Has the Youth Icon from congress let down the youth of India.

Wikileaks has brought into lime light a conversation between Rahul Gandhi and US Ambassador to India. As per the report Rahul finds the threat from Hindu radicalization more dangerous than LeT. Reams have been written about this. Congress spokespersons have been all over trying to explain what was meant, as if we do not understand English written or spoken.

No I am not going to get into the politics of this, nor am I going to explain what has been written in which paper. I will simply post links to all those articles. 

I am going to approach this from a social or let’s say societal angle. Now what can the parents do in such a situation? We are repeatedly told till it gets ingrained not to discuss family affairs with outsiders till it becomes second nature to us, this is not unique to India it is a world wide phenomenon. Imagine the plight of a parent who rebukes his/her child for discussing family matters with an outsider, the child turns around and retorts but that is okay since our Icon also spoke about India’s domestic affairs with the US Ambassador. Not withstanding all the protestations and explanations from Congress this is unacceptable. A very poor example to emulate!

The second point that I am going to touch upon is that, this conversation has established beyond doubt youthful exuberance can cause serious damage, and is not the panacea as has been projected by Congress. The youth icon has done a great disservice to the Indian youth who wanted to enter politics. Third point youth who come through rank and file with experience in college and university level politics over parachuted politicians should be preferred.

The political fallout, the articles which appeared are being made available for all readers to form their independent opinion on this issue.

 
You cannot be a political columnist in India today and ignore the man who could be our prime minister tomorrow if he wants. But, for those of us obliged to pay careful attention to Rahul Gandhi’s political career, one big problem is that he seems never to have any views on anything. This is what Tavleen Singh had to say. Rahul on terrorism. 

Some people have greatness thrust on them. By Swapan Dasgupta This Emperor-to-be,has no clothes

Flawed teacher , Ignorant pupil. by Chandan Mitra   

Complete analysis of whole Rahul Gandhi controversy,enough to shut the mouths of his supporters. 

 

Lastly responsibility and authority together form the word “leader.” Leadership cannot be bestowed it has to be earned by displaying those broad shoulders which can bear the weight of responsibility. Unfortunately the youth icon has failed, he had the opportunity to own for his comments, he chose to remain silent. Will the Indian youth view this positively or will this become an albatross for Rahul Gandhi. 

I will conclude this post by posting another cartoon by Mr.Satish Acharya.

 

Latest Article posted in Wall Street Journal.

 Rahul Gandhi's naïveté is a greater threat to India" by Sadanand Dhume

This is an absolute must share for all the readers.

Prof. Rahul’s tryst with Wikileaks! : Dabs & Jabs Great one least expected from Hindustan Times.

There is no major threat from 'saffron terrorists'

The recent controversy over a politician's remark on 'Hindu terror' and another gem of invoking visions of an India [ Images ]n Hitler [ Images ] need to be dismissed with contempt they deserve. The former American Ambassador to India, David Mulford's comment that Indian politicians can stoop to any level to garner votes is a ringing indictment of this tribe of politicians.

But such is the power of repetition of lies that there is a great danger of these becoming self-fulfilling prophesies and therefore need to be challenged. An even greater reason is that a politician in wilderness (and a former chief minister) has insinuated that (just like Pakistan) 'saffron' terror has infiltrated even the Indian armed forces. He approvingly quotes the example of a lone wolf rogue officer who is alleged to have got involved in terrorist acts. In the interest of national security, these wild assertions need to be challenged.

 

I welcome a debate and discussion on this…As always, please keep your tone civil, your language polite…no sweeping generalisations please and no personal abuse.  Thank you.

Subjective debates undermine issues Objectivity needed!!

 

Another auspicious day in India! The States Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala came into being at different times as part of the Indian union today. All three of them are in the southern part of India. Let us all join in wishing these states and the people a great future.

Human is the most evolved specie of all the animals that inhabit the planet Earth. We have a slew of entities with geographical boundaries termed as countries, each with its own uniqueness, predominantly practicing Democracy as the form of governance; some are theocracies, while others are totalitarian. Each has it pros and cons, endless debate goes as to which is better. Without any doubt maximum cacophony emanates from countries which practice Democracy, as it is everybodys birth right to start howling moment they do not agree with something that the state does and show inclination of doing. Be it denying permission to erect Minarets in Switzerland, or a Mosque at Ground Zero in New York USA, or expressing the desire to burn the Holy Quran by Pastor Terry Jones on 11th of September 2010 or be it the Ban on wear Burquas in public in France.  The outcry is in unison from almost all corners of the world and Democratic Rights are cited by one and all.

