the questions they are going to ask to avoid interruption during the interview.

In case of interview being aired post production after editing by newsroom, a copy of the same is given to the person whose interview is going to be aired and if there is any conflict of interest, it gets resolved and permission is sought before it is aired. I remembered once Amitabh Bachchan was interviewed by Pooja Bedi  for Amul India show and Senior Bachchan was not happy with some of its content, so asked not to air the show.

There is nothing special or unusual in this video for journalists. But to the common people its fodder for fire and an instrument to make of slandering accusation on Arvind Kejariwal and AAP. For those who are AAP basher, it’s an issue to justify collusive interview. For supporter of AAP, it’s a betrayal of media ethics and puts all media person under the lenses.

It’s difficult to understand who made this footage public – Punya Prasoon Bjpayee himself or some insiders. But its leakage definitely questions the credibility of his journalism career.

Media in a country like India is a first source of information for anything – be it print or electronic. It makes or breaks the images of individual and entities. It can aggravate and dilute an incident the way it is presented. In fact, in real sense media builds the opinion on the ground knowledge transformation to the common people. 

Therefore, media has a social responsibility to be independent and not influence the public perception by collusive news items. However, having said so, the individual journalists and media houses are divided on philosophy and polarized today.  There is also no ideological parameter to judge which media house and which journalist is independent. People in public life have been blaming media for biased reports and information and at the same time media also have never been clearing the air too. They have been silent on the charges labeled by people on them. Perhaps this is the first time any media person has taken a stand to oppose the built perception against them.

A small section of the people, in media too, feels that Punya Prasoon Bajpyee has been made scapegoat and his image as journalist has been tarnished.  Does this entire episode of this video going viral on the social network and then taking the attention on TV suggest media of being an example of crony journalism?

Is Anna Going to be Guru Dronacharya?

A special report published by DNA analyzed that Anna Hazare's move to support Mamata Bannerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is of an identity crisis.

The 74-year-old Gandhian became a household name in 2012 after his sustained campaign for the jan Lokpal Bill. He was supported by the likes of Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal who were part of the Indian Against Corruption movement. In August 2012, Anna brought the Congress-led UPA government to its knees over a period of 12 days before he ended his hunger strike after 288 hours.

The movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill soon frizzled out and Anna parted ways with Kejriwal over the need to enter active politics to push the bill. Difference of opinion has created a widening chasm between the two leaders since. In recent weeks however, Anna had been sending signals that he had changed his mind.

Anna sighting the reason of his letter about 17-point agenda to run the country stated that Arvind Kejariwal did not reply to his letter so there is no question of supporting him. But according to the sources AAP never received such letter from Anna.

On Mamata taking strategic advice from Anna, political commentator Urmilesh commented, "On a personal level, this is indeed an identity crisis for Anna Hazare. But more than that, it is a crisis for the country's politics that our leaders have to go to Hazare to act as an electoral prop."

"For Hazare, it is an effort to create an alternate image of simplicity against Arvind Kejriwal by allying with Mamata Banerjee. For Mamata, roping in Hazare is essentially aimed at creating a credible national political face as she is eyeing national intervention," Urmilesh added.

TMC MPs categorically said that it was Anna who approached the party, indicating that it is Anna who needs people more than anyone else. A TMC MP told DNA on condition of anonymity, "I think what has been said is very clear. Anna Hazare will campaign for us. In any case we never approached Anna. It was he who got in touch."

All this while the analyst missed a point to mention that Kiran Bedi who was all the time with Anna against Arvind Kejariwal is almost lost in the NaMo’s campaign and there is none who is in support of Anna now. Ironically, he was the one who had started the movement ‘India against corruption’.

May be he was averse with the active politics then, but now realizes that it is the requirement of the time. In any case his lieutenant Arvind Kejariwal would be more than happy to keep him on the golden throne and in limelight then why is he choosing to side with Mamata.

Anyways, if the decision of Anna to go with Mamata brigade is final then it would seem Anna is going to play the role of ‘Guru Dronacharya’ in this battle of Mahabharat fighting against his own pupil Arvind Kejariwal.

Why will Mukesh Ambani donate to AAP?

