The Telangana movement refutes the linguistic mantra for Statehood

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=6&edcode=820040&eddate=2013-8-01 

The signals for the creation of Telangana, as the 29^th state of the Indian Union, is as a result of decades of relentless struggle of its inhabitants, who had craved for recognition as a distinct geographical and cultural entity. This also indicates that mere linguistic affinity cannot be the basis for carving out new states nor can it be held sacrosanct for maintaining the status quo of the existing states.

The votaries for a separate Telangana state have various reasons for having sought this political divorce from Andhra Pradesh. While Telangana is the largest of the three regions of the existing state of Andhra Pradesh state, the region was confronted with social backwardness and a less-developed economy than Andhra, but had a larger revenue base. Moreover in terms of the geopolitical fault line, the irrigation projects on the two major rivers left them in lurch, though they control the headwaters of the rivers, as a higher volume of water was diverted for use in Andhra.  While among the other major sources of concerns that had evolved over a period of time were signs of internal colonialism and regional deprivation, which was as a result of other regions having disproportionate representation in governmental and educational jobs.

In Telangana’s context what was missed by the viceroys of the Indian National Congress party is that the traditional patron-client system cannot help any political party anymore in sustaining its constituencies – the Congress had no choice but to swim with the tide of an idea and an arduous movement that had arrived. The hunger strike in 2009 called by Telangana Rashtriya Samiti, and the movement effectively managed by Prof M. Kodandaram, acted as a catalyst and had ensured that the movement is not enamored by the deviations of the spoil system practiced by the rulers in Delhi.

Once the movement arrives at its logical conclusion, what would be interesting is to note is how the Indian state under the present government, seek to address similar movements for statehood for Vidharbha, Gorkhaland, Bodoland and the call to carve out few more states from Uttar Pradesh.

(The above mentioned opinion is the original and unabridged text. There has been some inadvertent spelling errors in the print version after it was pruned by the editing desk of the DNA)

Of Bigots and Self styled Secular Morons - an assessment of an online group

The issue of secularism in India is fraught with great challenges, a roller-coaster ride which is similar to the experience which one could have at an amusement park. I had to leave a group called ‘Secular India’ after I discovered that the people over there were not only intolerant but bereft of any reason, while approaching and deliberating on sensitive issues like communalism.

One of the most striking features of that group is that they sound very preachy and self righteous and give an impression that important institutions of democracy like judiciary have no role in addressing these issues. This is also substantiated by their own blissful ignorance in selectively highlighting certain strands of communalism, ghetto mentality, which is in no way serving the cause of their alleged secular proclivities. Ironically they would selectively pick issues and views to suit their mindset and feel vindicated.

All I can say is that they are highly ignorant about the very basics concerning issues that are significant to democracy and civil society in India. At the very outset they sounded very moronic and gave an impression of having a fixed mindset and sounded very adamant about their belief and understanding about issues like secularism, whereas it was their distorted understanding and also pathological biases which is a matter of concern - to add to it while they implicitly accepted their ignorance about social science, they also vehemently oppose any different view, akin to self righteous fascist and rabid communal demagogues. For ex - most of their understanding manifested in the belief that - Hindu bashing or 'brahmanical mindset' bashing is secularism and defending Muslims as a community or its individuals, not realizing that Secularism in Indian context refers to equal respect to all religions or equidistance of the state from all religions.

Incidentally they took kindly to the first article of mine written around eight years ago (The Pied-Piper Syndrome,http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/the-pied-piper-syndrome-1331.html) but started finding fault with the second one (Communalizing a Killing,http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/communalizing-a-killing-1439.html) and then went on to question my judgment and integrity. I had clarified later that the source I had quoted was removed from the web and had also mentioned that Ishrat is not guilty until proved so in the court of law. One of the members, perhaps a foreigner was presumptuous and stated that many elements in the Indian security agencies are communal and added that why people should call for having faith in the Indian judiciary when Muslims are victims. Since the matter is subjudice; similar logic can be used by all others to proclaim their innocence. I deleted my views which I had posted there, before leaving the group, since I thought that it was a futile exercise to argue with folks with a fixed mind.
When I cornered the admin guy (after clarifying that I will go by the judiciary) that his understanding of English is not an issue, rather his attempts to build a discourse/logic based on religious identity of the accused is a matter of concern, to which he responded by stating that he has made his point, and to forget it. It is interesting to note that there are many online fringe groups - who try to camouflage their own biases, in name of fighting for the cause of democracy, nationalism etc. Such groups exist among various religious denomination and castes, so they are not unique either, in this context.