Lets now focus on the raging debate in India. Yes it has to be on what was stated by Ms. Arundhati Roy on the status of state of Jammu & Kashmir in the Union of India. We have since then had a series of Television debates so called liberal, Human Rights activists and Intellectuals placing their considered opinions about this issue. Like wise many articles and news report along with blogs have been written on this issue. Arguments for and against have been vehemently presented to the readers, with a bias of the author of the piece very evident as we read them. Let see what was said.  “Kashmir needs freedom from India” , “I said what millions say in Kashmir” “Pity the nation that has to silence its writers for speaking their minds. Pity the nation that needs to jail those who ask for justice while communal killers, mass murderers, corporate scamsters, looters, rapists, and those who prey on the poorest of the poor, roam free.”    ,“Only voiced what Kashmiris feel” 

After this started the round of customary round of written rebuttal from other journalists, intellectuals, legal eagles and all those who felt aggrieved at what had been stated by Ms.Arundhati Roy.“Arundhati Roy is dangerously wrong on Kashmir” . Don’t pity us, Arundhati – not yet.   ,“Congress asks Arundhati Roy to withdraw Kashmir statement”, “No damage to India from Arundhati Roy's remarks”  and “Kashmir’s molehills”. 

The next stage was the defense from the maker of the speech. “Arundhati Roy defends remarks on Kashmir”. ,  “Arundhati Roy defends remarks on Kashmir “| Deccan Chronicle | 2010-10-26. , next steps in the Police  “Police examining Arundhati Roy's speech” ,  “Arundhati Roy off the hook for her controversial Delhi speech”. and all this culminates as on today  “GBA assails BJP attack on Arundhati Roy’s House”.

Rest easy I am not going to discuss the merits or demerits of what each of them have said or not said. I am going to touch upon a larger question and leave to the readers to decide for them selves what should take precedence. The orderly existence of a civil society is predicated by a set of rules or laws universally applicable across the board. We surrender before these laws and conduct our daily lives within the established acceptable norms. It maybe perfectly normal to walk stark naked within the confine of ones house, however the same act in public is treated as unacceptable and invites punishment under relevant law. Having sex is not prohibited, however if the same act is performed in public or against the will of the other party law views this as an infringement and punishes accordingly. There are no debates about the status of the accused nor is the society, media or intellectual empowered to hand out punishment this is done by the court of law duly established as per the terms set out in the constitution of a country.

Ones Freedom Fighter others Terrorist is an old debate.

The debate on the current issue should be objective in nature, unfortunately it has degenerated into a subjective debate. Why should there be talk of Freedom of Speech or Expression. The basic issue is has the purported statement been made by Ms.Arundhati Roy?….The answer to this is ‘Yes’.Is there a law which defines the limits or conditions for such speeches? Yes there is a law.  Does it in anyway transgress the established laws of the land?.... Answer I am not competent to judge this, neither is the society or the large number of commentator No is an emphatic response to that. Then who will pass a judgment on this?..Court of Law as empowered by the Constitution of the country. Who will produce the evidence and the alleged culprit before the court of law? This is the function of the executive. Let us remember when the ministers assumes office in a government, they are administered an Oath of Office. This is the text…

                                                   THIRD SCHEDULE

[Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), 148(2), 164(3), 188 and 219]*

Forms of Oaths or Affirmations

I

Form of oath of office for a Minister for the Union:—

“I, A. B., do swear in the name of God

that I will bear true faith and

allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, 1[that I will

uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India,] that I will faithfully and

conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I

will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and

the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

II

Form of oath of secrecy for a Minister for the Union:—

“I, A.B., do swear in the name of God that I will not directly or indirectly

communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be

brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister

for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties

as such Minister.”

I have my eyes firmly fixed on the executive waiting for their response. Will any action on this be forthcoming!

As a child we are often taught the importance of time “Stitch in time saves nine.” The other thing that is ingrained into us that “Pen is Mightier than Sword” if this be the case then how can the purported crime of Ms. Arundhati Roy be ignored.