This is very hot news for me to know Mukesh Amani has donated x amount of money through bank transfer to AAP. However, Yogendra Yadav has denied the reports.

How Economic times did come to know that Mukesh Ambani has donated money to AAP?  What is the basis of this report?

Has Mukesh Ambani donated money to Economic Times to carry this news? I have lot of questions because I see a lot of relationship building around this to change public perception about AAP through continuous publishing slandering news reports and comments by the journalists of paid media houses. I see a lot politics happening outside political parties for the business gains. Media houses have good time making money through politicians and they would go to any extent to assassinate the characters of politicians and political parties.

Today, the media houses look to me no less than the political parties helping each other for their gains.  However, the intent of making donation to AAP by Mukesh Ambani can be easily related to the CongBJP conspiracy to tarnish the image of AAP and convert them to be the band wagon of corrupt parties. They can boldly say in public, if Ambani donates money to us so as he does to AAP.  They will turn this as normal phenomena and drive the perception as this happen in politics during election and this is not a corruption.

Similarly, favouring Ambani after election in making loot of public money would turn out to be normal politics as Moily has done. Cong and BJP drive this philosophy. We are tainted so we will make you tainted. And to do this they will play any sort of dirty games. Some of them we see in open, some of them are yet to come in light. They are hell bent to prove, this is the way politics is run and this how it will run. No wonder they will go to any extent to malign image of AAP in public.

Mukesh Ambani could donate AAP on behest of CongBJP. But AAP will not accept it. AAP’s campaign will be run by Aam Adami and they do not need to spend so much money just to spread simple words of wisdom. AAP’s donation will come from people’s hard earned money and will be used for genuine cause.

AAP is not running on money but people’s aspiration for change and to make india corruption free. I am sure all forces will also help to achieve the dream.

Is Anna Playing Politics for Ego?

Once again Anna Hazare has shown his displeasure for Arvind Kejariwal. He said that Arvind is eyeing for PMs Chair. Earlier he had said that he is looking for power. Perhaps he is misguided and misinformed always about AAP and Arvind Kejariwal or he is implementing hidden agenda of some political party for their gain.

Why is he so upset if AAP comes to power or Arvind Kejariwal becomes PM of India? Whom does he want to become PM— Naredra Modi, Rahul Gandhi or Mamta Banerjee? 

On Tuesday he voiced his support for Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal. "I support Mamata, not for her party, but I support her views on the society and the country. I support her values and intentions," he had said in a joint press conference with her.

Mamata’s intention and values! Perhaps Anna is getting fooled or he is trying to fool the people of India. Is he not aware about the intention of AAP? Why does he treat AAP and Arvind Kejariwal as untouchable?

Anna said that Mamata was the only Chief Minister who responded to the 17 demands sent in a letter by him to every CM. "Arvind Kejriwal didn't reply to my 17 demands, there's no question of supporting him," he said.

These statements seem to be clearly crafted as Kiran Bedi statements towards AAP and Arvind Kejariwal. It is doubtful that Anna and Arvind saw different dreams being together. Arvind Kejariwal invited Anna and Kiran Bedi to be the part of AAP movement. People cannot deny those  interviews in media even before coming to Delhi Assembly calling Anna and Kiran Bedi for greater cause.

Sadly, Anna should be proud that one of his disciples fought the election alone and moved so far. Instead of supporting him he is criticizing him and choosing one who had danced on the JP’s car when he had reached Kolkata to unite opposition against emergency in 1977. Mamata Banerjee was in youth congress then.

“She has not taken a car or house despite being a CM. As a CM, she could have led a luxurious life, like many other ministers. But she stays in a small room," Anna added. He seems to be fancied or else he has other agenda to fulfill.

Personal simplicity alone is not enough when you lead the country. Its your dream and vision that can change the fate of the people in the country. Currently, that imagination of Arvind Kejariwal and AAP has caught the attention of the people and everyone is looking towards AAP and Kejariwal.

Anna compromised on Lokpal bill passed by parliament even if it meant nothing to reduce corruption and clean public life. Arvind rejected that and introduced the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly. This shows the determination and conviction of him committed for larger cause uncompromised.