Finally their language or choice of words (most of them seemed to be IT technocrats and their claim about ‘knowing/ understanding English’) clearly displayed a condescending/ contemptuous/ disrespectful attitude towards people having divergent opinions in general and also towards folks belonging to social science fraternity in particular. It also reflected abysmal standard/views, wherein they would also get personal and resort to making personal remarks casting aspersions on the credentials of the respondents.

It is certainly not our responsibility to find out as to why do they behave in such a manner, whether it's due to them been brainwashed or have low level of intellect in comprehending socio-political issues, or per Se have an inferior level of communication skills that is very uncouth in its manifestation.

While I do not regret the experience I had with this group, what irritated me was that they were simply peddling old jargon's and rhetoric’s, used by some political groups and media. In fact I would conclude that they are doing a great disservice to the cause of democracy and secularism. It just reminded me of what an Indian public intellectual had said that in India the greatest threat to secularism, comes from the so called secularists.

Will Pawar's strategic reshuffle prove to be a masterstroke in 2014 polls?

It is a move for galvanising the NCP 
DNA 12 June 2013, 0:51 IST, Pune, online edition

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/1846824/message-board-will-pawar-s-strategic-reshuffle-prove-to-be-a-masterstroke-in-2014-polls
 
The NCP ministers’ reshuffle was expected with the party president and founder Sharad Pawar facing multiple challenges. The primary concern for the NCP is to work towards strategising and galvanising the party for the national polls in 2014. The move to seek reshuffling of NCP ministers following the party supremo’s diktat calling for all the NCP ministers to resign assumes significance for various reasons. This development sends a clear-cut signal and reaffirmation that it is Sharad Pawar, who continues to hold the party’s reigns. The dropping of some of the ministers due to various issues, which include scams and public display of fortunes, while the state was reeling under drought doesn’t come as a surprise, as it is seen as a course correction. However, what has to be seen is whether this development merely indicates an attempt to refurbish the party image or a strategy to make in-road and reap electoral dividends in regions where the NCP needs to improve its grades or repeat its success. The retention of some of the scam-tainted ministers also highlights the logics and dilemmas related to support base and influence, which the party has carefully nurtured over the years. This development also may give some indications about the role and relevance of the second line of leadership which has been raring to seek prime space in the party hierarchy.

Message of the Karnataka state assembly polls

The discourse on  the charisma of Narendra Modi or the Gandhi family are irrelevant, based on the state polls. DNA, Page - 6, 9th May 2013, Pune Edition
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=6&edcode=820040&eddate=2013-5-09    

The message conveyed by Karnataka electorate to UPA government is crystal clear – govern or perish. The Congress’ victory also vindicates the disillusionment of the electorate with two successive regimes under the JD (S) and the BJP respectively. The split engineered by BS Yeddyurappa may not have translated into gains for his newly floated Karnataka Janata Party, but has emerged as a decisive factor in the poll outcome. This election also highlights that electoral outcomes cannot be solely derived on the basis of caste conglomeration (Lingayats and Vokkalinga) or by displaying symbolic gestures of patronising of leaders representing certain communities. 

The victory in Karnataka comes as a respite for the Union government under the stewardship of the Congress party, when it is mired with innumerable controversies ranging from series of scams, abysmal record of maintaining law and order and its lackadaisical approach towards the national security as the recent border standoff with China. A range of issues like corruption scandals, incidents of communal polarisation in certain pockets of the state, intense factionalism and the ineptitude of the BJP leadership to provide even a semblance of governance and stability proved to be its Achilles heel. 

While the BJP pundits may dismiss the verdict as an aberration in its electoral score card, what must be noted is that the verdict also indicates an abrupt halt, if not an end to the BJP’s long-cherished dreams of making inroads into the south. The usual clamour and rhetoric associated with the discourse on evaluating the charisma of Narendra Modi or the Gandhi family are irrelevant to the debate on 2014 national elections, as the earlier results in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Goa indicate different trends in the political spectrum. 

Comments - Ostentatious and vulgar display of wealth by Politicians

Jadhav is not the only one to hold such a lavish event

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=4&edcode=820040&eddate=2013-02-21

Clarifications:

As my opinion was sought over the phone, it is evident that some of my statements were left out, due to paucity of space. Hence there are some clarifications lest my statements are misinterpreted or misunderstood.