In conclusion is this tweet which was addressed to me earlier this evening. “Suratsuri@anilkohli54 as an Indian who did not write/indulge in any Small Things,I want freedom from Arundati Roy n all her booker contemporaries”

Latest update : Delhi High Court why shouldnt action be taken against A.Roy for antiindia speeches?Wheels R turning atlast                               

What the Government did not do people of this country stepped up. : Court orders FIR against Roy, Geelani"

Do not sow the winds; whirlpools surely you shall reap.

This is in response to the article published in Hindustan time of 09th Aug 2010 "Let’s reap the faith" by Mr. Fareed Zakaria (is the Editor of Newsweek and the author of The Post-American World)



"Let's reap the faith", why not Mr.Fareed Zakaria? Before we delve any further in this proposition, it would be proper to examine the statement.

Reap = Profit

Faith = Trust

Faith = Religious belief or Religion.

"As you sow, so shall you reap" is the law of the nature, laws enacted by mankind are fallible, fortunately laws of the nature do not suffer such frailty.

What you set out to correct has paradoxically resulted in another individual taking the initial step towards rigidity, and that person unfortunately is you. “Five years ago, the ADL honoured me with its Hubert H. Humphrey First Amendment Freedoms Prize. I was thrilled to get the award from an organisation that I had long admired. But I cannot in good conscience keep it anymore. I have returned both the handsome plaque and the $10,000 honorarium that came with it.”

Where does the radicalisation takes place? In the Mosques, Madrassas , Seminaries, in the bad lands of AF-Pak or is it on the streets of the free world?
Which community has this problem of radicalisation? Is it a phenomenon across all religions or is it in Islam?

Followers of which religion are indulging in acts of terror in the name of its religion? Is it all the religions of this world or is it Islam?
Aggrieved cannot be expected to reward the aggressor. Turmoil exists in the society which believes in Islam, we cannot correct this; all course corrections have to come from within and not without.

There is a moderate section of society in Islam. Granted; why is this section not vocal and is not exerting itself?

The moderate voices in Islam will have to engage their own, as they engage with humanity on a world wide scale. Any solution or efforts from outside would exacerbate the sense of victimhood that is often used as a justification for retaliatory violent actions from the followers of Islam.

This is an excerpt of a conversation which I had with an individual from Pakistan on a website about a couple of months back, both of us were disturbed with the venom and senseless verbal violence that many other were indulging in, this gentleman seemed a lot more reasonable in his comment so I engaged him in a conversation with the hope that I might benefit from his knowledge of Islam. This individual made very vehement statements about Vedas having predicted about the coming of Holy Prophet (PBH) and also that Bhagwat Gita mentions about the concept of Jihad. On repeatedly inquiring from this person as to which Veda has made the prediction he was initially evasive and stated that he does not remember in which Veda he had read this (Veda have been passed down from one generation to the other thru word of mouth) On my informing him that Veda did not mention anything as claimed by him or that Bhagavad Gita does not have any reference to Jihad, he turned around and asked me to listen to Dr. Zakir Naik’s lectures. This gentleman has accepted the word of another individual as gospel without applying his mind. His is the mindset that moderates would have to counter, there is complete and total acceptance of what is deemed suitable. There is a very strong case that the followers of Islam start to question what they hear from other individuals.

Another centre in the free world is not the panacea, closed societies in West Asia need to open up.

We in India who have our own brand of six sigma tested and certified secularism cannot be pontificating to the world. Every sovereign nation of the world will have to grapple with this issue and come up with an acceptable formulation most suited to the environment that exist there; There is no single size fit all solution to this issue.

The issue of mosque or a centre being built in close proximity of Ground Zero cannot be addressed on the basis of Legality and Constitutional rights of a section of the society. This would require a very liberal dose of mutual goodwill, give and take, which has already received a major setback by your own action as stated above.
Describing the reactions of those opposed to the centre as Islamophobia is over simplifying the problem and is an exercise in escapism. Push this through on the basis of legality or constitutional rights, is a sure recipe for unwanted happenings in future.

For the benefit of those who may not be fimiliar with Vedas and Bhagavad Gita.

The Four Vedas language used is Sanskrit.