It will be too early to say how Anna’s support will get Mamata Banerjee close to PM’s chair. But is it not the fact that Anna helping Mamata fulfilling her PM’s aspiration. Can someone deny Mamata Banerjee is not eyeing PM’s post?  Is it merely Anna’s ego?

If so, how relevant is Anna’s comment. Will people take this as a regular exercise of media to commit and vomit against AAP or should people take this seriously? Perhaps judgment of the people is more interesting to note in coming days.

Why BJP and Congress are Worried with AAP?

The pathetic performance for last 10 years in power of Cong led government is quite obvious to the people and to the congressmen themselves. Its all known what scams happened in Congress regime and writing here again will be waste of time of the readers and simply repeating the same. Although Congress could have lost power in last Lok Sabha election itself but they came in power again due to the leadership problem and complacency of BJP. BJP was sure to win that election under the leadership Mr. L.K. Advani but couldn’t manage their campaign and they were divided lot also on the several other issues.

Five years later, now once again BJP sees very strong anti-incumbency factor and eyes a strong chance to come to the power. This time they did not want any nonsense. Therefore, they got their homework done very calculative. They got a new president of the party who is known to be great strategist. They got a popular face for the prime-ministerial candidate as Narendra Modi. Their marketing team did a good job initiating campaign in social media making Modi a very acceptable face and savior of new India. All the other leaders of BJP also supported this move because they had tasted the debacle in last election. They do not want to repeat it again. After all, they cannot be away from power too long. The result was, they won 4 states election out of 5 and were largest party in Delhi Assembly.

However, the emergence of a new party, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) did not go unnoticed by them. Arvind Kejariwal, the Anna movement leader with AAP surfaced in late 2012 and started making its presence felt in 2013. Arvind Kejariwal and AAP continued their anti-corruption agitation against corrupt leaders and parties. It was 2013 that Arvind Kejariwal suddenly started stealing media attention and being heard and talked largely in media and outside the political circle. The murmur of he being in politics did not go well with Congress or BJP either. If you look at the earlier videos of different debates and talk shows hosted on youtube, it clearly shows the political hatred of BJP and Cong towards him. However, the people wanted to hear him more and ask his vision and dreams to eliminate corruption. His conviction to bring changes slowly earned him laurels in the hearts of people.

By the end of 2013, AAP had presence felt in Delhi and they decided to go into the election in Delhi Assembly. Rest is history now.  After 48 days of Delhi government experiment AAP looks to be well motivated and politically little experienced party which can overpower the gimmicks of Cong and BJP and give them reply which can make them smell dust. They have emerged champion and have outsmarted both BJP and Cong in Delhi Assembly. The decision and the work they carried out during 48 days of government will loudly challenge any of the current and previous state government for a logical comparison. Though not prepared they thoroughly crafted their move and burnt night lamp oil to achieve these in spite of daily chorus of Cong and BJP comments in media.

Hysterically BJP and Cong leaders made lots of joke and questioned their experience in politics. Yet, they were the worried lot of AAP bringing JanLokpal bill in Assembly challenging the authority of central govt. and autonomy of Delhi state.  Lets not forget we did not know anything about Delhi state and center affairs and Delhi police’s jurisdiction at large. The double standard of politics in center and state of Delhi was well know by BJP and Cong. General public started to know these details only when AAP brought these into the day light. Both these parties worried by the emergence of AAP as new political option to the people of the nation, wanted it to be remained restricted to Delhi and rule in Delhi until Lok Sabha election without fulfilling any major promises of their manifesto. But AAP slowly implemented almost all their major agenda except Janlokpal. To expose BJP and Cong combine inclination to help Reliance,  AAP in Delhi  filed an FIR against Mukesh Ambani.

With Mukesh Ambani coming in legal battle would certainly spell many names in power and opposition that led the BJP and Cong seek AAP to resign and brought it down. Now, Anti-AAP campaign and paid media influence against them is making BJP and Cong even more exposed and doubting their own credentials. Their power monger behaviours are truly on display in public. Whereas, no lust for power of AAP is openly visible.  