Firstly  I didn't blame the NCP, but the political class of India for being insensitive and not taking a call on the issue of ostentatious and vulgar display of wealth. I had in fact mentioned that other political leaders must note that Mr Sharad Pawar, the NCP chief had deplored the act of ostentatious display by his party men.

Secondly I had stated the irony of "telling the people to eat cake if they don't have the means to get bread" (French revolution).

Finally, while marriages and resignations can't address drought situations by any logic, but such grand wedding must be curtailed for it displays gross indifference towards the plight of the common masses.

Comments - Delhi Protests against Sexual Violence against Women

Take the movement forward peacefully - DNA, Page - 4, 25th December 2012, Pune Edition

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=4&edcode=820040&eddate=2012-12-25

The protests in Delhi display the anger of the public, especially the youth, on the increasing crimes against women. Peaceful demonstration and mobilisation of the citizens to protest against gender-based violence and threats to the Indian women are a legitimate mode of seeking suitable state response to address the crisis.

While the Delhi government displayed a lackadaisical approach and missed an opportunity in the beginning, not perceiving the anger and anxiety of the masses, now it is time to ensure that all the agencies of the state carry out their respective duties in order to ensure that the case reaches its logical conclusion.

However, the protests have displayed threats of translating itself into a violent and anarchic movement due to the infiltration of anti-social elements who have tried to vitiate the environment by launching attacks on the police personnel and destroying public properties.

Instead of spilling their anger on the streets of Delhi, the protesters should strive towards taking the movement ahead in a peaceful manner by forming a robust pan-India association that seeks to check and curb violence against women across the country. Hence, the violent protests, in other words, are a great disservice to the countless women who are victims of unabated sexual violence in this country.

Response to - When victim turns into a saviour! by Sunita Aron

http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/hindi-heartland/2010/06/29/when-victim-turns-into-a-saviour

A friend of mine strongly recommended that I must visit your blog.

Your write up on ‘Communal Harmony’ was an interesting read with some innovative thoughts, yet it slithered into a self indulgent note in the later course, since the core issues related to the crisis were simply not broached upon.

Firstly since you claim that you were witness to an unpleasant exchange at Aligarh circa 1992, it is quite evident that you must have discovered that communalism is a grave threat and a perennial crisis confronting the nation. It’s certainly not a folk tale to be discussed in air conditioned room, with the usual potshots at the RSS or Deoband. They aren’t decision makers nor participants in the crisis, at times they indulge baring their ‘opinions/world view’

Moreover there has been a trend which has been legitimized by sections of upper caste controlled English media, some uninterested academicians and hordes of NGO activists who otherwise display poignant ignorance on issues like democracy, governance, caste violence or empowerment of women. Communal violence for them is confined to Gujarat, no other violence howsoever bigger, in terms of causalities captures their attention, since in an age of free market economy, funding decides issues of importance. So any right thinking Indian with a heart of gold like you should be cautious, while approaching the issues concerning the images of the victim – be it an innocent Manipuri caught in the ethnic conflict, kashmiri pandit in J&K, hapless tribal near POSCO or a villager in Nadigram. This would help one from not gravitating towards selective amnesia or towards the discourse of predominant groups in the power structure.

People of India aren’t interested in knowing the success of market ridden IPL cricket or suicides by disgruntled models, they are rather affected by the widening gulf between the rich and the poor and the sub human conditions of a large section due to lopsided state policies, wanton killings in the name of religion, caste, ethnicity or khap panchayats or displacement due to development.

Finally the prevalence of tolerance and syncretism in the Indian society is an inalienable part of the Indian society, for ex one can find in kerala and Tamilnadu, married Christian women wearing the magalsutra which has a minor difference, i.e. the holy cross instead of signs of hindu gods, or Meo Muslims calling for a hindu astrologer to make the horoscope, whenever a child is born in their family. The renowned Nadaswaram player Late Sheikh Chinna Mullah was an extention of the lord Ranganatha temple in Tiruchirapalli. So the examples are innumerable.

The crisis not only emanates due to the active role of the political parties in the crisis but a convoluted application of secularism over the last few decades that has alienated the masses rather than unifying them.

These are some of my observations that do not intend to discredit your opinion nor question your well justifiable concerns.

Regards

Radhakrishnan