1 Rigveda "the triple sacred science" of reciting hymns, were probably essentially complete by 1200 BC

2 Yajurveda performing sacrifices

3 Samaveda chanting

4 Atharvaveda is the fourth Veda. Its status has occasionally been ambiguous, probably due to its use in sorcery and healing.

Bhagavad Gita "Song of God" The teacher of the Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna. The content of the Gita is the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra war.

What does America have to hide?

This is in respose to the article by Mr.Vir Sanghvi in Hindustan Times What does America have to hide?

Your hypothesis accepted, the reaction from the Indian side would have been instant compliance of the demand from the USA. We belong to the mind set where every wish of the US is a command for us.

We are digressing from the facts by focusing on the US in the case of David Coleman Headley. Probability or rather we should say it is certain that this individual is an American undercover operative. US would most certainly protect its other assets which are deployed in the AFPAK region. This man furnished minimal information to FBI or CIA or DEA about the possible terror event happening in Mumbai on the basis of which intelligence input were provided to the Government of India. 26/11 proved to be a paradigm shift in terrorism not just in India, world over. The intensity, audacity and the accuracy, with which the attack was carried out, must have taken the American agencies by surprise and there after he seems to have been placed under enhanced surveillance by FBI leading to his arrest and conviction.

The crux of the investigations is that FBI by now has the names, ranks of the serving officer from the Pakistan Army, Navy and ISI. This just about leads us to the most volatile situation; disclosure would lead to an instant armed response from any self respecting Nation in the estimations of the US Agencies. India is not in that category because the present dispensation lacks the will and courage to walk that path. Any armed conflict however brief will directly impact US fight on terror in AFPAK, this is unacceptable to USA.

The deficiencies are inherently with us and our establishment, let us not absolve ourselves, nor indulge in chest beating or point accusing finger at US of A, making it out to be a great betrayal of Himalayan proportions.

The questions we need to be asking of our Government? Here are some for which we need to have answers.

Why a comprehensive investigation has not been carried out for 26/11? In the face of the following facts or premises!

1. Terrorists involved were foreigners, presumably on their first mission to Mumbai India. Even the most highly trained commandos do stray and struggle in the urban settings on foreign lands to reach their targets.

2. Mumbai incident should not be seen simply as a terror attack. It was a behind the lines commando operation.

3. The individuals involved were not highly educated?

4. GPS used, are not homing devices therefore a reading of 5 or 10 minutes plus or minus for a degree could mean a parallel bylane and not necessarily the target lane. Yet the terrorist reached their targets with uncanny accuracy.

5. Video recording of a street or a lane form either end would disorient even the best trained commando in a foreign land.

6. Cities look different under different light conditions. If the videos shown were shot during the day, then they would not serve as effectively during the night and vice versa.

7. Navigating on high seas one has to be trained by a person who has the experience of having been on the high seas (Navy), no army man can train another person for sea operations.

8. LeT most definitely does not have the requisite expertise to train terrorists in all areas of operation, hence personnel from the armed forces have to be involved and their finger prints are visible in 26/11 attack.

9. Landing at a designated point along the coast is possible with the help of the GPS, yet it cannot take you to your destination with pinpoint accuracy. Local assistance cannot and should not be ruled out. Even incase of Aircrafts where INS is used (Inertial Navigation System) The aircrafts on Auto pilot would stray by a few fractions of a degree and altitude of a 100ft above and below.

10. The ease with which, the terrorists moved around and took up positions in the Hotels again points to some sort of local assistance, it is not possible for a person who goes into a large property to get to designated spot without any guidance. The terrorist were not exposed to super deluxe hotel properties prior to their attack on Mumbai we can safely assume.

11. Even if Headley is extradited to India given the state of affairs in our country could we hope for an expeditious trial and closure?

The world is full of inequality, when we are unable to offer equal treatment to our own citizens in this country, why are we expecting to be treated as an equal by the US. Equal treatment cannot be demanded, it has to be earned and we unfortunately have done nothing that entitles us for special treatment. Compassionate ground may be valid for us to hand out top jobs of our country. USA may empathize with us, unfortunately will not compromise its supreme national interest.

Let us pledge to work harder, learn to fight our own battles, have the basic intelligence to decipher, when other country provide us with intelligence input, instead of issuing weather man reports and later claim actionable intelligence or otherwise.