Moreover, people are interestingly watching everyday events.  In the frustration to makeover the image what they have lost in Delhi they are committing mistakes after mistakes.  They questioned AAP government even for sitting and getting up, now ignoring the bigger questions. AAP is again smart, putting lots of other questions to them which matters directly for people of the country. Among them, corruption, loot, dynasty rule and communalism are the bigger questions. Cong and BJP are both caught red handed.

On the other hand, AAP which was busy battling Delhi government everyday is now free to make their vision and policy clear in different forum for national agenda. In a limited appearance AAP leaders have proved they have great and better vision and action plan of clean and corruption free India than the Havard educated political stalwarts in Cong and BJP.

The best thing about AAP is the humility of its leaders and volunteers and commitment to learn and give back to the society. Their consideration of themselves being the part of this society itself emotionally attach people so much that they feel them very much of their own.  AAP and its Leaders know what they want to do. BJP and Cong just want to win the election – this is the major difference between AAP and them. And this is also the great reason to worry for BJP and Cong.

Emergence of AAP for A Purpose

Never in the history of Indian polity has the birth of any political party been with a purpose. Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the reaction of oppressed, depressed and crushed aspiration of common man that culminated into a corruption free agitation and later turned into a political idea to root-out corruption from the government and political system. 

The Anna movement for strong Lokpal in the country did not see the light of the day in true sense as was intended. Politician made garbage out of it and passed the bill in both the houses of parliament just to pacify Anna and his team. A section of the team felt jubilant who sold their soul in due course of time to the compromised politicians in lieu of some expected gain. Others felt cheated not only once but time and again. This section’s pain and agony literally cried out to bid an attempt to kill corruption being in the system.  Thus the birth of Aam Adami Party came into being.

Some detractors of Anna movement chose their way to ally with established political party for strong India. Their understanding that they cannot provide strong politics and they need to align with the current political party yet again turned out to be an intellectual dilemma of doubting their own ability. They stuck to their way and today they are the bitterest critics of AAP and so called its inexperienced team.

 

For the fact that those moved away, do not matter now because they lost their way by misguided politicians. They lost their confidence in themselves because they started believing on others. They accepted the rules of the game decided by others and never attempted to find their ways even under limited boundary.  This also made people evident that how traditionally politicians cow down those who attempts to invade their kingdom. The kingdom of corrupt, goons, educated and misguided, lusted, self interest vested politicians who proclaim to be the custodian of Indian Constitution and loot peoples’ money and bestow suffering on them. The rules and laws are most misused under the name of constitution for their own favour. However, the detractors failed to understand all these before making their mind to take side with the established party.

The established political classes have made language of politics so complex that the common man feels that they cannot fit into the system. The use of idiomatic foreign language creates doubts in the common mind that can they understand the complex politics of India.  It always looked only Havard educated and learned people can be in the politics. In all this the common man even forgets to question the qualifications of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to be in the politics. The common man even forgets to ask the presence of illiterate and goons in the parliament. If this is the face of the current political class, there is definitely a game plan to keep good and honest people away coming into the politics. Well, it was and it is!  The question haunted— can you break the corrupt wall of the Indian politics and challenge these politicians in open?

Arvind Kejariwal – the one man dared to do so! He wrote the complex rules of politics into simple language and made people understand what these politicians are doing and where our country is heading. He made people realize how the millions’ dream is shattered by these handful politicians. He displayed the evidence that how they have amassed peoples’ money into their coffins. He re-kindle the hope into the peoples’ mind and put confidence into them that they can overthrow these people who are ruining their life.  And the birth of AAP happened to challenge the established political system and their decision on the people. AAP dared to say that until now what has been happening is no longer going to happen. AAP is daring to ask and fix the responsibility on the politicians. AAP is daring to change the system if it is not for the people.

AAP is writing a new history to rediscover the Indian Democracy where people will be the master and leaders will be professionals to obey them. The fight now is system centric politics vs people centric politics.  Arvind rightly said in one of the interviews, “If laws and rules are not people friendly change them. After all, laws are for the people, people are not for the laws.”  Perhaps in 65 years of history this is the first time anyone has questioned our seasoned corrupt politicians and asked them what they have done to the country and to the people.

And the result is in open. The established political classes including all parties are hell bent to put down AAP. They are trying to derail them as they had tried to derail Anna movement too.  They are using media and all possible means to stop AAP for moving ahead.  But it looks, they are failing miserably and getting exposed more to the public.

We all know, 80% of Indian media is biased because it is owned by some or the other politicians. Thankfully, social media is not owned by these corrupt leaders.  The applause and support of the people on social media sends a very strong signal what the young India wants. One can really visualize, how today, every young Indian wants to be Arvind Kejariwal.

AAP is growing leaps and bounds. The lone battle has turned into a great movement and its different because young India is fighting this movement. Not to forget this time we have 65% young voters to caste their votes. The change is inevitable. One who stops this change and create hurdles on the way, will perish away.

AAP के लिये

हमे अकेले चलना भी मन्जूर,

तेरा जीना भी हमे मन्जूर, और

तेरा मरना भी हमे मन्जूर,

हम मर कर भी जी रहें हैं,

तुम जी कर भी मर रहे हो

ये भी एक घोर राजनीती है!

राजनीती से मुक्ती कैसे पायें,

हमे कौन समझाये, और

हम किसको समझायें,

पहल कहीं तो करना होगा,

जिन्दगी नही तो मरना होगा,

जिन्दगी भी क्या जो डर डर के जियें

रोज-रोज हम मर-मर के जियें!

निकलो, अपनी आवाज निकालो,

हथियार नही, जज्बात निकालो,

हम नेता नहीं, शान्ती दूत हैं,

हम आम जनता हैं, यही हमारा रुप है!

जहां देखो हमे पावोगे,

ये आगाज ही आवाज है!

चल दिया आगे बढने को,

तुम आप, हम आप, हम सब आप हैं,

तो आप अपनी लडाई लडते चलो

धिरज से आगे बढते चलो!

Who Said What to AAP and Kejariwal?

Author Chetan Bhagat, lashed out at AAP for its dharna in Delhi, calling it an "item girl of politics". Bhagat denounced the two-day dharna by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and rest of the Cabinet and said he was "ashamed" that they had resorted to such an action.

"They are in a hurry ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. They want instant attention, just like the Indian movie industry, where an actress becomes an item girl when she can't make it big. They have become the item girls of Indian politics and item girls do not go very far," he added. "The AAP has really, really let me down. I feel so let down by their antics. The cost-benefit analysis of this just does not add up," Bhagat told NDTV.

What aam admi would have said is Mr. Chetan Bhagat needs to go to the grass root level to understand the problems of people and actions of police as devil under the garb of protector. If he has not felt so, that is just because he is now in the elite class and police can spare him. If he thinks that Congress has given support to AAP to run Delhi government then better he understand the underlying fact is that the same congress wants to doom them just like Charan Singh, Chandrashekhar, Devegowda, and Inder Kumar Gujral – non of them lasted as prime-minister for five years in office.

He is talking about the ways and means to deal with the problem and dharana. All of us know who are involved in drug rackets and illegal activities -- all that happens under the nose of Delhi Police. Again all of us know – had Arvind Kejariwal not done this Dharna the deaf Delhi Government would have not done anything. It’s a most corrupt government under so called honest prime-minister. So next time, Mr Bhagat be little patient while attacking AAP.

Udhav Thackeray repeated AAP, calling it the "item girl" of politics, and taunted its Chief Minister  Arvind Kejriwal, saying even Rakhi Sawant can govern better. He also backed Union Home Minister’s "mad chief minister" jibe against Kejriwal, saying it reflected "people's sentiment".

"A lot of mad people and clowns became part of the country's politics, starting with Raj Narain....The antics of Lalu Prasad Yadav and many others. They came and went. Now a new wave has come and a mad man called Arvind Kejriwal is leading it," Uddhav said in a stinging editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Samana’.

Maintaining that AAP came to power in Delhi "accidentally", he said," They should not take power for granted. Kejriwal has no right to say what he feels like to anybody. By staging dharna he held the people of Delhi to ransom for two days." "Antics of AAP and its leaders, including Kejriwal, have shamed every politician," he said.

"AAP is an item girl of country's politics. Even Rakhi Sawant can govern better than AAP. Those who criticised Sawant should now honour her. Kejriwal and his AAP have become the most infamous item girls," Uddhav said.

Reacting to Uddhav's comment, Sawant, a Bollywood item girl, said, "Thanks to Uddhav ji for giving me this compliment." Sawant further said she felt bad about her name being "dragged into everything."

Mr. Thackeray, the legend of Shiv Sena and a saviour of marathi manush should look back in the history as to how many times they have taken Mumbai, the financial capital of India on to ransom. They never spoke anything when Anna was on dharna because he didn’t pose any challenge to Udhav Thackeray’s political career and party. Is he really frightened of Kejariwal?

If he feels Rakhi can govern better than Kejariwal – it’s a compliment to Rakhi Sawant. Please ensure a ticket from Shiv Sena, she will win a lok sabha seat for the party and help his government govern better in Maharashtra.

Kejriwal is not Lalu or Rajnaraya, he is Arvind Kejariwal and he is here to stay. That is why; he is worry for all the political people and existing political parties. This is a serious worry for all of them, it might help if they follow the spirit and intent of helping common man, otherwise they be ready to perish. Even if Mr. Thackeray writes thousand editorial showing AAP and its leader in bad light, it’s the common people who will decides whom they want whether Kejariwal or Thackeray.

Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid called Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a party of anarchists, out to destroy the system. He further told, "AAP has some of the worst kind of third rate people across the country. I've been to districts where I've seen the worst stinking person is the first to join AAP. I know how much stink there is in AAP. They're lucky that today every stink is being described as a fragrance."

Mr Khurshid also said "The AAP's ideas are Jurassic, they smell of anarchy. They just demean everything that's time tested. They question and defame anything and then they run away when they think they can't handle the crowds and they start screaming from rooftops."

Reacting to Mr Kejriwal's comment that the 2014 contest was between the BJP and AAP, Mr Khurshid said, "They're mistaken if they think they're in the race. They're running the government in Delhi because we're supporting them."

This is what the colonial mentality of the congress leaders towards common people of India. Indian common people stink and they have made them stink from the time of independence. These leaders have led us by depriving us pushing us into the brink of stinking. They have robbed all the fragrance of all common people and left the stink of them. Its the time common realize how these feudal, colonial, and dynastic leaders of congress think of common people. When election comes they talk different language for seeking our votes but in reality this is what they think of us.

Therefore, wake-up common people – throw these people out who made you stink snatching away all the fragrance from you.

‘Wife-Swapping Case' by Naval Officers to be Heard in Supreme Court of India

This time men in uniform are rocking in the news for the wrong reasons. Insiders can never deny the fact that the current allegation of wife swapping could have been in practice among the armed force officers. But seldom had the reality come into light in media or in open.

This episode also could have been buried if this woman would have fallen into the line of armed force officers party’s practices. But she chose to blow the whistle.

The Supreme court of India will hear the plea of the woman along with her other petition on restraining the Kerala High Court from giving any relief to the accused in the case

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear the plea of a naval officer's wife seeking a CBI inquiry against her husband and other officers of Southern Naval Command in Kochi for allegedly torturing her and forcing her to participate in "wife-swapping" parties.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said that it would hear the plea of the woman along with her other petition on restraining the Kerala high court from giving any relief to the accused in the case.

Submitting that complaint filed by her is not being investigated freely and fairly by the Kerala Police, she pleaded before the apex court that her complaint be probed by CBI.

"The local police is under a lot of pressure to treat the matter as a matrimonial dispute and are watering down the serious and grave allegations of the complaint against the naval officers," she alleged.

She gave a detailed account of the various alleged incidents of torture and molestation in her petition and also annexed the invitation cards of "wife-swapping" parties for which she was "tortured mentally and physically to participate". She submitted that she had written a letter to chief of Naval staff on March 5 but no action was taken on the complaint.

According to the news, the complainant woman is severe under pressure from armed force officers and she has been even tortured and illegal cases are built up to make her withdraw the case. Police seems to be hand in globe with armed forces and with men in uniform, because its largely a man’s world and they want to prove women has no say.